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karen_marie

Gastric Bypass Patients
  • Content Count

    136
  • Joined

  • Last visited

7 Followers

About karen_marie

  • Rank
    Expert Member
  • Birthday 02/11/1983

About Me

  • Biography
    Like many others, I've been overweight almost my entire life. I looked into gastric bypass back around 2010 but my insurance didn't cover it. Now, years later, my current insurance covers the procedure and I'm sooooo ready for it!
  • Gender
    Female
  • Interests
    Classic cars, interval running, my dogs, family get togethers, video games, YouTube, true crime shows
  • Occupation
    International Project Specialist
  • City
    Pingree Grove
  • State
    IL

Recent Profile Visitors

8,115 profile views
  1. I second @Matt Z's advice and comments, especially waiting until you're a year+ out from surgery. I'd add maybe seeing a nutritionist before you plan to actually do the hike - even before any long training hikes prior to your trip. They may have some good tips on hiking-friendly foods that will work for us special folks Seeing them early enough will allow you to test out nutrition on your training hikes to see what works for you. And PS I'm suuuuper jealous! Would love to hike even part of the PCT someday.
  2. karen_marie

    5 things I've learned 5 yrs out

    I had gastric bypass, but all of your points translate to us as well. Can't agree with you more, and I'm only 10mos out from my surgery. Congrats on your success! And YES, everyone should spend some time really dissecting the what/when/why they go to food as a comfort or a compensator. It's not the most comfortable thing in the world, but will be the biggest reason why you have long term success. I also found a new passion in doing active things that I never thought my body could do - it's incredibly empowering to see your body accomplish things you never thought it could do. It definitely drives me to see just what I can get my body to do lol
  3. Been awhile since I've come and posted anything, but realized I should share that on July 21st I ran my very first half marathon! And did it even faster than I was hoping!! 2:53:50 for 13.1 miles B) The following week, I had a follow up appointment with my surgeon and I got a pic of me and Dr. Wallace while wearing my finisher medal. He was super excited! Now I'm featured on their website and Facebook page, and I even raised my hand to come in and speak to prospective patients at his info sessions about my experience. Right now I'm at 173.2, down from a HW of 300. First goal is to hit 160lbs, then I think my final weight goal will be somewhere around 140lbs. Excited for my next running challenge at the Disney Princess Half Marathon this upcoming February. I'll be doing the Fairytale Challenge - run a 10k on day one, then run a half marathon on day 2. Who knows, maybe I'll plan to do my first full marathon in late 2019!

    wallace and me 7-2018.JPG

    Me first half marathon 7.21.18.jpg

    1. Orchids&Dragons

      Orchids&Dragons

      Congrats! That is amazing!

    2. AEdoesRnY

      AEdoesRnY

      That is amazing! Being able to run races like 5Ks, 10Ks, and even one day half marathons is a MAJOR goal of mine. Thanks for the inspiration!

  4. I'm doing something I never thought I'd be physically able to do - I'm participating in a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser called High Ropes for Habitat. By hitting a fundraising goal, I'll be able to rappel down 21 stories from the roof of my office building! HOW COOL YET TERRIFYING! lol 

    My awesome company is going to be donating half of the minimum fundraising amount, but I wanted to spread the word and share this super cool charity activity. If you're feeling giving, feel free to support my rappel with any size donation you'd like - it's all tax deductible (for US residents), so you're helping a great charity and helping your tax refund at the same time :) If nothing else, see if your local Habitat for Humanity is holding a similar event. I am challenging myself to do this because if I were still 100+lbs heavier, I would never even consider doing it.

    http://www.chicagolandhabitat.org/goto/KarenMWilliams

  5. karen_marie

    October '17 RNY buddies

    I'm down a total of 106.2 from my highest! Down from a size 24 to a 14, 3XL tops down to L/XL tops. Even my feet are smaller lol From a 10.5 wide to a 10 regular. A year ago, I was happy to finish a 5k in under an hour with interval running (run/walk method). Now, I'm training to run my first half marathon. Ran 4.5mi twice this week, and have an 8mi run on the schedule for Sunday morning. Never in a MILLION YEARS did I think I'd ever be able to accomplish something like this! Also scheduled my 100lb loss milestone reward for next Saturday - horesback trail ride! I love riding and haven't been able to do it in over a decade because I've been too heavy. Not anymore!! Make it a GREAT weekend everyone!!
  6. karen_marie

    Progress Collages

  7. As of last Friday, I dropped back into Onderland!!! Can't believe it! Last time my weight started with a one was at least 10-15yrs ago. Pic from this Saturday with my hubby and his mom at our house warming party. Other pic is me at my heaviest last summer. The transformation blows me away! As a reward for hitting this big milestone, I'll be signing up for a horseback trail ride - the first one I've been able to do in over a decade due to weight restrictions. I'm sooo excited!! I'm also training for my first half marathon - ran my first 10k on Sunday :D It's incredible what I'm able to do now, and everyday I'm thankful for this amazing tool that is helping me realize some big dreams.

    me 4.21.18.JPG

    me 9.9.17.png

    1. Sosewsue61

      Sosewsue61

      Oh my gosh Karen Marie, you look amazing!! Way to go girl!!!

    2. Orchids&Dragons

      Orchids&Dragons

      Congrats on one-derland! You look fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

    3. hap314ness

      hap314ness

      Congratulations! Looks like you've got a lot to celebrate - between a new home, a new number in the hundreds place, and an exciting activity planned you must be over the moon. Can't wait to see the picture after your half marathon!

  8. karen_marie

    October '17 RNY buddies

    Congratulations!!!!!! I'm inching my way to the 100lb loss mark and Onderland myself!
  9. karen_marie

    October '17 RNY buddies

    Girl the struggle is REAL LOL
  10. karen_marie

    October '17 RNY buddies

    yeah I've had to plan for more time to get ready in the morning to allow the extra minutes needed to corral as much hair as possible
  11. karen_marie

    October '17 RNY buddies

    oh man do I feel you on that lol the amount of hair falling out is INSANE. I've been back in the habit of taking super high strength biotin (10,000 mg pill a day) to try and help lessen the blow, as well as help my splitting finger nails. I know my overall vitamin levels are good (labs were stellar), so it's just the usual 3mo+ hair loss issue. Ugh, hair EVERYWHERE lol
  12. karen_marie

    Feeling really down...

    So sorry to hear you have to deal with all this! Don't let the BS steal your resolve, just know that the surgery will happen but maybe not when you thought. Frustrating as all hell, but you'll get your surgery
  13. karen_marie

    Can You Drink Too Much Post Surgery?

    I don't think you should worry too much about how much water/fluids you're drinking, but def work to not gulp. Start getting into the idea of 'smaller over longer time' - applies to drinking and eventually eating. Already being used to sipping liquids will make taking smaller bites of food a more normal idea. Congrats on being almost a week out!
  14. karen_marie

    No-No Foods

    I can do hard boiled eggs, the occasional over easy egg and soft scrambled eggs, but if I cook the scrambled egg too much the texture is disgusting to me. So I generally avoid scrambled eggs. Also have not had sliced bread in forever. Seems to sit like a brick in my stomach and I usually end up spitting it up. I figured I'd try again a little later on. I'm about 3.5 mos out from surgery at this point.
  15. karen_marie

    October '17 RNY buddies

    You're doing awesome! Yeah I've noticed this thread has gotten quiet, too. I think now that we're all a few months out, the focus has shifted to just living our new lives now haha Not as much to talk about I guess unless someone has a specific post-op question or concern. I've got my 3mo appointment with surgeon on 1/31 so I hope my vitamin levels in my updated lab work are up to snuff.

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