Kim G's Journey

[Kim G]

Ok so I am going to try this...please be patient as I am not very good with pics on here.

This is my the day I started my pre-op liquid diet (316)

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[Kim G]

Ok here is Sept 10th 05...

(I had lost like 40 something pounds since the first pic)

[Kim G]

I can't remember what I weighed here... I will get my chart from work tomorrow and update the weights. (blame it on the blonde hair.)

88

[Kim G]

10 months post op....

89

[Kim G]

1 Year post op....total lost was 87 pounds. :orange:

90

[Kim G]

Ok so that has been my year...I have lost some more not sure you will be able to tell but I try to take the pics every 3 months..so updated ones will come soon. I did notice one thing my smile got bigger and I actually cared more about how I looked the more I lost...I feel so much better.

Thanks for the support no matter where it came from it has helped me to get this far and I am still lossing which is what I love!!!

[Susan]

Kim, you look absolutely beautiful. You have accomplished so much and are very inspiring.

[Telly]

AWWWWW!!! I can't see them either! Dang.

[Kathy]

I see red X's! No pics! Oh please lemme see the pics! LOL

[Lovemylpband]

Kim I see you a lot and looking at these pictures gets me even more excited for you! You look fantastic girl. What a difference! Your doing FANTASTIC!!!

[Kim G]

First let me say THANKS....I can't see the changes unless it's in pics.

I hate you can't see the pics...I will see if there is something I did wrong..hehe which is very possible.

[JoyceGA]

I can see the pictures, and you look fantastic!! It's like watching the pounds melt away.

Beat you burn a lot of calories chasing after your son, too.

[Dragonwillow]

Well since I first met you at the begining of your journey...and see you pretty regularlly....I know you look GREAT! I'm with kathy though...can't see the pictures....maybe it's a NC Block...lol. See ya at lunch today.....I'm ready some ass kicking...lordy I need it. LOL

Meli

[Kim G]

WOW…I had forgotten I had started this way back when. I have a lot to update so I will take it on the fast track to update everyone because it’s been a roller coaster that is for sure.

First a Kim band history refresher; September 2006 I reached my lowest weight that I ever remember – 199 pounds, I think I saw that for about a second, ha! I had gotten down to a size XL and that was my original goal. I can say I didn’t know what to do w/myself; I would look in the mirror and still see a 300+ pound person. If it weren’t for the clothes I really wouldn’t have known I had lost the weight but when I was dressed I felt like I had been super successful. But body image issues are a whole other thread – ha!

Life was coasting through until July 2007 and that is when I started having a lot of reflux, burning and all of sudden I couldn’t keep food down. So Dr V put me on a bunch of meds, it helped but it was still not better. He did an EGD after the UGI didn’t show anything. The EGD showed 2 ulcers directly on my band-line. The next day at my office I was completely deflated. WHAT!! I had had great restriction for 2 years - why now?!?

So I did all the meds like clock work daily. I started feeling better for the most part but still had burning in my stomach. So we did a follow up EGD 6 months later and the ulcers were better but he said “I had the worst case gastritis he had ever seen” GREAT! That is what you want to hear. So he wanted me to wait a little longer before getting adjustments again. A little while to me was like a month or two….but I knew he knew what he was doing. So December 2008 I was able to start getting fills again, YES December 2008! So of course we started slow, come January 2009 after 2 fills the pain started back. This time for me it was different. I was doubled over in pain and my port would have sharp pains also. I was miserable. I finally told him because I couldn’t take it any longer and he saw I wasn’t acting right. So we did UGI’s, EGD’s, ultrasounds and MRI’s and nothing new showed up. It had us both puzzled.

So after many long talks, cry’s and talks again he told me he had to take my band out. It was causing my health to decline, I had gained around 30 – 40 pounds of my over 100 pounds lost and I wasn’t happy. So I asked him was there a chance of getting it back later down the road or converting to something else? He said he would go w/the VSG or the RNY for me. Well working with insurance companies for a living I knew right away that I couldn’t go w/the VSG as I knew I would never get approved and I didn’t have the money to pay for the surgery on my own so was the RNY my only choice?

