Answers to Michelle's questions-

did it feel like it was taking forever? ~~~No actually, it didn't. I healed pretty fast and took it one day at a time... but it's a lot of work following a structured diet with protein and vitamins and water... time really flew by.~~~ How much did you lose each week? I Lost quite a bit at the beginning, like a pound a day. I never kept track of when I lost weight, in retrospect I wish I would have. Another thing I wished I would have done is sit on a big piece of posterboard and have my husband trace my butt, lol... I can't remember just HOW big it was, just that it was BIG! Another thing I recommend people doing- keep at least one shirt and pants, for your "Jarrod" pictures. I have to take picture of me in my Jarrod (from Subway) clothes and post them so you all can see the big difference.~~~ Any plateaus? ~~~I hit 2 major plateaus, the first lasted about a month to 7 weeks, the other one about a month. The dietician I talk with told me to try a clear liquid diet for a whole day and see if that helped 'clean' out my sisten to lose weight. My doctor told me that plateaus are necessary because your body needs to catch up when you lose weight that fast. Even though I was not losing weight, my body was still losing inches. ~~~How did you get through them? ~~~I waited them out, really. Tried to walk more often, if I was slacking on exercise. ~~~ How often did you change sizes? ~~~Well, that's kind of funny... I went from a 12 in undies to an 8 currently. I wore my big ones until around Christmas (6 monthes) and then bought some size 9-10's, now I am buying some to replace those. I was lucky and had a friend that had some 18's and 20's that I could borrow until I was ready to get into smaller clothes, so for quite a while I was wearing clothes that were very ill fitting. My support group also has clothing exchanges that were very helpful. I have nothing that I wore a year ago except for socks now. I had to get new everything. ~~~What kind of exercise are you doing?~~~ I did water aerobics before surgery and as soon as I was healed. I started walking 5 weeks post op and walk at least a mile every day. I also do a pilates/yoga workout 3 times a week with a balance ball. Works out pretty well. I also coach soccer and play with my kids, that's exercise, right?!?~~~ How soon before YOU noticed a change in your size? ~~~I noticed that I was losing weight pretty much within the first 4 weeks, I would bug my hubby and ask him if he could tell, I REALLY noticed it in my face and neck. ~~~How soon before others started commenting? ~~~I really don't remember. My husband noticed within the first month, especially in my face. My mother didn't recognize me in November, LOL... and I still have people that do not recognize me. ~~~Any negative reactions from family/friends? ~~~Everyone has been super-supportive. ~~~How about reactions from people who were overweight but not as big as you in the beginning?~~~I have had problems with that. I had one friend tell me that I could not go past "X" amount because then I would be smaller than her and that couldn't do. I had a lot of friends that went on diets as soon as I got close to them in size. I have one friend that refuses to tell me I look good or comment on my weight. I think that is the one that hurts me the most, but it's like I left her heavy. ~~~ What are you eating?~~~I eat anything I want now. I eat very small prtions but I can have anything, you name it. Candy, cookies, cake... all the bad stuff! Typically I eat no breakfast, maybe a piece of fruit or toast with peanut butter. I eat a regular lunch, anythign from a salad to a leftover pork chop to some spaghetti, whatever. Same with dinner, I eat whatever I fix for my family. I snack in the evening, sometimes on a handful of cashews or some fruit or veggies. I really try hard to stay away from sweets and I still DO feel ill if I eat too much sweets, but once in a while I can't help myself. As of right now I am going through a peanut butter M&M phase... ~~~ Loose skin?~~~LOADS! I have figured out that flabby skin looks better tanned though. I have tried using skin firming lotion, but I haven't noticed too much of a change, mostly on my arms with the lotion. My tummy is a lost cause.~~~ Any plans for TT?~~~I have a consult with a plastic surgeon on July 2, then we will see if my insurance will cover it. I want a breast lift, arms, thighs and tummy. I don't like the thought of more surgery, but I like the thought of being able to wear clothing that fits properly and having less back pain.~~~ What is the most memorable thing you have done so far that you would not ever have tried before?~~~Wow, that's tough... jump on my husbands back? LOL seriously, I jump on him all the time and he doesn't fall over dead! I also get to shop in the juniors section!!! No more plus sizes for me!!~~~ How has your weight loss affected your work? ~~~I am a stay at home mother and I have so much more energy, I think I am more fun. I was always really active with my kids though so I don't know. I go on bike rides and am not afraid to roller skate now. ~~~~did it feel like it was taking forever? How much did you lose each week? Any plateaus? How did you get through them? How often did you change sizes? What kind of exercise are you doing? How soon before YOU noticed a change in your size? How soon before others started commenting? Any negative reactions from family/friends? How about reactions from people who were overweight but not as big as you in the beginning? What are you eating? Loose skin? Any plans for TT? What is the most memorable thing you have done so far that you would not ever have tried before? How has your weight loss affected your work? If you have a significant other, how has it affected your relationship?~~~ I am married to a wonderful man, we have been together for 5 years and married for 4. He fell in loe with me overweight, and we had our beautiful children while I was overweight. He wanted me to be healthier so we can spend the rest of our lives together. He loves me regardless and hung all over me before I lost the weight. Sex is much better now, I can twist and bend in ways I didn't think possible, LOL! I am less self consious too. I go out a lot with my sister and my bowling team, and he gets mad if I am out a lot, but he isn't jealous because he knows I could have found someone to cheat on him with while I was heavy and he TRUSTS me. I hope this helped, any other questions, just ask!! ~Julie

Thanks for taking the time to answer all my questions Julie! Your answers really helped. I could not get that from a doctor's perspective! I am so glad to be past the ins approval stage. That took a big load off my shoulders. This is "surgery summer" for my family. My husband had knee surgery in June. My 6 yr old will have her tonsils out in July and I will have my surgery in August! (no date set yet) I really enjoy your question/answer postings and again, congrats on your dramatic loss! One more very personal question that I have not been able to find the answer to: When you lose all that weight so fast, where does it go? I mean, do you sweat a lot, have a lot of BM's??? I am currently on the Atkins diet and feel hot and sweaty all the time cuz it revs up your metabolism. Michelle