20 Questions Time again!

Hi folks- The board has been very quiet so I thought it would be time to ask some questions again-- 1) As we approach the 10 month mark (damn- time does fly), think back-- what is your biggest "WOW" moment you have had? When did you have it and how did it make you feel? 2) What was the primary reason you decided to have WLS surgery? Had you been thinking about it a long time,or not? 3) How many states in the US have you been to (airports and drive-thrus count)? What is your favorite city in the US. 4) If money was not an object- what is the one place you want to visit the most (that you haven't yet been to)? 5) Do you get up early in the morning or are you a 'snooze-hitter?' 6) How long have you known your best friend? What is he/she like? Cheers!

1) As we approach the 10 month mark (damn- time does fly), think back-- what is your biggest "WOW" moment you have had? When did you have it and how did it make you feel? I was at the gym and realized I could not lift the amount of weight I had lost. It showed me what a long weigh (PUN intended ) I had come and made me realize WHY I was so limited when I was heavier. It made me realize how FREEING the loss of weight has been. 2) What was the primary reason you decided to have WLS surgery? Had you been thinking about it a long time,or not? I really thought I would die in a few years..... I looked at my dad (who is on dialysis and can't walk a block) and thought- "I am only 30 pounds less them him-- that is me in a few years unless I take drastic action." 3) How many states in the US have you been to (airports and drive-thrus count)? What is your favorite city in the US. Without a doubt the best city is the US is San Francisco. I miss it. NYC is great, but the weather really stinks. States-- Hmm I have not been to Alaska, West Virgina, Nebraska, North Dakota, New Mexico, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Maine and Arkansas-- so I have been to 40 of the 50 states. 4) If money was not an object- what is the one place you want to visit the most (that you haven't yet been to)? I'd like to go to Antartica (during the summer!) and see the continent that so few people get to experience. 5) Do you get up early in the morning or are you a 'snooze-hitter?' I have two alarms and I hit the snooze forever! 6) How long have you known your best friend? What is he/she like? I have know my best friend since 7th grade- but we didn't become close until high school. Ironically enough she is a JOCK--- runs 4 marathons a year and is a college swim coach. She is a very loyal person and I don't think anyone has ever disliked her --- ever ( I tend to be a more polarizing person ). She actually came in to stay with me after the operation, which was incredibly wonderful of her. She could be a stand up comedian-- my friends from high school call her "the peanut gallery" because of her one liners. Let's hear from you! Andrea

I'm mostly a lurker, but I thought I would join in. 1) As we approach the 10 month mark (damn- time does fly), think back-- what is your biggest "WOW" moment you have had? When did you have it and how did it make you feel? My biggest "wow" moment was probably the first airplane ride I took 6 months after surgery. I actually fit in the seat with room to spare on the sides! I could plug the headphones in without them jamming into my thigh! I could actually cross my legs comfortably! Who would have thought? 2) What was the primary reason you decided to have WLS surgery? Had you been thinking about it a long time,or not? I researched WLS for years. I would have like to have had it done years ago, but I didn't have insurance to cover it. I was even getting a new job just for the insurance coverage. I knew surgery was the only way I was going to succeed at long term weight loss. 3) How many states in the US have you been to (airports and drive-thrus count)? What is your favorite city in the US. I have been to 27 states. Many of them were just drive thrus or airports though. I would have to say my favorite city is Atlanta. 4) If money was not an object- what is the one place you want to visit the most (that you haven't yet been to)? I would like to go on a cruise to somewhere tropical, Hawaii, England 5) Do you get up early in the morning or are you a 'snooze-hitter?' I usually set my alarm for one time, get up when it goes off and reset it for 20-30 minutes later. I never use the actual "snooze" button. 6) How long have you known your best friend? What is he/she like? I have two best friends that I met freshman year in college, so that was 8 years ago. Even though we are spread across the country (Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Utah), we are still the best of friends. They are both people that I can be myself with. One is a skinny minny who eats whatever she wants and never gains an ounce, and the other was my eating partner for years. She is just over 300 pounds now. I know surgery isn't for everyone, but I wish she would be able to find something that works for her. Lauren 281/140/130

Just wanted to say that we are only approaching our 9 month mark Andrea! Other than that, I am heading out and I will answer later!

Thanks Michele-- I feel much better that I am on the nine month mark! My bad!

