Today is my 4 year WL Surgiversary!

4 years ago, I was given the gift that would make the rest of my life possible.
5 years ago, I thought weight loss was going to be impossible!
4 years ago, the 250 pounds I carried on my short, small frame was gonna to kill me (physically and emotionally)!

Today, I can do anything I need or want to do.
Today, I am often told there is 'no way you've had WLS!                  Today, my family is proud of me and they support me even more so in everything I do!

Tomorrow, I will wear the same size I wear today (unless it's smaller!)
Tomorrow, I will look better than any woman starting her 50's has a right to look.
Tomorrow, I will remember with affection and sadness the woman I used to be.
Tomorrow, I will give thanks again for the woman I have become.

4 years!  Wow!  I cannot believe it has been 4 years!  Would I do it all over again!  VERY MUCH SO!

The first 6 months of my journey I'm not sure how I would have answered that question.  The first 6 months were hard.  I had lots of small problems.  Not really complications, just adjusting to my new way of life.   As time wore on, I figured things out.  Ways to adjust.  Ways to change.  I think that is the key word ... CHANGE.  Change isn't always easy even when you want something so badly that you would have surgery to drastically change the insides of your body to lose weight! 

My highest weight loss has been 120 lbs.  I started my journey at my PCP at 250.   The lowest I've 'legally' weighed has been 130.  My goal is 125.  I'm at 140 today.  So overall I've lost 110 lbs.  When I went to my surgeon I think in April/May I was at 142.  The last time I was there 18 months earlier, I weighed 142.   My body has leveled out at that weight.  I'm happy here.  I would like to try to get to my goal weight, but is it extremely important to get there to that number?  I don't think so.  I wear size 6 in clothes---some 8's depending on the designer.  Size 10 was my goal!  I've surpassed that!  I'm not in a competition with others over how much I weigh.  I'm in this for myself and how I feel!   I've wanted to have a tummy tuck.  Unfortunately with my blood clotting disease, the surgeon (who I trust) said it was too much of a chance of getting a blood clot having that surgery.   Do I want to DIE to look good?  NO WAY!  There's always ways to cover up extra skin.  I don't have that much because I exercised from 6 weeks out and firmed up a bunch. 

In 5 days I will be 50!   This birthday will be the best birthday so far!  Fifty is the new 40!  I'm looking forward to all my years ahead with my great love of my life --- my husband Joe!  He has supported me though thick and thin!  LITERALLY!   God gave me the greatest gift when he gave me him!

Yesterday, I had another pain injection in my back.  This time they put a 'pain ball' on me as well.  Late evening, I was asleep on the couch and got hot and threw the covers off of me and pulled the pain line out of my back.  OUCH!   I can't get it back it by the dr as he said it would take a whole new one because of contamination.  I cried.  I so wanted this to heal me as he thought it would help keep me out of the injection room a couple months longer.  I will have another injection on 8/21.  This time I will tape the pain ball UNDER my clothes.  This makes me sad.  But as I was talking to him before my injection yesterday, he told me if I would have had my 250 lbs on my frame, my back would have been so much worse.  I believe it!  I have excruciating pain the way it is even after back surgery!  I'm getting a second opinion and a third if necessary.

Along my journey I have met so many good influences and good friends.  I've met some great and caring professionals.  I've learned more about me and how to take care of myself.  I've learned I can be a great role model for others.  I've learned I like to cook healthy!  

I've also learned that people can be jealous and do things that hurt you.  But I've also learned NOT to stoop to their level.  Always return bad with good...always!  Look past what they are doing, always look for the good.  Be the light and the light switch.  Turn people on to the good in life!

Thanks for all of you on this board!  I feel some of my success has been reading inspiring stories from all of you and WLSIndy. 

May God grant all of you your every desire!  Many blessings to you and yours....

Lois K.