Hey People .....How's everybody doing ?

I'm a WLS grad and just found this site today. It's so crazy being a "grad" it's like I'm still living in a dream ! There are still times when I walk by windows and mirrors and see this thinner woman , I still get shocked to discover that it's really me ! What the surgery has done for me, oh God there's not enough words in the English language to describe how good I feel. To be able to walk into a store and pick up a pair of size 11-12 pants off the rack that are on sale for $3.00 and they fit me .......then to do the cute little twirl in the mirror as I try them on and their comfortable and their not cutting into my belly! "Hot Damn "(pardon my language) but that's all that comes to mind when I realize the dream is for real and I'm not going to wake up at 310 lbs anymore ! How are the rest of the grads doing and share some stories (please) about the changes that you've undergone ! I don't think it's been easy for any of us and as much as I enjoy the new me, I still have to work at it. I have to exercise daily and monitor what I eat (it's like being on a diet for the rest of your life with a hell of a starting point ) There are times when I cheat but if that scale goes past my limit that I've set for myself ,then it's back to the protein shakes or Slimfast shakes. Even though it's not easy , I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Well got to run, luv to you all and stay Blessed. Bubblicious1

I agree Bubb, This was the best thing I had ever done. I am still amazed at the changes in my body. I have dropped 144 pounds down from 294 to 150. 150 was my goal but now that I'm here I'd like more!! I'm pretty m uch at a standstill and those old gremlins are trying to work their way back in my I'm trying my best and that's all I can do. The weirdest thing for me right now is juggling all my extra skin around in the mirror to try to make myself look normal! LOL Good luck for continued success, Michelle 294/150

Good for you Michelle, you keep right on fighting those "Gremlins" they've been visiting me too. They're "evil" and we can beat them by doing what we started out doing as "Newbies". Back to the protein shakes substitute for a meal or two, and the hardest part for me ......drink, drink and drink ! We've come too far to let those gremlins win ! Keep the struggle going my WLS sister I'm right there in the trenches with you !

Hey Dear Girl!!! I adore the new pic and the before pic proves what an outstanding job you have done on your journey. Its so nice to see you posting here. I hope you make this your home away from home and lurk / post often here. Would love to hear more WLS moments as you travel down the straight and narrow ...as we all are. Keep in touch.... and I love seeing how wonderful you are doing. Weigh to go girl!!!! deb

Thanks Deb for letting me know about this site ! You look marvelous too girl and we can see the work that you've put in. Keep it up and keep in touch ! Hhhhuuugggggsss to you all !

Hi Deb, your looking like a Vogue model ! Isn't it hard to believe that these new bodies weren't always ours ? I'm finally comfortable inside of it but I can't forget the woman whose outside always wanted to "break free " and look like I do now. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'll never forget where I came from and what it took to get me here. When I see others that I once looked like, I want to say to them "you too can be free" but I keep it to myself because as an obese woman , I don't think I'd have been to receptive if someone approached me like this. I'm glad you told me about this site and I'll "lurk" around here every chance I get. Take care sweetie and don't be a stranger ! LOL Brenda

Hello gorgeous It's been a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time, since we've yapped with each other. I can see by your pictures and scanning your profile that you're doing FANTASTIC!!! Talk about a weight loss SUCCESS story - congrats to you on an awesome journey! I totally AGREE with your last paragraph - now that we're at the "goal" and "maintenance" stages - it's a LOT more work to KEEP it that way!!!! Oh, how I miss the honeymoon - lol, I couldn't do anything wrong during that phase, even if I tried. Now? Im back to the "don't even walk by a bakery counter, or the calories WILL latch on to my hips".... oh joy, not! It would appear I got my wish. Im living like every other "normal" person out there that's trying to MAINTAIN their diets, health and figures. One bite, one pound, one day at a time! Life is abso-freakn-lutely WONDERFUL!!!!!!!! - Lei

Hi Lei, girl your looking spectacular yourself and it has been too long since we last chatted. Thanks for the compliments, I like you miss the "honeymoon phase also." But we know what we have to do to maintain our new bodies. Don't think for one moment that I manage to make it past the bakery counter all the time either. LOL The one thing that's changed is now I don't beat myself up over a little sweet stuff now and then. What I do is return to step one again and flush my system out with plenty of water ,maybe a protein shake here and there but like you say "life is absolutely freakin wonderful! Take care sweetie and don't be a stranger. Brenda