WLS Patient Personal Info

[FluffyGirl79]

Real name: Melissa

Geographical location: Portage, IN (soon to be Valparaiso, IN as soon as I get married!)

Age: 26

Marital Status: Getting married April 29, 2006!!!

Children/Ages: No kids, getting two stepdaughers soon--ages 11 and 12

Occupation: 4th Grade Teacher

Pets: None

Hobbies/Interests: Church activities, watching movies

Height: 5'0"

Eye/Hair Color: Dark brown/Dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 7/18/05

Starting Weight: 265

Present Weight: 190

Goal Weight: 130 ??

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I am always able to get in my protein, but it is CONSTANTLY on my mind...I'm constantly thinking about what I've ate and what I need to eat to get in all the protein...like an obsession!

Following any specific plan: Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass diet...which is basically low carb, no sugar, high protein

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: So far this one actually works!

Anything else you would like to share with us: My next goal is to get to 160 by my wedding (April 29, 2006)

[quietdreamz]

My name is talora. I live in Northern, MN, with my life partner who is now called "The General". I started out at 274 and am down to 140, one year post roux en y surgery. I am an avid gardner, love cooking and am working on a cookbook for me after surgery. I am also an avid reader, and enjoy the computer. Cappie is our gorgeous Golden Retriever and I wish I had his energy. LOL
I am still searching for a juice based protein supplement that sort of has the consistency of kool-aid. Any ideas???
Peace and love,
talora

[quietdreamz]

I don't know if this will help, but it has worked wonders for me. I buy bottled water in 8 oz bottles. Then I am able to drink the bottled water, and the 8 oz stays cold. I also freeze the bottles and then let them thaw slowly in the fridge so that the water always stays cold. They are the perfect size for 1/2 package of crystal lite on the go too. I hope this helps you as much as this helped me. Good luck!
Peace and love,
talora

[quietdreamz]

Real name: talora

Geographical location: Northern Minnesota where "Baby it's cold outside".

Age: 58

Marital Status: Never Again!!! LOL Do have a life partner

Children/Ages: Son 40 and daughter 37 and 2 granddaughters, 8 and 3

Occupation: Stay at home

Pets: Golden Retriever, named Cappie

Hobbies/Interests: Gardening, Cooking, Reading, Computers

Height: 5'9"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 1/31/05

Starting Weight: 274

Present Weight: 140

Goal Weight: 150

[tigg1974]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Real name: Angela

Geographical location: Ontario, Canada

Age: 31

Marital Status: commonlaw

Children/Ages: fur baby Molson

Occupation: ECE Teacher

Pets: Molson border Collie/german shepherd mix)

Hobbies/Interests:

Height: 5'2"

Eye/Hair Color: Brunette/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: May 25th 2005

Starting Weight: 285

Present Weight: 195

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Drinking the water, keeping hydrated and getting in my vitamins
Following any specific plan: WLS

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: So far this one actually works!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I've been working out at the gym daily...
E-mail:

[LAnneCarrington]

Real name: Lori

Geographical location: PA

Age: 45

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Freelance Writer/PR/Actor

Pets: Three domestic shorthair cats, Popeye, Spanky and Tiger

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, theater, classic rock and oldies music, drawing and painting, football (American), wrestling, forensic science/criminal justice, fashion, meeting new people (though I can be a bit shy at first).

Height: 5'4

Eye/Hair Color: Red/Blue

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 3/7/04

Starting Weight: 351 (highest weight back in 2004)

Present Weight: it's going to vary as it is dropping fast!

Goal Weight: 145-150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Drinking the water and getting in enough protein.

Following any specific plan: Had lap band surgery done 3/22/07

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I feel I am more disciplined and have a "glass half full" attitude.

Anything else you would like to share with us:

I was scheduled for Roux-n-Y gastric bypass surgery on 9/28/05, but
I didn't get the gastric bypass done, and here is why.

