My 6-month Surgiversary today!!!

YOUR TRANSFORMATION IS AWESOME, MS CHERYL! I NOTICED THAT YOU ARE COLORING YOUR HAIR NOW ... & WEARING MAKEUP & STANDING TALLER - LET ALONE, LOOKING ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC & 20 YEARS YOUNGER ... EVEN HAPPIER ... CHECK OUT YOUR 1st PIC AGAINST THE NEWER ONES! NICK & I WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT ALL THIS WITH THIS TRIP WE MADE ... I WANTED NEW, WELL-FITTING CLOTHES SO I LOOKED NICE ... WANTED MY HAIR TO LOOK NICE & MY MAKE UP ... SHOOT, BEFORE WLS, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I BOUGHT NICE CLOTHES ... WASN'T DOINT MY HAIR OR MAKE UP ... I'M GONNA GET SOME BARE MINERALS & RE-LEARN HOW TO PUT ON MY FACE ... GOTTA FIND MY OLD CURLING IRON ... EVEN THOUGH I'VE LOST SOME OF MY HAIR, I CAN STILL MAKE IT LOOK NICER ... YUP, WLS HAS MADE A BIG, BIG DIFFERENCE IN HOW I SEE MYSELF & WANT OTHERS TO SEE ME!

Dearest Ms. Dawn, I made my "before" picture as big as it could be on my profile, so I could remember where I started. The dramatic change goes beyond anything I can articulate. Before surgery, I was so depressed, I didn't wear makeup. I didn't look in the mirror. I hated myself and I hated my life. I totally feel 20 years younger. It's amazing. M life is so different now! Dawn, I can't even begin to count the ways it's changed, it's everything! I care again. That's the difference. I let my hair go because who was looking at me anyway. I wore makeup sometime, but I never took the time to do it nicely, just cover up the black eyes, y'know? I changed my hair color. I changed my hair style. I spend time on myself. Yes, I've lost some hair, too - but it's more manageble now for some reason. It feels healthier, not worse. This is a life-changing experience. It's still changing, and every day gets better and better. It's such a blessing. Every day is a gift now, instead of a curse. Love and hugs to you and Nick, Cheryl

THAT'S IT, MS CHERYL ... LIFE FEELS LIKE A GIFT ... NOT A DRUDGERY. I FEEL WORTHWHILE & THAT MAKES ME WANT TO PRESENT MYSELF IN A BETTER LIGHT (HAIR, MAKEUP, CLOTHES, ATTITUDE) ... HOPE IS BACK ... DREAMS SEEM POSSIBLE ... I WANT TO EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING INSTEAD OF HIDING FROM LIFE ... NICK & I ARE BUSY, BUSY, BUSY - BUSIER THAN SOME OF HIS KIDS EVEN ... I'M IN CONTROL OF MY LIFE INSTEAD OF FOOD BEING IN CONTROL OF ME ... LIFE IS GOOD THANKS TO THE CHAGES FROM WLS! &, IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET BETTER & BETTER! GOD BLESS YOU DAWN & NICK

Yes, that's the big secret, Ms. Dawn. Loving yourself again. Making life worthwhile. Being in control. Food doesn't mean what it used to anymore. It gets better every single day. I look forward to getting my protein in and getting my exercise. I am truly not the same person. I occupy the same skin and bones; but that's about it. I have become the person I was meant to be. Out of the cocoon. I'm not quite there yet, but I can see the end of the tunnel. God Bless, Cheryl

Wow Cheryl, you look great! And you're so close to goal! Can you believe a half a year has gone by already? It seems like just the other day we were all waiting for our turn. Anyway, you look fabulous!!! Keep it up. Marcia 251/166/130

Marcia, I find it so hard to believe six months have come and gone. The days before surgery seem so long ago now; yet they were the most important days of my life. The days of decision and indecision, of terror and contentment with my decision to undergo this life-changing surgery. All of us in this group were going through such emotional ups and downs six months ago, wondering whether we were doing the right thing. It seems like yesterday. Today I am wearing size 10 boot-cut jeans and a sweater that comes to my waist! It's mind-boggling! I feel so blinkin' good!!!!! Thank you for your kind words. By the way...251 to 166 equals WAY TO GO!!!!! WOW! Cheryl

Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You look great!

You're looking pretty hot yourself, Vi! Your picture is great. Your face has changed so much. I still think of you as my surgery sister, even though you ended up not having your surgery on the same day as I did. You were the first person I met on this board. I am proud of your accomplishments too. Cheryl