A Milestone

As I planned my WLS, I scheduled a trip to Alaska to go hiking and rafting with my 26 year old daughter. I leave July 7 for 3 weeks (I'll miss you guys!). I tried to imagine what size I would be by the time I made the trip. I was 212 on the day of surgery--I hoped to be between 150-160 in what I guessed to be a size 12. Today I weighed in at 159.6, and I am in a snug size 12! I am doing such a happy dance as I am seeing my life change for the better! I have to admit I like the appearance of the new me, but the major thing is that there is no way I could have drug that extra weight around for an active vacation. My arthritis made it hurt to do anything. The arthritis is virtually gone for now, and I have many times the energy that I had. It won't surprise me if I can out-walk my daughter! I thank the Lord for this blessing and celebrate this victory along with each of you who are celebrating private milestones. Joy -52

Hey Joy, It's about time you had a picture put up. If you don't have a digital camera or a scanner send me a recent picture I'll scan it and email it to you. If you want before and after's I'll do that too. Va

LOL--I may have lost weight, but I still hate to be on the subject end of a camera! (I love to on the working end though--my DH & I are videographers and are videoing a wedding this weekend!) Sorry--I will just have to remain a mystery woman! Joy -52

Joy - this is wonderful! I am so happy for you and hope you have a fantastic trip. Dina

I've come to think of you as the "doer" of the board -- always there for everyone, doing for everyone, just sort of the Rock of this Board. It is so NICE to see you post something so wonderfully affirmative about you, your daughter and your life! Oh Joy, have a great, great, great time! I am sooooooo happy for you AND for your daughter, what a marvelous adventure you will be sharing together. Can't wait to hear all about it! Take care, Maureen

What a nice thing to say! I'm blushing! Joy -52

This is so great Joy! What a fantastic way to reward yourself for all that hard work. You deserve it and I wish you and your daughter the best as you spend time together. Can't wait to hear how it goes! mgm -62

Congrats, Joy! I'm so happy for you! You've worked so hard on this journey - you deserve the success you're now seeing! Enjoy yourself in Alaska! We'll certainly miss you on the boards! -Wendy

Hi Joy: I just wanted you to know that I am so happy for you and wish you a great vacation. I identify a lot with you....both of us w/less than 100 to lose, both with arthritis and both enjoy rafting and a few other things...your joy is mine. Love, Louise

I'm so happy to hear this Joy! It's here, it's here! One of my first memories of this board is a message about your plans. It seemed like a faraway dream. I think my big motivational trip will be in the fall -- I'm thinking of rafting down the Rio Grande, but I'm still grazing the trip so I'm not sure. It might be too cold in NM at that time of year, so perhaps something in Arizona would be better. Whatever I do, I'm going to get out there and DO something as opposed to the veg trips I used to take. I'm leaving on vacation to Maine on the 9th (not too dusty an event, believe me) and am now in a size 16, down from my 22 (or let's face it 24, depending) when I had surgery. It's not quite enough for a happy dance, but there is a little sway in my step. And a few vacation clothes in my new, if temporary size. I certainly plan to enjoy many activities much much more. I was in this same place last year and I just felt terrible, so I'm going to really celebrate the contrast...and swim laps in the pool that I was too embarrassed to sunbathe by just one year ago. I may not be at my goal yet, but I can definitely blend in far better, enough to keep me happy. I'm trying to figure when I'll be down to a 12 (though, when I lose the 45 more lbs. the charts tell me I must, maybe it will be an even smaller size eventually, possibly a 10 once I'm realistically stabilized). Do you calculate about 10-15 lbs. for a size when it hits this point? I've been looking for a general rule of thumb and the upper sizes are more generous, at least that's my impression from what I've gone through so far. So I'm now in alien territory..and I like it here, I might add. If I'm right about the poundage/size ratio, that would make my milestone sometime in the fall. The 16 is snug or okay,depending on the garment. The doctor estimated I could lose 30 lbs. this summer and, so far, with 11.2 this month, I'm on schedule. Have a great time. Who deserves it more? Why, you do. Gano