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11-12-02 Well, I am 4 weeks Post-Op and I have lost 32 lbs so far. My hospital experience was a very good one. The staff treated me very well and every time I buzzed them they responded within minutes. When I woke up in recovery I was a little nauseated but they gave me something that helped. When I woke up in my room they asked if I felt up to walking and I did. It was hard to stand up straight at first but within a few minutes I was doing fine. I spent two days in the hospital and then my mother took me home. I live alone for now. My husband died in March of 1999 and my only daughter just got married back in September and has moved 3 hours away. I did well at home and didn't require anyone to stay and help me. I guess I am a very independent person and feel like I have to do things on my own. I slept in the recliner the first night because I have one of those feather top pillow mattressess and my bed is kind of high. I thought it would be a problem getting in and out. Well, the second night I figured I would give my bed a try and it worked fine. I heal quickly and that's a big plus. That first week I was on liguids only. I went back to my doctor the following Tuesday and he released me to drive and told me to start on solid foods - and to try whatever I wanted to. I find that I do have to eat very slowly and chew everything to death. I have no trouble drinking my water and my fruit juices. Right now nothing I've tried seems to bother me. At first the juices gave me cramps and diarrehea but I do fine with them now. I'm still in the learning stages of what I can and can't eat. Chicken seems a little tough to chew and swallow - it seems to just sit instead of going on down. I've had no nausea and very little fatique. I'm very satisfied with my surgery and would recommend Dr. Stahl to anyone in Alabama. I don't go back to see him until January. I hope by that time that I have lost at least another 30 pounds or more. I know its not unusual to lose more but I won't be upset if I don't. God bless all of you pre and post-op's.

NOVEMBER 21, 2002 Ok, I'm in week 5 and I've lost close to 40 pounds. I eat very little - mainly because I am just not hungry. Sometimes I have to make myself go eat. If I feel the munchies coming on - I grab a few cheese squares and I am fine. I don't have trouble with my water intake. I did try a little bit of Sprite but it really didn't taste that good. I thought I would miss the coke's more than I do. I do stick with simple foods. I haven't been out to eat anywhere yet. I'm still having problems with eating too fast and I would be so embarrassed if I was out at a restaurant and I had to take off at a gallop to get rid of my food. Chew- chew - chew.....a good rule to live by. Put your fork down inbetween bites or go walk around the room. I'm talking to myself here. LOL I can wear a 22 dress but jeans I am still in a 24. That's good seeing how I was in 26/28 clothes before surgery. I'm really not looking forward to Thanksgiving. I still can't eat more than a few bites and I know everyone around is going to be pigging out. I need to find something else to focus on. That's all for now. I'll be back soon.

NOVEMBER 25, 2002 Thanksgiving is almost here. I'm really glad I can be with my family. Holidays are always special because of being able to get together. Of course, eating used to be one of my main pleasures of Thanksgiving. This year I will concentrate more on being with my family. By The Way, I tried on a pair of pants that 2 weeks ago I could not even pull together - Saturday I tried them on and wore them all day. HAPPY DANCE!!!!! So, while I may not be losing pounds every day - I am losing inches!!!! HAPPY TURKEY DAY YOU GUYS!!!!

NOVEMBER 26, 2002 I just had to add a little something here. Once a week the girls in my office get together and we weigh in. One of the girls has some Weight Watchers scales and we've been using them. Anyway, last week I had lost 4 pounds and I thought I had not lost anything this week but I got on the scales and guess what......ANOTHER 4 POUNDS!!!! I couldn't believe. I wear the same dress every Tuesday so I know that the clothes I wear aren't affecting the scales. I am just so happy and thank God for allowing me to use this tool to its full benefit. Thank you Dr. Stahl too!!!!!

NOVEMBER 30, 2002 Somebody call the WLS Police. Yeah, that's right - I can't believe I have done such a stupid thing. Wednesday night before Thanksgiving day I went to Georgia. My daughter and her husband were going to come up a little later. I got us a hotel room and then I proceeeded to wait for them to get in. Around 10:00 pm I realized that I hadn't had any supper and I was actually hungry (something I rarely feel). I went down tot he vending machines and bought a bag of Bugles and a coke. Got back to my room and ate the whole darn bag and drank 1/2 cup of coke and then it hit me - WHAT DID I THINK I WAS DOING? Sheesh, I threw the coke out but it was too late for the Bugles. I can't believe I was able to eat all of them. Well, the bag wasn't all that big but STILL, usually a couple of bites and I'm full. That kind of scared me because I was thinking that maybe I was at the point where I could eat more and the next day being Thanksgiving I wondered if I would pig out. The next morning I headed to my sister's house - walked in the door and the smell was heavenly.....she had little bitty biscuits and country ham. Guess what? Yep, I ate one. Oh well....

