Archived material from the LABS study participant website (via web.archive.org, snapshot of 2012-08-25). Historical document — links and contacts may be outdated.
More Power to You!
We asked participants to tell us something that they accomplished since surgery that they never before thought possible or any other post-surgery milestone that they would like to share.
We hope that these stories will inspire you, motivate you, entertain you and most importantly, make you feel connected to other LABS participants across the country- Because you are a part of something unique and that has never been done before – LABS! And for that we say—MORE POWER TO YOU!
“Being able to ride a bicycle 4 miles, able to run a distance and being able to walk 5 miles. Simple things like squatting, sitting on the floor with grandchildren and jumping on a trampoline.” – Participant 1
“A more positive attitude and self-worth. After surgery [I appreciated] the support of friends and family to not give up. It was nice to have people notice my accomplishments and friends tell me that I seem happier and more energetic.” – Participant 2
“I am able to do more physically. Shop in regular clothes aisles! I feel much better and more confident as myself! I feel I made a good choice!” – Participant 3
“The biggest thing for me was walking a block and not running out of breath. It’s the little things [like] being able to sit in a booth at a restaurant and fit, being able to go up and down a flight of stairs without losing breath, being taken off multiple blood pressure meds and down to 1 now. Being able to keep up with aerobics and pilates. My milestone is training for the 5K run next year. It is something that I would like to do and am going to do to. I will let you know how that turns out!” – Participant 4
“I am much more active in sports and have learned to rollerblade and I go biking now. I don’t mind having pictures taken and love going to Valley Fair and other places because I don’t worry about being too big to go on rides anymore and being embarrassed.” – Participant 5
“A canoe trip through the waters of Boundary, Minnesota.” – Participant 6
“I lost about 40 pounds with the Lap-band. I was able to use the stairs much easier. I could wear clothes about 2 sizes smaller. It was enough so that I could buy clothes in the Misses department instead of the Women’s department. Later I had braces on my teeth and jaw surgery to correct a crossbite. It caused a problem regarding weight loss – I couldn’t chew food properly and found that mushy or soft food is almost always high carb so I gained some weight back because of it.” – Participant 7
“Make sure you exercise, you will lose weight but you will not be happy with your new body. You will be able to do things easier but you may still have a lot of the aches and pains if you don’t exercise. Be aware that you may get the same old feeling of being hungry all the time as the years go by. Keep this in check by asking yourself, ‘Do I have hunger pangs or do I just THINK I’m hungry?’ You can change your body but your mind may go back to its same old tricks. You can beat this by being aware it might happen to you. Make sure you take all of your vitamins. It can help with that uncontrollable feeling of hunger. If your body has the vitamins it needs it will not think it needs to eat.” – Participant 8
“Losing more weight than I ever thought possible in such a short time. Feeling healthier and stronger and even improving my overall health and eliminating most of my medications. [It was a] very worthwhile decision to have the surgery.” – Participant 9
“Being able to buy misses size clothes instead of plus sizes was my goal and I reached it after 1 year. Having more energy without the extra weight boasted my self-esteem.” – Participant 10
“I never thought I’d be able to go into a department store and be able to choose clothes from anything on the rack. It’s a great feeling!” – Participant 11
“I work with young children and I am the most excited about my increased mobility. I can once again get down and up off the floor to play and teach. Keeping up with my children at home and at school has made it worth it. To be able to play again makes my children smile!” – Participant 12
“Before surgery I didn’t have any energy. Now I walk at least two miles, dance to rock ’n roll for hours without sitting, climb three flights of stairs several times a day at work and have done zumba classes.” – Participant 13
“I have a renewed sense of enjoying life with more energy and a positive attitude that I didn’t have prior to surgery. I still enjoy food but now eat to live and not live to eat. I truly wish I had the surgery 5 years earlier so I could have been more active with my teenagers. Now I can look forward to grandchildren!” – Participant 14
