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shorter
on 10/19/10 4:23 pm - na, OK
Topic: 1st Anniversary
This past year has flown, especially compared to the year leading up to the surgery.  I spent most of the presurgery year in therapy with a psychologist, which was kind of tough for me.  Like many others with weight issues I had never spent that much time focusing on me.  I really liked my therapist and credit her with preparing me to make the decision to change my life with the surgery.  My faith in God's plan for me, my concerned primary care physician, and my husband were also integral to reaching the decision to move forward with the surgery.  The impetus for the therapy was an emotionally barren colleague.  He is about my age & had some unnecessary cosmetic work done (and lied about it) a few years ago.  In the following months the same thought would randomly come to me whenever he said or did something particularly bigoted or clueless: "Why did he waste his money on surgery when it would have better been spent on a shrink?"   When my PCP suggested the surgery, I decided it was time for me to put up or shut up, so I scheduled an appointment with a psychologist to work through my head issues before I had the surgery.

Anyway, for me therapy was a good move.  I think I was as prepared and committed as I could have possibly been by the time the surgery occured.  I haven't been perfect in the past year, but I've never  consumed anything that I didn't consider the consequences.  I would say that my eating and drinking have been on target 97% of the time.  Exercise is another matter.  I'll give myself a 75% on that.  Of course, compared to the old me, I'm way more active even when I'm not out walking or exercising.

Changes in my life include:
1.  I'm now in the "normal" weight range.
2.  I weigh less than my skinny husband did when we married.  Heck, I may weigh less than I ever have as an adult.
3.  I have ENERGY and enthusiasm.
4.  I've recovered the old me and am renewing old passions and investigating new interests.
5.  I've gone from size 24 to 4.  It brings a tear to my eyes to type that.  Of course, I'm back to buying bigger tops and smaller bottoms.  I thought my boobs might shrivel up, but they're hanging in better than expected.  My thighs are very scary. 
6.  My husband really stepped up during this period and I have more respect and love for him than ever before (not bad after 33 years of marriage).
7.  I don't need nearly as much refrigerator or pantry space.
8  Money's pretty tight, because I was self pay & wound up having a second surgery due to internal bleeding.
9.  I don't allow guilt trips to make me feel inadequate.  I looked our youngest son (37) in the eye today and said that routine child care is his problem, not ours.  He didn't appear to know how to argue with that, which is a first for him.  I've told him no before, but it always left me feeling terrible which would lead to comfort food, which would lead to more carb cravings........

Observations:
1.  It's weird, but true, men my age & older seem compelled to comment on my weight loss and even hug me.  I work in the public in a small community so everyone feels like they have a vested interest in my progress.  I guess the surprising thing is that I hadn't noticed before that people didn't touch me much which may have been a vibe from me.  I'm not saying that all the guys in town are dirty old men, but today in about an hour and a half, four different guys commented extensively about my weight and three of them hugged me (I avoided the other one).  Conversely, the younger guys I work with don't seem to know what to say, so they never mention my weight loss. 
2.  Most women are supportive, but the jealous natured ones aren't any more supportive of me than they are of anyone's success at anything.
3.  If you tell people what they can do to help, most will try to do it.  Family, friends, and even strangers gave me clothes without strings attached.  My job requires professional dress.  Hand me downs and consignment store clothes have kept me well dressed.

5'3/4" 56 years young 
Heaviest Weight 250; Consult Weight 232; Surgery Weight 211
Shorter  
          

Are you maintaining?  Join us at http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
    
shorter
on 10/19/10 2:34 pm - na, OK
Topic: RE: Roll call
Looks like you're doing great. Congrats.

Yes, I haven't been online in 4-6 weeks, so it's good to be back. The 21st is my one year anniversary, so I really need to get a picture taken and do an updated post. I was hoping to hit my target, but I won't quite make it. However, I'm very pleased with my progress and am still losing (slowly).

Life has been very busy, but I'm trying to stay active.

Lois
5'3/4" 56 years young 
Heaviest Weight 250; Consult Weight 232; Surgery Weight 211
Shorter  
          

Are you maintaining?  Join us at http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
    
TheM0lly
on 10/19/10 11:26 am - Broken Arrow, OK
Topic: RE: Roll call
 That's great debtfree! You inspire me. I have done a couple centuries about 20 years ago...Working my way back to that level of fitness. I did a 5k a couple weeks ago and am signed up to do the Tulsa Run on the 30th. Hope to run a half marathon by Spring.

Ok I see you lurkers out there.....Come on and post your update....
Molly B. (RN)  HW/SW/CW:245/233/138 Surgeon goal:150
  
        
TheM0lly
on 10/19/10 11:20 am - Broken Arrow, OK
Topic: RE: I'm on the losers bench but I've been bad
 I like what Drew Carey said about his weigh loss and how after "going off the wagon" and eating something junky he felt horrible. He then wrote above his mirror. "Crappy food is not a reward, it's a punishment."   
Don't set your self up to fail. Tra**** and check in with your mental health professional. This is more of a mind journey than we realize.
Molly B. (RN)  HW/SW/CW:245/233/138 Surgeon goal:150
  
        
debtfree
on 10/19/10 7:08 am - OK
Topic: RE: Roll call
I'm glad you posted this!  I have been missing hearing what is going on with everyone.  I think the board is dead because we are all out living our lives now!!

This year I did a half marathon, 2 sprint triathlons, rode my bike across the state of Oklahoma -Texas to Missouri, and this Saturday will do my first century ride which is 100 miles in one day.  whew! 

My hubby had the sleeve and is down 77 lbs so yea!!!!  We are both on the same page now as far as eating.

Next Thursday I will have Dr. Sawan do a lower body lift at Summitt in Edmond and remove lots of this extra skin...no more apron - can I get an amen?!

So thankful for my WLS.  I still battle food issues and will until I die.  However, I am more equipped to win now.  I have to stay on it, tracking what I eat and recommitting myself frequently to my eating plan.

Okay, that's me, now someone else take a turn!

190 lbs lost
VSG 07/2008
lower body lift 10/2010
upper body lift 11/2011

debtfree
on 10/19/10 7:04 am - OK
Topic: RE: I'm on the losers bench but I've been bad
TRASH IT!!!!

190 lbs lost
VSG 07/2008
lower body lift 10/2010
upper body lift 11/2011

(deactivated member)
on 10/19/10 4:56 am - Dallas, TX
Topic: I'm on the losers bench but I've been bad
Ok I had my surgery on October the 14th! I am down 13lbs so far. I must admit right off the bat that I have been craving french fries, chips and gummy bears!  I ended up going to walmart hungry and bought a gang of sugar free candy. I bought sal****er taffy, Russel Stovers Chocolate covered marshmallows, Crystal light hard and chewy candy, life savers, peppermints. See what I'm saying "umm hmm" I lost my damn mind. Now that I have this stuff should i keep it and enjoy it every once in a while or just tra****
(deactivated member)
on 10/19/10 4:31 am - Dallas, TX
Topic: RE: I GOT My SURGERY DATE
Everything went wonderfully! thanks
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