Just checking in!
Hi everyone! 
I haven't been on here in a while. I have so much energy now you wouldn't believe how organized I have become! I don't sit on the computer near as much as I once did! I am pleased to announce that only a little over 5 months out I have lost 105# and a total of 83"!!!!! Sometimes I catch myself looking twice at my image in a window as I walk by expecting to see the same old cow I was a year ago. Instead I'm beginning to be pleased with what I see. I have also caught myself while shopping automatically looking for the largest (and usually ugliest) clothes cuz that's all that used to fit me off the rack. Well yesterday I went to the mall for a new outfit and got a gorgeous gunmetal gray silk tunic and pants. The pants were only 18/20's down from size 28 and the tunic was a 22/24(smallest they had- I will need to alter them to a 20) down from a 30/32! I got new shoes too, the first time in years I bought some fashionable heeled pumps instead of sturdy flat support shoes- and they were even smaller; 8.5 instead of 9-9.5!! I was recently chosen to be a delegate for the county caucuses(for John Kerry of course!!) which is something I would have NEVER accepted a year ago! (Heaven forbid I draw more attention to myself!) But now,I am looking forward to being involved and am doing my homework on the campaign. 
I have been very fortunate with no significant complications. I experienced almost daily nausea, sometimes vomiting up until about a month ago and then it just quit. I don't know if I finally became attune to the types of foods and quantities I was supposed to have or what but it is nice! Others are not so fortunate. Since I work at a hospital I am very aware of the post-bariatric patients who come in with major complications. I guess it only enforces the fact that the body's reaction to WLS is very individual. I feel extremely empathetic toward these people and sometimes almost guilty that I have had it so good! Would I do it again? You bet I would! The change in my energy level and self-confidence has been well worth the sacrifice! I think with all the bad press WLS has received in the past year it is pushing researchers to come up with alternate methods that are safer and less invasive in the very near future. Someday WLS will be obsolete and hopefully treatment methods will be less expensive prompting insurance companies to be more cooperative with approval. Good luck to all you pre-ops and new post-ops out there! 
Keep educating yourselves and seeking new information. St Lukes has a bariatric support group that meets at 6:00 the first Tuesday of every month in the Nutrition Center(beside Workwell/Therapy Plus). Would love to meet you there!
Michelle -105#/-83"/-5 months
I haven't been on here in a while. I have so much energy now you wouldn't believe how organized I have become! I don't sit on the computer near as much as I once did! I am pleased to announce that only a little over 5 months out I have lost 105# and a total of 83"!!!!! Sometimes I catch myself looking twice at my image in a window as I walk by expecting to see the same old cow I was a year ago. Instead I'm beginning to be pleased with what I see. I have also caught myself while shopping automatically looking for the largest (and usually ugliest) clothes cuz that's all that used to fit me off the rack. Well yesterday I went to the mall for a new outfit and got a gorgeous gunmetal gray silk tunic and pants. The pants were only 18/20's down from size 28 and the tunic was a 22/24(smallest they had- I will need to alter them to a 20) down from a 30/32! I got new shoes too, the first time in years I bought some fashionable heeled pumps instead of sturdy flat support shoes- and they were even smaller; 8.5 instead of 9-9.5!! I was recently chosen to be a delegate for the county caucuses(for John Kerry of course!!) which is something I would have NEVER accepted a year ago! (Heaven forbid I draw more attention to myself!) But now,I am looking forward to being involved and am doing my homework on the campaign. I have been very fortunate with no significant complications. I experienced almost daily nausea, sometimes vomiting up until about a month ago and then it just quit. I don't know if I finally became attune to the types of foods and quantities I was supposed to have or what but it is nice! Others are not so fortunate. Since I work at a hospital I am very aware of the post-bariatric patients who come in with major complications. I guess it only enforces the fact that the body's reaction to WLS is very individual. I feel extremely empathetic toward these people and sometimes almost guilty that I have had it so good! Would I do it again? You bet I would! The change in my energy level and self-confidence has been well worth the sacrifice! I think with all the bad press WLS has received in the past year it is pushing researchers to come up with alternate methods that are safer and less invasive in the very near future. Someday WLS will be obsolete and hopefully treatment methods will be less expensive prompting insurance companies to be more cooperative with approval. Good luck to all you pre-ops and new post-ops out there! Keep educating yourselves and seeking new information. St Lukes has a bariatric support group that meets at 6:00 the first Tuesday of every month in the Nutrition Center(beside Workwell/Therapy Plus). Would love to meet you there!
Michelle -105#/-83"/-5 months 
Michelle you are such an inspiration to me and us other pre-ops. It makes me even more excited to have the surgery. Your post was so neat to read - I was crying 
, but they were tears of joy and thankfulness for you sharing your story. I'm 389 now as of last week when I went to the Dr. - How depressing. But I know I'm gonna get better. I know it won't be a miracle cure, but a tool to use to help me attain a healthier me! Congrats Again on a job well done! 
for John Kerry
I am so excited for you!!! You are doing great-put in a new pic! We all can't wait to see your progress. You are a truly beautiful person! You are very supportive and it's OK to not be on here all the time. I know how it is...all these years of not being who I truly was, spending time eating and dreaming about how life could be. Now all i want to do is be seen, shop, go out, and redecorate my house. 
I always thought i'd never look any better after having twins, but now-I know I'll be a hot mama! I have lost 97lbs and I am getting a whole new harido whan I reach 100! This shrinking thing is so much fun!
Deb Paul
I always thought i'd never look any better after having twins, but now-I know I'll be a hot mama! I have lost 97lbs and I am getting a whole new harido whan I reach 100! This shrinking thing is so much fun!
Deb Paul 
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