“I wasn’t expecting to feel so good about myself, such a sense of pride in what I accomplished—the weight loss. Social situations have become fun again. It really has become the “new me” v. the old me—and the “new me” is the original me. I wasn’t expecting to feel so much better physically. The amount of energy I now have is amazing.” – Participant 15
“Since my surgery I was finally able to cross my legs again. Also I can now sit down on the floor and play with my younger grandchildren. Getting up can still be difficult but spending time walking and playing with my grandchildren is one of my greatest pleasures.” – Participant 16
“My health improved greatly – I was taken off insulin completely. Food has become a necessity rather than an obsession. I now like how I look and shopping for clothes is so much more fun because I can clothes to fit properly and have so much more to choose from. It’s all been a very positive experience and I am happy that I made this decision. I definitely recommend bariatric surgery for people who struggle with weight related issues.” – Participant 17
“I am able to exercise: walk, elliptical, running. Confidence allows me to go places and do things I never would have done before, helped me to overcome fears and anxieties, allowed me to feel good about me and who I am and helped me to try different and new foods. It gave me back my life! Made it easier to walk and do things because of less stress on my arthritic knees.” – Participant 18
“I thought I’d always be alone for the rest of my life but due to surgery I now feel better about myself, have energy, and since have met someone with which to share my time and life. I’m happier now than I’ve been for most of my life. Thank you.” – Participant 19
“I think about food differently and don’t feel as out of control.” – Participant 20
“The surgery gave me my life back. I hand no energy to do anything more than what I had to do. I enjoy spending time with my family! Best thing I have ever done for myself.” – Participant 21
“Before surgery I would exercise for a little while and then give up. The weight loss has motivated me to have exercise as a daily part of my life and I feel good doing it.” – Participant 22
“ Losing weight! Feeling better about myself. Like having pictures taken now. Have more stamina. Actually enjoy shopping and walking.” – Participant 23
“I took a month-long trip to Europe.” – Participant 24
“Just being able to go through the day without exerting myself. Having the opportunity to exercise and enjoy it. Not feeling insecure when I sit in lawn chairs or even some kitchen chairs.” – Participant 25
“I feel good about myself and the fact that I can do these things and wear clothes that I wasn’t able to buy and wear.” – Participant 26
“Since my surgery, I have accomplished a few things that have made me so happy. My husband and I got pregnant and had a beautiful healthy baby girl, I am down 5 pant sizes and I finally got to enjoy horseback riding again. For me, having bariatric surgery was a positive life-changing experience.” – Participant 27
“I had a gastric bypass surgery 4 years ago. I was over 250 pounds and about a size 22. I am currently a size 10 and weigh around 160. I have been able to maintain my current weight even after having another child one and a half years ago. I have been able to play softball again which is something I haven’t done since high school. Losing the weight has made me feel better about myself and I have tons of energy which helps me keep up with my 4 children and their activities. I enjoy cooking more now and teaching my children healthy eating habits. Overall, I feel like a better mom after having gastric bypass.” – Participant 28
“I am able to walk into any clothing store and find clothing that I can wear. I can walk into any restaurant and not worry about being able to fit into a booth or chair, same with airplanes. I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat! I only wish I had done it sooner.” – Participant 29
“I have more fun playing sports now—I can run bases in softball much easier! My confidence level; has gone up dramatically. I feel if I could conquer weight-loss surgery, doing what it takes to become healthy—well I can do anything! Never thought I’d be wearing jeans because they never felt right before. The best? Seeing a “1” in the 1st spot on the scale instead of a “2” or “3”- AMAZING!” – Participant 30
“I accomplished my weight loss goal. I am off all high blood pressure meds and also cholesterol meds. My activity level before was good but now is awesome. My husband and I enjoy a very fulfilling life, both at work and home. We love to travel and have enjoyed Norway and Maine many times and will go to Alaska in 2012 with family. I look forward to a long retirement life and good health.” – Participant 31