Katcloudshepherd

To all you I'm so sorry for your losses. I dread the day when my fur babies are old and can no longer continue. I have 2 little dogs, (1 adopted) and 2 adopted cats. My Zsa-Zsa is a Havanoodle--1/2 Havanese and 1/2 Poodle. My Shadow is a Pohuahua--1/2 Pomeranian and 1/2 Chihuahua. I have two adopted kitties, soon to be 1 year old. Sonnie is a white/orange Tabby and Misty is a beautiful tan, brown and light brown, blue-eyed all American mix. My sister in law had to bury her horse in the back pasture when it got so old she had to put it down. They used a back hoe to dig the grave. I have a little pet cemetery for the ones I've loved and lost. It's under a very large pecan tree. I have angel statues and solar crosses that light up and change colors. I can sit on my back porch and look at the ones who will meet me on the rainbow bridge when I go (hopefully) to heaven. I hope you all find comfort in your memories of the good times you had with your critters.

RJ, I also congratulate you on your weight loss, especially after all you have been through to get where you are!!!!!! I'm going to have to replace much of my winter coats. Thank goodness my gloves still fit!!! Blessings, Kathleen

Love it!!!! When I was first on this site I didn't know what a NUT was. I figured it out after reading several posts. Thank you for taking the time compiling the list. I know in the military we spoke in abbreviations but everyone had a crash course in the language during basic training. Blessings, Kathleen

Kathy, it's been a haul since that September in 2001. We've been married since September of 1992 when I came home on a late, mid-tour leave from Korea. We've been through rough seas but our boat has remained afloat. We shall persevere through this as well. Thank you again, all prayers for him are greatly appreciated, Kathleen

Congratulations on your weight loss! Sounds like you are doing everything you need to do. Keep up the good work!!!

Love your conversation! Especially the part about figuring out the "fairer" sex. Brought a smile to my face this morning. I think that is one of my higher power's greatest jokes on us--making us just different enough to try and figure each other out . If you're not into that it's evolutions greatest joke. I rarely go into specific forums, I usually just look at recent topics as well and respond to them. I hope y'all have a good day.

Congratulations on your weight loss. I hope to heck I never "find" the weight I've lost. I go to the gym regularly, (will be going after work today). When I'm at the gym, I glance at others but I am way to concentrated on doing my workout to pay much attention. I think MANY at the gym are the same way. I pay a pretty penny to go to the one I go to so I'm not there to socialize or stare at others. I'm sure there are some vain people who spend their time gawking but frankly my dear "I don't give a damn". Maybe it's a happy side effect of being older but I seem to care less and less what other people think about me the older I get. A phrase I heard in Over-eater's Anonymous, (OA) was: "What other people think of you is none of your business." Even at my heaviest, I still went to the gym. Like I said, I'm older so I guess I just blew it off. Frack' them! You are there to improve your health. Blessings, Kathleen

Thank you Elode, proudgrammy, darby0375 and Blue_Disciple I sure hope and pray your surgery goes well. Kathleen

Kathy, My husband's colon ruptured on 9/11/2001. He had food poisoning and was hospitilized for diverticulitis several weeks before that. Because of the colon rupture on 9/11/01, he had to heal with an open wound. I had to pack it with a wet/dry dressing twice a day. Then, several months later, they went in and re-attached his colon. He had a wound vac that time. It closed more in a few months than it did in 6 months with the open wound. He had several successive surgeries all going through the same incision. They kept getting infected and he was never able to have a closed wound where his muscles were sutured together. As a result, he has a layer of skin that covers his intestines and doesn't have muscles over his intestines. He has a small hernia in his upper abdomen. He wears an abdominal binder to hold his belly. That is why he can't have laproscopic surgery. Several years ago, we had went in for a consultation with a surgeon for the gastric bypass. This was before they were even doing the sleeve. The surgeon said by he time he got his intestines straightened out, it would be such a long complicated surgery, he would likely develop a blood clot that could kill him after the surgery. That is why he couldn't have the bypass several years ago. You need not worry about me telling you to MYOB. You have been there for me and I so greatly appreciate it. He is very overweight and has more co-morbidities than I. He is on oxygen 24/7, high blood pressure meds, Coumidin for blood thinning and he had adult onset diabetes. Because I eat such a high Protein low carb diet, his diabetes is completely under control. He's never had to take meds for it. He actually got approval for surgery much quicker than I did last year. It took them 2 weeks to approve my surgery. It is such a relief that they did. I'm in no way complaining. I'm just so grateful the insurance approved it. Now the next hurdle--the surgery. He's doing good. I imagine he's more nervous than I was because he is older and has so many more health issues so surgery is more complicated for him. Happy New year to you too. I'm hoping that 2015 is going to be a good one for him and I. We may be able to travel again. Be a couple dancing on the dance floor!!!!!! I miss being able to slow dance with him. Kathleen

