Recent content by Barbara Pennington

Doctor Sleep - Stephen King. As usual, he knocked it out of the ballpark.

Howdy! As a long time post-bariatric surgery patient, I'm passionate about this amazing tool for life-changing weight-loss. My interest has led me to study the attitudes surrounding weight loss surgery for a Master's degree in Sociology. I'm quantitatively measuring attitudes using a survey I...

I used a slow cooker to cook meats until they were tender enough to eat. That way my family ate well and I was able to eat a bit of what they had. When I was on regular food I just made dinner for my daughter and ate a little bit of whatever I made. Chicken was easiest (if too dry it helped to...

Congratulations on your surgery! While reading these posts, please remember that everyone is different. Yes, some people are "over it" in a couple of days, but you had a five day hospital stay. You've had major surgery and a tough recovery. Your doctor prescribes what he or she feels you need...

There's probably a support group in your area that can provide information to you and I'm sure your surgeon will be anxious to help. Congratulations on realizing your need for help. You are to be commended for exercising good common sense. You asked what you might want to do and Ralph was right...

I've seen lots of good advice here. I'm 8 years out and remember very well those early days. I used EAS Advantage drinks (4 pack was $4.50 at Sam's Club back then). It had a thin consistency and I sipped on it all day at first. Greek Yogurt is high in protein and is thicker. It was hard to find...

Sorry it took me so long to get back. Work is crazy! I, too, had gall bladder issues and had it removed. It was amazing how I woke up from that surgery feeling 100% better. I feel it's the best thing I ever did for myself as well. I was 38 years old when I had it done, I'm 46 now. Is there...

Thanks, Frank. I've found it interesting that there seems to be a stigma attached to how someone loses weight, as if there's a right way and a wrong way with value judgments attached to each. Please feel free to share the survey with anyone you'd like. It'll be cool to see how people respond...

Great results. How is your energy level? I still have to watch my carb intake after all these years to make sure I eat enough for energy.

My name is Barbara. I'm 46 years old and had a gastric bypass in 2005 and lost over 170 lbs. I'm still doing very well. I'm a social worker and about 3 years ago I decided to change careers and am currently earning my Master's in Sociology. I knew I was going to study the obesity experience...

Thank you, Cheyenne. You've done amazingly well too! How are you feeling?

Good job on your weight loss! 50 pounds in two months is amazing. I had the gastric bypass too. It was the only option offered by the surgeon in 2005. How's your recovery going?

Wow! Thanks so much, everyone. It's anonymous, it took some doing to get the university Institutional Review Board to allow it to be anonymous so I'm so glad it worked out that way. The demographics questions at the end are so I can accurately describe the "average" weight loss surgery patient...

Hello, My name is Barbara Pennington. I'm 46 years old and had a gastric bypass in 2005 and lost over 170 lbs. I'm still doing very well. About 3 years ago I decided to change careers and am currently earning my Master's in Sociology. I knew I was going to study the obesity experience because...