NOVEMBER 14, 2005 I just noticed that several of my previous posts are gone now. Its been an incredible journey and I'm sorry that you can't read all about it. I lost over 110 pounds.....and I feel GREAT!!! I'm having a hard time losing anymore but then what can you say when you're eating more. I've started back at the gym and started my walking so hopefully we'll start seeing some results soon. I'm thankful that I haven't gained much weight back because I know that it is possible. I'm very happy these days and find that life is beautiful. I have met a wonderful man that I hope will become more than just a good friend. I'm doing things I never dreamed I would be doing. This past weekend I went 4 wheeling and had an absolute blast. Life is Good!!!

JUNE 21, 2006 Unfortunately I have gained 15 pounds this past year and to say that I am discouraged is putting it mildly. I know its my own fault and I also know that I have to stop it now. I do believe that the psychological profile should be mandatory for everyone having this surgery. I didn't have one done and I think that there are issues I absolutely needed to confront before and after the surgery. By no means am I sorry I had the surgery done. It's been a life saving device and my life has changed dramatically because of it. BUT, I also know that there were a lot of facts I was never informed of and now I am paying for my lack of wisdom. I found out recently that I have osteoporosis. I am being treated for it and hopefully it can be turned around but it could have been avoided completely if I had known more facts about this life changing surgery. I blame myself for not reading and listening more closely. I will try to change things now and hope and pray that it is not too late. I have also gotten in touch with a support group and I feel that this will be a tremendous help to me. Ok, enough whining - now its time to act. On a happier note - Leo and I are engaged to be married sometime in December. Sometimes I can't believe how good life has been to me. I love this man and I know that he loves me as well. I can't stop smiling!!!

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I LOVE YOU LEO!!! YOU'RE MY ONE AND ONLY!!! DEBBIE

AUGUST 2, 2006 I've called my surgeon and I will be going to see him next week. I'll be completely honest with him about my eating habits and see what kind of advice he gives me. I'm sure he'll reprimand me a bit too but I deserve that. I've got to act now so that I'll have a long life with my future husband and my grandkids. I'll try to update my profile more often. It helps me to go back and read what I've been through. If it helps someone else as well then that would make me feel good. Later............

SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 I've done very well getting myself back in line with the do's and don't. I did get back into the gym and I workout at least 3 to 4 days a week. I'm loving it. Getting the water in is not hard for me. I love my Crystal Light and green decaf tea. I'm trying to be more watchful on the protein. I don't get in as much as I should. Its fine for other people to tell you what they did and what worked for them but you have to find your own system - what works best for you!! If you have to try several things then do it until you hit on the one that will bring you success. I love the Montgomery support group headed up by Randall Culpepper. He is such an encouragement. Thank you Randall!! He also introduced me to the Alabama Board and I tell you what - there are many wonderful people I'm longing to meet in person. I'm going on my first cruise with the Bama Board. I'm so excited. I owe most of my excitement to Beth Merchant. I can't wait to meet her in person. She is a beautiful person. Don't you just love pinning flowers on other people?? I know I do. I'd much rather people know now how much I appreciate them. Thank you all for taking the time to check out my profile. I don't really share a lot of personal information. I've never been very open to other people but I'm learning. I've had to depend on God for most of my help and support but He's led me to some wonderful people on this board and I'm going to take advantage of their friendships. Gina, Protein Princess, another beautiful lady, is going to spruce up my profile and I'm so excited to see what she come's up with. Here's thanking you ahead of time Gina.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 I came home Sunday afternoon and my neighbor came outside and greeted me at my car. He then told me that his wife had passed away the night before. Bless his heart...this makes the second wife he's lost to cancer. I asked him a few questions and found out that he's alone now - he has no family of his own. His wife's daughter from a previous marriage had come to town and is going to stay with him for a few days. The viewing will be tonight and her funeral will take place Tuesday. I spoke to him a for a little longer then hurried to Winn Dixie and bought as much food as I thought they might need for a few days. I passed the plants and right in front of me was a beautiful peace lily with a black bow. God had prepared it ahead of time. I took the plant and groceries to my neighbor and he was so thankful. I don't believe they have a church family so I knew this was something I needed to do. Some of the other neighbors are going to take care of the meal after the funeral. My church family was so good to me when my husband died so I knew this would be a big help. Some of you know that my mother is living with me right now. It made me appreciate having her even more. I told her I loved her and gave her a big hug. I'm not always a very affectionate person so I know this meant a lot to her. On a brighter note. I'm going on a cruise with a group from the Bama Board. I'm very excited and can't wait to meet the folks who have cheered my life up considerably. And again, thank you Protein Princess for my beautiful profile. The video is the best!!!! I'm a very patriotic person and as I sat and listened to Barry Manilo sing and viewed the pictures of soldiers greeting their families, I again had tears in my eyes. I love our military personnel and I'm proud of every one of them!!!! Until next time - adios amigo's!!! Debbie Doo

