Weigh In Schedule:
6/22/05          268lbs
6/29/05          258lbs
7/6/05            244lbs
7/13/05          240lbs
7/20/05          240lbs
7/27/05          239lbs
8/3/05            238lbs  Finally -30lbs
8/10/05          235lbs
8/17/05          233lbs
8/24/05          231lbs
8/31/05          228lbs - DOWN 40lbs
9/7/05            225lbs
9/14/05          222lbs
9/21/05          218lbs  -50LBS!!!!!!
9/27/05          210lbs
10/5/05          206lbs
10/12/05        206lbs
10/19/05        205lbs
10/24/05        202lbs
11/2/05          200lbs
11/9/05         198lbs  DOWN 70LBS!!!
11/16/05       194lbs
11/23/05       190lbs
11/30/05       189lbs
12/7/05         188lbs DOWN 80LBS!!!
12/14/05       186lbs
12/21/05       183lbs
12/28/05       181lbs
1/4/06           181lbs
1/11/06         181lbs
1/18/06         179lbs
1/25/06         179lbs
2/1/06           180lbs
2/8/06           178lbs DOWN 90LBS!!!!!!!!!
2/14/06         176lbs
2/22/06         176lbs
3/1/06           175lbs
3/8/06           175lbs
3/15/06         174lbs
3/22/06         173lbs
3/29/06         172lbs
4/5/06           174lbs
4/12/06         175lbs
4/19/06         174lbs
4/26/06         174lbs
5/3/05           170lbs
5/10/06         164lbs
5/16/06         160lbs Down 108lbs!!!! Original Goal
5/24/06         160lbs
5/31/06         162lbs
6/7/06           160lbs Back down to Goal!
6/14/06         157lbs
6/21/06         157lbs
6/28/06         154lbs
7/5/06           155lbs
7/13/06         155lbs
7/19/06         154lbs
7/26/06         155lbs
8/2/06           156lbs
10/20/06       164lbs BUT HEALTHY

10/20/06  Its been a super long time since I have posted!  I am doing well, finally healthy!  Haven't been in the hospital in a couple of months, off all medications and just trucking along.  I have gained 10lbs back since I hit my all time low while I was sick, but I am very happy with being 164 at 5' 8" tall!  I am in the process of starting an exercise program so maybe I will lose more then, but honestly, I have lost 104lbs since surgery 1 year and 4 months ago and I am very happy with that!  Life has been great, NYC is great, work is good and again, LIFE IS GREAT!  Hope all is well with everyone. 

8/2/06 Bad food week. OOPS! It will get better! I have been enjoying all NYC has to offer!

7/27/06 So I remembered to step on the scale yesterday, but I forgot to post!! OOOPPPS! So I am pleasantly yo-yoing between 154lbs and 155lbs! NO COMPLAINTS HERE! AND two weeks w/ no trip the hospital! WOO HOO! So very happy! Life is good!

7/19/06 Can't complain about the weight! I am super happy here, it seems I am kind of stalled here in the mid 150s and I like it! One day all my tummy problems will go away and my insurance company will say Yes Ilyssa you may have a tummy tuck and I will lose the last few pounds to bring to 150 on the nose. But no worries here I am in good hands and today is a GOOD tummy day! Love to all and thanks for checking on me. Oh and BTW, Saturday is 13 months since surgery, so I will have new pics shortly!

7/13/06 Its been a crazy few weeks. Well I down 113lbs in total, its amazing. Had an amazing vacation over July 4th weekend, got tons of sun and shopped! Should have posted yesterday, but surprise surprise I was in the hospital again! Don't know what is wrong with me, b/c they didn't have any answers for me! Waiting to talk to my own doctors today. Feeling better day then I did yesterday, but SUPER TIRED!

6/28/06 So life is good pound wise, I am down 114lbs!!!! HOLY COW! Very happy about that. Unfortunately health wise, haven't been too good, have to go see the surgeon after ther 4th of July weekend, even though I don't want to! Having a lot of the same problems I was having before surgery again. :-( But good news is I am feeling well enough to travel and I am heading out for the long weekend!!!! Party Town Here I COME!!! Oh and keep an eye open for my one year pics, I just took a few and will post shortly! Thanks everyone for your constant support and care!

6/21/06 So technically tomorrow is one year since surgery, but I normally weigh in on Wednesdays since last year my surgery was on a Wednesday. So I weighed in today at 157lbs, down 111lbs since having my surgery!! At this point I am pretty much a perfect 12 across the board. Some pants I still need a 14 in but that is b/c all my weight has always been in my tummy and I am happy with that! Of course I will cheat and weigh in again tomorrow just do double check and of course I will use my lower weight between today and tomorrow as my official one year weight loss. I feel that after everything I have been through I am entitled to a little cheat like that!

