No Regrets!!!

I will be having my 3rd year anni. Next month on July 24th. One thing that I have to say is . I DO NOT REGRET EVER FOR HAVING WLS. It has been the most intelligent things I have decided to do in my life. Over the past 3 years I have talked to many over weight friends and strangers and have lead them to have WLS. My adopted sister and her sister, God Brother, couple of friends up in this area. Not to mention numerous people all over the area. One thing that I have told them over and over again is one thing. "If I had to do this over again. I would in a heartbeat". It has been one of the fantastic journey I have ever been on in my life. It has made me a stronger christain, put me closer to God. Made me a better person inside and out. I use to be so upset and thought my life was going to end soon and would sit in my room for hours on end, crying and praying. Sometimes I just wanted to give up. It wasnt until I met my friends on OH.com, and my angel Jan Cook, that lead me to understanding that Iam somebody. Im Gods child and Im going to make it. Through many prayers, phone calls, Money, gas. doc appoint. etc. Iam now alot healthier and that is the main thing that I can say was the best results of WLS. I struggled with this, dont get me wrong. There are times when you go through alot of times where you get scared, but each day I prayed and God pulled me through. Dr H did my surgery. It is a tool to help me get healthier and to lose weight. So, therefore I say it did the job. At my first year of WLS being out. I became very malnutrioned and anorexic. It wasnt because I was afraid to eat because of gaining weight back. It was because I was afraid to eat things for fear of being sick. NOW, I m trying more and more things out everyday. Just last week, I had my first bacon sanwich.I put a couple pieces on a slice of whole wheat bread and mustard. I held it in front of me and told Jesus to nurious my body with it and you know I did not get sick and it was sooooo good. I dont think I have that problem anymore. The only thing I have issues about and its really not a problem is I still cannot eat very much. I tell me PCP and my family that Dr. H just did a good job and gave me a good RNY. LOL....But, I do eat healthier. I walk every single night. You cant imagine even after 3 years how amazing this surgery is. Every day of my life now I find something that is so different and things that I can do that I was NEVER able to do. So, this journey will continue on. Once I got past the health issues of WLS. I know have a phobia of the way I look and dress. Iam 48 years old and find myself wearing clothes that a 20 year old would wear. Why do you ask? Its because, I have never got to wear things like this in my life. I had a trach for 9.5 years. When I had to removed after being told I would never be able too. I got my first necklace and choker. I seen Billy Ray Cyrus wear a beaded chocker on TV once and I was like man that is so snazzy I want one of those. You know what? I WEAR ONE NOW....YES I DO.....I got five of them I wear with my clothes....Iam more hygenic now. I always been a clean person but, now, I have to be more is what Im thinking. I have to be clean all the time. My hair (what hair i got left..hehehe) has to be all neat and clean. I do wear a cap. I take after my brothers. They all think its neat that I wear a cap. My brothers are older than me and sometimes when we all get together. They still say they are better looking. I tell them "thats ok. Im smaller and smarter".. LOL. Hey. what can I say. LOL. I saw my nephew a few weeks back, He hadnt seen me in four years. He walked up to me and picked me up and gave me a bear hug. I was like WHOA.....everyone laughed and he said. "WOW, didnt think I would ever do that in my life Uncle Craig. You not a big dude anymore" ..
To all of you that are in the process of getting WLS in the future..KEEP GOING..DON'T GIVE UP.....Im not on the board on the time ..but you can always click on Jan and the rest of the OH friends they will tell you also..DON"T GIVE UP...DON'T listen to the bad things people tell you about WLS. You listen to your heart, GOD, and your WLS surgeon.
The ones who have had it recently..KEEP GOING....GET READY to look and feel alot differenty. Live your life to the fullist now. I cant stress this enough. GIVE YOUR PRAISES TO GOD...He watchs over the surgeons and taught them how to help others through their hands. Don't forget to thank them....Thank You once again. I guess you can say this was my once a year Pep Talk so thanks for reading this. We are always here for you. GOD BLESS................Craig

Craig...
Im sooo happy for you and all that you have done....
In reading your post, it brought tears to my eyes....good one's!!
Is'nt it wonderfull to finally do something for ourselfs...doing this surgery has been one of the smartest things that I could have ever done for myself mentally and physically.....
I have never said this out loud, much less to any of my family....but
6 months ago I didnt have a want to live.....actually if I could have drove off the road and ended it all, without hurting anyone else I would have done it.....I had no want anymore....I felt nasty and disgusting and worthless.....But now Im "Happy" inside and out....It funny what weight will and can do to you as a person......I can truely say that I Love myself now....and through this board and all of the dear people on here has helped me find my way back to God.
Is'nt life grand and full of hope and love.....
Keep up the Pep talks.....
Hugs...

congrats Craig......3 years can you believe it has been that long ago that our lives changed so much? wow! i remember be a little scared , well not scared but aphensive maybe? and when you had surgery and came thru so well i said well phooy if he can do it i can too ...lol  didnt know you were my guinea pig did you? You have done so great and am so proud of you and proud to have been your Angel..... I reme ber the first time i met you at Dr. H seminar. ...Sugar and I went to it , you should see my little sister now too she is a slim trim and looks so good. any way  , I like you have had my life completely turn around 180 degrees. i went from someone that could barely walk to our truck to someone that now can work outside most all day....still cant walk too far but is because of bad knee, still have to get the left one done.  Thank God that Collette told us about Dr. H....
I hope i have influnced some people for the good i know i havent hesitated to tell anyone that it has changed my life ....Hope to see you again soon one day....may have to make a trip to see you since you dont get down this way often....love and hugs and hope God blesses you all over

Craig,
 
  I had to post on here to tell you how proud I am of you!!  Praise the Lord!!!  I still remember coming to the hospital right after your surgery and talking with you.  You look nothing like that man that I spoke to.  But  you are, only in a different body.  I can remember how you had to depend on everyone to do for you.  Yes, it is a wonderful tool. God bless you!  Colette

Thanks Jan and Collete for your post replies. Collete I do remember you coming for a visit after my surgery. I remember you brought me a bible quiz book. I have to tell you. I finished it like that week after. lol. I wrote on paper and didnt write in the book and past it along to my neice and told her to do the same. I think its been past down the line. LOL. Jan, you have been a wonderful Angel couldnt ask for better. I so miss, Brenda, nana, Sugar would love to see her, Andrew my spongebob buddy, pixi stil would love to meet her. Mellisa, and I havent heard from Our buddy in Georgia Renae for the longest time. If you hear from her tell her I said Howdy and give her my love. I would so love to see what she looks like now lol....Yeah I will be getting down that way. My sister Leta told me she would take me down that way to see you and Joe sometime. Maybe we can arrange for Sugar to be there. I thought I seen where Andrew is near by too.. Would love to see him and his wife. Well, Im going to go mow my year (WITH A PUSH MOWER THIS TIME)  after it gets cool.........Its job i use to hate but cant get enough of it now....HEY, I need to move down that way and help you and Joe in the Greenhouse LOL. I bet we could get alot done LOL........Love you guys bunch...Dont ever forget me up here....God Bless...Craig