Today's my RE-BIRTHDAY!!!!

Thank you Lord God Almighty for allowing my a second chance to live. Thank you Dr Rosenthal for the gift that God gave you and how you share it with the obese. You are a godsend! May you be eternally blessed with good health and happiness - the same happiness that you have brought this humble servant. Thank you to my family and friends - they have endured alot in this past year but throughout it all they have held my hand and coaxed me over some of the bigger bumps that I have encountered on my journey. Thank you to all my OH friends for your support, wisdom, caring words and tips. I know that this site has helped me grow (pardon the pun) in my quest for knowledge about Gastric bypass and has also been a place where I could come to discuss - EVERYTHING and ANYTHING without being judged. This morning as I drove to work, I actually broke down crying. I was very emotional at thinking that I had gotten my life back. I am so very very blessed and I plan on taking care of this new body. I will be kind to it and eat properly, take my vitamins and supplements and I will continue to nouri**** with that life sustaining nectar - WATER!!! God Bless everyone on this site and a special blessing to those of us who share in our November 30th anniversary! BARBI

Congratulations to you! I was emotioal also on my one year date. It's amazing to look back over this last year! You've been thru so much more than most!!! I'm glad you are feeling better and hope that's it for you and hospitals! Take care!!! Jeanne

Thanks Jeanne! And right back @ ya! You're over the yr marker too! How's David coming along? The only down side I have is that Rosenthal wants me to wait until I hit the 18-24 month marker to have the plastic surgery. With all the surgical procedures I 've had this year. I need to lay off the laughing gas for a bit and let me body recover. Best of luck to you in your PS quest. Barbi

Thanks! Well, David's not doing so hot. His Parkinson's is getting worse and his neurologist isn't giving us much hope right now. He's actually in the hospital for testing and should be home tomorrow. Life can be a little crazy sometimes. You'll get to the point that you'll be ready for some PS, if you want it by then! I didn't think I'd be that bothered by the extra skin - but it's a hassle and a pain and UGLY! You take care and keep on keeping on!!!!

Hi Barbi....happy re-birthday. You had a rough year so here's to a much better, lighter year ahead...cheers!! By the way Barb, are you still attending the meetings at old Cleveland Clinic? I was thinking of going but forgot which day of the month.

Hello and thank you for the good wishes! Yes, I still attend meeting @ Cleveland Clinic. It's was sold and now is known as Physcians' Regional Medical Center Exit 107 of I75. We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. This past meeting, I was the facilitator by default since Betsy from Dr Liberman's office had a baby and emailed us that we'd be on our own so to speak. Not many attended but those who did had questions, I felt comfortable helping to answer. I see so many who have had this procedure done only to ask...when can I have this or that, When can I drink liquor. I feel for them because they truly haven't conquered the addition. I took an involuntary survey and those who had counseling prior/during/after the wls surgery seem to be so much more successful than those who just had the surgery and don't f/u. (this is in our group - could be different elsewhere) BTW - I love your picture!!! You're looking hot mama!!!!! Who was your PS? I hope I look as good as you do when I hit the big 5-0!!!!!!

Barb, I am closer to 60 than 50. Haven't had any plastics done to my face as yet but won't hestitate when its needed...affording it will be a huge problem since my husband in retired...I will need a job to pay for it...however my insurance did pay for my tummy tuck and breast reduction/lift. Surgeon is in Tampa. He's in the same office with my bariatric surgeon which I didn't know till after I booked my appointment. I looked at who was in my network and went from there did my research on him and lucked out. His name was Dr. Smith and he is at TGH. I am quite happy with him. Next time you have a meeting please post it and I will try to make it....right now I am down with strep throat, feeling rotten which I am not use to. Have not been able to get on my pilates for 3 days now and feeling guilty. I think I picked it up in my PCM office last week and 5 days later I found myself flat on my back. I started antibiotics yesterday so I will be fine in a few days. How far down in Naples are you, I am in San Carlos?

Happy Re-Birthday!! Kristen