3 year anniversary

he he..I know I know I will get to the pics.. isn't it great to wear a 12? i can't wait till after my plastics..maybe I will go down even more!! Brenda

Jane. lets make a plan to do dinner one evening...I would love to sit and visit..I should plan a get together with a gang for a social dinner or something one night..wouldn't that be fun.?? Hey- did you know that Dr. Sonnanstine is in Saudi Arabia right now? One of the docs he worked with earlier is having some issues so he went back to retrain him..he is in Beirut and Qatar..should be back by the first of the week.. I thought it was kinda funny to think of them doing WEight loss surgery in Saudi...but he said it's getting popular. I met the Ethicon rep from that area last winter while Dr. Sonnanstine was training me. see ya soon Brenda

Brenda that would be really nice. I am going to Dr. Tom support class tomorrow night. This is only my second one. I really feel like I should go. The one you are involved in is in Cincinnati, right? Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, we have been camping. My life is so physically active now. I truely feel blessed. Thanks again for everything and congrats on your 3 year anniversary. Jane Cahill

I am happy that you are having continued sucess with your WL journey. I can't wait until it is my turn to experience the joys and benefits of being thin. Becky

Thanks Becky...I am always happy to support and cheer on those who are waiting and going through the procedures. Please email me anytime!! Brenda

Brenda, your such an inspiration to me! You've always answered my posts & meeting you was just great. I hope to be where you are in 3 years...........just not covered in paint!! LOL

Ahhh thanks Ginny, it was great meeting you as well.. hey I was ok with the paint until we used Kilnz to cover a dark color..you know that stuff doesn't want to wash off...I looked like I had white freckles..LOL

Hello Brenda, I'm still fairly new here, but just wanted to say congratulations on your long term success of your surgery!! I hope that I'm as successful as you and as someone already wrote here, you're an inspiration! Take care-- Dee

Thank you Dee... ya know attitude has a lot to do with it...I have to say that surgery is the easy part. It's how you handle food and issues after surgery that will determine your long term success. Don't get me wrong I am no way near perfect, but I work at it every single day..I accept the fact I have an eating problem..when I find my emotions pushing me back into old habits, I step back and take a good hard look at what I am doing wrong, sometimes it takes me awhile to get back on the wagon but I fight and struggle every step of the way after a hard fall..I get up, brush myself off and start all over again..(isn't there a song with the lyrics in it?) and you know what?? for the first time I realize I am in and have to be in total control of this...I can't blame mom and dad..and though I would like to blame my husband for everything (its so easy to blame him cause he is usually wrong ya know?..LOL) anyway..I realize I have to take responsibility for what I do, what I eat and how I live my life...no one can do this but me!! this is about ME!!!...once I figured that all out it was a very freeing feeling..know what I mean? ok stop the soap box...but that is how I feel and wish I could explain in person to every person that is about to have surgery how I feel, where I came from and how I want to get to where I am going...I want to say hang on and ride the ride with me..it's gonna be a blast!! that's why I love talking and emailing and supporting folks..I get excited about this surgery!! One day we will all have to get together so I can tell my story..LOL Brenda

Your words resonate with me Brenda. I am in constant thought about what it will mean to me to not, well, eat. I try and picture it everyday and time that I go into the kitchen and make myself something to eat. I ask myself, can you accept the fact that this or that can not be eaten by you? I find myself saying yes everytime, because as I'm contemplating the loss of any given food I'm craving at the time, my back stabs me and my knees ache. It doesn't take long from that point that yes, I can do without this or that food; for my health. I have tried cutting my portions to the size of a post-op and I am thankful that the surgery will give me the edge of not being hungry when it comes to feeling *full*. My hubby and I are seeking surgery together, so that we will lose weight relatively together. (He's waiting a month or two after me) We have made so many plans for our future, doing things we never have before because of our weight. Like you, I could go on and on. I am really looking forward to getting my first appointment with my surgeon and preliminary tests. It's all exciting and scary at the same time. Again, I am happy for you and thank you for sharing your story--I love reading it anytime you share. Take care-- Dee