Everything was going well and I had a mask over my face, being told to breathe deeply. Next thing I knew, I was awake and told the bypass couldn't be done, because not only did I have several intestines twisted...but a rare condition termed a malrotated digestive system was discovered; in layman's terms, everything is on the OPPOSITE of where it should be (example: my appendix was on the left side instead of the right). Actually, it was quite interesting. This is a disorder commonly found in children; only 1 in 5000 adults actually have this---AND they experience no symptoms throughout their lives, as I did. So the surgery I DID receive was to correct this problem as well as remove my appendix as a precaution in the event I ever got appendencitis.

[VeggyMom]

Real name: Carole

Geographical location: Florida

Age: 36

Marital Status: Happily Married for 11 years and counting!

Children/Ages: 1 daughter age 9 (almost 10)

Occupation: Wife and Homeschooling Mom

Pets: Bolt (Boston Terrier), Ian (tabby cat), Tigger (black cat), Lilly (black cat) and Marty (gerbil)

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, making rosaries, being with my family.

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Red/Blue

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: August 2005 (WLS journey start)

Starting Weight: 310

Present Weight: 291

Goal Weight: 150-170 (depends on how I feel and look)

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: learning to like exercise.

Following any specific plan: Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have reached the end of my tolerance for my current life-style.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Not that I can think of.

[Loodie]

DATE: January 21, 2006

USERNAME/REAL NAME: Loodie/Linda

AGE: 56

BIRTHDAY: September 17, 1949

MARITAL STATUS: Married, happily (but my hubby & I live 100 miles apart)

CHILDREN/AGES: 1 Daughter - 27
2 Step-daughters - 22 & 25(married & expecting 1st grandchild)
1 Step-son - 21

TOP WEIGHT: 273

CURRENT WEIGHT: 266

GOAL WEIGHT: 130

HEIGHT: 5'2”

EYE COLOR: Hazel

HAIR COLOR: Whatever color I buy--Currently red-brown (Naturally dk. brown & gray)

OCCUPATION: Information Systems Analyst/Pjt. Administrator

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Indianapolis, IN

SURGERY DATE: March 1, 2006

SURGERY TYPE: Lap RNY.

HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Quilting, reading, computer (Used to be walking & biking--maybe again)

GOALS: Lower blood pressure, stop taking meds, walk 2 miles, not have backpain all the time and weigh 150 or less.

PETS: 1 cat (Friend) & 1 dog (Fritz). They are best buddies & love to play together.

WEIGHTLOSS JOURNEY BEGAN: As a child in grade school, but with a planned diet (WW) in 1970(?)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PROBLEM IN WEIGHT LOSS: Exercise always has been. I am not a "go to the gym" type person & I don't swim. I did love to walk at one time though & ride bike & would like to do that again.

[moodimus]

Real name: heidi
Geographical location: Orange county, California
Age: 40
Marital Status: married 18 yrs
Children/Ages: son 16--son 15---daughter 11---son 8--------son 6

Occupation: medical assistant
Petsne kitty cat----Fish Taco

Hobbies/Interests: gardening---swimming (will do more after WLS) and sailing
Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: red---hazel
Date of Surgery: FEB 7, 2006
Type of Surgery: Roux en Y gastric bypass

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: high school!!!!

Starting Weight: highest weight ever recorded: 327

Present Weight: 309

Goal Weight: will be thrilled just to be under 200
Biggest hurdle to overcome in managing after WLS: currently having trouble maintaining exercise and stamina

[njmom1975]

Real name: Jolie

Geographical location: New Jersey

Age: 30

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Kayley 7 and Zach 3

Occupation: Stay at home mom

Pets: Lab and Newfie mix ~Bear

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, spending time with the kids, volunteering at school, reality TV, baking and cooking

Height: 4'11

Eye/Hair Color: Auburn/hazel

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 3/14/06

Starting Weight: 237

Present Weight: 237

Goal Weight: 120

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Drinking the water and getting in enough protein.

Type of Surgery: Gastric Bypass

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am just praying that it works. I can't live like this anymore.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I am looking forward to meeting a lot of people and hearing your stories. I am also looking for support, since I am becoming very nervous now that the time is fastly approaching.

