this is the week.....

Hi Y'all, Well it was June 14th two years ago that I had my RNY, the surgery that changed my life. Going into it I knew I'd lose weight, just never knew how much and how I'd end up looking. I literally am LIVING A DREAM! I never thought I'd be this small, a normal weight! To sit in front of the the tv and watch models and actresses in their tight jeans and know that I have the same type of body they do. I remember watching an episode of Desperate Housewives a few months back when Lynette wanted to buy a $1500 white suit and they showed the size and it was a "4 petite." I smiled and thought to myself, "wow, I could wear that." "Wow I'm the same size as HER." Last week I had my husband put a few recent pics on my profile page, including one of me in a bikini. Yes at 45 years old for the first time in my life I CAN and DO wear a bikini. Ok so my body isn't perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than it was 2 years ago. I have to remind myself constantly on weekends that I CAN put on a pair of shorts and go out. I had the extreme makeover this year too. With the help and blessing of God we managed to come up with the money to pay for it by scrimping and saving and me cashing in my 401K plan. It cost me over $16,000 total for all my plastic surgery. In Nov '05 I had my tummy, thighs, back and butt done. And in Feb just four months later I went back and had my arms and breasts done. I love my new body and constantly am amazed that I look like I do in a bra and panties....or even naked! I went from a size 26 to a size 3/4 in pants and smalls and x-smalls in tops. I went from sitting on the couch not wanting to be seen to being out there dancing with my husband at clubs. We've been taking dance lessons for about a year now....ballroom, country, swing etc. Back in Jan of this year I started taking belly dancing lessong to show off my new flat belly that I paid so much money for and worked so many hours in the gym to get. I have a recital in Aug and I have 4 routines to learn. Recently I was looking online at belly dancing costumes and it occured to me that this shy, wallflower that I used to be is now looking at sexy, exotic, dramatic belly dancing outfits to be seen in public in. What have I become? I'm so much more confident now and so much more in touch with my femininity and sexuality than ever before. I love to wear sexy tops with some cleavage showing since I never could before. Yet I realize that there still is a challenger before me....the every day challenge to keep doing what I've been doing to keep the weight OFF for good. I know that I can gain it back if I don't make the right food choices and continue to exercise. That terrifies me!!! But I suppose being scarted is a good thing in this case. I do and will continue to attend support group meetings here locally to interact with other wls patients. Hopefully I can be an inspiration to those I meet considering this way of life. And seeing those that are just starting out on this journey that are morbidly obese like I used to be will remind me of where I came from, and what I don't want to go back to. I do need to take this thing one day at a time. I don't have to worry about how I'll be eating weeks from now, but I just have to live for today. Everyday I need to ask myself "did I do the right thing today? Did I eat right today....get in enough protein, fluids, vitamins?" Did I stay active and exercise today?" And hopefully in 20, 30 years and more I'll be updating my profile saying how wonderful life has been since my weight loss surgery. I hope to grow old as a tiny, skinny, healthy little woman. Thanks to all of you that have given me support along the way. Continued success to all of you! Sincerely, Terry Coles 276/125 Oct '05: abdominoplasty, belt lipectomy, thigh lift Feb '06: breast augmentation and braichoplasty

Terry.... You look great in your bikini... I only wish that my scars from my tummy tuck, would let me wear one also. Doctor took stiches out too soon and have a bad scare just below my new belly button. Oh welll, I never thought I would even be able to wear my size 3-5 jeans and I do. I feel great, have gained just 5 pounds and am happy with that.. Since my sister had gained much more than that. As long as we all remember what got us over weight to begin with, we can keep off all the extra weight. Good luck. Karen 288/123