1) As we approach the 10 month mark (damn- time does fly), think back-- what is your biggest "WOW" moment you have had? When did you have it and how did it make you feel? 10 months?! I haven't even hit the 9 month mark yet. Wait? Is that right? Yeah....that's right. Nine months on the 18th. The best "wowzer" for me was when I realized that , YES....that man is looking at me in "that" way. Wait, wait....now he's winking at me! I even posted about it. Remember? Next, to emulate Lauren's response, the first airplane ride.......I fit perfectly and, once again a man waited in the back for the stewardess to clear the seat next to me just so that he could sit there and offer to buy me a drink. I posted that one too....remember? BUT!!! The first one that I can remember was when I saw my feet for the first time while walking!!!! I thought there was a mouse running accross my path. It startled me, but then I laughed when I realized what it really was....me and my huge size 9's!!! 2) What was the primary reason you decided to have WLS surgery? Had you been thinking about it a long time,or not? I was one big ass'd woman....that's why!!! During the process I found out that I was pre-diabetic, had weight related infertility and high blood pressure, but these only "backed up" my reasons. I didn't know about these issues until I had decided to have surgery. I looked and felt awful! I was tired all the time. I had zero energy! I napped two or three times a day! I was inching my way even out of the fat girls stores (I'm laughing!!). It affected my sex life because I didn't want to be seen naked, much less touched, so sex was fairly routine (still good), but certainly not mind-blowing like it was in the pre-fat years! I avoided even my best of friends like the plague and I'd duck and cover if I ever saw someone that I hadn't seen in a while. I could just hear them say, "WOW!! Channan really let herself go!" I guess if I'm going to be honest about it....it wasn't really for health reasons. I was just tired of looking and feeling like sh*t!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes! I had been thinking about it for years!!! I kick myself when I think, "Why did I wait sooo long!" On the bright side, I wouldn't have met all of you wonderful people if I had done this sooner. You people are truly a blessing in my life and I love each and every one of you! Some more lustfully than others!!! Ha! 3) How many states in the US have you been to (airports and drive-thrus count)? What is your favorite city in the US. AZ CA NM TX UT NV AK WA NY CO WY That's not very many, huh? 4) If money was not an object- what is the one place you want to visit the most (that you haven't yet been to)? The entire world and every art museum, cathedral, castle and famous building!!! Ya know.....if money was no object!!! 5) Do you get up early in the morning or are you a 'snooze-hitter?' My first alarm goes off at 4:30, but I snooze it until almost 5:00. I love to work while it's quiet in the house. No phone calls, no tv's, just me, my drafting board and my mp3.......designing my next masterpiece. 6) How long have you known your best friend? What is he/she like? Literally since birth! It's a rarity, I know! Our mom's were friends and we grew up on the same street. We're like sisters. My blood sister is my other best friend. Thanks babe for the great questions! I love reading these and getting to know you all better! Malibu C

1) As we approach the 10 month mark (damn- time does fly), think back-- what is your biggest "WOW" moment you have had? When did you have it and how did it make you feel? I THINK FOR ME IT WAS A FEW OF THEM - THE FIRST TIME I TOOK AN AIRPLANE RIDE AND CROSSED MY LEGS AND PUT THE SEATBELT ON; THE FIRST TIME I FIT INTO A SIZE 14 PAIR OF PANTS; THE FIRST TIME I LOOKED DOWN INTHE SHOWER AND SAW MY TOES IN YEARS! (TEE HEE) IT'S BEEN AN AWESOME JOURNEY! 2) What was the primary reason you decided to have WLS surgery? Had you been thinking about it a long time,or not? IT HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN. I SAW A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHO HAD CHANGED AFTER THIS AND DECIDED IT MIGHT BE THE WAY TO GO. ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW MONTHS... 3) How many states in the US have you been to (airports and drive-thrus count)? What is your favorite city in the US. SHOOT. I CAN'T COUNT. TOO MANY. MY FAVORITE CITY MUST BE MY HOMETOWN - RURAL WORTHINGTON - WITH A POPULATION OF 3,000. I WOULDN'T LIVE ANYWHERE ELSE. 4) If money was not an object- what is the one place you want to visit the most (that you haven't yet been to)? I'VE BEEN A LOT OF PLACES AROUND THE WORLD, BUT PERHAPS - NEW ZEALAND BECAUSE IT LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL. 5) Do you get up early in the morning or are you a 'snooze-hitter?' SHOOT, HONEY - I GET UP WAY BEFORE THE ALARM CLOCK GOES OFF. I AM PRETTY ANAL THAT WAY ABOUT MOVING, DOING, ACHIEVING THAT WAY. TOO FEW HOURS IN THE DAY FOR ME! 6) How long have you known your best friend? What is he/she like? MY BEST FRIENDS ARE MY SISTERS. I'VE KNOWN THEM ALL MY LIFE!

