Britt, CeCe and Donna Myles are 10 months post op today!

Britt and Donna, I just realized the 3 of us are 10 months out today! In the beginning I was counting the weeks and months and yet the last couple of months I've barely thought about it! It will be a year for all of us soon. Can any of you believe it? Time has FLOWN. I have a very close friend who lives in Connecticut and we email each other every day or almost every day. She and I lost over 100 pounds each together and she has kept it off while I regained 60 and had surgery. I think I've mentioned that no one in my family knows I had surgery - not my mother, brothers and sisters, in-laws or even my daughter and son in-law. I haven't seen any of them in several years (on purpose) so they never knew I had regained weight. My friend in Connecticut knows about the surgery and has been a great support. However, yesterday she said instead of really celebrating my accomplishment, I seem to be focusing on the wrinkles, bumps and bulges of the loose and hanging skin and my turkey neck! In other words, I still see the negatives instead of being thrilled being able to buy smaller clothes, etc. My husband feels the same way! I told my friend I am thrilled with my WLS results. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself! Within the past few weeks I've actually looked at myself in the mirror and said out loud: "Looking good, girl!" The other day I took at least 10 pairs of black pants (with zippers!!!) and a whole bunch of shirts, tops, sweaters into the dressing room and wasn't horrified by the experience. In fact, it was a hard decision which pants to buy! Some were TOO BIG!! I would turn this way and that and actually approving what I saw. Yes, I'm thrilled BUT I do see the loose hanging skin. I do have a pannus (like having a fanny pack hanging at the waist on the front). My neck does look like a turkey's. I probably have better biceps and triceps than many personal trainers but I'm even more self conscious of my arms now because of the hanging loose skin. That's why I'm so awed by Britt's and Kim's nicely toned arms! I want to wear sleeveless tops. I'm tired of buying tops that are too big and long so that they cover my stomach. Half my tops are falling off my shoulders but smaller ones show what I don't want shown! At 10 months out, I'm anxious to be at goal weight and to get started with the plastic surgery that isn't medically necessary but emotionally necessary! I'm not looking for perfection but I am looking to finally reach a point of peace with body acceptance. How is everyone else feeling about coming up on 10 months out and about our year surgiversary coming up? Has the WLS experience been all you thought it would be or more? Has it been easier or harder? I know Kim's experience is much different than ours and even Christy is now worried about losing too much but overall have you lost more or less than you would have thought and has the reality of your new size caught up with you? How are your husbands or significant others dealing with the changes? How about your parents or friends? It's too quiet on the November board right now! Let's get some discussion going!

Well, in my case, at this point, I'm still glad I had the surgery. While I'm struggling to stop the weight loss and hopefully find out why I'm not absorbing, I am still in awe at the total change my body has gone through. I very vauguely remember being this thin back in the early years of high school. I never thought I'd have a flat stomach, but now I do. I too am dealing with the "ugliness" of wrinkled skin. Everything sags on me. Especially my butt. Looks weird in a bathing suit. My arms are about the only thing that I don't think will need work. And I'm hoping to grow back into some skin on my butt/tops of legs when I get some weight back on. While I see improvement in the tightening of my skin on my abdomen, I can still see I would be happier if I had a tummy tuck and breast lift. My boobs are almost non-existent for the first time in my life. That is weird for me to adjust to. I have finally gotten to that place in my head where I don't feel overweight, or think like I'm overweight. I enjoy shopping the "smalls" and am rather disgusted with the fact that I have a bunch of clothes that are a size or two too big taking up much needed room in my closet. I plan to box them up and keep them, hoping to get back up to a size 6 or 8. I'm at a 2 now, and really feeling self-conscious. My husband tells me everyday how beautiful I am. How much he desires me. He is the best. And he acts on it too, so I don't feel like it's just lip service. My family that knew of my surgery before I had it are concerned I am losing too much. Family that is just finding out now comment how good I look. Of course, they remember me this way when I was younger. Co-workers think I've gotten too thin, but none of them knew me thin before. I'm finding I almost have to classify if people knew me back when I was thin to gauge how to handle their reaction to my weight loss. Overall, I'm happy and trying to stay positive as I work through this difficulty. With the way things started off, I would never guess I would have such trouble at this point in my journey. But today was a good day. No stomach pains, and I'm eating. So this is good. BTW, happy surgiversary to you!

CeCe, Even though my family did not approve of me having the WLS at the beginning, now they see the change it has made in me both physically and emotionally. It was one of the best decisions I made in my life thus far. My husband has been very encouraging and my co-workers notice the change in my confidence and body (getting smaller.) I thought I would have lost a lot more weight by now, at least be under 200 lbs. I started this journey weighing 320 lbs and I am now 206 lbs. Yes I am happy with the weight loss, I feel good and I no longer worry about health issues. If I can get to 175 lbs, I would be so happy. I know everyone lose at a different pace but I read on the board, many people losing 150 lbs within 10 months, maybe they don't eat or workout that much. I have been working with a personal trainer since January and have really reshaped & toned my body. I actually look smaller than what the scale says. To stay encouraged, I have to measure by inches instead of scale. Yes, I see the sagging skin, but I can wear different style clothes than I have ever in my lifetime thus far. I bought my first pair of jeans last week and I was so excited, the people was just looking at me and the sales lady. I wouldn't change anything about my decision. I tell my husband that he has a new wife without going look for one. He just laughs and say yes he does. I enjoy working out at home with my home gym and the personal trainer at Ballys fitness gym. I am going to join curves next week, just to change up the workout routine. Be Encourage, I looking forward to the one year surgiversary. Donna Myles

Hi Cece, I updated my blog with my 10 month update and measurements! I am THRILLED will the decision I made. I am feel beautiful, happy, energetic and alive. I know that I am a better wife, mom, friend, daughter ... a better person because of the changing my life! My parents think I look fine now and don't think I sdhould lose my last 6.5 pounds. I explained to them - I know I can - and I am NO WHERE near the low end of my BMI range. My husband is one of my biggest supporters and is so HAPPY for me and so PROUD of me. I love that man!!!! I joke with him and tell him he's gotten a *new wife* after 8 years! My kids are loving all the fun things Mommy does *with* them. I LOVE IT MORE! My friends / family are so supportive! I am happy how I look and don't feel I HAVE to have PS ....but I may look into the possibility of it down the road (my lower tummy and breast lift) I know that I am smaller and I feel that I look good - but sometimes in the mirror - I don't believe that I am a size 4!!!! I ask my husband to point out someone that is "my size" to get an idea ...of how others see me - that helps. Overall I feel that I have a pretty good body image ... not perfect ... but pretty darn good! I am so BLESSED to have shared this journey with all of you!!! Come on CeCe YOU CAN DO IT!!!! look at the glass - half full ... life is much more enjoyable that way! YOU look beautiful! It's great that you are talking positive to yourself in the mirror ... keep it up. You look great and have done amazing!!!! hugs, Britty Happy 10 month to you and all the pat or upcoming 10 monthers!