Oh my gosh Melinda! You are so tiny girlfriend! You just melted away! I'm so proud of you! And all the losers here! We have all accomplished so much! Charlotte

Well, 1 year ago today, i was at the hospital feeling nervous, knowing that something had to be done. This was it, one way or another, I HAD TO GET THIS WEIGHT OFF......... I HAD TO GET BETTER HEALTHWISE! I had done all of the research, watched a ton of videos, inquired about and viewed many stories, and Yes, even the bad effects of my surgery.. GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY, ROUX EN Y OPEN!. I strolled into the hospital not know whether or not I would walk out or would be brung out on a stretcher. The former happened. The months following surgery were difficult. I had to TRAIN my MIND to do what was in my HEART... the RIGHT THING! I had to match up my brain with my stomach and they had to be GOOD FRIENDS..... BEST FRIENDS even, so that this ENTIRE system could work together like a WELL OILED MACHINE! I was in/out the hospital my first months however i lost alot of weight then. I had high blood pressure b4 surgery. I had Severe SLEEP APNEA and I wore a mask via CPAP Machine b4 Surgery. I had Chronic allergies moreso Bronchial and sinus infections constantly Prior to surgery. My father and his father died early in life due to Heart problems, and I was striving for a better me. THIS HAD TO BE DONE. NOT FOR COSMETICS... NOT FOR HUNKSHIP.. or DIVASHIP.. not to PULL DA LADIES.. THIS WAS A SERIOUS CONCERN, and a MAJOR MEDICAL PROBLEM! So i went under... 1/23/04 It was the day that Changed my life. After my first month of surgery..... I had no Commordities!!! No High Blood Pressure, No Sleep Apnea, No heart Issues, No major sinus issues, no major Bronchial issues! IT WAS TIME TO Jehovah Throughout my journey i have chronicled some things to be found on my profile. I have met many via meet and greets, phone conversations, local support groups, and Online support via OH and BAF and NC forums and other tangents. There are sooooo many people to thank for my progress. To many to mention here in this venue by name. You know who you are. Thanks for all of the support, , and understanding. Thanks for being there and giving me kind advice and support when I had my difficult times, even the times when i felt like giving up and dying. It truly can be said... We were given a second chance at life. So in accord with the negative individuals and organizations that think this is the "EASY WAY OUT".. If it was, at least we did something about it, If you or your family members, or close love ones, ever have a medical situation... how will you fair? How will you react when ones say its the EASY WAY OUT! In Keeping tone of two of my favorite quotes one from me and the other from the late Christopher Reid, and DEE DEE you can use this also , "Make it happen!!!" "For everyone who thought I couldn't do it. For everyone who thought I shouldn't do it. For everyone who said, 'It's impossible.' See you at the finish line!" Michael Johnson BKA NitroMike Post Post OP-360lbs Surgery Day-340lbs 1YR Post OP--200lbs

1. My surgery date is 1-13-2004 2. My starting weight was a.) 272 in May of 2003--the start of my journey and b.) my weight was 263 the morning of my surgery. 3. My height is 5 foot 8 inches 4. No I didnt' smoke prior to surgery. 5. No, I quit smoking March 1st 1998. 6. My weight today was 142. 7. I wear size 10 tall pants and large shirts. I like my shirts big and baggy. 8. No, I have been smoke free for nearly 8 years after smoking for 28 years. 9. In a heartbeat!!! Yes, I would have this surgery over again. 10. I'm 47 years old. I wish I would have done this a few years earlier. I'll be 48 in November. Thanks for posting these questions, it was fun. Have a great upcoming week everyone. I have my 1 year doctor appointment on Monday. I think all is well though. ~Kay~

wow one year ago on january 22, 2004 i had surgery. on the day of my surgery i was 330 pounds. at my highest weight i was 355. today i weigh 181. i havent been at this weight since i was a teenager and that was at least 17 years ago. somedays the surgery was the best thing i ever did. somedays i wish i never did it. i have had problems. dehydration at least 10 times, ive had to be scoped twice. i was in the hospital for a blockaged in my lower bowel. now my latest problem is that i have have spasms in my bowels while im trying to eat. as soon as i start to eat they start to. the dr put me on bently. and say that i have to take like Citrucel. she thinks i need for fiber in my diet. i do feel better then i did a year ago.

WOW -- Back to my youthful size. Feel Great. Thanks to my great surgeon Dr Clark Warden.