4yars out

~9/29/05 4yrs out!!-120 total Greetings and good wishes to all of you where ever you may be on this amazing wls journey. I cant believe how long its been since I've updated. On the 18th of this month I celebrated my 4th wls anniversary. I see so many new faces on the board, although the questions and concerns seem about the same. This site was my connection for staying on track...The camaraderie, empathy, and good advice you get here compares to nothing. I was a regular for a long long time, but these days I seldom have the time to even lurk. A few months ago on a rare occasion that my entire family was together, we were looking at old family pictures, and one of my daughters said she almost forgot that I was ever THAT fat!!! I let myself picture my life this past year in my old body...During my husbands deployment to Iraq his mom passed away, and his brother was diagnosed with cancer the same week, My mom lives with me and I see her health failing before my eyes, my son had his second deployment to al Taqaddum Iraq, & my best-closer-than-a-sister-friend died suddenly. Finally, I had the scare of my life when a doctor mistakenly thought he saw a spot on my lung during a routine x-ray. YIKES!! I know that 120lbs ago I would have stress eaten for days and then loathed the wt gain. WLS doesn't fix the bad stuff, but for me being thinner helps my state of mind. I continue to be amazed and thankful for my life. God has blessed me and I am healthy and energetic. I wrote this earlier in my profileand still think...If I could do anything over differently I would ~~> NEVER have tested the dumping waters. Knowing a bit of sugar wont do you in is DANGEROUS. ~~> I would have made a more diligent effort toward new and better eating habits during my honeymoon days. Please know those days DO NOT LAST in fact they are over TOO SOON. ~~> NOT GRAZE...it is self-destructive For no reason that can put my finger on yet to my delight I have finally lost down to my goal and have officially lost one half of what I used to be...I've come to realize that for me it's all about balance. I used to be so afraid of regaining but its true what they (who've gone before me) the tool for loosing is still there... I'm proof of that !! NOTHING tastes as good as thin feels! Denise

Congratulations Denise! You look MARVELOUS and are an inspiration to many! Keep up the good work! Yes, it is nice to know that the tool is still there and still WORKS when we WORK IT! Hugs! Julie

I hope and pray that I am as successful as you are at 4yrs out. I want to keep off all 220 lbs that I have lost, remain active, and enjoy life. I love the saying, "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels" I need to print it and post in on my fridge!!!

Denise, Thanks so much for your post today. It was a 'gift' for me. You see, I don't get much keyboard time @ home, it's ususally from my work during the day. For some reason, I have keyboard time tonight so I could read your post. I haven't been on much b/c I've been working 2 jobs & can't find the time. Tonight for some reason I did. My heart is with you, you have struggled recently & come out a 'victor'. A victor in that you found ways not to 'eat' your way throught it. I admire that. I totally agree with not 'testing the dumping'. I wish I had never done that, b/c now I struggle with it every day. It's almost like a demon of sorts. So true, the honeymoon does not last long. I am so blessed, I've lost 199 lbs. I also struggle every day with keeping it off. I know realize, altho I told myself I knew it, this will be my struggle. Now I have a tool to assist me with my struggle & it's all up to me. Your post helped me to realize that it's all 'balance'. Just as everything in life is - balance. Thanks for your post. I truely appreciate you sharing, it really helped me today. Donie

Congratulations on a successful wls journey. Every time I read a post from someone like you who has been successful at keeping the weight off it gives me new hope. If you could keep the weight off with all you went through last year I don't think anything will get you off track. Have a good day!

Denise - I am 2-1/2 years out, and was totally inspired by your post. I read your profile, and see where a year ago you were struggling. I wish you would share with us what it took for you to finally lose down to your goal after struggling just a year ago. I have managed to achieve balance in my mealtime eating, but I struggle with the snack demon every afternoon, and that is why I have regained some weight (I WAS down to goal until early this summer). I know it's a head thing - it certainly is not pure hunger, and it's a constant struggle. Any and all advice is appreciated. Hugs, Betsy Lap RNY 5/7/03 240/140/125