Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss: Meet others & Share

Duodenal switch in Oct 2022 at Abbott northwestern

Hello my name is Kari, I live in Wisconsin and am
Looking forward to taking on this new weight loss journey!

My name is Kari, I live in Des Moines, Iowa. I am married for 47 years. I am 72 years old, and had the old-school Gastroplasty (stomach stapling) in 1982 at the age of 29. I have had no complications from the surgery. My highest weight was 243, my lowest weight was 106. I have been at both ends of the spectrum - from a morbidly obese overeater to being underweight and having a doctor say I was "clearly anorexic". I started gaining weight after that and got to 223 pounds. I am now 160 pounds, and have maintained this weight for several years. I want to lose an additional 15 pounds. I am recovering from a hip replacement surgery after a fall, as well a couple other chronic health conditions, this has severely curtailed my being able to do much exercise. I'm looking forward to being a support for others and receiving support.

@jamnjava20
Welcome to Mayo Connect, I think most of us have had had are up and downs weights after surgery. When reading your post I was thinking how recovering from hip replacement had to be easier at 160 lbs then if you were still at 243 lbs.

What type of exercise do you enjoy?

@karihansonthill

Welcome to Mayo Connect. It is a journey, you will learn a lot have challenges and rewards.

Can you share where you are in your journey? Just exploring options or have you meet with providers?

Yes, it sure was easier. For exercise, I enjoy walking, both inside and outside. We have an exercise class where I live, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I look forward to this, I love exercising with a group.

Hello my name is Bev, I am new to the site and just started the Barbaric & weight loss surgery. I live in western Wisconsin. I have been a widow for 10 years now. I have 5 children and 10 grandchildren. I feel that I need time to take care of myself. So, I'm on my way to a better me one day at a time. Thanks for your time, I'm sure we will talk again.

@baolson63
Welcome to Mayo Connect and the Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss group. There are many people who are just starting out and others (like me) who did surgery years ago. It is a journey and life style change.

Are you doing a program at one of Mayo Health System locations? Do you have any questions the group can answer for you?

Hi, I'm Val and live in Western Wisconsin. I am 53 and have struggled with my weight ever since I can remember. I am currently at my heaviest ever. I've tried just about every diet out there, including WW and a program through Midelfort Clinic. I lost the weight with them, but was never able to maintain the weightloss. I'm just starting this bypass journey and I've looked into the GLP-1 injections, but even with insurance, they are not within my budget. My sister had gastric bypass and it has been successful for her. I'm hoping for the same.

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @valgeorge. I hear you on maintaining weight loss. It's a real challenge.

You mentioned you are just starting a bypass journey. What step of that are you on now ( e.g., researching bypass, enrolling in a program)?