Way back when, I originally wanted to go w/RNY but my husband didn’t support me, he only felt comfortable with the band. So would he this time if I talked to him about? What am I to do? OMG I have to really lose my band and make a decision if I want something else! UGH! So after keeping this to myself for several weeks, I finally fessed up and talked to my 2 best'est friends who helped me see things I wasn’t seeing and supported me 110%. So it was on to talk to my husband, this time he was in a better place with this surgical option. I work for the doctor that would be performing this surgery, we knew him personally AND we knew his record. Mike was afraid of losing me on the table the first time around but now he backed me and said if it was what I wanted to do he would be there for me. Really? Ok so then it was on to my mom and sister….for some reason this was the hardest talk for me. After talking to them and the others, I knew I could do this. So on May 11th I lost my band and was converted to the RNY gastric by-pass.

Sorry this is so long and so late in updating everyone, it’s been a hard journey for me and a personal one. I have had support and I am very thankful for that! I continue to need support and I know I have it through my friends, family and sites like this. All of our journeys are different and my band and my body just decided it wasn’t meant to be for me. I am thankful for my band….I NEVER went back to 320 pounds, it gave me my life back, I became a better mother, able to do more. I became a better friend not hiding in the house all the time, I am very thankful for the band beginning my WLS journey and now I will have to finish it w/the RNY.

Please remember that all of us are different on our journeys. This is my story; it is not typical of the band (as I work for my doctor I know I am his only case like this). I had major internal complications that were not due to the band, but resulted in my having to make the decision that I did. This post is not a medical diagnosis of things that others could be experiencing. You could have any or all of my medical issues and not be band related or even affect your band. The band is only a tool as any WLS surgery is – it is not a magic wand or a miracle pill. You’ve got to put in the effort to get your results. Not all band related/unrelated problems will end up this extreme. But for me it became a medical necessity – not just what some might say is the “easy way out”.

Just because I am not banded any longer doesn’t mean I am not a bandster at heart! I am still plan to be very much involved in the band community as I did live as a banded person for 4 years and have made many very good friends over the years. So I am no different then anyone else on here, I just have a new tool now that will hopefully let me live a healthier life no longer in pain!

Thanks for listening and the support through the years and coming years. I will try to do better to update this thread more often then every 2 or 3 years. Ha!

[adiase]

Thanks for sharing Kim, I know that was very hard to do, as you say is very personal. Later on let us know how you do with RNY and what the differences are, I have a friend that was banded on january and has not lost ANY weight, mostly because of her choices, but I personally think the RNY would have work a lot better for her and her situation.

Adi

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Kim.. I'm sure it was hard to decide to get your band removed and then decide on the RNY.. but you know your body best (as well as your Dr).. and he wouldn't steer you wrong. I'm hoping that you have a fast recovery.. .and remember that you're always going to be a big part of this site.. you've been here longer than most of us.. and you've always been a source of information for some of us that have had insurance problems or questions. I'm wishing you success and for you to stay healthy with your new tool. Keep us posted .. because I for one really care about your journey.

[Shellster]

There's my brave little trooper! I know this decision was very tough for you and you are working on your head - but, I mean it when I say it was very brave of you to make the decision to continue your journey by changing your tool and trekking onward! I think a lot of people would give up -> weight increase -> unhealthy all over again. You were smart about it and also waiting until you were comfy with everything to talk about it on the boards was again: Smart & Brave!!!

I know you are going to do well because I've watched you through the years and I know you are one tough cookie eventhough you don't always think you are. The fact is - you are worth a happy, healthy life - and by gosh - you are going to get it! I'm proud of you and you can always count on me to support you....

Love ya girl!

[Want_2_B_Free]

Sorry to hear all of the pain you had to go through. But in the end you still have a WL tool. Different, but a tool none the less. And you are still with the "band"? Just now you get to be a groupie with benefits. LOL...

