Today, I am a grad!

One year ago today, I was recovering from my surgery. I spent most of the night searching for the "button" - you know which button - the PCA pump button. I don't remember much of that first day, but I do remember what I felt like the day before. There's a photo of me on my profile taken the night before my surgery, one year ago last night. What a ride! The woman looking back at me, unsmiling, without makeup - undergoing an internal cleansing that was rather unpleasant, and knowing that the next day, life as I knew it would be forever changed. Little did I know how different it really would be. How did I survive 6 weeks of purees? I got through it. How did I survive an incision infection? I got through it. How did I survive "foamies" after eating too fast? I'm still learning. How did I survive healing from my panniculectomy at the same time as my WLS? The same way. Time passed, and I got through it. How did I handle my plateaus? I looked forward to them. My plateaus became my weight distribution time and visual changes were apparent. Most importantly, how did I handle anything that I had a quesiton about? I came to Obesityhelp.com. Now I'm a grad! Wow - it's amazing. I'll admit to lurking on this board to see what nuggets I could glean secretly from those in the know. Here I sit in my new home in Northern California, 110 pounds lighter and feeling like I'm 35 instead of 51. I never thought I'd get here. I never felt the time pass as much as I felt the weight come off. Time was measured in pounds. I got my life back through WLS. My rebirthday is so very special to me. Thank you for helping me mark this date with entry to the grad board. Cheryl Fobi Pouch 10/3/05 240/140/130 (10 pounds below goal) and just where I want to be.

Cheryl, CONGRATULATIONS! I looked at your profile and WOW, what a difference! You look so young and fit~and happy!!!!!!!!!! That's wonderful! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

You're so right, Tracy -- I am happy! I feel good, I really feel 20 years younger. Thanks for the kind words, Cheryl

Congrats to you Cheryl. This is just the beginning... There are more rollercoaster rides to ride.....but like you said.....You'll get through them..... Nice to see you here... Darlene

Hey Darlene, Thanks for the welcome. I know the ride's not over yet -- in many ways, I think it's just beginning. I'm relieved and comforted by the fact that there's always a place for me to turn...someone who's gone there before me. That experience counts for a lot. Cheryl

Cheryl--Congratulations! You look wonderful.

Thank you, Lynda!

Congratulations on a fabulous wls journey. Your before and after pictures don't even look like the same person. Amazing the changes wls can bring into our lives. Best of luck for your continued success.

Hi Pat, It is an amazing journey, isn't it? The person I became when I gained weight has gone away. I am the person I was until my 40s when I put on all the weight. People who haven't seen me in 15 or 20 years would recognize the 'new' me. The pre-surgery Cheryl would have been unrecognizable to them. That's the thing - since I didn't grow up as an obese person, the face I looked at between the ages of 40 and 50 was the face of a stranger. I'm ba-ack! ...and I'm lovin' it. Thanks for your sweet words. Cheryl

Congrats on your continued success. I read your profile and am so inspired. I will forge on and hope to reach my goal, a bit late, but eventually. All I can do is my very best. You look amazing. Karen