WHERE ARE WE IN 2005?

Hi folks, Just thought I'd do a post to ask "where are we?" Let's compare where we were last year at this time, and where we are now? I'll start. Last year at this time I was 58 lbs heavier, miserable, depressed, and praying to have WLS. In July of this year, my whole life changed. Thanks to Dr. Bell and his "miracle" hands, I now have a tool to help me become a "normal" person again. I can now walk without my arthritis killing me (it still hurts a tad, but doesn't kill). I can walk down stairs like a normal person instead of one foot at a time, and I feel human again. Happy New Year to all. May all your dreams come true this year, especially with your WLS and the results of it. JA

Last year at this time I was 75 lbs heavier and scared at the thought of WLS. I was taking 13 pills plus insulin injects every day for a cardiac condition, diabetes and depression. I was a frequent flyer in telemetry and L&M hospital. A year later I no longer have to inject insulin or take any pills for diabetes. I am much healthier. I am able to be much more active. Some of my cardiac issues are improving. Life is good a year later. Maggie

YAHOOOO For you Maggie! Here's wishing you get to goal weight soon! How awesome you are!!! JA

Good idea JA. Last year I was 308 pounds. Today I am 232. 78 pounds lighter. I was so miserable last Christmas as I was holding up my size 30/32 stretch jeans that my mother-in-law just gave me, wondering how on earth did I let myself get to that point? I was having trouble walking with severe knee pain and sweat like crazy because I overheated so easily. One of the worst times of my life that should have been one of the best, was when I travelled to China in June to bring home our 2nd daughter. When I boarded the plane in San Fran, we were seated in the front row. I thought, how great is that with all the leg room! Then I realized the arm rests were stationary and I could not fit into the seat. I had to fight language barriers with the flight attendant to explain that I needed a seat with an armrest that lifted. Needless to say, I had to "show" her -- how embarrassing! She had to ask several passengers to switch seats with us before she found someone who took mercy on us. I will never forget that awful, humiliating 12 hour flight. I was fighting back the tears and thinking that if I had any doubts about the surgery they were dispelled at that moment. I was so thankful when we landed, but wasn't prepared for all the stares and guffawing I would suffer over the next 2 weeks every where we went. The culture is so different there. You don't see a morbidly obese person very often in China, so it is quite a sight for the locals and they just say and act the way they feel. To us it would seem rude, but to them it isn't --- just the way it is. I just wanted to hide in my hotel room every day and couldn't wait to get back to the chubby U.S. of A. The one thing that gave me hope, was knowing that I would soon be having WLS. I am so thankful to Dr Aranow and his staff for saving my life! All the hopes and dreams of being healthy are in my grasp now. I traded my size 30/32 stretch jeans for a size 18/20!! I have a lap for my girls to sit on. I can carry my daughter from the parking lot to the store without wanting to pass out. I am looking forward to taking them on the rides at the Big E this year instead of watching them enjoy them with their auntie. I don't have knee pain anymore and I only sweat when I exercise! I am taking part of life instead of watching it from the sidelines and it feels great. This is going to be a very good year, I think and I am so glad to have all my new WLS friends to share it with. Hoping you all have a great, healthy 2005. Terri

Terri, Your story brought tears to my eyes ...both happy and sad tears of course. Unfortunately, the discrimination of being overweight knows no language! I will never forget that no matter how thin I get. On the other hand, I am soooo soooo very happy for you and your new life. Isn't it grand!?!?!?!?! JA

JA, I have hardly shared that story with anyone because it was such a humiliating experience. But it just seemed like a good time and place to let it out. Thanks for starting this thread. It is very touching to read everyone else's experiences as well. Congratulations to you too for your success! Your post op stories helped me so much when I was about to have surgery. Terri

Terri You post touched me both as an weight challenged person and an adoptive mom. I had very similar feelings when I went to Bulgaria in 1997. Congratulations on your success! Love, Joanie

Thanks Joanie, Some day, I will be going back to China to take the girls on heritage tours... I plan on going into a clothing store and buying one of those tiny silk dresses and it WILL fit! Congrats to you too! terri

Yeah..it was OK for them to laugh at you...but it would have been a BIG no for YOU to do any number of things...that stuff gets my goat! Sher'

One year ago today I was somewhere in the 260's and steadily increasing to 274 when I finally decided to consider WLS! I was taking 7 meds w/ terrible side effects and barely functioning from the constant pain I was in. I was miserable not only physically but emotionally as well. Today I am 205 lbs and only taking 2 meds. 1/2 pill for BP and an anti-depressant. My arthritis is manageable w/ only Tylenol rather than the 3 meds I had before. I have more energy and am much happier w/ myself and my life! I still do the stairs 1 foot at a time usually, but keep trying! I know one day soon I will be "normal" again in so many ways! Happy New Year!!! Carmen