[Patrick]

Kim, I have followed a lot of your struggles these last couple of years. I think that you have made a courageous and wonderful decision to help you continue on to that healthy lifestyle that you desire. I know that it was a tough choice, but you have our full support. I am going to have a hard time remembering you are RNY now, because I have always known you as a bandster, and I know that is how I am always going to think of you. Can't wait to see you at the next gathering.

["Just Jess"]

hey kim........ ditto to what shelly said!!!! you are so brave and i'm so proud of you for putting it all out there!!!

love you! as you know, you have my 110% support

[Kim G]

Thanks everyone for the kinds words & encouragment & the continued support. I can tell you for the first time in a long time I am at a lost, I don't know what I have going on and I am learning so much again. My head is SO back into this and I am excited! I can honestly say that I haven't had any pain since the removal of band, I don't think I realized how much it was bothering me and I was just living with it, much like my knee before I had surgery on it in Nov.

So thanks again for your support!

[LoYoYo]

I've been thinking about you. Thank you for continuing to share your story. I am sorry that you had to suffer so much. You will win this fight :).

[Mrs Sabre]

:sentimental:

Kim, I am so happy for and very proud of you! Even when things were rough, you've always kept a positive attitude! You've been my friend and inspiration for nearly 4 years, and I love you lady!

[ladytonya]

You will rock it, Kim, just like you rocked the band! Hey, I might have to change my custom title. I can't be the resident stapler any more, at least not all by myself! Well, you work around it all day but of course if you ever have any questions or anything, you know you can ask away! Like I said on Facebook, welcome to my world!

[Kim G]

Well I am going to try and update weekly or so.....better then every 2 - 3 years right? ha!

Things are going well for me. I did break out in hives last Tuesday and I am currently on my second round of steroids but I think coming off some meds and the steriods I am finally on my way back to my old self finally. I wake up Saturday w/ some free botox in my lips...not very pretty I can tell you but again just another recation.

I started my liquid diet diet on April 27th and as of yesterday had lost 18.7 pounds. I can not tell how happy I am to see the scale moving down again! That really helps for sure. I am really trying to focus on getting in my protein and fluids each day. I can tell you it's very hard for me. It brings back to mind of being banded and right after surgery w/ all the swelling for me I couldn't get much down. I am journaling like crazy because for me it's what I need and I am comparing this to my banded days. Right now it's about the same not much different at all to be honest except when the swelling went down after being banded I was wide open until my first fill now I have a constant full feeling like the swelling isn't going down.

So that is about it so far....the journey is running about the same and I again can not stress how much better I feel not being in the constant pain I was in. Wow what a difference. Thanks again for the support, kind words and motivation. It really helps.

Tonya you will always be the resident stapler around here. :) That is for sure your title. haha!

[503-250]

glad to see you more active here again....missed you like crazy!

[christie]

I just loved looking at your shrinking pictures and hearing your story. How are you feeling now?

[wingsfly825]

Im glad your feeling so much better. You can hear your happiness in your voice. Keep us posted ...

[Lovemylpband]

I'm so excited for you! Your doing great. 18 plus pounds already wow that is wonderful. Now take it easy this weekend.

Love you!

[Patrick]

Kim, just keep it up girl. You know that all of your peeps are out here giving you full support. We do appreciate all that you do for us.

["Just Jess"]

so glad things are going well for you................................ you're inspiring me to be brave like you! hmmm... 18lbs.!? that's crazy! GOOD FOR YOU! keep it up, girl! love ya!!!

[Kim G]

Well another week is gone and things are getting better each day for me. Now this is me being honest and sharing what I am going through not everyone has the things going on.

So I have been really struggling w/ getting in my fluid and protein. I am really never hungry or thristy. The hardest part is my fluids, I went from drinking 6 - 8 (17oz) bottles of water a day to not even getting in one! Today I am proud to say I am getting in at least 2 bottles of water and 1 bottle of G2 daily. Protein is staying around 50 - 60 a day but that has been a struggle I am thankful for greek yogurt & cottage cheese. :) So after a bad weekend of food/fluid intake I knew I had to do better and this week has been much better for me. I have made myself schedule and I try to stick to the best I can.

