4 years tomorrow- xpost from main and DS boards

4 years ago today, I was drinking chicken broth and apple juice as I had down the Go-Lytely the night before per Dr Simpson's orders. The next morning I knew was going to be the first day of the BEST of my life. That is what I kept saying as I looked at my wonderful son's. Hard to believe William had just turned 5 and Kenny was almost 4. I was going to miss William's first day of Kindergarten, that killed me inside but I knew if I did not do this I would very likely miss his graduation from high school, his getting married and all the wonderful things the Lord had planned for him, as well as his brother. So there I was, 335 pounds at my last check a week before, married to a nice man but I was not in love, I was depressed, felt miserable and the only good thing I had going for me were those two wonderful boys. I was doing this for them as much as them. "This" was my Duodenal Switch. Fast-forward 4 years later. Here I am a mom still to those two little boys, who lost 172 pounds and are now happy and healthy! My kids tell me they have the most fun and beautiful mom of all their classmates. I finally had found the strength to leave a marriage that was not fair to either of us. I am now engaged to the love of my life, and hey my ex found the love of his life and they are going to have a baby any day! I am HAPPY!!!! Now every day is not some amazing day, but you know what? Everyday I wake up and it does not hurt to stand up due to the weight my feet have to carry all day, I have a slew of clothes to choose from that I actually like the way I look in them, I have energy to get up before the alarm and make breakfast for my house. There has been a lot of change, my oldest now lives with his dad, but being healthy in my mind, not just my body I recognize that his dad and him are close and because he chooses to live there does not mean he loves me any less. I have changed my thinking, people are not out to get the fat girl, and they are there to support me in my decisions. My friends are amazing, my fiancé Todd is a dream come true, he knows all about my weight issues I had, the years of bulimia, the WLS and he supports me and says, "That has made you who you are today". I am truly blessed to have been a member of this site, the support I received before and after surgery were amazing and I hope my story can assist others. Please feel free to read my whole story on my profile and also check out my personal web page www.geocities.com/stephileeaz. A few quick tips for you: 1. Take measurements before surgery...oh man they help during times the scale does not move cause those inches are coming off! 2. Do what your Dr advises, people on here will share their ideas of what you need to do but in the long run Dr knows best! 3. Re-train your brain! There is no thing as a bad food, bad choices maybe but do not look to food as an enemy. Food was made to be good nourishing the body, take care of that body with healthy choices and you will do well. 4. As Dr Simpson says Protein, Water, Walk and Walk some more! 5. EXERCISE!!!! It feels so good, start off in little increments if you must but MOVE! It is amazing what it does not just for the body but your soul. 6. Be good and honest to yourself, love yourself! Thanks for letting me ramble! Thank you to everyone from Dr Simpson's Office to Obesity Help for assisting me in being a success at 4 years out! Love and Hugs!

Congrats on your success. I only hope that I am as successful as you in keeping this weight off in 4 years. I only have 3 and 1/4 years to go!

Stephanie, WOW! What a transformation! You look and sound great! You should be very proud - you've come a very long way. Congrats! Thanks for your words of wisdom. Debbie

You look and sound amazing! I am so glad that there are people here that continue with the support groups, and are encouraging to others like myself. I want to be the success story that everyone looks to for support and guidance. I want to be a "LOSER", and know that I just need to continue on this journey and someday it will be me posting here after successfull WLS. Thanks for being such an inspiration, and thanks for sharing so much of your thoughts and fears..... Alli