What's Important to you?

I 've been thinking a lot lately about what's important... More specifically, what are the results of the WLS surgery that have been most important to me.... *I can BREATHE...No more asthma, no more sleep apnea...I can go up the stairs without being out of breath... *I can ride the bike with my daughter and race my 6-year old son and win *I can enter a room without being embarassed about how i look... *I don't have to live in fear that I will die soon because of my uncontrollable (sp) high blood pressure... *I don't worry about whether my children are embarassed by my size... *I feel so much more pure joy... *I look in the mirror and see me!!! This after years of looking in the mirror and trying to find me...but not being able to see me behind all the fat * I am not in constant pain... * I have no problems with my bladder control.. * I feel attractive... * I have a smile on my face...and in my heart... * I am more confident... Happy NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!! How about it? What results have been the most important to you? Don't be bashful (after all, I even talked about my bladder control..LOL) Love, Dorota (*****cognizes the person she sees in the mirror)

Hi Dorota, I guess with this being New year Eve it is a time for reflection! The most important things that WLS has provided for me are: 1. My health, No more cholesterol meds and a blood pressue that is 106/68 2. My love of exercise. I even received my very own Yoga mat for Christmas. (who ever would have thought!) 3. The fear of social situations because of my weight is totally gone now! 4. The worry that my kids or husband were embarassed by me, or worse yet, that I was embarassed for them to be with me. 5.My bladder control is much better but, Don't ask me to do Jumping Jacks! ( age related rather than weight though!) 6. I love looking at clothes and being able to fit into something that doesn't have an X in it. (I just bought a pair of size 8 jeans!) 7. Having my picture taken and not cringing when I look at it. 8. Not having to make a New Years resoulutin to lose weight! There are so many things to be thankful for after having WLS. It is the best surgery in the world for those of us who need it! Happy New Years to everyone and I sincerly hope that this will be your best year yet! Love and Respect to all of you, Sandy

Truthfully, I am much more focused on the social changes instead of the physical. I am pretty much taking for granted that the physical improvements will happen. Dave

Good Question and easy answer. Looking in a mirror and wondering who is that? Buying a size 9/10 pants Looks from men..WOW NO MORE DIABETES AND INSULIN!!!!!!! Taking a picture and not seeing two chins!! BEING THANKFUL TO GOD FOR AFFORDING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE SURGERY AND START A NEW LIFE! Now if I can get my plastic surgery done.. then all will be well with my soul BlkNectar

Hi Dorota! Besides alot of the things you mentioned like no longer having to take blood pressure meds or my diabetes meds. Just feeling so much healthier. Being able to walk just about as long as I like. Buying off the rack at walmart. Working out at the gym and seeing the results in the mirror. The reaction people who I have sent my 50th birthday picture to who haven't seen me since before surgery. Reactions from shock to sheer joy. A multitude ofof "Wow" moments. Hope everyone has a great New Years and looking forward to us shareing our "Journey's" in the coming year! Take care, Julio

Hey Dorota: Happy New Year to you sweetie!!!! What is most important to me is my new lease on life. I am so much more happier and healthier. I am so grateful for this gift of a new start. I don't have to take any more medications, I feel more energy, I am more active than I have ever been. When I look in the mirror I smile and don't cry. I don't feel the pain anymore, yipee!!! I don't get out of breath or have problems with bladder control either. I feel sexy again with my husband, our marriage is like we are dating all over again, its so wonderful I am blushing!!!! HEHEHEHE This gift I will treasure for the rest of my life, I have made many new friends I call my family and I am so much more positive about things and my depression is not as severe as it was. I am no longer a hermit anymore, I go out and enjoy things with my daughter and my family and friends. I feel so alive!!! I hope and pray all of my OH family enjoys all they have to live for too, life is very precious and we are all so fortunate to be able to have a new start on our lives. God Bless and Happy New Year!!! Hugs KimC

Dorota: Woke up at 11:45pm last night and pondered on your question. Was just laying in bed listening to the noises from downtown's First Night in Milford. Must have had some fireworks. Sounded like fun. This is what I came up with... Aside from all the physical changes that have occurred since July '04...and I do not take those wonderful miracles lightly... What is important to me is to continue to... COME HOME TO MYSELF...not abandon "the cause"... stay the course. To do what I need to do (daily maintaining of...and) support the ongoing effort to be a healthy and vibrant woman... allowing myself JOY and HOPE and NEW POSSIBLITY with each new day. To learn to gently allow myself to do new things...live life to the fullest I am capable of, at the moment and realize each day that I do not have to use food to do any of this. What also is important to me is to give hope to others. Pay it forward. Thanks for the prompt on thinking about this. HAPPY NEW YEAR. Towanda