Today wouldn't know I am breaking out in hives again! UGH!!!! The only thing I have changed is yesterday and today I made myself a BSN protein smoothie and today they really started coming out so I am sure tomorrow I will be really pretty. After talking to the nurse at the office and a couple others (remember I work for my surgeon) we are thinking I can't tolerate whey protien for right now. So it's either soy protein or I think I am just going back to my greek yogurt and cottage cheese. I advance to a normal diet next week so I will try other protein sources...slowly of course.

Total weight loss is 22 pounds since the start of my liquid diet April 28th. Exciting for me for sure!

So that is it...another week and this week I can honestly say has been a pretty good week for me. I am excited about each day, if I could get rid of these hives once and for all.

Again thank you so much for the support and kind words! This is my journey and I want to share w/ you all. (as long as ya'll don't mind me rambling!)

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

I never get tired of watching your journey Kim. I don't think you ramble either.. and I'm so happy that things worked out for you by having GBS. As for hives.. I get those too, but from stress, some seafood, detergents and fabric softners. They aren't fun that's for sure. Hopefully you'll get better sooner than later. Congrats on your weight loss.. you're doing a great job. Wishing you continued success .. it's been a long time coming for you. :)

[Patrick]

Kim, it is stories like yours, laying it all out there, that keep everyone honest. We are all going through some struggles, some more than others. That is just life. How we handle them (and in most of our past lives, that was with more food) and get on with our new lives is a measure of how we have learned to adjust to our new lives. I just hope that some of the newbies read through this and understand that no matter what happens, bariatric surgery allows you to get back on the wagon and get going again, and b2g will always give you the emotional support to do it. Keep it up and I am already looking forward to Sep 26 (I am already registered)

[Want_2_B_Free]

Hey Kim, sorry about the hives. Soon enough they will ge gone. I just started eating greek yougurt, and amen for the protein in there. It is a geat source. Keep up the fluids. You are doing great. Have an awesome day...

[chrispygal]

Oh my goodness Kim...how did I NOT know this was going on??!!! I am so proud of you for making such a tough decision and I am excited things are going so well for you! I know how much you've struggled and am so happy that you are back on the losing track. Yeah Kim!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[stac1982]

How are the hives today girl? Any better?

[Kim G]

Stacey yes hives are MUCH better! I look like me again w/o my red welts and swollen eyes and chest. It was really bad Saturday. I think staying away from the whey protein is going to be my best option right now.

Thanks Chris...I was just hiding out not telling anyone mainly because this was a huge desicion for me and it was very hard for me. But a couple very good friends helped me out along w/ my family and to be honest I couldn't be happier right now.

Patrick now that it's out there...I am laying it all out there. ha!

I am trying to update weekly so I will go into my weekly update on Thursday. Ya'll are great and thanks for continued support!

[Patrick]

Keep at it Kim, you know we are behind you. See you Sat.

[Kim G]

Here we are again...another week gone!

So the hives were HORRIBLE this go around my eyes were swollen shut Saturday morning along w/ my chest being swollen SO another round of steriods were started Saturday. OMG this time it like magic they worked great! So I haven't had any more whey and I have been doing great! Well until yesterday when me and my stupid self drank some protein water which was whey and I didn't even think about it. This morning I wake up itching....I didn't drink it all and I through the rest of it away this morning when I realized what I had done. So hopefully just a little itching and we will be done and I will remember NO MORE WHEY PROTEIN! gesh!

As for the food and fluid intake it's been going well, logging everything and sticking to stuff I know has been working. Since I can only get in about a 1/4 cup sometimes a 1/2 cup of food I try to get high protein food like greek yogurt, tuna, cottage cheese and such. So that is going well overall I would say...still struggling w/ the getting the fluids in.

Last week my hands and arms started tingling like going numb. So I had my 1 mth follow up w/ the doctor today and he told me I need to increase my MVI & CA to double what I am already taking! UGH! I HATE CHEWABLE meds & I HATE taking pills....this is the time I am thinking what the "H" have I done. But I know I need it so I know I will do it. I am hoping that it's something that will go away soon. I know can be serious and he said he might need to do my labs next month if things don't get better, they are normally done for by-pass patients at 3 mths post op. Leave it to me the abnormal one. ha!

