Thank you thank you!

I love you ladies! First I would like to thank God. I would like to thank my husband and daughter, whose unconditional love and support helped me through the tough times. And who also made me realize that my life was worth saving becasue there were people out there who loved me and needed me. Then I would like to thank my parents, for if it wasn't for you instilling in me the love of tortillas and refried beans made with extra bacon and lard, I would not be where I am today. I would like to thank Dr. Bour. It was your magic hands that freed me from the prison of fat I was living in and gave me a chance at a better life. I would like to thank Blue Cross Blue Choice HeathPlan for recognizing that obesity is a disease and that Gastric Bypass is an acceptable treatment - and for coming up with the big bucks for the surgery, because the good Lord knows I have too much of a shoe fetish to ever have been able to pay for it myself! I would like to thank Chris and Chef Matt, whose pretty faces convince me every Monday to go to support group. And last but NOT least, I would like to thank my Upstate Girls (and boys) and my new LCBB friends for all the support and encouragement to get me through the last year without losing my mind (too much anyway.) A year ago today, I was whining in a hospital bed wondering why I had allowed someone to go and mutilate my body. Now I know and I wouldn't change a thing! I have now, worn a bathing suit in public, worn a halter top, worn a sleeveless shirt, jumped in a bouncy house with my DD, sat on hubbys lap, bought clothes in a regular store, gone up and down stairs without feeling like I am dying, done more than "missionary" and felt comfortable, flirted with boys 10 years my junior, and asked a biker for a ride around the parking lot without worrying he was gonna say no because my ass was too fat. and that is only a small percentage of what I can do now! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! Kathy

Kathy that was great! Now just pray for World Peace! Seriously Im so proud of you!!! I always knew you had the biker chick in you dieing to get out !!! Youve accomplished so much and are inpsiring to all of us!!! jen

Happy Surgiversary Dear, It fills my heart with love and happiness to hear how far you've come and how much better your life is now. Enjoy this to the fullest hun!!! Robin

Kathy, You are just the best. Get that DH to take you out tonight, then become even more "adventerous". Here's to another great year and many more memories to make Mary

What a lovely speach, you should get the BS award.That's Bariatric Surgery, LOL. I love this part: "done more than "missionary" and felt comfortable",LOL!! I can see you swinging from the ceiling fan, trying out the washing machine on spin cycle, and doing hand stands in the shower, LOL. No matter what you try, just have a ball doing it, you deserve it. Mary

You are so funny and I have the biggest smile on my face right now. Partly from what you said and the rest from Mary!!!! You are so awesome and I am so glad that you are my friend!!! I hope you have enjoyed your day!!!! Melissa

Ditto that, Melissa. I hope no one can hear me laughing in my cubicle! Oh, I don't care! Kathy - congratulations! You have so much to be proud of and so much more to look forward to! Susan

Great post, ya silly girl. This time last year, we had just met ... I sat next to you at Dr. Bour's office the night before your surgery. I thought you were so pretty that night. I remember you expressed concern over your skin sagging, and I told you not to worry, you had youth on your side. This year ... I feel as if I've known you a lot longer than one year. I can't imagine life without Kathy in it. And if you were pretty then, before I knew you at all ... well, needless to say, I think you are simply beautiful now. Thanks, Friend ... for all that you've taught me over the last year. You've given support and love and laughter. And I was starving for all of it. Congrats on your One Year! You've come a LONG way, baby!!! Love, Dawn

Dawn, that made ME Wanna cry, and im not freakin kathy!!!! youre soo sweet! jen p.s. now go read marceys lmao.. love how everyones personality is SOO Shown here in this thread! kinky mary, sweet melissa, SWEETHEART dawn, appreciative rachel, and complimentary pam! lol.. ok so everyones nice.. lol

Dawn, That is the most eloquent things I've ever read. I'm so glad that you're my friend too. I think that you need to get out of the ******** (LOL) business and into the writing business. Have a Happy Friday I almost called you last night. I was watching Grey's and thinking about you, weight loss, and cranky old man husbands. I will surprise you one day soon. Mary