A little somethin' for the pre-ops

Hey!!!- What are you POST op's doin' in here? Shoo. Alright, never mind...you can stay too. I want to post this NOT because I want accolades or congrats...or any of that. I just want Pre Ops to know what a wonderful like can be waiting for you after surgery! My 2 year anniversary was 11/18/02 Only 2 years, and yet I am a LIFETIME different from where I was 2 years ago. I had Open RNY w/ Dr Jonathan Aranow. My 'ahem' official start weight was 306. Now, that's the weight I use...but let's not kid anybody and try to think that I actually weighed that on surgery day. No- my friends- this was before the dreaded thought of a pre-op weigh in even crossed Dr A's mind (geez- I hope he's not readin' this) I had a good 3 months of LAST MEALS between my surgery and my weigh in. So, let's just say I was bustin' out of my 26/28's at that point- OK? Anyway... The day of surgery my measurements were: Neck: 15 Arms: 18 1/2 Wrists: 7 Waist: 42 Bust: 48 Chest: 41 Hips: 59 Thigh: 31 Calf: 20 1/2 Ankle: 11 1/2 Shoes: size 8 1/2 Pants: Size 28 Tops: Size 3 XL On my Two year anniversary: Neck: 12 Arms: 11 1/2 Wrists: 5 1/2 Waist: 27 Bust: 33 ****eep your incredible shrinking boobie cracks to y'erself!) Chest: 29 Hips: 36 Thigh: 20 1/2 (for reference my THIGH is the size of my CALF before surgery!!!!) Calf: 14 (so...I still have fat calves...I can deal w/it) Ankle: 9 Shoes: size 7 Pants: Size 6 Tops: XSmall -168 lbs from "official start weight" That's just my SIZE differences. Now- let's talk about the OTHER differences: What I've done since surgery that I would/could never do before: Ride rollercoasters, rollerblade, body surf, dance all night, mountain bike, get a massage on a beach in my bathing suit, smile in a full body picture and MEAN it, wear an evening gown, fly comfortably, RUN, play on the floor w/nephews, carry the nephews to bed up a flight of stairs, I'll leave the intimate stuff out (insert your imagination here), shop till I drop...and have that be longer than an hour, wear killer high heels, in fact- make that- shop till I drop IN killer high heels!, not take ANY medication, go clubbing, wear pretty girl clothes with patterns and such, speak in front of groups with confidence...oh- I could go on and on... These are just a few things. I remember a time when I thought I was doomed...Destined to be fat, no matter what. I was miserable and unhappy with myself. Then, one day, I found this site, and Dr. Aranow, and they gave me the power, the information and the courage I needed to change my life!!! This is my favorite quote...and I'll leave this with you for thought: "Though no one can go back and start again at the beginning, anyone can start now and make a new ending." I wish you all new endings. Love, Lisa

Thanks you Lisa...very inspiring! I hope that I can say the same thing 2 years from now..I miss killer high heels!

Lisa, Great post! Yes, I'm post-op, but I have to hear everything you have to say - you're quite an inspiration. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau

Lisa, You are an inspiration to so many of us, pre and post-op. You are living proof of what this surgery can do! Carmen

Thank you Lisa for posting that information, it reminded me that there is light at the end of the tunnel. It especially came in handy today because I was feeling down about how long this process is taking. The nutritionist is requiring that I lose 10 pounds before she will approve me for the surgery and I'm having a hell of a time losing it because I'm on steroids and just quit smoking. It feels like I'm never going to get this surgery, but I'm going to keep struggling because I want to be able to post the same thing you have at my 2 year anniversary! Thank you again, Delicia

LISA THAT WAS SOMETHING VERY NICE OF YOU TO POST... I REALLY NEEDED THAT RIGHT NOW... MY SURGERY IS SCHEDULED FOR 1/7 WITH HEALTHNET AND I AMSO WORRIED ABOUT NOT BEING COVERED.. EVEN THOUGH THE DR. VALINS' OFFICE TELLS ME I HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT SINCE I ALREADY HAVE THE AUTH#.. THNAKS AGAIN.. SAY SOME PRAYERS FOR ME IF YOU GUYS HAVE A CHANCE..

Lisa, Your stats are incredible as are you. Thanks for the motivation to keep truckin' through the tough decisions and the process of waiting for our turn. I love your favorite quote - it is so applicable to us all. I think of you all the time and pray everything else will work out for you. Love, Nancy K.

Lisa, I can't believe how well you have done over the last 2 years. You don't even look like you were ever heavy. I hope to someday feel and look that way! Enjoy the new you! HeatherS

Lisa, Thank you for that post. I sure felt alot of the same way pre-op, and I have already started enjoying the many benefits of WLS. It was nice to post that for the pre-ops, but it was nice for me to read it too. PS# You have come a long way, Great job!! Anne

Lisa, Thank you for posting that. You are definitely an inspiration. I just showed the DH your before and after pics and he was in awe. He hasnt really said much about the surgery until the last few days where he has been very interested in it and what it is going to do. I love the idea of taking all those measurements and i will be doing that on Wednesday night !!! Thank you so much for sharing your success with all of us. It is with people like you that inspire others to dosomething to help themselvesand have this surgery. Thanksa bunch deanna