So I guess it's a good thing I work for the doctor....he has NEVER had a patient become allergic to something they weren’t allergic to after surgery, the neuropathy and the hive. Gesh all in one month, but if you asked me right now would I do it again, the answer is YES! I am happy again, I feel getting through all of this is worth it for a healthy life (once my body gets out of shock ha!)

To date I have lost 24.6 pounds! I can’t tell you how great that makes me feel!

So until next week…I am hoping it will be a quite week and the next update will be pretty boring. Ha!

[redgrldj]

WOW.. how the heck did I miss all this.. Kim I think you rock no matter what surgery you have.. I think if people still let me hang out here, then you can too LOL.. Good luck on your new journey.. At this point I would take whatever option they gave me, not picky anymore about which surgery to have personally ..

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Great job on your weight loss Kim! Yep it seems like you're one in a million patient eh? lol I'm glad you work for your Dr too.. this way you can keep things in check faster :) Keep up your good work, and I hope things settle down for you soon.

["Just Jess"]

hey girl, how ya feeling????

[503-250]

Kim...where you at?

[MoOrLess]

Kim - welcome back! I'm slow lol...I missed all of this excitement in your life too! I'm so glad you are feeling better -- band or GBS - either way, it's a weight loss tool...I'm so glad to hear you had the support of hubby as you dealt with another surgery. Sounds like the weight loss is going great!!!!

I can't help but wonder, besides "whey" perhaps fruit is causing hives? You said "smoothie" and when I think of those I think FRUIT --- I ask because I break out in "minor" amounts of hives - 1 or 2 - when I have strawberries two days in a row, and some other 'berry' type fruits or fruit drinks....

HUGS and hang in there - I can't imagine all that you have been through - and you are doing awesome with your weight loss! Keep drinking your water :) esp in the summer months when dehydration is that much more possible. I love reading your weekly updates -- keep rockin' the weight loss girl! I'm glad you came back and plan to stay around - I've missed your wisdom and insight.

[Kim G]

Another week down! It was a pretty good week overall. I am venturing out and trying new some new foods. I still have good food/fluid days & bad, I mean getting enough in. It's so weird to not be hungry or thirsty of when I eat staying full for hours and I mean hours.

I did start breaking out again, only this time they are skin colored bumps on my arms & legs (thankfully the face was avoided this time). So we went ahead and had my labs drawn. They take about a week or two. I asked our CMA to give them too me as soon as they were in. We found that really low iron can cause skin problems. I am still not doing whey as we still think it is caused some of the really bad break outs. The fruit hasn't been an issue for me as I am still eating the blueberries. I am only adding about one new thing a day just to be careful.

Total weight loss so far is 27.6. I am hoping to hit 30 pounds next week!

Life is good! Thanks you yet again for your continued support! I enjoy sharing my new journey with everyone & it helps keep me accountable!

[Patrick]

Keep at it Kim, you are doing marvelous.

[Kim G]

Here is the picture of me April 25th (the weekend before I started my liquid diet.)

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb45/dascjp1/Florida006.jpg

This was taken on June 19th (down 27.6 pounds)

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb45/dascjp1/kimjune19.jpg

Also I have gone from a size 22 (in the top picture) to a size 18 (in the current picture)

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Great job Kim!! You look fantastic and I'm so happy things are working out for you. Love hearing the updates.

["Just Jess"]

Lookin' good!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[wingsfly825]

You look terrific...im so happy for you

[Stitchy]

Wow, Kim. Like some of the others, how did I miss this thread?

I'm so sorry that you had such difficulties with the band, and again after GB. I'm glad you have such a wonderful outlook about all of this. Best of luck to you girlfriend.

[Want_2_B_Free]

Hey Kim. That 30 # mark is just around the bend. I bet you can touch it already. Congrats. Looking good.

