We did it! Congratulations for making it thus far! This is the best thing we've ever done! Woo-Hoo!

Kim, First of all WTG on your amazing weight loss.....it is fantastic. I bow...... I can relate to so much of what you said. I still have problems with the "fat person issue in the mirror". I have been overweight all my life and I still see the fat girl in my head....Someday this will pass, I know it will. I don't have major problems with skin but Im 55 and alot of things hang by nature. My bat wings drive me nuts but hoping to get them in better shape....lol. I will never regret this surgery. It gave me my life back!! God Bless you dear!!!

-85 LBS and -93.5 INCHES! I can't begin to tell you the changes that have happened to me this last year. So many were so gradual I didn't see them, some were dramatic. If you can imagine a life from a wheelchair for 8 years, then you can feel MY excitement over being FREE from it. I had not been in our back yard (it had too much slope in it then) for over 3 yrs. Last summer I planted a flower bed out there and it is beautiful. Heck before surgery I couldn't bend over enough to plant flowers without it shutting off my air supply!! I feel alive again, I have lost 80% of my excess weight, my blood sugar level is normal, I take less medicine for my neuropathy, post polio symtoms have improved, cholesterol levels are low, blood pressure is good and I have shrunk!! Sex life is wonderful.. YES......this was one of the best decisions in my life and today I am celebrating, freezing today but going out anyways!! I want to thank Dr. Babineau for being a wonderful surgeon and making this happen, and my loving husband Gary, who has been so supportive!! Most of all I want to thank my God because "By the Grace of God, Go I". I will continue to exercise and watch my diet because I am not finished improving myself! God Bless all of you and wishing you a smooth Journey!!

You go girl!!!!! Happy re-birthday to us!

Hi friends, Today is my one year post op anniversary. I wanted to share with you all some of the things that have changed in my life is such a short period of time. Here goes...the good, bad, and the ugly. I have gone from 311 lbs. to 157 lbs., a loss of 154 lbs. Wow, I've lost what I weigh now. I am 7 lbs. from my goal of 150. I have gone from a size 28 pants to a size 12, a 4X shirt to a medium, and size 10 wide width feet to a 9 regular. I don't sweat, snore, or have sore knees and back anymore. I can work again. People don't stare at me. I get attention from men, not that I want it....lol. Happily married here!! I have more self confidence. I went back to college. I can look people in the eye. I am more assertive. I still have lots of food issues to struggle with, as I'm sure most of us do. I fight cravings daily. I have dumped a few times, and am learning my lesson slowly. When I look in the mirror, I still feel fat. I have gross hangy arms and my belly still hangs over and is wrinkly. My thighs look like swag curtains. My scar is bright pink and lumpy and nine inches long. Since the surgery I am lactose intolerant, have to take vitamins and iron pills daily and I get a B12 shot once a month. My hair is still falling out. Even through all this "negative" stuff, I am still so thankful everyday for finding my surgeon, Dr. Nohr, and having him give my life back to me. For you pre ops, your day will come, you will lose your extra pounds, and you'll feel like a new person. This is only an operation on our stomachs, not our minds, and it will not make your life fantastic. When I was MO, I thought losing weight would make all my problems go away. Trust me, it doesn't. Take it one day at a time. I could probably blabber on forever, I'm so happy today. Anyways, take care everyone, I am thankful to everyone on this list who has supported me and answered my questions in the past. Hugs, Kim S. Open RNY Nov. 4/02 311/157 (-154)