Today is a very special day.  It marks my one year anniversary of having my WLS.   Looking back on it all, I am very thankful for Dr R and his staff and for everyone in the support group who has helped me through the tough times.

Sometimes I did not always have the fortitude to follow Dr R's advise on diet, but I am very pleased and thankful for the weight that I have lost because I know that I am healthier today than I was one year ago.  I have no regrets. 

I am thankful for Dr C assisting me on my path.  He has been so supportive of our support group efforts.  Through his referrals to our group we are expanding our support of those who choose to go through WSL.

Dr B has also been awesome!  He has helped many in the area also find their way to our group.

My family has been awesome throughout.   My grandmother who was not the most supportive person at the start has even come around.   She compliments me often and has even opened her closet to me.   It feels good to see her so excited when I can fit in her clothes.   She is one of those women who has all sizes of clothes so now I can work my way down.

I am most thankful for my husband.   Without him this would never have happened.   I needed to know there was someone to stand by my side.  He has done it all...not only for me but for many others.   I see the pride in his eyes when he brags about what I have accomplished.  He is truly the love of my life.  So for this Thanksgiving I am very thankful...

And most of all...no optifast this year!

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Thank you for your support.   Hang tight to your program and see that regardless of the speed of your progress...you are better off today than the day you had your surgery,

Sorry I missed the meeting.  How was it?  What did you guys talk about?  I spent an enjoyable evening watching my daughter sing in the All County Chorus performance.  She's in 6th grade at Rochelle School of the Arts and is really into singing.  So I was proud Mama that night! 

Hope to see everyone next month!

Chris

Our next meeting will be at 7 pm on Tuesday, November 18th at the Community Southern Bank in Lakeland.  Remember, we welcome both pre-op and post-op patients and their support person(s).   Community Southern Bank
3340 S Florida Ave
Lakeland, FL 33803
This week we are going to collect recipes that are high protein, low carb for the holidays.   If you will forward me your recipes early, I will be more than happy to get them printed out to share!   Additionally, we may have a guest from the Lakeland Ledger.   This gentleman is interested in learning more about the long tern experience from surgery.  Look your best, there may be pictures involved if  you are interested.     If you are not able to attend Tuesday night meetings, please note that our December meeting will be on Monday, December 22.   We hope to continue with Monday dates into the new year.   Don't forget to check out our group site www.obesityhelp.com/group/UpToMe/ We are continually updating it with pictures, links, recipes and celebrations!    The site also has a calendar page for upcoming events.   That is where we post our group meetings and any other events that are coming to our area.   Feel free to contact either of us if you have any questions or concerns! 

I apologize for being away from the blog for a while.   Work has been crazy and I have been working to get back on track.   We have some awesome things coming our way!

Ira and I attended a roundtable phone conference and learned a lot about a the VST model.   That stands for Victim, Survivor, Thriver mode.   Great news is we all have made it to the Survivor mode!   Now we need to become Thrivers and stay away from the victim mode.   We will probably go into the details about this at the December Meeting

Awesome news!!!   Someone saw our efforts!   Gary White from The Ledger called today to say that he is very interested in doing a story about our group and talking to individuals about their journey.  He would like to join us for our next meeting.   I am extremely excited about the opportunity, but I want to know what you all think about it!  He would like to do some pictures.   If you do not want to participate in pictures you do not.  But I think this would be a great chance for us to help others!