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE be sure to drink all your liquids. People sometimes mistake thirst for hunger. I don't know how much damage you may be doing but after going through the surgery--you don't want to continue this practice. I find it's best to distract myself when I get the urge to eat when I don't need to. I have to turn my "fat" brain's attention to something else so I'm not eating. Counseling is your best bet. I would not be where I am without working on my head. Unfortunately, there is no magic switch to flip after surgery--you have to continue to fight the battle of the urges to eat. Good luck, Kathleen

amponder, I went through a VERY DARK period several months after surgery. I think it was because I lost my "best" friend-food as a solace and comforter. After all, food never looked down on me, taunted me, or turned away from me. Food never ever reacted negatively to me like people do. I suffer from, actually I should say, "I deal with" depression. I take medication for it. I come from a long line of people who dealt with depression by diving into a bottle. With the weight loss, medication, exercise and with my faith--I've been able to deal with depression. I believe God has a purpose for me to be here--hope I figure out what the heck it is before I kick the bucket . Changing my brain after surgery was far more difficult than changing my physical body. To that end, I have a post it note taped to my bedside lamp. It says: "Fake it till you make it." and "Make up your mind to be happy." I have to make a conscious effort EVERYDAY to think about the positive things in my life. I have to count my blessings regularly otherwise I just see all the negative things. I now have a big aversion to negative people and DO NOT like to be around them. They bring me down--and I sure don't need any assistance there. Congratulations on your success!!!! Kathleen

Not a stupid question. I wish you the best. I was required to drink clear liquids for the first week. I ended up buying some Isopure clear liquid Protein because I felt weak before the end of that first week. The second week I could have Protein drinks made with milk.

If ignorance is truly bliss, shouldn't there be a lot more incredibly HAPPY people in the world?

Originally, I am from Twinning, Michigan. I now reside in LaVernia, Texas.

I don't look at a number on a scale or a size to determine what is "thin" or "normal". I had originally set a goal weight of 200 pounds but my body stopped at 220. That to me is fine. Thankfully, my surgeon's office never set a goal weight in stone for me. I don't look at models or actresses to set a standard for me. They make their living solely on the basis of their appearance. I make my living with my brain and my hands. EVERYONE will grow older. You cannot stop time. I think I'm of an age where I just don't care as much about what other people think. I don't walk around looking slovenly or badly, I just think my worth is more about what is on my inside than what is on my outside. Many people who knew me as a morbidly obese person now call me "skinny". I think it is just that I was SO LARGE before that the difference is so obvious. I'm not skinny by any means. However, I'm much healthier now than I was at 338 pounds. That is what matters. To use a phrase that is so overused: It is what it is. Blessings, Kathleen

proudgrammy, I am so very HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!! Your posts have been supportive and uplifting and for that I am truly grateful. I so look up to you and the other veterans who provide information and most importantly inspiration to those who follow y'all down the weight loss highway. I just past the one year mark. I sure do hope to emulate your success in years 2 and 3. It is such a relief to hear that continued success is possible . I wish you a very, very happy holiday season and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015. Blessings, Kathleen

I took it in 2009 as a last ditch effort to lose weight without the surgery. Yeah, I lost 60 pounds BUT my blood pressure got so high I had to start taking blood pressure medication! As soon as I stopped taking it---BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!! my appetite came back with an absolutely, wicked vengeance. I put back those 60 pounds AND they invited some "friends" along too! I sincerely hope I have not damaged my heart muscle taking that crap as I took it for almost a year. Frankly, I don't think the doctor's office I got it from gave a rat's patootie about me truly losing weight and keeping it off. It was about the money I spent on the office visits and other fees I paid them to obtain the prescription. They also sold all the bariatric foods and supplements I took as well. Gee, you think there was a profit motive there? Not that I'm against anyone making money but I think the motivation was profit NOT my health. Just my two cents worth. I regret spending the money I did on that BUT I think I got my approval for WLS quicker and easier because it was a documented attempt at doctor's supervised weight loss. Blessings, Kathleen

One year ago today, I had my VSG. I am feeling better than I have in over a decade. There were challenges. It wasn't all fairy dust and unicorn farts Lord Almighty it was worth it. This photo was taken at work today. Blessings, Kathleen

I've lost about 117 pounds. I've haven't lost in a little over a month. I'm happy where i'm at. Size 28 woman's to a size 16 woman's. I was able to get down to a size 16 regular when I was in the Army--but I was in my 20's then. Don't see myself getting there again. At the age of 49 and going through menopause--That's OK. I was also a smoker when I got down to a regular size 16. Thank you all for your compliments and your prayers. I GREATLY appreciate any prayers for my husband. Blessings, Kathleen

FAB---U------LUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for your very creative revision of the song! Kathleen

I was so very fortunate that I didn't experience nausea. My surgeon gave me several anti nausea meds before surgery and I've always tolerated anesthesia well. If you are five weeks out, that is something you should see your doctor about. Are you eating the recommended foods at five weeks out? After you have the surgery you have to view your sleeve as an infants tummy. You introduce one new food at at time and see if that food settles well on the tummy. If you eat something and don't have a reaction, you know it's safe to consume that type of food. I really think you need to talk to your doctor's office. You are too close to surgery for a lay person like myself to be able to give you good advice. I hope you communicate with your doctor's office quickly and get this resolved and it is nothing serious. Blessings, Kathleen

