Introduction

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My name is Kathi and yesterday was my 2 year anniversary since

having gastric bypass surgery. My starting weight was 391 pounds

and as of today I am 156 pounds lighter, weighing in at 235. I

still would like to lose another 65-75 pounds.

It's been an interesting " ride " thus far. I did very well after the

surgery with relatively no problems. I consider myself very

fortunate to have done so well and like many others felt I

was " reborn " the day of my surgery.

I did lose steadily for 1 year and in the last year have basically

maintained. I'm not very happy about that but that is what I did

and I need to live with that. I think the beginning of my non

weight loss period came when I began drinking coffee and consuming

more sugar. Never did I think I would build the tolerance level

that I have for sugar! Of course, once the sugar started to

increase so did the carbs and my whole eating plan went off kilter.

In addition, one of the main reasons I had the surgery is because I

live on a third floor apartment and the arthritis in my knees were

so bad that I was basically crawling up the stairs in tears each

night. With the weight loss the stairs became much easier and I

forgot that arthritis really doesn't go away. I increased my

exercise regiment and was feeling good. Unfortunately, the knee

pain struck again with a vengeance in September. I found out that

in addition to the arthritis, I had a torn meniscus, so I had knee

surgery on December 6th. My recovery is extremely slow and

frustrating, as I thought I was in such good shape prior to surgery

and I still must use crutches to get around and physical therapy is

not moving as fast as I'd hoped.

In addition, I could feel the pants getting tighter as I sat around

on my butt doing nothing. So, I finally weighed myself and saw that

I had gone up 6 pounds - not as bad as I thought, but time to nip

that in the bud.

I began this past Monday with a new eating plan that combines a few

theories. First, I had gone to a Nutritionist/Chiropractor and had

a hair analysis done. Hair stores information about minerals and

vitamins in your body for the last three months, so this analysis

showed where I was lacking or overloaded. Based on that

information, they prescribe a specific regimen of vitamins for a

three month period. In addition, the advise what foods you should

stay away from or increase. The report also showed I was a slow

metabolizer - no surprises there!! So, in addition to that report I

am also incorporating the Atkins Plan as well as a very informative

book called " Going Against the Grain " . This basically means my

eating plan consists of protein and vegatables with no pasta's,

grains or breads. In addition I have completly eliminated sugar.

I definatly feel the effects of sugar withdrawal over the last few

days and am looking forward to being done with that. In a couple of

weeks I will begin to introduce some fruit to my plan as well, but I

plan to continue to stay away from starchy carbs because I know I

gaind the minute I begin to consume them. I also have permission to

return to the pool at the Y; however, I cannot begin to swim laps

again yet. I can do water exercise and " bicycle " in the deep end.

Hopefully this will get me back into an exercise program.

I think that is the most frustrating thing about this knee surgery

is when you finally get into an exercise program and that have to

stop it's so hard to get back into it.

Well, I should stop for now if I haven't completely bored you!! I

look forward to participating in this group and hope that I can give

as much as I get!

Have a peaceful day -

Kathi

Providence RI

Surgery 1/9/01

391-235-170