WOW!  What else can I say.  It's been more than 2 years since surgery.  This morning I weighed 118.  I've maintained my weight for more than a year.  I'm feeling good (except I have bad arthritis in my neck which is painful most days).  I'm working two jobs; have 3 great kids; a wonderful future daughter-in-law and a boyfriend who loves me. 

Weight loss surgery is the best thing I ever did for myself.  I have had problems along the way but like others who have gone before me have said, "I'd do it again in a heartbeat." 

My life is full and busy with work.  I hike and climb mountains now that I'd only dreamed of climbing before.  I did a hike to a cabin that I'd done when I was heavy.  I barely made it before; in fact, I kissed the cabin when I got there because I didn't think I'd make it.  This time, I breezed right up the trail with no problem.  What a difference.  I'm wearing size 4 in most things.  It's hard to find the right size.  I used to have this problem but it would be because I couldn't find clothes big enough!!!

My second job is at a grocery store.  I get compliments all the time about how good I look.  I have guys giving me their phone number and asking if I'm married on a regular basis.  It is flattering and something I've never experienced before.

For anyone reading this who is considering surgery - know this - my first 6 months were hell.  I felt really bad, sick a lot of the time.  But since then, it has been one heck of a ride.  I'm 48 years old.  I feel like I'm 30.  Some people guess I'm 35.  Life is the best its ever been.  JUST DO IT!  You'll be glad you did.

It's been a month since I posted.  Time is going so fast.  I'm doing ok on the weight loss - down to 158.5  I'm wearing size 12 jeans now and still medium shirts.  I've gotten loads of comments lately from just about everyone I see.  It feels really good.

I've been to the doctor a few times here in the last couple weeks.  I've had really bad diarrhea since October 10th (I remember the date because I had a hearing starting the next morning and I was worried about getting through the hearing feeing the way I did).  I've also been having bad cramps and the other day I had some rectal bleeding.  My 4-month labs showed that my TIBC level was very low.  

I've also been having trouble when I swallow.  I had a barium swallow done last week.  It showed a hiatal hernia and "considerable mucosal edema" in my pouch.  It also showed that the opening from my pouch is very narrow.  My surgeon and my PCP have been in contact (my surgeon is a 2.5 hour plane ride away) with each other.  They are scheduling an endoscopy and colonoscopy for me.

I'm trying not to think of what could be the problem with the lower end.  The upper end I'm not too worried about as it sounds like that can be fixed with Previcid and a roto rooter treatment.

I'll post when I know what's up.

I hope everyone is doing well.  I have been traveling a lot lately for my job and feel totally disconnected with the boards.  It's good to be back. 

I'm down to 166.5 pounds.  Wearing mostly size 14 pants and medium shirts.  I went to buy a shirt the other day and I almost got large because medium looked too small.  I had to tell myself that I've bought medium before and they fit just fine.  I bought a medium, and yes, it fit just fine.

I've been feeling really good but starting to worry some about my lack of vitamins.  I notice my eyesight and memory are not as good as they were a few months ago.  I found some liquid calcium at Costco so now that I don't have to take so many pills for vitamins, I have no excuse.

I've been doing really good with working out.  I still try to do about 30 minutes every morning or at least 5 mornings per week.  

I posted some pictures that Mia took of me while she was here.  She is my son's girlfriend who lives in Germany.  Mia, if you're reading this, I enjoy it so much when you visit and can't wait until Christmas when you're with us again.  :)

I hope everyone is doing well.  I'll try to update more often.  I'm liking the new website changes.  It sure is easier to post pictures now.

Remember those size 16 pants I mentioned on September 3 (16 days ago!). 
Well, I wore a pair of them to work yesterday!!!  I can't believe it. 
I cleaned out my closet a bit tonight.  I have a stack of clothes to
take to the consignment shop this weekend.  I've lost 8 inches off my
hips and 5 inches from my waist.  I've lost 63 pounds since my highest, 46
since I started my pre-op liquid diet and 36 since sugery.  I guess I'm
coming along ok.  I have increased my protein to 90 g's per day.  Since
then I've lost about 1/2 a pound per day.  I alternate between the
Worldwide Pure Protein shake in the can and the New-Whey in the vials.  I
travel a lot for my job and the vials are great to travel with.

I will get a new picture taken tomorrow.  Hopefully I can figure out
how to get it on my profile!!

Time is going by fast.  I'm still losing slowly.  Down to 180 now.  32
pounds since surgery.  43 counting my pre-op liquid diet and 59 since
my highest in February.

I'm feeling pretty good now.  I've lost a lot of inches and am able to
wear my favorite pair of old jeans.  I think they're size 18 but the
size is worn off the tag so I'm not sure. 

I can get into my size 16 work pants but they're a bit too tight to
wear yet.  Not long though. 

I'm still working out on my treadmill every day.  Usually between 20-30
minutes at 2.7-2.9 miles per hour.

I'm still not taking my vitamins like I'm supposed to be.  No good
reason other than I don't like taking pills.  I get my labs done for the
first time in October so I need to get going before that so the levels
have time to get to where they need to be.  I think my doc requires a lot
more vitamins than any other that I've heard of .  I have to take 14 a
day.  That seems like a lot.  Oh well, I just need to do it.

I can't believe how much better I'm feeling than I was at one month
out.  Then I had the "what have I done to myself" real bad.  Now, I'm
starting to feel really glad I did this.  I do wish the weight would come
off faster though.  Not sure what to do to speed things up. 

I did order and receive some profect-type protein in the tubes.  It
tastes a lot like the Isopure liquid in the bottles (40 g of protein in 20
oz).  I can drink down the profect in one big gulp so it goes down
pretty quick.  I'll see in a few days if it starts to speed things up.

I'm getting in all of my water now and between the protein drinks and
my food I probably get about 70 g of protein per day.  Maybe I'll try to
up that a bit and see if it helps.

I hope everyone is doing well.  I'll try to get a new picture on here
before long.