Thank you everyone, jenn1, I'm praying and hoping my husband can have the sleeve surgery. He had several surgeries on his abdomen and they kept cutting through the same area and he developed infections so the muscles and skin couldn't be sutured together. As a result, he has a layer of skin over his intestines instead of muscles. He is on oxygen and has a herniated disc in his low back and osteoarthritis in his knees. He has high blood pressure, type II diabetes and uses a power chair to get around because of all his joint problems. He actually has so many more co-morbidities than I did. He has a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist on Wednesday of next week. I pray and hope that he'll be cleared to have the surgery. It's the last thing he has to get cleared before they apply to insurance for approval. We've been married since September 5, 1992. We've gotten through military service together, my tour of Korea, when he mailed me an invitation to my own wedding . He said: "I wanted to make sure you would show up". I was stationed in Korea and he was at Fort Sam Houston, (San Antonio, TX). We had a "shotgun" wedding, not because I was pregnant but we wouldn't be stationed together if we weren't married. We survived his emergency surgery when his colon ruptured on September 11, 2001, my mother's death eleven days later when I brought him home from the hospital. So this is just another challenge we have to overcome. I hope and pray that in 2015, he'll have the surgery and the surgeon will be able to do it. The surgeon has said if he cuts him open and he thinks it will kill him, he won't do the surgery. So if he can have the surgery AND lose as much weight as I have and have as much an improvement in quality of life---THEN we can start living as a couple again. We can travel together again and enjoy it. We can dance. Oh how I want to be able to dance with my husband again. I'm sorry to go on and on and on but communicating to people who have not struggled with morbid obesity isn't the same as communicating with people who understand just what a daily struggle being morbidly obese is. Again, thank you all for your compliments. I wish all of you an easy journey if you are beginning this trip down the WLS highway. Blessings, Kathleen

I'm more "vain" if you consider being more concerned about my appearance than prior to surgery. People treated me differently before surgery and I think my attitude was a direct reflection of that. Yesterday, on the job, I had to interact with people I hadn't interacted with in several years. I found it amusing that they were ALMOST falling all over themselves to be of assistance to me . Not that they treated me badly several years ago but it struck me again how differently I am treated now. I do care more about my appearance and I DO FEEL much better with clothes on than naked. My husband said: "you're lookin' good babe", as I was off to work this morning. However, not liking how I look naked doesn't stop me from working out and walking around naked in the women's locker-room. If you don't like what I look like--don't look at me baby! When I was younger I was more concerned about other peoples opinions. I guess since I'm now 49--I just care less and less what other people think. They don't sign my pay check or my performance appraisal. Blessings, Kathleen

Bob, I work for he federal government in an agency that regulates food. cynthiarm2000, I admire you for eating the way you do. I would very much like to be eating organic...grass fed...ethically treated...minimally processed...uncured.. ...foods. I would like to have my own chickens, so I know they are humanely treated in the eggs I eat. Unfortunately, I don't have the money to purchase organic, grass-fed, ethically treated products. They do cost more than the factory farmed ones in the grocery store. Working full time, I don't have the time to raise my own chickens. How has my identity changed since surgery? I'm now called "skinny". I concentrate on getting my Water in, Protein in, taking supplements, getting regular exercise and doing things one day at a time. I try not to preach weight loss surgery to those I am so tempted to prosleytize to. I know that people have to come to their own decision about weight loss surgery, since it is highly personal and everyone is different. Before surgery, I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Now I have to do a considerable amount of planning regarding what I will eat, when I will eat it and how I will prepare it. Because I am not a cook, work full time and have a busy life, I live on GENEPRO Protein powder and Quest bars right now. I would like to do more cooking when I retire in 7 years. I hope to raise chickens in 7 years but I'm thinking that may change too. I would like to travel when I retire as well. Having chickens to take care of and traveling don't work well together. I think you'll find some adjustments to your occupation as a "food guy" but I wonder if it may give you an opportunity as well. You will be in a position to create new recipes that are high in protein and lower in carbs. IMHO there will be an opportunity in the near future for those businesses catering to people like me who are needing high protein, low carb meals. I notice advertisements are proclaiming how much protein their products have. I LOVE it when I can go to a restaurant and they have something tasty on a menu which fits into my food plan. Something that doesn't come in a HUGE portion that is high protein and low carb. ​I don't know if my rambling helps you or not. ​I wish you success with your surgery and hope you have an easy recovery. Blessings, Kathleen

I felt so weak before my first week follow-up appointment, I started drinking Isopure clear Protein drinks. The broth wasn't enough for me. Once I started drinking the Isopure clear Protein Drinks, I felt better, not completely but they still helped me to feel less weak. You do need to get plenty of rest right after surgery. It's major surgery even if it is done laproscopically. Blessings, Kathleen