Wow Kim Hazen

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for taking the time to send that very inspiring post! It

absolutely made my day! I have always wanted to climb the same falls you

spoke of but knew it would not be possible with all my extra weight. Maybe

by this time next year I can follow in your footsteps!

Thanks again for sharing your wonderful success with the group!

Sandy Bangle

Hays, Kansas

785-625-8400

dbangle@...

www.marykay.com/sandybangle

(sign up to win $5,000 shopping spree)

MGB 11-12-02 Dr. R Statesville

315/255 (down 60 pounds!)

1 YEAR POST OP TODAY - LONG POST

> I don't know where to begin. I had my surgery 1 year ago today, 1/29/02.

I

> went with a friend and our husbands who spent the week entertaining us.

It

> was great being able to go on the buddy system. We have shared food

ideas

> and suggestions for handling busy situations. Whined to each other on

> occasion. Kind of neat to be able to share with a close friend that is

> experiencing the same things. We have been able to share the excitement

and

> changes all along the way.

>

> 25 minutes in surgery and some nausea for the first 24 hours. I had no

pain.

> I did experience nausea on occasion for the first few weeks. I lost 17

> pounds the first week and 37 by 1 month. I was down 112 by 6 months. I

> couldn't believe it. I did have to concentrate on drinking Gatorade and

> getting enough protein to increase my energy. I talked a few times to Dr.

R

> and his staff and they convinced me that my diet was not including enough

> protein. I was craving fruits and veggies which was good, but not helping

my

> overall energy level. Now that is no problem. I have all my energy plus.

I

> feel wonderful. I did lose some hair between the months of 4-7. I

panicked,

> but it was fine. I began taking Biotin and ZMA from the GNC store and

either

> my body adjusted or they helped. I am not sure, but my hair is healthy

and

> thick as ever now. My body is shrinking in proportion and I am loving

that

> part a lot. It makes it easy to shop for clothes. I do have lots of

loose

> skin on my arms and thighs, but I don't even care. Maybe a couple of

years

> from now it will matter. Today I am just very thankful to feel and look

like

> I do. I don't drink pop. The few sips I have taken because it looked

good

> reminds me that I don't need it. I don't even care for the taste anymore.

> Kind of weird, since I loved Diet Coke before. I also have avoided

alcohol

> with no problem. It's small thing to give up socially for the bonus I

have

> been given. I also can say that I haven't had any additional medicines

(even

> over the counter) other than prescribed by Dr. R. I have 1 anti-biotic

after

> the cruise from a bad cold/sinus bug.

>

> In October we went on a cruise and so did my surgery buddy, Patti. We

went

> with a total of 7 couples. We played hard and daily were thankful that we

> had had the surgery prior to going. We cliembed Dunn's River Falls with

> little effort and spent time enjoying it instead of wondering what those

> around me were thinking of my size. It was wonderful We spent the week

> dressing up, playing in the sun, and even dressed up for a Halloween party

on

> the ship. Too cool. I would have had fun before, but would have avoided

> some of the things we did. Lots of foods to try and we did just in small

> amounts.

>

> I started at 332 and today weighed in at 159. I have now lost 173 pounds.

> It is slowing down as expected. I eat pretty much whatever I choose, but

my

> choices are usually much different than in the past. Around the holidays

I

> ate more rich foods and my new system would react, but not terribly. I do

> avoid real ice cream and milk for the most part, but other than that I

seem

> to manage with other foods. The milk products seem to make my stomach

very

> gassy. For the first several months it was difficult for me to eat meat

such

> as chicken plain, but now eating meat is no problem. I ate a lot of

shrimp

> cocktail, grilled shrimp, salmon, and stir fry made with shrimp over the

> first several months. I eat very little bread, mostly because it fills me

up

> fast and I know I am suppose to make sure I eat enough protein. It

doesn't

> make me feel bad, just full. We always had lots of fruit at our house,

but

> now watermelon, strawberries, and pinapple are staples like milk, bread,

and

> eggs.

>

> Let me see.... In the last year I no longer worry about entering an

airplane

> and whether the seat belt will fit. I never worry if I will take up too

much

> room anywhere. I have been roller skating with my 7 year old many times

> since fall. I am taking him to Disney World the first of March and he and

I

> are riding every ride available. I plan to go downhill skiing with him

> before the season is done. I am having a little trouble fitting that one

> into the schedule since my 17 year old has us going 6 weekends in a row to

> gymnastic meets (3 are out of state). I am hoping to still make it. If I

> get enough studying in the next couple of nights we might try for Saturday

> afternoon. My little guy plays basketball on Saturday mornings and my

oldest

> races motorcycles every Sunday. I obviously won't get to see all of them,

> but leaves little time for skiing. My life has always been very full, but

> now I CAN KEEP UP AND DO IT ALL SMILING. It takes much less effort to

climb

> the arenas, shopping with the team, etc.

>

> I exercise 3 times a week. My friend and I actually were asked to be

> interviewed for the radio ad for the facility that we exercise. It was

fun.

> We couldn't say that the exercise made us lose weight, but I can see an

> improvement in my ability and stamina to work out on the equipment. I

> actually enjoy exercising and I would have never said that before. Patti

> coaxed me into joining in the beginning and I am really glad she did.

>

> I don't have a lot more to add (after rambling for an hour) other than Dr.

> Rutledge has given me a chance to be tha active person I enjoyed so much

> years ago. I feel like a 39 year old in a 39 year old body. Prior to

> surgery I was beginning to feel very old before my time. I was avoiding

> activities with my 7 year old that I enjoyed with my 21 and 17 year old.

I

> still have a chance to make the special memmories with my little guy.

> Everyone has priortities and for me it is the things I get to do with my

> family. My husband, kids, family, and friends have all been very

supportive

> through this change. My husband calls me 'skinny' who's he talking

to....

> Just kidding it has been fun for us too.

>

> I faithfully take my vitamins, Citricel, and Actigall. I had my 1 year

labs

> and reviewed them over the phone with Dana. Everything looked great. I

will

> have a 1 year check up with my PCP in the next couple of weeks. I have

been

> a little preoccupied. My oldest got married on New Years. I can tell you

> that it was so nice to not be heavy for this event. I always tried to

take

> pride in dressing and my appearance, but its so much fun right now. I can

> shop anywhere and I am buying 8's. I don't know if I was ever a 10

before.

> I stayed small enough to be on my high school pom pon squad many years

ago,

> but I was still a size 11/13 in juniors. Buying 10's before Thanksgiving

> just as well as been a size 2 it made me feel so good.

>

> For me the MGB surgery has given me exactly what Dr. Rutledge has

explained a

> chance to be on the same playing field as other average size adults. I

hope

> I will always respect this opportunity and keep my health in check and use

> this tool as given.

>

> Good luck and I each of you the success and good days ahead I am

> experiencing. I wish good health to all.

>

> Kim Hazen

> Michigan

> 332/159/?

>

>

>