Gonna Parteee like it's my RE-BIRTHDAY!! (kinda long)
You know, one year ago today, I got up ultra early, and drug an amazingly large body to the hospital for a surgery I wasn't sure I would live through.
A body that couldn't wear just one hospital gown. A body so large, I could not put my arms down by my side, I could not stand with my feet together, because my thighs were so large, the strain on my knees was painful.
I had quit caring what I looked like...quit wearing makeup, only wore super stretchy clothes, and could HARDLY take care of myself hygienically.
Walking from my car to my desk at work, was a MASSIVE undertaking, and by the time I sat down, I was hunting for my inhaler, because I couldn't breathe and I was sweating profusely.
I quit going to my beloved Braves games, because I couldn't stand all the walking. I gave up front row Bonnie Raitt tickets at Chastain, because I didn't want to do all the walking up and down the stairs. Instead I drove to Chastain, sold them and came home, very depressed.
To attend one of my son's football games was a hugely embarrassing undertaking, as we always sat on the far side of the field, WAY up in the bleachers. I pretty much quit attending.
I quit doing ANYTHING! Weekends were spent on the couch, with a HUGE pot of macaroni & cheese and watching t.v.. I basically DARED anyone to call me, as this was my time to be left alone, and I wanted to be able to veg in private. I was very certain I would not see my oldest graduate from college, nor my youngest from high school, as I was not gonna live that long.
Romance was not a word I had even considered, as I had resigned myself to being alone for the rest of my days...afterall, who would want to be with a 340 pound woman?? God knows I didn't like what I saw...why would any man??
***********************
ONE YEAR LATER.................
***********************
151 of the 340 is gone. I no longer take 4 asthma meds. I take one daily, and an inhaler occassionally, but very very rarely. I am off my antidepressants. I can basically shop anywhere I want to.
People tell me "YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL". I tell them, thank you, but that has been a really great side effect of the surgery. The really great thing of this surgery, is I AM LIVING! I no longer just go home and veg on the couch. I HAVE A LIFE!! I participate in my children's activities. I have been to SIX FLAGS and ridden everything I WANTED to!!! I have been tubing on Lake Lanier!! I have gone hiking with my dad in the mountains!
I get up in the morning, and can't decide what to wear, cuz my clothes fit and they are CUTE! LOL!
I can walk with co-workers and not get winded or excuse myself when they all take the stairs, so I can go to the elevator.
And I have a HONEY!! He loves me, and it's not because of my size. However, I would NEVER have even had the nerve to allow myself to meet, much less let someone into my world, if my self confidence had not markedly improved.
I literally get teary eyed when I think back of my life one year ago today, and think of the miracle / blessing I have been given. This TRULY IS a re-birthday, as I have been given my life back, and I intend to live it to the fullest. 
I wish for all of you who are "newbie post-ops" or considering surgery, that you would have an easy a go of it as I have had in the first year.
I don't claim it to be a complete breeze...there are rules to follow, and at a year out, it is much easier to break those rules, but WHO WANTS to go back to where they were?? I don't!! I have to fight it daily, but I just have to go back and look at my before pics and remember where I came from and that helps dramatically.
To see my comparison pics from 7-11-04 to 7-11-05, go to my profile, and scroll down to my last entry.
THANK YOU GOD...and God Bless you all!!!
Tami
340/189/HEALTHY
A body that couldn't wear just one hospital gown. A body so large, I could not put my arms down by my side, I could not stand with my feet together, because my thighs were so large, the strain on my knees was painful.
I had quit caring what I looked like...quit wearing makeup, only wore super stretchy clothes, and could HARDLY take care of myself hygienically.
Walking from my car to my desk at work, was a MASSIVE undertaking, and by the time I sat down, I was hunting for my inhaler, because I couldn't breathe and I was sweating profusely.
I quit going to my beloved Braves games, because I couldn't stand all the walking. I gave up front row Bonnie Raitt tickets at Chastain, because I didn't want to do all the walking up and down the stairs. Instead I drove to Chastain, sold them and came home, very depressed.
To attend one of my son's football games was a hugely embarrassing undertaking, as we always sat on the far side of the field, WAY up in the bleachers. I pretty much quit attending.
