F/U To Shelly's Provacative Post!!

Good job Shel, you got everyone scared! I have a very good friend who is a couple of years out and has been very successful with this surgery. It isn't easy - but she works it. I am going to copy an email that she sent me and maybe it will help some of us -- I read it lots!! Here 'goes!! Who the heck told you the window of opportunity was 8 to 12 konths. They are absolutely WRONG period! Nope - the window of opportunity is 18 months. We (our bodies) lose the most weight the first six months, then it loses about 1/2 that much the next six months, and then 1/2 of that again the remaining six months. Now, it's not a scientific fact, so it's not set in stone. You may or may not fall in those averages - it's just a 'general kinda average'. I Oh,and for the record -- I lost weight clear up to 20 months post op - then my body chose to stop! Now, all that being said -- we can always lose weight, always and forever, just like any normal human out there. Just because we don't drop weight dramatically anymore, does not mean we can't still lose weight. Normal people do it on a daily basis, it just requires a lot of work and a lot of effort. Isn't that why we had this surgery -- so we could be semi normal and have the same level playing field as anyone else. Okay, this is donna again. I loved that email, but the thing I love the most is the fact about the level playing field. We knew it wasn't a silver bullet, that we were going to have to 'do' something. But all I wanted was the chance to control my weight like normal people. That when I gain 5 or 10 lbs, I can cut back, increase my activity, that sort of thing. Not go up to 290 again before I know what's going on. I don't know if this will help anyone of not. It sort of was a reality check for me. Oh, and by the way, my friend has lost over 200 pounds!! That's pretty awesome. If you are interested in reading her profile, which has tons of really cool pictures, let me know and I will give you the info. I would try to hyper link it here, but as Shelly knows, I'm not a super computer person, and I'm not sure how to do it. We can do it - the playing field is level!! love donna

Donna , If you want to e-mail it to my I will hyperlink it under this post for you Shel

Hi Shel, I don't know if many people are interested, this didn't seem to get much response, but here is the link. Maybe it will work this way. I hope go in and read her profile, she is a fantastic writer (much like you!!) and has a great story. Let me know if this works!! Love donna http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=G1025993964

Yes it worked,I love that womans profile, She is on the first people I started reading when I started researching this surgury, there are about 10 I go back and check from time to time. Hopefully people will find that kind of inspiration from my profile also,I just want to let people know that it's not just a surgury, it's a life change and it effects ALL of life not just that 3 hours you spend in the o.r. and recovery. Shel

Hey Shel - yeah, she's really awesome. I think I have a picture of her (and me) on my profile -- it's been so long since I've updated but I think I have one out there!! She is very very nice and I am going to tell her that you've looked at her profile!! That would realloy please her!! Just got back from Curves. See, I do things, just not a lot of walking. Now I'm going to scrapbook!! I've been making scrapbooks for all my grandkids, and I'm on the last one -- numbere 11!! I'm ready for it to be done!!!! love donna

Hi Donna I have also read about this beautiful person Le--- on the VA board , hi donna how are you doing today ? Judith N (Aka JewelsN)

Judy, how are you honey? Did you get ahold of Denise?? I hope you are feeling better. I think it's something going around. Yes, Lei is a beautiful person, both inside and out. And I learn so much from her!! She is a true inspiration. Love donna

I just checked out your friend's profile too, thanks so much for sharing that. Her pictures truly speak a million words, WOW is all I can say. I think she should be the poster child for gastric bypass AND plastic surgery. I hope I don't end up needing PS mainly because I can't afford it but I am so happy for your friend that she could get it because it made such an amazing difference, she had to have felt like a completely new woman. The two pics that blew me away are the before/after from the tummy tuck where she has on the same bra and panties (but you can't even see the panties in the first one because of the skin) WOW, the one in her shutterfly album of her sitting down of her side view before and after with no clothes, she gained a lap just losing that skin...oh and the bathing suit picture up close from the side view where she is on the boat. Anyway tell her WAY TO GO, that is truly awesome and inspiring. She looks great!!

Hi Stacy, yeah, she's retty remarkable. I read her profile at least once a month just to inspire me!! I love her because she is so 'out there' with stuff. I mean not many would show the before plastic surgery pictures!! She is truly a real inspiration to me. I will pass your message along to her! Better yet, why don't you email her!! She is an excellent communicator and ALWAYS is there for any questions I have, and I know she would love to hear your comments!! Have a good weekend -- it's raining in VIrginia!! Too bad for the Cherry Blossom parade today!! love donna