One Year ago yesterday.... at this time..., I was in the prep area of my hospital getting IV's hooked up, blood pressure taken, and getting dolled up in my "show your hiney to the world" nighty. I had my surgery at 9:00 a.m. weighing in at 258 pounds. I was just 26 years old (just turned 2 days before), I had high blood pressure (155/110), I was a diabetic, severe depression, Cholesterol issues, just to name a few. My family has a huge issue with heart disease at a young age and I was told that I would probably have a heart attack by the time I was 35 if I didnt get the weight off. My father had a heart attack and a quadruple bypass at 44 yrs old, my Grandmother had a triple bypass at 62. HER brother had a pacemaker at 37. My future looked full of Heart attacks. SO.. Surgery... thats where I was... Wheeled into the OR and put on the "T Bed" as I called it. (body straight and arms out to the sides). The put a blanket on me, and talked to me about my Christmas gifts and events. The last thing I remember is a nurse saying "Rebecca, what a beautiful name... and you have such beautiful eyes". I woke up about 5 hours later.... poked my head out of my blanket in the recovery room and my nurse came over ... all I wanted was her to hold my hand. She did and I went back to Sleep (such a baby). FAST FORWARD.... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 12/27/2005 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Here I am, One year later. I still have not weighed myself so I cant tell you how much I have lost. * I can tell you that I went from being on 8 medications per day to taking my vitamins only. * I have gone from having sore knees and a sore back to being able to do anything I want without stress on any part of my body. * I was a severely depressed girl hidden behind the smile and the smart ass sense of humor. Now, I smile because I want to and because it comes from my heart. * I used to wear a size 16-18 pants... my new pants are a size 11 Juniors. * What I lost in Fat.. I gained in confidence and love for myself. I am a different person because of WLS. I really am.. I am more confident in myself, my decisions, my actions. I am more cautious of who I give my friendship and especially my heart to. I laugh more and cry less thats for sure! Although I may not always know that girl in the mirror... as she is much thinner that *I* am... and *she* can do so much more than *I* can... I am enjoying getting to know the new me... the new things I can do.. The new places I can shop and the cute things I can wear... the new bones I can see that I never saw before... the realization that I am sitting Indian Style... my boyfriend can lift me up!!! The "fat Girl" mentality is definitely there and will probably never go away... something I need to deal with and find ways to MAKE me realize how far I have come.. Just another twist in the WLS journey that you are not prepared for. My mind certainly did not keep up with my weight loss and I have found ways to "show" myself my success.... (i.e.; trying to lift a big bag of dog food (55 pounds) and cant, buying jeans that I am positive wont fit me and cry real tears when they do fit, having friends and family members constantly remind me about these little moments when I am having a "I'm a failure" day). Here is to another year of being healthy and full of life. Thank you all for being on this journey with me. Beckie (estimated 75 pound loss)

Thank you Karen. Many blessings to you as well and the greatest success in 2006. Michele N. 282/168/?? (whatever makes me feel good)

Hi Vera!! Wow!! Huge congratulations to you! You've come a long way, and you have a lot to be proud of! You have always stood out in my mind as a true leader/supporter of all on this board. I, for one, am thankful you are here!! Thanks for the words of inspiration -- I am going to print them out and hang them on my desk! Hugs, Christine 257 / 151 / 137 From a size 22/24 to a size 5 !!

Congratulations, Barb!! Happy Anniversary! A 125 lb. loss in a year is PHENOMENAL !! I have no doubt in my mind you will indeed lose those last 10 lbs. You go girl!! Hugs, Christine 257 / 151 / 137 From a size 22/24 to a size 5 !!

Hi Ron! You are AWESOME, my friend!! Congratulations!!!!! 502 + my 106 lb. loss = a total of 608 lbs. lost !! Christine 257 / 151 / 137