I quit doing ANYTHING! Weekends were spent on the couch, with a HUGE pot of macaroni & cheese and watching t.v.. I basically DARED anyone to call me, as this was my time to be left alone, and I wanted to be able to veg in private. I was very certain I would not see my oldest graduate from college, nor my youngest from high school, as I was not gonna live that long.
Romance was not a word I had even considered, as I had resigned myself to being alone for the rest of my days...afterall, who would want to be with a 340 pound woman?? God knows I didn't like what I saw...why would any man??
***********************
ONE YEAR LATER.................
***********************
151 of the 340 is gone. I no longer take 4 asthma meds. I take one daily, and an inhaler occassionally, but very very rarely. I am off my antidepressants. I can basically shop anywhere I want to.
People tell me "YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL". I tell them, thank you, but that has been a really great side effect of the surgery. The really great thing of this surgery, is I AM LIVING! I no longer just go home and veg on the couch. I HAVE A LIFE!! I participate in my children's activities. I have been to SIX FLAGS and ridden everything I WANTED to!!! I have been tubing on Lake Lanier!! I have gone hiking with my dad in the mountains!
I get up in the morning, and can't decide what to wear, cuz my clothes fit and they are CUTE! LOL!
I can walk with co-workers and not get winded or excuse myself when they all take the stairs, so I can go to the elevator.
And I have a HONEY!! He loves me, and it's not because of my size. However, I would NEVER have even had the nerve to allow myself to meet, much less let someone into my world, if my self confidence had not markedly improved.
I literally get teary eyed when I think back of my life one year ago today, and think of the miracle / blessing I have been given. This TRULY IS a re-birthday, as I have been given my life back, and I intend to live it to the fullest.
I wish for all of you who are "newbie post-ops" or considering surgery, that you would have an easy a go of it as I have had in the first year.
I don't claim it to be a complete breeze...there are rules to follow, and at a year out, it is much easier to break those rules, but WHO WANTS to go back to where they were?? I don't!! I have to fight it daily, but I just have to go back and look at my before pics and remember where I came from and that helps dramatically.
To see my comparison pics from 7-11-04 to 7-11-05, go to my profile, and scroll down to my last entry.
THANK YOU GOD...and God Bless you all!!!
Tami
340/189/HEALTHY 
Okay - I know you probably didn't mean to post this for tears to come to my eyes - but I KNOW what you're talking about. I feel so blessed to have this WONDERFUL place to share everything I've gone through with - and to have met all the WONDERFULLY BEAUTIFUL people I've had the opportunity to meet!
I'm proud to be able to call you my friend. I'm proud of you for the changes you have made to your life for the better!!!!
HAPPY RE-BIRTHDAY!!!!
I LOVE YA GIRLIE!!!!
Dee Dee
THANKS GIRLIE!!!
No...didn't mean to make anyone squall! I've done that enough today myself! LOL!
My life is so much richer with all my new friends. At the rate I was going, I was never gonna have new friends, cuz you couldn't pull me away from the kitchen long enough to socialize!
The honor of your friendship is ALL mine!
LOVE YOU MISSY!!!
Tami
Oh girl, I am so happy for you! It makes me very emotional to think of how so many of our lives have changed over this last year.
I mean it when I say that it been a pleasure to get to know you and the others on this board. We have a common bond that no others can even phathom. I wish everyone's experience could be as good as ours has been. You all mean so much to me....I just can't even articulate the way I feel about you all.
Happy Re-birthday again!
Tonya
Tami, I write this almost crying, I went and read your profile and you are amazing I only hope my surgery goes as well as yours has been. I love all your pics and cant wait to post some on mine. I read your post and it seemed as though it was mine same height almost weight same problems you have had before hand has been mine. I look and read at how you are now and I cant wait for a year from now to write my own sucess story and be able to move and inspire somone as much as you have done for me.. So thank you and Happy Re-Birthday to you.......Beth
Beth!! We are gonna be "Re-Birthday" Sisters!! You and Tonya and Ann & I!! (There are lots of other wonderful folks on the Georgia board who have "rebirthdays" around this time as well!)
Girl....I am gonna be watching your year, and if your's is half as amazing as my year has been, then you are gonna be dancing jigs all over the place!lol!
Just remember to do what you're told, eat what you should, and shake that booty girl! LOL!
Come and play with us whenever you can!!!
Take care and THANK YOU SOOOO much for the kind words!!
Tami
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