I AM HERRRRREEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

I know, I know, I know!!!!! I have not posted in over a year. This feels great. I am doing very well. I have lost 117 pounds and feel wonderful. I am down to a size 14/16 and a regular large. That is just crazy!!!!!! I have been focusing most of my time on my wonderful husband and two children. I am back to work. I work as a social worker for the Office of the Child Advocate. I work with the lawyers that represent children that are in foster care. It is great and I love it. It is part time and looking to turn into a full time position by the summer. Part time is good right now because I am able to get my children up in the morning, get their breakfast, and get them on the bus safely. I am also able to be home in time for them to get off the bus too. My daughter will be 11 years old in two weeks. She is already taller than I am and still growing. She is 5 foot 7 inches. No one believes that she is only 11. We can almost wear the same size clothes too. I find this very cool!!!!!!! She has gotten into go cart racing and is doing a great job(she cannot help this because my husband, brother in law, and father in law race stock cars in Georgetown and Delmar). It is in her genes and she has got the itch bad. I am very proud of her. My son is 6 years old and is a trip. He is in all day Kindergarten. He has surprised us and is doing very well. Some of you knew that I had some concerns with him because he had some developmental delays. He has proved all of us wrong and had a wonderful report card. I am very proud of him as well. My husband. The most caring and supportive man in the world. Not that we were not close before, but since my surgery and weight loss, we are even closer now. Of course it has a lot to do with me liking myself again. He surprised my this Christmas with a ring. He even hid it in the Christmas tree for me to find. He is just the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. My mother, who has gastric bypass too, is doing great. She did has an incisional hernia which started to really bother her. She had surgery on this in October. She also had a tummy tuck and paid for that herself. She looks absolutely fabulous. I am now looking into plastic surgery. I went for my consultation with Dr. Danyo in December. He is a very nice man. He and my PCP are writing up a report to send to BCBS. I am not holding my breath though because I have heard that they are really not approving much plastic surgery after weight loss surgery anymore. If I have to, I will have to get a loan and pay for it myself. I am not living with the extra skin anymore. I am in great health. My last blood work was perfect. I am no longer on cholesterol meds, heat rate meds. I am still on blood presure meds but it has been cut in half. My choloesterol is at a normal rate too. I am on a plateau but I am starting to increase my protein and water intake again and I am exercising more. I would like to lose about 40 more pounds. Dr Peters informed me that the last amount of weight is the hardest to lose. He suggested to go back and start like I just came out of surgery. We will see how things go. I would like to say a special HELLO to GIGI, ELYSSA, DEBBIE COX, and ELLEN S. I know I have not posted much but you all have been in my thoughts. Smiles!!!!! Julie

Julie, How great to hear from you. You sound like you are doing great. I miss seeing you at meeting but I know how far it is for you to come to them. I am not sure I would even know you if you did come I am doing well medically. I have lost 120 pounds and I am at a stand still right now. I am hoping to someday have plastic surgery also. I hate that flap of skin. I am struggling with wanted to "graze" even though I am never hungry. I guess it is hard to break those bad habits. Please give your mother my best and tell her I still wear the bracelets she made all the time. Take care and write again soon. (((Hugs))) Ellen

Thanks!!!!! You look wonderful in your picture. I am grazing too. That is why I am not losing anymore either. I am going back to being strict again though. I am going to try to make that next support meeting at PMRI. Hope to see you there. Keep up the great work!!!!! Julie

You just never know who you will run into on this site! Howdy! Glad you are doing well. I have a few issues going on right now. I am with Ellen on the grazing thing. I guess too much cortisol in the blood stream for too long. You keep up the good work. Hugs and Fleece Blankets Debbie

Hey!!!! It is great to here from you. I know, those old habits just sneak right up on you. I see you are going to the gym more. That is great. I am grazing, so I need to stop. I have recently increased my exercise and water intake again. I hope this helps. Hope to see you soon. Wonderful to hear from you. Julie

Hey GF, Soooo glad to hear that you and the family are all well. Say hi to your Mom for me. I have to admit that I've been doing a little grazing too. About 10 lbs worth. But I am back on track and am going to loose that and hopefully another 20 more. I slacked off the gym at Thanksgiving cause I was working so much. Then maybe I'll consider PS too. I'd like to have my whole circumference done. Pull everything up that hangs and down thats loose. No boobs, arms or legs though. I'm a chicken. I don't think I could live with all the scars. Gosh I'm having trouble living with my 4" scars on my knees. Well Keep us posted from time to time. I think about you often. ((HUGS)) Elissa

Julieeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So great to hear from you and things sound so wonderful in your life! That IS exciting! Call me soon? I would love to get together with you sometime. Maybe we can meet half way? Let me know! Hugs and kisses! Gigee