[Rassie]

Real name: Susan

Geographical location: Charleston, SC

Age: 48

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: none, unless you count my parents, Mom - 85 and Dad - 88

Occupation: Educator

Pets: none at this time...but planning to adopt

Hobbies/Interests: computer-webpublishing, reading, music (singing/handbells) and watching tons and tons of CSI:Vegas

Height: 5'7"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Brown with red highlights (chemically treated. ;-)

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 6/06/04

Starting Weight: 365

Present Weight: 180

Goal Weight: 130-140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Getting enough protein.

Following any specific plan: No

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: The realization that this a life-long change and that I must exercise, exercise, exercise!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I plan to retire in two years. Would love to have my body all set. Indeed I would love to loss the rest of the weight by next fall. Also, I am looking into surgery for excessive skin. Hope to get some good advice here.

[Carrotstyx]

Real name: Carol

Geographical location: Keyport, NJ

Age: 32

Marital Status: married

Children/Ages: none

Occupation: Police dispatcher

Pets: a big fat, spoiled, calico kitty named Sierra.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading horror novels, camping, I really want to start a nice, big aquarium soon. I love to watch the fish, it's very relaxing.

Height: 5' 9"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/currently medium brown, but it changes quite often.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 10/10/2005

Starting Weight: 378

Present Weight: 281

Goal Weight: 170

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Getting my head hunger under control.

Following any specific plan: No

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I have more confidence in myself than ever before, and it helps to make this journey a lot easier.

[SkinnieMinnie]

Real name: Minnie

Geographical location: Upper Midwest

Age: 40

Marital Status: Engaged

Children/Ages: 1 terrific son who is almost 18

Occupation: Work for myself

Pets: one dog, 2 cats and a few cows and chickens

Hobbies/Interests: Being a computer geek, fitness fitness fitness!, cooking and baking, traveling, scrapbooking, theater, boating, movies, interior design, going to concerts, just going out and living my life to the fullest with no regrets and enjoying every second of it..life is too short!

Height: 5'2

Eye/Hair Color: Blonde/Bluish-Green

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 7/12/01

Starting Weight: 370

Present Weight: 124

Goal Weight: I'm at goal

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Making the lifestyle and behavioral changes that comes with being a postop

Following any specific plan: Just a sensible diet..I only count calories

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: It forced me to really look at myself, face the issues that caused me to eat and become MO..it has humbled me.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Just do it for YOU..it will only work if you work it..and always remember..it's just a tool..nothing is forever..at this point postop..almost 5 years..it's like I never had surgery (cept for dumping *which is a GOOD thing*)..it makes those changes that are required come in handy..without making those changes..it will be a much harder journey.

[Shuston]

Real name: Stacey

Geographical location: Minnesota

Age: 30

Marital Status: Happily married

Children/Ages: Brandon 9, Dustin 8, and Jillian 3

Occupation: Full time mommy

Pets: 2 dogs (Buster and Toto and 1 cat (Sammy)

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, internet, baking and cooking

Height: 5'7 '

Eye/Hair Color: Blondish, brownish, reddish..Is that a color? lol And my eyes are brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 7/03

Starting Weight: 301

Present Weight: 155

Goal Weight: I like where I am at..But would not mind losing a little more...

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Getting enough protein!!

Following any specific plan: WLS

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I actually lost the weight and have kept it off!

Anything else you would like to share with us: This surgery has been one of the best choices I have ever made in my life!!!

[chaoskitty]

Real name: Tammy
Geographical location: Columbus, Ohio
Age: 45

Marital Status: married almost 25 years

Children/Ages: Girl, 21 and Boy, 18
Occupation: Tech Spec

Pets: Walker (doberman), and he has 3 cats, Princess, Bad Kitty, Onyx and one minpin, Dakota

Hobbies/Interests: Computer, losing weight, knitting, American Idol

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown, and curly - brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: August 3, 2004 - Gastric Bypass

Starting Weight: 229.9 but my highest weight was 265

Present Weight: 158

Goal Weight: 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Clothes frustrations (this is a good thing, though), drinking enough water, and surprisingly enough - trying to eat enough. Handling compliments well - I'm not used to it yet.

Following any specific plan: WLS, jenny craig

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: the weight is coming off pretty regularly, but never fast enough.

Anything else you would like to share with us: You can still gain weight after weight loss surgery if you are not careful about the calories.