We had a really warm day too. My smallest size from last summer was a 24 (down from a very tight 28) , so I ran to Walmart and was able to get a 16!! I feel so skinny.. lol Jenn.

1. Who did you first tell that you were considering WLS? my mom and dad sat me down and said, 'we are concerned about your weight and health issues, you either need to loose weight or have surgery' as i had a dr's appt the next am, i said mom will you come with me to talk to the dr about getting a referral for surgery.....that was march 28 2005 2. How long did it take to get approval? saw pcp on above mentioned date, saw surgeon lecture in april 05, had consult in may 05, got original surgery date of sept 05, insurance denied me due to needing 6 month supervised diet, re submitted late feb, too 3 weeks for approval....had surgery a month later april 17 2006....total time 54/55 weeks 3. What was the first thing you thought when you woke up? OUCH, i can feel where my tummy is cut in half..... 4. Were you scared to eat/drink after surgery? nope, i was so thirsty, but was only allowed to sip sip si 5. What is the coolest, most bestest thing about having lived thru this past year? wow so many things.....i think the biggest thing is being able to shop in regular sizes (still the top end of them but getting better as the days go by) 6. What does the next year bring? who knows but hopping for the best.....next year (2008) planing for reconstruction Ruth Ann

I first told my husband then my mom about wanting surgery. I started the process in Sept 2005, after finishing my test ect. got insurance approval in one week, was suppose to have surgery in Nov. Things did not go as planned because of problem with surgeon. I changed surgeons within one week and had to do some additional requirements with him which prolonged my wait, since I had already been approved that was not an issue. I ended up having my surgery April 5, 2006. When I woke up. I thought, this was not too bad( meaning the pain). I was not scared about eating or drinking, but was very cautious The best thing for me was my escape from chronic pain, a leaky bladder and being able to shop on foot and not need to ride electric store cart. This next year, well it's a toss up replace my right knee or TT. It had been a great year of changes. Sher

Hi Joan, That is so great getting to your doctor's goal. It does pay off when you follow the rules like you do. Hope things get approved for a pani. How about your knee? Anything planned for that. I hope the pain of your knee injury has eased up. I saw my pcp today for my 1 year check up and she was so pleased. Down 101lbs from the last time I had my yearly check. Down 188 lbs from my heighest weight in(2000). This journey for me has been in steps. Now I am completing it since I had Wls. I too, hope to have some skin removal will have to talk with my surgeon at my visit next week, he also does that surgery. Here is my food list for today weight control oatmeal, 1 serving 160 23 3 7 South Beach Meal Replacement Bar -- Chocolate Crisp, 1 serving 210 26 6 19 Beef, top sirloin, 3 oz 172 0 7 26 Green Beans (snap), 0.25 cup 9 2 0 1 Beans, red kidney, 0.1 cup 22 4 0 1 Baked Potato, with skin, 0.75 small (1-3/4" to 2-1/2" dia.) 96 22 0 3 Margarine, 70% vegetable oil spread, 0.2 tbsp 17 0 2 0 Milk, 1%, 0.5 cup 51 6 1 4 banana bran muffin, 1 serving 129 0 0 1 Chicken Noodle Soup, 1 package yields 95 9 3 6 CALORIES CARBS FAT PROTEIN 960 92 23 68 Take care Sher

Awww shucks Lizzie I'm just an old lady....who lost weight! Praise God!!! You look wonderful too girlfriend!! Isn't this an incredible ride? Joan M