Has anyone done a WLS scrapbook?

I am getting ready to begin a WLS scrapbook, and was wondering if anyone had done one...if so, do you have any ideas you would be willing to share? Thanks, ~~em

Hi Em, I had such big plans to accomplish a WLS scrapbook. Life, however, got in my way. Never did set the time aside to do one and could now kick myself in the butt. No advice or ideas to share, but just wanted to wish you the best of luck. It will be a great motivator as you travel through life. TraciL

I've done mine! I have always loved Snow White and used that as a theme for the princess that I always wanted to be. Used all of the drawfs as emotional icons. Used Doc to make a page for my surgeon, Grumpy for one of my bad days, Happy for the new me and so on. I started my book with a baby pic of me and ended it with a 2005 pic of me and Santa. I love the way it turned out. I had pics taken every month after my WLS and my book turned into an epic! Its huge but I am thrilled with it. I had moments of sadness while doing my book, seeing where I was, and how much time that I lost being so big and unable to do the things that make me so happy now. Hope this helps! Good luck! Cathy

What a CUTE idea!!!!!

Good luck on your scrapbook! I'm planning to do one too...try to use my monthly pictures and although I didn't keep a journal...I plan to do some writing about how my life has changed, how I feel, etc. I do have a title though (and if you like it I'd be pleased to share it with you) ....it's "Journey to Small". I always take pictures at my monthly support group and plan to include pictures of them too...as well as other WLS friends I've made. I wish I'd taken a picture of my surgeon...but guess I can do that in March when I see him for my 'one year' check up. I'd love to hear what kinds of ideas you have for your scrapbook. It's fun to read the replies to your letter....everyone has such great ideas! Again, good luck! ~Kathy~

I am still pre-op but I have already started mine. I put pictures of my OH gatherings in it, I have a page that list my top 10 things I wish why I had the surgery, as well as a page about my daughter, one of the biggest reasons why having the surgery is important to my 5 year old. I also put before pictures in it to remind myself of where I started at. I have included a page a with me and my sister in it. She had wls surgery about a year and a half ago and has been my inspiration. I can't wait to start filling it with post op pages. My books title is "My WLS Journey: Its all in the Attitude" Tairie

I would love to see your layout of your top 10 reasons for having surgery.

I will have to post pictures of the pages I have done. I have "before" pictures, of course. While in the hospital I saved EVERYTHING! I have the Heperin bottles (good for fairy dust), the rubber strips used for taking blood (used in place of ribbons), all hospital bills, etc, lemon swab packages, pics, IV tubes, steri-strips as they fell off, etc. I saved it all and the nurses and docs loved to help me save it. Now I make sure I have at least a two-page spread at each month. I even have pages of major milestones - Century Club, 100 pounds lost, single digit clothes. I am having a ball! Judy

I am getting ready right now. All I have is a color scheme.

I am working on mine, but just as I am a work in progress, so is the album. I am doing the Creative Memories 7 x7 Rosebud album ( brushed mauve suede w/ embossed roses). I have a few pictures of "before", then I have a picture the night before surgery. My husband has been taking my picture each month on my surgery date. I am almost 8 months post-op. I have also been tracking my weight by week, so I have those numbers to add, and my informal exercize group ( all RNY-ers and Lap-Banders) has been taking my measurements every so often. I don't really have a theme, except the recurring image of the butterfly, the WLS icon. I am a Creative Memories consultant, so I am using all CM products. There are lots of flowers, butterflies, etc. I have 2 boys, so it is fun to do "girlie" pages for a change!! Heather Lap RNY 6/13/05 Dr. Galvin, Rochester General 297h/238s/168c/125g