[Kim G]

Ok so I missed Thursday....I was driving to the beach! I always forget how relaxing it is here. My son and I have had a great weekend! I really don't want to go home tomorrow!

Not much to report, still having numbness and shaking in my hands. My labs came back last week and my iron is an 8...the low end of normal is 15. SO needless to say they called me and RX for Iron and I have started it. I am trying to eat salads w/ spinach and red meat to help w/ the iron. So we think this could be causing the numbing and the hives. I have gotten better w/ the hives finally. I am happy to report that all my other labs besides my Vit D were good! YEAH!!!! So we think once the iron is w/in normal limits I will be good to go. (Still staying away from Whey because the last break out was so bad).

I am eating pretty much normally now. Just a lot less then I was with an unfilled band. I would compare my eating to when I had the band and had great restriction. Staying full for hours and I am glad that I am now getting in just about all my fluids however I have to keep something with me at all times. Sipping away!

As of Thursday I am down 31.5 pounds! Today I went shopping at the outlet malls here and Old Navy was having a huge sale so I went in to get my son some clothes and ended up getting myself 2 shirts! Not out of the plus size section! I am so excited it's been a lot time since I have been able to wear old navy clothes!

I know I say this every week but thanks for the continued support! I am seeing the changes now and it's exciting for me.

Have a good week!

[Patrick]

Wow with the shirts Kim, great NSV.

[chrispygal]

Yeah Kim!!!! I'm so happy things are finally starting to come together for you! :)

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

It's been a long time coming for you.. I'm so happy that you're getting healthy! Great job!

[MoOrLess]

I'm so glad they found the iron issue and things are improving for you now. HUGS and hopefully the hives will disappear soon. You look fantastic in the two comparison pictures -- good for you girl! Keep posting updates - love to see your smiling face!

[newlifeat57]

I guess I am one of the few that have missed this thread. WOW What an ordeal you have had! I'm glad to hear that things are improving. You look really great in your pictures, congratulations on the weight loss. I will certainly be checking back to see how you're doing....

[Kim G]

Ok so summer has got to me....vacation, being outside, enjoying my son and so much more I have gotten away from updating.

So I set between 31 - 33 pounds for weeks it seemed. I didn't really move I thought good lord how I did I mess this up already BUT after talking to others I learned it's normal to hit a "stall" between month 2 & 3. For me more so because I am an inches loser more then a weight loser. (Good thing I work where they can explain all this to me. ha) So I can say as of today I am down 37.7 pounds!

I broke out in hives a little during vacation but I think it was more because I forgot ALL my vits at home so I went almost 2 days w/o anything. So I made a trip to the CVS and did the best I could for over the counter things. (Again thanks for where I work, our nutritionist told me what to get.) Other then that things have been good. I am eating around 1/2 cup at each meal. I really stay full for hours. I am finally able to get in most of my fluids everyday now. I so missed that in the beginning when I couldn't get it in.

The numbness has really gone away so I am hoping it was the iron that was causing it.

My next goal is 40 pounds...I have do it 5 pounds at a time because I have to be able to obtain them or I get upset! So hopefully in the next couple of weeks I will hit that. I continue to walk about nightly, right now that is really all I am doing but at least I am moving!

I feel GREAT! I am having a wonderful summer. Have a few more things planned before school starts back and hope to just keep staying on track (which is easy w/ the farmers market and summer veggies) and stay focused! On vacation I enjoyed a bite or two of a few goodies but that was it and that is all I wanted.

I hope you all are having a great summer! Thanks for your continued support!

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Good job Kim!! Almost 40 lbs in 3 months.. what a great weight loss for you!! :) I'm so happy for you.. and inches off are just as good as weight off.. it's all coming off.. that's the main thing :)

[WildAlaskaG'ma]

Great job, Kim. You'll be passing that 40# milestone in no time !!! I'm happy for you.