OCTOBER 11, 2006 I am not feeling well today and may just need to write this down so that I can get past it. My daughter came by my office Monday night. As soon as she saw me she broke down. Her husband left her Monday. She has two small children - (Austin is 3 and Peyton is 2). She loves her husband and wants him back. I can't go into detail about the situation but as usual, there is an outside force at work here. This one happens to be the ex-wife who just recently divorced her second husband and has been crying on Chris' shoulder after treating him like a piece of dirt for 4 years. He's confused and just needed to get away to think things through. Now he wants to talk to Tara Saturday night and see what they can work out. Tara is heartbroken and this is my only daughter so of course I'm grieving for her and my precious grandchildren. She hasn't told them what's happening but little Austin is too bright not to catch on. He came up to Tara several times last night and said "Mommy, let's pray for daddy". I HATE THE DEVIL!!!! Please pray that Chris will agree to go to counseling with Tara. They've been married only 4 years and I hate to see him give up on this beautiful family without a fight. I think I've decided not to go on the cruise. My finances are really in bad shape right now and I don't see how I can spend this much money on something that's not absulutely necessary. I figured my bills this morning and after all my bills are paid I have exactly $17.00 left each month. That's for gas and food. Yes, I'm depressed and want to eat....eat....eat. Instead, I'm looking for a part-time job and taking a look at what I can cut out on my monthly budget. If an emergency comes up I'll be sunk!!! I'll make it but its going to be hard. Fortunately my job does require a lot of overtime most of the year and that will help me out tremendously since I get paid time and a half for overtime. I normally joke about my problems but today they just seem to overwhelm me. Maybe I can make some jokes later but right now I just need prayer. My health is ok - no major problems but I do have a lot of aches and pains that weren't there before. I feel like I am falling part inside and out. I'm depressed but don't want to talk about it. My problems seem so small compared to others. Things will turn around soon - they have to. Later...................

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I love my grandbabies! God bless them over and over! Love, Nana.

OCTOBER 13, 2006 No new news about my daughter and her husband. They will be getting together this weekend to talk. I know that God has everything in control and I'm trying not to worry. Leo and I are getting closer and closer. He's a wonderful man and I'm so thankful he's in my life. I have postponed our wedding date but not because I don't love him enough. There are just some family matters that need to be thought through and right now I just really don't think I'm in a good state of mind to be making decisions. I love him and hope and pray that he'll wait for me to get over whatever this is I'm going through. I haven't been to the gym in over 2 weeks and I've started drinking coke's again. This morning I came into work and am trying so hard to change things again. I'm drinking my Crystal Lite and will eat some tuna for lunch. I don't know why I turn to food when I'm feeling down. Old habits die hard. I need God's strength right now and his wisdom.

OCTOBER 13, 2008
So long since I've updated and so much has happened in my life. I got married last August and feel as though I'm still on my honeymoon. God gave me a wonderful man. We put my garden home up for sale and mom was able to find her a nice apartment that is affordable. Unfortunately, my house didn't sell until June of 2008 so I was making payments for many months. I can't complain though. In August we discovered I have breast cancer. I have had surgery and am now having chemo treatments for the next 12 weeks. I was doing so good until this past weekend. I've been sick for 2 days now but I know it could be worse and there are people who are in a lot more pain than I am. I have people praying for me and that's such a blessing. I've lost 8 pounds in 3 weeks. Dr. Barnes is proud of that. I'm having problems with my iron but we'll get that straightened out too. My husband says I'm a fighter and he's right. I have too much to live for to give into something the devil wants me to take. So there!!!! God bless you all! DebbieDoo
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