I have reached my 1st goalf 199 pounds and it took me  months to accomplish which is a wonderful success for me.  I am still loving my journey.  I am very lucky I do not have haning skin the way alot of people do after WLS.  I have skin beleive me!  My arms are like huge batwings, my legs are not so bad and my stomach is not that bad either.  I can see the formation of abs and it excites me!  I will wait another year and then seek out cosmetic surgery.  I do think becuase I swim each day and walk/run this has helped me in not having a lot of hanging extra skin.  Maybe I am wrong, could be and wouldn't be ther 1st time either.  I still watch what I eat closely and try my best not to go over 4 grams of sugar and watch every single fat gram that goes into my mouth.  I wish I was this good all thru my life, maybe I would not of been so big, who knows.  I love friut, vegtables and Snyders pretzels.  Prestzels are my "junk food" they cruch and taste good and give me that junk food satisfaction.  I will not let any sugary items pass thru my lips ever again.  I have done without it for over 8 months and do not miss it at all.  I have a 30 min lunch and I take 20 of those min and walk/run each day at work.  It feels so good to get out and be able to enjoy the outdoors.  I have joined a hiking group and even host some hikes.  My endurance has really beefed up.  I ran the 5k in March of 2012, did another one in May of 2012 and training for the 10k in March of 2013.  I am not looking for speed and be the fastest, I am looking for endurance, I can jog 1 mile and then have to walk about 5 min to catch up with myself and then jog another mile.  My last 5k took me 20 min and I was taking my time, and thought wow, that was easy.  I would of never thought I could actually do this ever in my life!  I love my life now and can't wait to see where this takes me.  My photographer who has been wonderful and following my journey and capturing it on film has set up hair and makeup for me and will be doing a shoot in my newer clothes and some special "chesecake" pics for the wonderful husband I have.  Going to make a special photo album for him.  This yr for Christmas, I am making memoery books for my kids and sending to them so they can see my journey as well.  Starting off with pics of them when they were small and thru the years pics of me with them and then the new mommy.  I am so excited over this and so proud of me.  The best thing I have ever done in my life is my children and now the 2nd best thinjg I have done (WLS) for myself and my family.
Take Care,
Deb

Hello Everyone,

I am feeling alot better today, filled my body up with perscribed meds and rested.  My chest does not hurt today, which I am glad of.  I think I caught it just in time.  Will know more on Monday.

I am having a photogrpher who owns alittleedgy.smugmug.com follow my journey.  She has taken all kinds of before pics of me from every angle.  She suggested to make a book of my journey, sort of a journal.  I thought what a great idea.

Her name is Tish Fallis and you can view her incrediable pics at http://alittleedgy.smugmug.com  I encourage anyone to document your journey whatever it may be.  If you are as lucky as me, you will have Tish help you document it for you.  Check out her website.  I am so glad I found her.  She is very affordable as well.

I am so excited I cannot wait until Tues, I am so looking forward to this surgery.  I am sick and tired of not being healthy.  I am so blessed to of been approved to have this special tool to manage the rest of my healthy life.

Take Care,

Deb