WHERE ARE WE IN 2005?

Dear JA, Great topic, it is great reading all these inspiring stories! Last year at this time my emotions were all over the place as I was preparing for surgery on 1/21/04. I could'nt wait to start my new life , I weighed 324 pounds and I had diabetes, and took 3 meds for it, I was at the end of my rope, I was the biggest I had ever been and did'nt even want to be around family for Christmas I was so embarrased. I just did'nt know what 2004 had in store for me. Well, I am now 125 pounds lighter less than a year later, and I am finally under 200 pounds at 199, my goal is to get to 160 by June. I have not taken any diabetes meds since I left the hospital and I am so healhty now it is'nt funny and life is grand! My story for 2004 goes on with this...... My husband was diagnosed infertile in 2002, so we decided to go the adoption route through the state of CT .We had started this whole adoption thing when we started our weight loss journey. Our adoption classes and our Dr. appointments for wls were always a day apart, it was so weird. After we finished adoption classes we were told some people wait up to 2 years. We finished them on our 4th wedding anniversary last October, had my surgery on Jan 21st and 10 days later getting my stitches out in the Dr. office our social worker called us in the DR. office and said Congrats! You have a 6 month old baby boy. We were estatic! All our dreams were coming true .....then my hubby had his Surgery on May 20th, 2004 and he is down 105 pounds and he like myself was on diabetes meds and is no longer. This past October we got another call from our social worker and said Congrats, do you want another baby boy? The baby was actually my adopted sons brother and they were only 10 months apart, of course we said yes! So 2004 has been a year of miracles and dreams come true for us, we are so healthy and happy, and have 2 beautiful little blonde haired blue eyes boys ages 16 months and 6 months, and if I did not have this surgery when I did, there would be no way I could ever manage taking care of them both! Especially now that the 16 month old is running around! His mommy and daddy can enjoy the rest of thier lives with them! I wish everyone all the best in 2005! May all you wishes come true like ours have been! MaryJo

Mary Jo...NOW THAT's a BEAUTIFUL STORY! What a great year 2004 was for you! Congrats and happy 2005 to you !!! JA

JA I had a similar experience on a flight....it hurt so much emotionally, I was so embarrassed and even now I still shutter a bit when I first get on a plane, no matter how much weight I have lost. Last year at this time I was trying to deal with a miscarriage (my first pregnancy) in complete denial about my weight (250s) and so depressed I don't know how I got out of bed most mornings, just kept feeding the void more and more of how much I hated myself with food. Luckily I came to this board and noticed an informational session for Dr. V last March and the rest is history. Just had the surgery in October and down 50lbs....I feel wonderful and I know that I am worth it and finally can say that I love myself...2005 is going to be my year!!! C

Hey Cristina...congrats 50 lbs since Oct is great! Good for you! We all must never forget how we were treated as overweight human beings, and be mindful to others and their disabilities, whether it is weight or anything else physical or mental. Happy 2005...!!!! JA

Hi JA! Thanks for the post. It's reading other posts like these that make me feel so close to my "family" here on the message board. So, thank you. A year ago, I was in Boston with my oldest daughter over Christmas after 3 failed surgeries here in Hartford. She had her vocal chord reconstructed after a tragic accident on the playground where she fell on a monkey bar and broke her windpipe. I was in so much pain sleeping at the hospital. I could hardly walk with the pain from my arthritis and the embarrassment of not being able to fit in the cot they provided for me. Now, a year later, I weigh 225 pounds (I started at 272) just 8 weeks ago. I am almost pain free, and my life is amazing already. More than anything, I have HOPE. Hope for a better life in 2005. A healthier and happier one - one which I could never have imagined had I not found this site, had you all share your experiences with me, and found Dr. Aranow, a big piece of my new life. Love and happy new year to all, Tammy

Tammy, I hope your daughter is better..what a terrible accident!! As for you, you are on your way that's for sure. Congrats to you, and may you continue on with your success. This is the best site and we are the best state that's for sure!!! JA