["Just Jess"]

I am eating pretty much normally now. Just a lot less then I was with an unfilled band. I would compare my eating to when I had the band and had great restriction. Staying full for hours and I am glad that I am now getting in just about all my fluids however I have to keep something with me at all times. Sipping away!
first of all, CONGRATS to you on your success with GB!!!!!!!!! i am envious! but i am looking forward to comparing notes with you soon enough. i like how you described eating. that is the thing that scares me most - so you know you'll be hearing from me A LOT as i go through this process!!! haha - you're my predecessor! haha

[Patrick]

Good job Kim, we are always going to be here with you, giving you all of our support.

[Kim G]

So it's fall already...where did the summer go? Why do the fun things always go so fast?!?

It's been awhile since I have been out here. I just have no time. Quick one line updates on FB is about all I do....here I feel I need to write more and for some reason that keeps me away. Sad I know but it's true!

My summer has been great but fast! I feel good! I am almost at that 100 pound mark again. (From my highest weight that I know about!) To date I have lost about 48 pounds since my RNY surgery. Which brings my total to about 97 total pounds lost! I am still staying full for hours, there are days I have to remind myself to eat. (Today was one of them) For me it feels like I am at that perfect band adjustment all the time.

I started back to the gym this past Friday! I have to do this so I have told myself at least 3 days a week! I am going to aim for 4 but 3 for sure. With the weather getting colder the outside walking will become less and less. So I figured why not now get back into the grove!

I am excited about my new life, I am eating better most of the time. I still enjoy the sweet treat from time to time and the not so healthy food from time to time but they are few and far between. I am still journaling daily, which for me is something I have to accept that I am going to have to do for the rest of my life unless somehow someway my head figures things out for me....which isn't going to happen I am sure of it!

So to live pain free, eating better, happy, healthier, it's all been worth it!

(I have a picture that is inspiring for me and I hope you will think the same. I have to get it resized and then I will get it posted.)

So that is it for now....hope you are all doing well and gearing up for the cooler weather!

[chrispygal]

Kim, that is WONDERFUL to hear! You deserve this and I am SOOO happy for you! Keep up the great work! :)

[redgrldj]

Woohoo Kim and Gina back in the same week.. I have missed you guys..

[Kim G]

Ok I have attached a few pictures from this weekend. We had our 3rd Annual Walk from Obesity and this year we did a "Big Pants Parade" and I was apart of it. The jeans were my only jeans that fit me, they are a size 28W. I am currently in an 18....no "W" just a plain old 18! Exciting for me! I had fun putting the big one's one again....I don't think you can see in the picture that well but they are huge and I actually have pants on under these.

[Kim G]

Thank you Chris & Pattie!

This is where I stayed w/ band until I started having problems & gained around 40 pds. I was actually pretty happy here now I want to keep going. I know I can do this and I am going to! I feel really good!

[redgrldj]

Kim.. it is great to see you posting again..

[PattiDi07]

WOW!!!! What a great pic of you with your old jeans hanging behind you... you look so happy! Congrats on your success!

[redgrldj]

Wow Kim.. I just saw the pics.. You look fantastic...

[christie]

Wow. I SO look forward to doing that type of before/after shot with my old Lane Bryant jeans!

[503-250]

HOLY CRAP...you look fantastic...the shot with the old jeans behind you is just astounding.

I think you need to post this picture of my little pal on your mirror so you are reminded every day.

[Patrick]

Bear, where did you dig up my old mug shot???

[Patrick]

It was nice seeing you again Sat Kim, way to go with the weight loss. Fantastic!!!

[wingsfly825]

You so awesome. your beaming which causes you to look ten years younger too. so now your thinner and younger ..hell your a brand new you. congrats

[chrispygal]

What a fantastic pic Kim! I love it!

[ginabobina]

Great picture with the pants!! So glad you're doing well and adjusting to the new tool. You look younger girl - all healthy and happy!!! I'm thrilled for you and hope to see you soon!

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Great job Kim!! You have a healthy glow about you.. I'm so happy for you!!

