I've missed you all!

.......Because I've just been sort of incommunicado.� I've been around, just sort of lurking.� It's interesting, now that I'm almost a year out (11 months on the 18th, to be exact), that life is less about WLS and more about, well, LIFE!�

I had to have a BMI under 35 to have varicose vein surgery.� Mine is now 28.3 and I've recently had both legs done sucessfully.�

One of my hopes was to fall in love, and I think I may be on the cliff's edge.��My guy seems like he'd be happy to provide a soft place to land, too.

I can't work out just now, because of the recovery period for the varicose vein surgery, but I am able to work out really hard and for quite long periods of time, and I'm looking forward to summer more than ever before.

My teeny-tiny sister and I are having more fun than ever - shopping together and sharing clothes.� It's a little incredible, you know?� "I think that's a little too small for me - why don't you try it?"� We have never shared like this in our adult lives.

I am wearing a 4 or a 6 pants and a small or medium shirt these days - down from a 22/24.� I am in the middle of quite a long-lasting plateau right now.� I weigh 153 or 154, depending on whether I've had a BM (seriously!)� I hope it doesn't last, but I think that getting through this post-surgical recovery period and getting back to exercise will change that.

I joked before WLS that my transfer addiction would be shopping, but thank goodness for thrift stores, because it's about half true.� I have always loved beautiful clothes, and they allow me to own lovely things for almost no cost at all.

The NSV's that came fast and furious have become non-existent, which I expected - because that's the way it's supposed to be.� Just ordinary.� I love my life's ordinariness.� How lovely to wake up refreshed (no CPAP), fix my hair (no more hair loss), brush my teeth (decent breath), go for a walk or a workout if I want (don't feel like dying two minutes into it), kiss my boyfriend (imagine!), and see how pleased my mom is with my progress (after years of her worrying about me).

Life is really good.� I am very grateful that I got to have this surgery and my life so normal.� It's a gift, and I don't take it for granted, not one bit.�� Thanks to all of you who have been such loving support this year - particulary Judy and Yvonne.� You all know I love you.

I'll try to stay in better touch.� Hugs!

I was about to send the calvary for you girlfriend!  What an awesome post!  I love all the stuff you listed and I love hearing about your relationship with your sister.  And yes thank God for thrift stores.

I'm happy you're living your life...just don't get too far away from us.  And definitely talk to us if you start to have some problems with regain.  Stay on top of it and you'll thank yourself.  I'm so glad you're thinking and talking about not taking it for granted! 

Keep on keeping on and stop and in and tell us about the juicy stuff when you can!  We love and miss you bunches!
hugs, Y

KATHY!!!!! 

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT???

We are still right on the same track!!! Just a tiny bit ahead on the weight...[149]- no doubt because of you having surgery and not being able to exercise.
I'm also wearing 4/6 jeans!
sm/med tops. hair is doing much better- not losing.
Breath-- well that depends on what I ate ...
(I love my sardines & herring oy)
What can I tell ya my Dad grew up in the Bronx!

No Cpap for me either! how delightful is that?

Clothes - I made it thru winter with things belted and buttoned up. Good to be able to wear a couple of sizes to large that way. But as warmer weather approached I had started to get a bit concerned about how I was going to replace every seasons wardrobe.

But- things work out - one way or another-
sadly a friends Aunt passed away after having enduring a number of months cancer treatments.

Since she had no children, my friend was left the task of going through all her things and cleaning out her home. I received boxes & boxes of clothing. Talbots, Pendleton, Kasper, Anne Taylor,London Fog... BEAUTIFUL things that I'd never be able to afford. Oh sure, a piece now and then on super deep discount... but never like this...
A regular fashion show right here at home.

while I feel badly about her loss of her dear Auntie, I KNOW when MY Aunt die many years ago... it gave me great happiness to give away her things to people who would use & appreciate them. Now its my turn to be on the receiving end.

Just last year another friend had offered me things that belonged to her Mother in law - sizes 16/18  THEY were too SMALL for me.
My friend felt worse about it than I did. Now i'm fitting into anything from a 4 to a 10/12!

REALLY not getting hung up on the NUMBERS!
I kept a couple of nice fall/winter blazers in the larger sizes so that I can put a bulky sweater on underneath! Hey... I'm feeling the cold more now!

Same ol husband- very much happier to put his arms around me now!
Guess i'll keep him!

So glad things are looking up for you!

Do keep in touch.

Can I have a before and after of both of you with your permission for Friday's member message???  Put on some of those new clothes!  I'd love to feature two of my WLS Success poster children!!  Let me know what you think!
hugs, Y

I have some pics that I have been meaning to download, so I will try to get a couple to you, Yvonne.  Sounds great!

I'll see what I can do! that's a yes....

So glad to hear from you!  I think we are all just sisters under the skin.  (Loose skin, but that makes for more room for more sisters - LOL!)

So glad things are going so well for you, too.  Ain't life grand these days?

Many, many big hugs!

 Kathy,

Your post is awesome and so inspiring!  Thank you for sharing, I am so happy for you!  I think it is great your life is coming together so very well.  I can't wait to say, "me too!"

*hugs*

Krysti,

It's amazing how quickly the first full year passes.  I could hardly believe it!  It will not be long and you will have lots of fun life changes to post as well.

Many blessings,

Kathy