My One Year Appointment...

went fantastic!!! Dr. Houston was really happy for me and kept telling me that I had done an excellent job losing weight. I asked if I should keep an "official" goal in mind. He said that it could be whatever I want it to be... that he wouldn't give me an exact number. My jaw hit the floor. At first he said 150 and I gave him the "are you out of your mind" look. He said that if I continued to do what I'm doing that I would easily lose 20-25 more pounds though. (easily??? yeah right! lol) Anyways, he said if I didn't lose another pound that he considered me a success. Again, my jaw hit the floor. That just really made my day, week, year, life! I have been morbidly obese all my life (I still am though.. just obese) and I am... just at a loss for words. From 366 to 196.....wow is all I can say. AND I'm not even officially a year out!! How crazy is that??!! I asked about pregnancy... he said it would be ok to do so now if I wanted but advised waiting 3-6 months to be sure my weight stablilizes... so I am VERY excited to hear that. I'm going to give myself 3 months to lose 20lbs and then start lots of baby dancing There is a recent picture of me in my profile - taken this past Saturday. I hardly recognize myself.

Oh, that's awesome...wouldn't it be wonderful to have a baby shower at our monthly meeting!!!! That picture is crazy by the way!!! You look so good!

Thanks Kym! I feel so good....but a model?? You know, I have had several people tell me that.... I don't see it, but where is a model scout when ya need one?? LOL Oh my goodness... a baby shower would be a blast! I haven't even thought of that !

April. You have done wonderful. I think you are gorgeous. I bet you will make a great mommy too. My daughter just found out she is pregnant. It will be her first & my 5th grandchild. I think I am getting old. lol Lots of luck on the baby, it will happen before you know it. Ellen

5th grandchild??!! Have you discovered the fountain of you and are hiding it from us??!! You look too young to have 5 grandkids!! Thanks for the compliments April

Lol, Thanks April, No I haven't . Wish I could find the fountain of skinny. Well, I have found it but insurance is trying to hold me back. There is a picture of my four grandkids on my profile. The oldest is 14. UH! Ellen

April, YOU LOOK FABULOUS!!!! I can't wait to be a year out and look back on old pictures of myself. Right now, I'm only a little over 3 weeks out from my DS surgery, so I can't even begin to imagine myself under 200 pounds, but boy am I excited to know I WILL soon be there!! You have done a wonderful job, and I couldn't be happier for you. I can't wait to meet you...I'm keeping an eye out for those monthly luncheons. I'm excited to start meeting new people/ other wls patients. CONGRATULATIONS!! Amanda

Amanda, Thank you so much for the compliment! Taking monthly pictures in the beginning and then every other month was the best thing I could have done. I love going back and looking at how I changed physically and emotionally too. I also took measurements though not as often. I suggest everyone do it! You will get there! Hope to see you at the next "meeting" April

Hi April. You have done amazing this past year. You are such an inspiration and you look fantastic. I'm glad to hear the Dr is happy with your progress and is good with you getting pregnant any time you want now. Gives me hope of getting the "go ahead" on getting pregnant when I go to my one year visit in June! I saw you got a new job close to your house. That is wonderful. I am jealous- I wish I could find something closer than the other side of Nashville. You just have so many changes going on in your life right now. Don't forget to stop and breathe sometimes and have some down time. Congrats on a great year. Talk to you latter. Misty

Yeah it has been a great year.... a roller coaster ride of emotions that is for sure!! I can't wait to see what the next year brings! I'm so excited about my future now. I feel so .... youthful. I know that sounds weird because I am young, but you know when you're carrying around all that weight, you sure don't feel like you should feel. Anyways, thanks for the compliments Misty! I hope everything works out for you vitamin wise. I'm sure you'll have the go ahead at your year mark to try to get pregnant which will be around the time I'd like to start myself! Hey we may be preggers together!!