Happy Surgiversary to ME and all my Surgery buddies!! I hope this past year has given you reason to live a long and happy, healthy life! I am down 84lbs from my highest and feel wonderful! I went from a size 20 to a size 8/10 depending on the cut! I have much more energy and cannot wait to accomplish things that were "undoable" because of my size!!

bless you Petty.. and *hugs* to you!

I have had a wonderful first year since my Lap RNY 12-15-05. I was a size 2X for the past 18 years and currently a size 4/6. I have lost 136 lbs. and love the healthy new me. I hope everyone that had surgery a year ago are able to use their new habits and tool that has been a real blessing for me. I wish you all the best in another year of healthy living.

Joanne I do the same thing. I went from a 22/24 to a 2-4. There are days that I see the old me looking back from the mirror I know in my head that is not the case and I feel nutz a lot. My mental health instructor told me to video myself and watch it, they use that technique with anorexics and it helps them to see themselves as they are. It was explained to me that this change has happened so fast that my brain has to catch up...ok whatever. Looking at pics and video has helped on those "fat days". Kelly

was yesterday, but i didnt get to post. so here is my one year OUT: hard to believe that one year ago, i made one of the toughest decisions in my life.. and one of the best by far... before.. i never enjoyed going to the beach. i HAD to "enjoy" watching my daughter from afar, and watch other family members be active with her.. and hated taking holiday pictures, forcing myself to smile... one year ago.. my friend Willie, brother Ricky and daughter Jessica drove me to the hospital at the butt-crack of dawn .. and kept missing the entrance due to renovations.. haha, almost looked at it as a "sign" to go home, but didnt.. but it all turned out OK.. and kept my chin up, and followed doctor's orders, and tried my best at protein shakes, haha.. and walked and walked (started slow at walking just a few laps****il i could run 3 miles (now)... now my clients think i am my own "sister".. some think i have been "ill" (lol), some ask if i am new.. but most that know me, say i look younger and happpier than ever... (and the dark spots around my nose/chin.. gone!) my wonderful surgeon, Dr. Wilson.. who inspired me and gave me the courage to better myself.. he nearly flipped when i had my 1 yr follow-up appointment today.. i am only a few pounds from losing 100% of my excess weight.. says excercise has been my key and keep up the great work. they even took pics of me at the office to reward myself.. some new ink. the last tattoo i got was 10 years ago.. i have GOT to change that! and to my biggest supporter.. my wonderful daughter Jessica. she has been my rock, my foundation.. my reason for being. she is most ecstatic that we can shop at the same places.. and that she can hug me and touch her arms behind me.. and most of all, for being in pictures with her.. because for most of her life.. i was the one taking pictures.. being almost glad that noone was around so i was the one that HAD to be behind the lens... so yeah.. its been a ride that i cannot define. i have lost over 47 inches of FAT everywhere off my body. i have a neck now. i went from a size 26 jeans to a 7, size XXL scrubs to XS.. from XXL tops to S/M.. size 9-10 shoe to 8.. ring size 9 to 6. and i am not even at my personal goal yet.. i started out with my first goal of 150.. doc said i can do better, so i changed it to 140.. he said "130" - i said "you MUST be kidding".. he says "you can do it".. now i am 5 pounds from HIS goal but i see so much more that i can improve on.. so i think i am gonna change it to 115.. 120? we'll see.. i'd still be in range for my BMI. rock on 12.19.05 - Lap RNY Dr. Erik Wilson 5 feet, 4.5 inches tall 267.5 / 135 / 130 ..and if the pictrues dont show.. here is the link to the album: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2097848056