It is so hard to believe that 3 years have past since I had my surgery. I am still maintaining and doing well. Life seems so normal now. I do things I never dreamed of, wear clothes I only admired on others and just am generally LIVING my life. So much fuller than I would have believed possible.

My 2 sons are here in Florida visiting and we are all going on a cruise Sat for 9 days. I now know I can go and am confident that I will not gain weight. I am determined to eat healthy. My last cruise in 2004 was just before I made the decision to have bariatric surgery.

I remember eating like a pig and looking and feeling equally as bad. I have a picture here in a bathing suit on that cruise. I plan to try and recreate the shot with Bob and my new body. The old one is the one I use in my before shot. Wowser it makes me ill.

So happy anniversary to me today and my Thanks to Dr. T. Paul Singh and the fantastic staff at St. Peters Hospital (6th floor and especially the ICU) in Albany NY for getting through the complications alive. They were certainly the mosy scarey 19 days of my life.

 

 

As a teenager many many years ago, I went roller skating with friends. I remember being teased and called names due to my obesity. I vividly remember it being a most humiliating experience. Needless to say that ended my roller skating dream.

 As I was losing my weight I started researching classes and no one in my area offered them for adults. Well, here in Florida they do! My friend told me about it and had just gone herself. Well guess what folks I am doing it!!! I am finally roller skating.

I started the classes and then do open skating even forked out the cash and ordered a pair of skates! I LOVE IT! It is so exhilarating and we go 3 times a week and those times are ONLY for adults so it is a total blast.

Now for the icing on the cake...Tuesday after skating a woman and her husband I took a class with were chatting to me. The woman asked if I was an athlete as I had such a tight athletic body! Well LMAO!!!!

I was near tears when I left and am no longer the fat girl to be ridiculed, I am feeling on top of the world and also getting to live a dream I never believed I would. Not to mention the great exercise I am getting.

Ohhh my Christmas came early for me this year. Imagine how the comment of one person can make such a difference in us. But living the dream well that is just priceless.

Happy Holidays and HUGS
MJ

 

 

11/3/07

I have not been updating much but there isn't much new. I have been staying pretty stable and enjoying life.

My friend Marianne has been doing AWESOME since her August suregery. I have been watching her melt before my eyes and it is so cool to watch someone going through this. The changes both mentally & physically are so clear when you are watching someone transform.  We both completed the OH support group leader training and have started a local support group.

Her enthusiam and the group have been so helpful to me. Keeps things in perspective and on my mind. I understand how easy after you are out a few years it is to slip back into old habits so this is truly a hugh benefit to me.

Life is good :>

I am back home in Florida. While I was in NY I saw oll of my doctors and everyone was very pleased with my success and test results.

All of my blood work was good and my weight loss. I am maintaining at about 130. I feel great. Not sure about going back down to 125 as I looked a little sunken in in the face at that weight. I never thought I would see the day that 5 pounds could make such a difference.

Today my friend Marianne C is having her surgery here in Fl which is why I came back a little early. I sit here remembering what I was feeling the morning of my big day.  Tears well up in my eyes when I think of all the emotions she is going through thismorning. Excitement, fear, anticipation, anxiety etc.

I am sure she will do GREAT as she doesn't have many of the risk factors that I did that caused alll of my complications. She is so strong willed and so positive. A remarkable woman with brains to match. She has researched and worked very hard to get to today, her REBIRTHDAY. I hope anyone who reads this will send hers prayers and good thoughts today.

I am her surgery "Angel" and will post reports to her surgery page later today.

Well life sure can get busy! I am in NY and have finished seeing all of my various doctors. Everyone is very pleased. 

Dr. Michalek from Albany Clinical Nutrition said all blood work is normal. See her again next year.

Gynocologist said all is well and she is thrilled with my success from the WLS. Also said Dr King (plastic surgeon) must have been a seamstress and artist in his previous life. She was awed by his work.

No more visits to Dr. King needed as all is healed well and I have no plans for any more plasstics, however, he said I was welcome to stop by and visit anytime. He took final pictures.

Dr Singh, WLS Surgeon said all is well and stop back next year. He is pleased as well.

Next week I see the cardiologist and expect the same as I also saw a cardio in Fl efore I came North. Just routine follow up there.

Maintaining well and having no problems. Still occasionally get a little ill if I eat to fast, bad food choices, etc. The pouch still reminding me and doing the job it is intended to do.

I have to watch the scale as now I am ale to eat more and temptations are always around. I try to weight in weekly.

Going back home to Fl sooner than planned as my friend is having GBS in August and I want to be with her for it. I am anxious to get back home to Fl.

Planning a cruise with my husband, sons and a few friends in Jan. I will really have to make wise choices there I know how cruise ships are with constant meals. 

Well I am now 30 months post op and still totally amazed with the results I have achieved. Still pinch myself to make sure I am not just dreaming. Life is so perfect I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop lol.

Hugs to all for now
MJ