SammyRN

Hey All, Haven't checked in in a while so I would pop in and say hi! All of you are doing incredibly amazing!! I had to change my profile pic to a before and after...and the after is from July...I have to update it again....but one of my most recent NSV/NSA was that I fit into a size 18 Calvin Klein dress for a wedding this past weekend!! When I first started my journey I was wearing a size 28! And I now have my very first piece of name brand clothing!! Never in my life did I think that this would happen for me. I still have about 60 pounds to go until I meet my goal, but since I am training for my very first half marathon in March of 2015, I'm hoping that it will melt right off. Keep it up wonderful ladies!! ~*Samantha*~

That's good to know about the support group in Akron! I had my surgery done at University Hospitals and Dr. Khaitan was my surgeon and I'll be 9 months out in November. I love my team at UH!! Good luck to everyone who is having upcoming surgeries and hope everyone is doing well!

Have a great trip Janette!! Claire, I'm glad you made it back home safe and sound. It sounds like you had a blast. I'm still seeing some progress, but, like Kim, I need to make exercise more of a priority. The weather is starting to change here in Ohio...and that means no more working out outside...so I'm thinking of looking into getting a personal trainer to keep myself together over the winter. I'm hoping that my hair loss will start to slow down soon...but starting Biotin supplements and using Biotin shampoo has helped a little. Glad everyone is doing well!! Keep it up!!

Hi all, Here are my most recent before and after pics. This is at my 6 month mark prior to my follow up with my surgeon.

SassyD-I'm in the Akron/Canton area too...I wish I could find an in person support group there. Let me know if you hear of anything...

Sassyd-I had mine done at UH too!! Dr. Khaitan was my surgeon!! She's amazing, as well as her team. Hope your journey is going well...I had my RNY done in February and I'm almost at the 100 pound loss mark... Good luck to everyone that has their surgery coming up soon!!

Hey all, Figured I would check in with everyone since I haven't been on in a while. Just got caught up with everyone's stories and I'm so proud of all of you!! Everyone seems to be doing so well!! Occasionally, my stomach tends to make the mating sounds of its people....which I think is so loud and obnoxious, but my co-workers just laugh at me and say that they don't hear anything...I don't know if they are just trying to appease me, or what...but I know my new tummy is loud! I don't have the issues with the urge to have diarrhea though. I've had more issues with constipation than anything, but I think I have finally gotten myself on a good regimen to keep me going. I'm heading in for my 6 month f/u next Monday...I'm hoping and praying that I can lose one more pound by then to have lost 100 pounds in 6 months!! I can't even fathom how I accomplished that small task....but I'm so glad that I did!! Y'all are totally an inspiration to me! Let's keep it up losers!! Take care all, Samantha

Thanks everyone!! I'm basing my weight loss on what I weighed at my inital appointment in December, 2013 with my surgeon. But, I'm proud of everything that I have been able to accomplish so far!! You all are such an inspiration to me and I'm so poroud of everything that you rock stars have accomplished as well!! Let's keep it up losers!! ~*Samantha*~

Hi all, I know its been a while since I have checked in...but wanted to say that everyone has been doing phenomenal!! I'm currently down 91 pounds and loving every minute of it. I started playing in a sand volleyball league and am looking into starting to play co-ed softball again....who woulda thunk it?!? Keep up the great work all!! ~*Samantha*~

Hey Everyone....it's been awhile since I've been on here, but figured I would check in...Had my RNY surgery 2.27.14 and I'm now down 91 pounds. Dr. Khaitan and her team at University Hospitals have been great!! I'm going in for my next follow up in August, and I hope that I can hit the 100 pound loss mark!! It sounds like everyone is doing phenominal...no matter where you are in your journey...keep up the great work!!

Hi all, I know this might be a little TMI, but I figured I could ask you all. After you had your surgery, how long did it take for you to have another menstrual cycle? I finished my last one right before my surgery and had another 3 days post-op, but I haven't had one since. I'm going on a cruise in June and I'm terrifed that Aunt Flo is gonna join me uninvited. I'm still taking my birth control everyday and I know that my doctor has said that my hormones will be completely screwy since estrogen is stored in fat and I'm still losing. Any advice would be appreciated!! Thanks girls! Samantha

Hey Claire, It's under that wheel looking thingy next to your name. Then, go to my tickers and you can make yours. Hope that helps!!