[Kim G]

Thanks everyone! I shared this picture w/ my sister and when she told me that she was proud of me, it brought tears to my eyes. I have always wanted to be small like her. I am almost her jeans (well she calls them her fat jeans)! Her fat jeans or not I am almost in them and I can not begin to tell you how great that makes me feel! She might be my younger sister but we are best friends! I shared w/ some friends and they too support me and make me feel good about myself.

I can't even begin to tell you how much happier I am now! I love life again! I love doing things w/ my family! I went to the gym to the 3 days this week and I feel GREAT! I am actually looking forward going tomorrow after work. I know not right! ha!

Bear love the picture! Really thank you all! Support through this is really great for me! Having friends to count on is what is so important to me! I might not post as much here but I do read almost daily...so I am keeping up with everyone!

[Kim G]

Well I can't say that I have updated like I wanted to! Life really does get in the way sometimes of ones personal time!

Well let's see I am around 210, have seen 209 a couple of times just can't stay there. ha! I just can't seem to break that but as least I am not going back up! I haven't been journaling like I should which is what I know works best for me. So I started back yesterday and so far so good! Hopefully later this week I will see the scale move a little! I am in an L/XL so that makes me happy and that has always been my goal. Now I want more I know where I want to be w/ my BMI and I am going to get there! I CAN DO THIS!

I had to have an iron infusion as we just couldn't seem to get my iron up. I just had a follow up appt with that last week still waiting to see how that goes. My Vit D is low as well, so I am now on the 50,000 unit pill once a week as well as the OTC w/ my Calcium. Other then that I am moving forward! I feel good, I am happy and I am excited to see where I can finish up!

I will get an updated picture just don't like to jump in front of the camera all the time. ha! I guess that will never change!

Have a great day! Hope you all are doing well and moving along in your journey!

[PattiDi07]

Wow, Kim, that is awesome. Sooooo glad you are feeling great! Keep up the great work!

["Just Jess"]

on your way to ONEderland, my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

love you! keep it up!

[MoOrLess]

Sounds like things are going in the right direction for you! Awesome that you are so busy (and Happy!) that you don't get to post. That's called living life! :)

Congrats and keep going - I know you can reach YOUR goal. And what a fantastic NSV!!! with your sister's jeans - woo hoo!

[Kim G]

Well it's been a year since I posted on this thread.....WOW but the happiest thing I want to report right now it that I am @ 205. I was @ 200 for awhile so to have only gained 5 pounds since then amazes me with the way my life was last year. So I have focused on me again (well at least trying to eat better for sure.) I know my ulcer is back so I am trying to do as many right things as I can. My goal is to get to a 29 BMI and I just have @ 15 - 20 pounds to do that. I never thought that would be a goal for me. But it's exciting for me.
I will try to get back here more often and look at threads and reconnect w/ friends and meet new friends. This place has grown so much!
Hope everyone is doing well and can't wait to catch up on everyone's journey.....

[Neal R.]

Great to see you post!! I keep up with you on FB, but I recently came back for support here too after an all too long absence. Glad you're doing so well :)

[MoOrLess]

Hi Kim! I, too, keep up with things on FB. You have had a really rough year, indeed. Glad to see you back here - congrats on getting so near goal!

[Patrick]

Nice to see you here again Kim. I have got to get around to the Sat am group sometime in the near future. Been away too long.

[ginabobina]

OK we seriously need a Charlotte crew reunion!! I've just gotten back on here as well and I miss our get togethers! Kim does Dr. V still have the Saturday groups? I haven't seen an email in ages... I'd love to be on the list.

[Kim G]

Thanks Ya'll! I do keep up w/ most of my friends from here on FB but I don't share my WLS info on there for many reasons...mainly for me it's just not what I want to do. :-)
For the Charlotte area peeps....yes we still have Saturday groups. Actually it's NEXT Saturday Feb 12th! It's being held @ the office starting this month however I am looking for another location!
I am gald to be back on here...I have so much to catch up on and so many new people to meet!

[Patrick]

Kim, is it still meeting at 11am? Sounds like some of the old timers would like to get going again. Could you confirm on the Charlotte site?

[JayCee]

I think the Charlotte support group will meet @ the office at the same time. See you there!
Jan