I'm getting ready for my 6 month check-up with Dr. O'Malley.  My appointment is set for August 6th. and I have lost 114 lbs.  since I started the process back in September '06.  I never would have imagined that 1 year ago when OHIP called approved my surgery that I would be down this much weight.  I remember painting the trim outside our house when the phone rang to tell me that I've been approved for WLS.  The wheels began turning quickly to get appointments arranged, and all the necessary things in place so that I could start a new life.  
Prior to surgery, I was taking seven oral medications for my diabetes, as well as 46 units of insulin.  Today NOTHING!  That alone was worth the surgery.  I am getting comments almost on a daily basis about how good I look and how I've changed so dramatically.  I sometimes have difficulty noticing it myself, but it is so evident in the clothes and in how I feel.  Being able to walk without being out of breath, or feeling so hot and sweaty all the time.  
WLS was the best thing I could have done for myself and my family. I know that WLS is a tool to help get the weight off, and that there is a lifetime ahead of me where I will have to continue to monitor the foods I eat and the choices I make.  I just know that having taken the weight off, certainly gives me a chance at a new life.  Only 40 more lbs and I will be at my goal.  I know I can do it now!

Yahoo!  I've finally made it to the 100 lb. lost mark.  I took the students on a trip to Quebec City last week.  I knew there would be a lot of walking and I would be getting in extra exercise.  Before I left, I was 98.5 lbs lost and knew I only had 1.5 lbs to reach this step on my way to my goal.  When I stepped on the scale this morning, I had lost a total of 102 lbs.  What a great feeling to have made this milestone.  I now have another 56 lbs to go before I reach my final goal.  I have a feeling that these may be a little harder to take off than the first 100, but we'll see!

Saturday May 5th. was my 3 month anniversary of my surgery.  I am feeling great, and have lost a total of 61 lbs. since then, and 86.5 lbs since I started my pre-op diet on November 1st., 2006.  I find that my clothes are so baggy.  I have had all of my pants taken in by a seamstress, but they are still too big.  I only have a couple of months left till the end of the school year, so I don't want to buy anything till September.  I think things will be a little more stable when I return in the fall.  

I have been getting a lot of comments from people who haven't seen me in a while.  They are amazed at how much I've lost.  I guess that when I look in the mirror, I don't really notice the changes that much.  

I am doing more walking and have begun bicycling to and from work, and also just to get some exercise.  I haven't been on a bike in over 30 years, so that's a big step for me.  It seems that if I don't get out and ride, I actually miss it.  

My next job will be to update my pictures, but I'm trying to wait and lose another 11 lbs before updating them.  I'll see if I can wait that long!