That's true Nan! I have chased you around the board at 4 in the morning before. I guess great minds think alike! C

1) As we approach the 10 month mark (damn- time does fly), think back-- what is your biggest "WOW" moment you have had? When did you have it and how did it make you feel? My biggest wow moment was the day I stepped into one leg of my pants I had worn to the hospital before surgery. Now my whole body fit in one leg. But isn't it only coming up on nine months? 2) What was the primary reason you decided to have WLS surgery? Had you been thinking about it a long time,or not? I had the surgery for my health. I had a lot of medical issues but most of all my mobility was almost gone. My back hurt so bad after just walking a very short distance. So nice to be able to go anywhere now, for as long as I want! At 160lbs gone now, I have lost a whole extra person, and they were HEAVY! 3) How many states in the US have you been to (airports and drive-thrus count)? What is your favorite city in the US. I have been to about 12 states. My favorite of those would have to be Calif. 4) If money was not an object- what is the one place you want to visit the most (that you haven't yet been to)? Hawaii! would LOVE to go there. 5) Do you get up early in the morning or are you a 'snooze-hitter?' this is funny, because I was just talking about this last night. I used to be a snooze hitter, at least 3-4 times, now I get up the minute the alarm goes off. I honestly think it is because I don't dread just getting through the day like I did before I lost the weight I have. 6) How long have you known your best friend? What is he/she like? I have known my best friend for 23 years. We met through our husbands who worked together, and we pregnant at the same time with our first babies, lived across the street for several years. She is moving soon and I will miss her terribly.

Hi Andrea- 1) As we approach the 10 month mark(damn-time does fly), think back--what is your biggest "WOW" moment you have had? When did you have it and how did it make you feel? O.K. my biggest WOW moment was when I returned to work and all the complements that I recieved? Still too this day there isn't a day that goes by that I don't get a complement. And I Even get stares from doctors. It really feels good, From being plain jane to getting fixed up everyday that I go too work.It feels good when I here my co-workers tell me how pretty I am and that I have a pretty smile It aways makes my day. 2)What was the primary reason you decided to have WLS surgery? Well my reason is so much like yours Andrea, My mother is Diabetic and has been for many years. She is very sick she has other complecations like CHF, Hypertention, High Cholestrol, an amputation above the knee, and is legally blind, and to top it off she has Dementia.I work full time and I also take care of my mother at home, I have a niece that helps when I am at work. I could never send her too a home. Thats just me... Seeing and living with her has opened my eyes so much. Then I was told in the year 2000 that I also was Diabetic. ( Go figure!) Hypertention, High Cholestrol, my weight was the main factor. I had to make a change , and I had too do something every soon. I was already seeing my life just like my mother's. My mother has alot of woderful qualitys, But this is one I didn't want to inherate! you know? And taking care of her as really opened my eyes. This is why I made the decision for WLS.I want too life a normal life for quite sometime At age 37 I felt like I was a 60 year old. (and that's know joke!) 3)How many states in the U.S. have been to(airports and drive-thrus count)? Well lets see- I have been only to Las Vagas, San Diego, San Francicso, Las Angeles, Haven't been out of the country besides Mexico. 4)If money was not an object- what is the one place you want to visit the most (that you haven't yet been to)? Paris, Jerusalem, New York, Heck! I would like to visit every country if I could. LOL 5) Do you get up early in the morning or are you a 'snooze-hitter?' I get up around 8 a.m. every morning,sometimes I get up a little bit later. 6) How long have you known your best friend? What is he/she like? Well my best friend is my sister and Ive known her all my life Heeeee heee LOL. Shes the best! we are really crazy when we are together, Especailly when we go to Vagas. We like to hit all the bars and strip clubs. And get Drunk! Heee Heee Well there goes my life story LOL guys you guys are Awesome!