It sounds like everyone is doing amazing!! RaeRaes-sometimes I get that epigastric pain that feels like my insides are going to burst into flames. I think mine is just related to heartburn. My doctor told me to try Maalox to help with the pain. Just my two cents... Hope everyone keeps up the amazing good work everyone is doing! ~*Samantha*~

Hi all!! Hope everyone is doing well!! Zom-that's amazing about Disney!! That was one of my first goals after this surgery was to be able to fit on the amusement park rides!! So happy for you!! Tkauhi-my doctor just talked with me about plateaus yesterday at my 6 week visit. Have you tried changing your exercise routine or eating habits? She said that you have to shock your body back into weight loss mode. Hope that helps! My 6 week visit went really well and they are happy with my progress. I'm down 40ish pounds since my surgery and they said that is great. I just have to eat more vegetables...which im not too excited about, but I guess I'll have to try them...I really want a salad, but I can't have that yet. Boo!! So, any good vegetable recipes would be appreciated!! Take care losers!! Samantha

Zom...Have fun in Florida!! I got back for my 6 week post op visit in one week. I am hoping for the best. I feel like I have been doing okay on my soft diet, but sometimes I still push the envelope and end up feeling like crap. This is such a learning process for me and I'm glad that I have you all to help me through it. Hope everyone has a wonderful week! Samantha

Bella, I think that's perfectly reasonable. When I moved on to my pureed stage, I found recipes on a blog called The World According to Eggface. She had gastric bypss in '09, and she has a wonderful blog. The baked ricotta recipe was fantastic!! I am a month out and down 40 pounds since I started my pre-op diet. Keep doing well!! We are here if you need anything!! Samantha

Sorry I have been MIA lately. Just trying to adjust to getting back to reality. Claire, I am a nurse, but I work in a doctors office and I sit at a desk all day. That was rough at first, but it's getting better. I'm trying to get my rear in gear and get to the gym. I wish the weather would cooperate here in Ohio, so I could get outside and walk the hike and bike trail by my house. Hope everyone else is doing well!

Claire, You really do know what to say!! I always look forward to reading your posts about this subject. I feel how you all are feeling with being territorial about my food....but, as each day passes...I'm getting better. Went back to work today and it's kind of tiring, but I will get through it....gotta just keep living by my new motto...this too shall pass... Take care all of you!! Thank you for being so supportive and caring!! Samantha

Hi all! I'm having the same issues that you guys are having....every time I turn around, there is another restaurant commercial on TV. I want pizza so bad....but I know that it will all be worth it once these cravings pass. Hope everyone is doing well!!

Hi all, Just a thought, have any of you girls with the abdominal pain and constipation and/or diarrhea tried adding fiber to your drinks? That was one of the first things that my NUT told me to start. I use the sugar free Benefiber and you can't even taste it in the drink. That seems to help with me. I have learned so much from you all just by reading all of your posts. Thank you all for sharing your honest opinion and even when you think the cards are down...it will get better. Take care all! Samantha

Hi all, I'm another one of the February stragglers....just had my surgery on 2/27 and had my 10 day post op appointment today. Got advanced to purees (thank you Jesus!) and was down 11 pounds since my initial pre-op appointment. I just had an egg that was smashed to a pulp and it tasted so good. I'm still working on getting in my 64 oz of fluid a day, but I think that I will be okay with getting my protein in each day. Thank you for sharing some of the puree recipes!! I look forward to trying some of them. I have read all of your posts and you are all so inspiring to me. I am glad that I have you all to talk to about my ups and downs. I was having issues with getting all of my medications in when I first came home from the hospital, but now, my primary care doctor has already taken me off a couple of my medications. That was amazing and my first small goal accomplished. I still have one more week off of work, but I'm excited to go back next Monday.