Question:
Does anyone have any inspirational stories?

Do any of you have inspirational "Chicken Soup for the Soul" type stories? I'm not just talking about success with your surgery (since weight loss is a given), but how has it changed your life? Do you have any anecdotes about things that have happened to you? If any of you have read the Chicken Soup books, this is the type of thing I'm looking for. I did a search on the internet and all I can find are stories about overcoming cancer and other illnesses, which is great, but just doesn't pertain to me. There are thousands of people on this board, there have got to be some of those heart-tugging, feel-good stories out there. Thanks! (hehehe... maybe we should suggest to the Chicken Soup people that they do a Chicken Soup for the Bariatric Soul - pureed please for the recent post-ops ;-)    — Toni C. (posted on October 23, 2002)

October 23, 2002
Please read this persons profile. Find out how he has beat "OLD MR. DEATH" twice, so far that is!!!! I am his wife and he is truly an inspiration to me.
   — OLD RODEO C.

October 23, 2002
My profiles say it all.
   — Cara F.

October 23, 2002
About eight years ago I topped out at my heaviest weight (420# at 5'9"). I made a decision back then to change my life in order to save my life! Slowly, over the next 5-6 years, I lost about 190#s on my own, through low fat diet and exercise. (I have found it difficult to keep my weight down despite continued healthy eating and exercise, and have re-gained about 40 pounds over the past 3 years, which is why I am slated for lap RNY 10/30/02). Anyway, in July of 2000 I had one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. After 10 months of training two hours+ per day, and with no prior mountain climbing/hiking experience, I climbed and summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa--all 19,340 feet of it! At the top of the mountain, I buried a copy of the worst fat picture I had. I promised myself I would never get to be that fat again, as it is a miserable existence, which is one reason I am doing what I am doing now. Next week I will take the next step (surgery) on my way to a "normal" weight--forever. It's been an eight-year journey so far. If you want to read about my Kilimanjaro climb, I have it on my website at www.sarahscott.com. Not quite a Chicken Soup for the Bariatric Soul, but maybe a Chicken Soup for the M.O. Soul. . .Sarah
   — Sarah S.

October 24, 2002
Don't know if you would call my story "inspirational" but my mother died when I was 9 after having WLS in 1975. I grew up without the mother I adored and turned to food for my comfort. I had the surgery 7 months ago and have lost 115 pounds. You can check out my profile if you'd like.
   — Robby E.

October 24, 2002
Toni, you have a great idea there! Gathering inspirational stories of WLS. Bet it would be a best seller...think of all the folks here at this site that would like to have it..and there are other sites out there.
   — Cindy R.