Not feeling real well today though, Splenda and some poor eating from over the weekend have gotten the best of me. BAD tummy and back ache since Monday. I thought it would have all be gone by today and it would have if it wasn't for the fact the Sugar Free Fudgesickle I ate last night turned out to be sweetened w/ Splenda. So that is killing me today. The normal brand I buy does not use Splenda. BOO HOO! I will be ok I am sure by tomorrow! But must just be very careful with food, my ugly eating disorder is rearing it's ugly head once again and not doing too well with it all! Found a new therapist who so far seems very cool and hopefully will help me work through all this! I have no idea as to why, but I was so good with all my food for so long post op but then it all just snapped in my head and I have been bad once again, but thank god, I have been able to maintain and continue to lose weight, but honestly I think that is what is keeping me in my bad food behaviors, b/c I see that I am still losing despite the binging on CRAP food! Time to straighten out and STOP THE INSANITY!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to everyone for your support over the last year! I really do appreciate everything from everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will have updated one year pictures up soon!

LOVE TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6/14/06 Well, I have always wanted to weigh in somewhere in the 150s and today I did 157 to be exact. Of course it was b/c I had to prep for a colonoscopy (which turned out completely normal). The worst part about the whole thing was that it left my body a MESS! I was dehydrated, low on potassium and electrolytes. I ended up taking off 2 days of work for 1 stupid test, and the doctor wanted me to go back to the hospital yesterday to get IV fluids, I said no way, headed home eat a banana and sucked down some ice pops. When I was in the hospital last month the dumb ass nurse gave me the crap to drink way too late in the day so I couldn't do a proper prep while I was there for the colonoscopy so I had to do it again outpatient so they could cover their own asses. It would have been much easier if I could have had this thing done in the hospital where they could have regulated everything, but whatever. It is over and done with and I am healthy. Ok, maybe not completely healthy, still very tired and I am sure I am still dehydrated to some degree which I will continue to work on today! Other than that, it feels great to weigh in at 157, but I am sure by next week I will be back at 160 which is just fine here!!!!

6/7/06 Not much to report other than feeling good! Had a few drinks last night :-), that was so much fun to get alittle tipsy off so few drinks! Lots of fun! Didn't even dump from it! I also ate sushi last night! WOW was life good! But thanks to little Miss Happy Loser I did drop 2lbs this week from her "crazy" stall buster diet. But it works and I guess I will hit a new low by next week if I stick with it, which at this point, I don't see myself stopping it (except for the occassional cocktail and sushi binge!). Thanks Happy!

5/31/06 Eating again isn't agreeing with my weight loss... :-( Ok, eating like a PIGGY isn't agreeing with my weight loss. I was terrible all weekend long I ate way way way too much everyday, but here we go again with a new week and trying hard... again! Ok, can't really complain though, my original goal weight was 160lbs, today I was 162. NOT SO BAD!!!!! Even if I stop here or gain another 3lbs I am still at a good weight for my frame and I am super close to goal! Once I get my mind & body in gear and really start working out (we hope this happens sooner than later) then everything will fall into place. I am so enjoying life at this point, but I have one question... When do I stopped thinking of myself as the FAT girl?

5/24/06 Well it's my first day back at work and everyone is being GREAT! Makes life that much easier! I do miss being able to sleep in though and hang out later at night! Felt like an old lady last night asking my friend to go home at 9:30pm, but I had to get up at 5:30am (ok so I hit snooze a few times :-)). But here I am at my original goal weight of 160lbs! And I have kept to that weight for a week now and I have been eating normal for almost the whole week so I am very pleased with that. I am going to even venture off to the gym next week, just for mild cardio but something is better than nothing!!!! Thanks everyone for being amazing during all my crap!!!

5/22/06 I wanted to wait till I was several days out of my surgery to really determine if I was truly on the mend! Well I am! I had surgery on Wednesday of last week. My Doctor found 2 adhesions on my abdomen wall and one fibroid on the top of my uterus. Well He removed everything on Wednesday, I went home on Thursday and I am going back to work this Wednesday! I have three small incision spots on my lower abdomen and they are doing well. I am feeling great, been going for daily walks, been getting up and down on my own since the night of surgery, haven't needed any additional help from anyone since Thursday, I have been able to shower alone, go potty on my own (there has hardly been any pain like I had anticipated)! So I am doing well! I am so happy to say that after 2 1/2 months of not having normal bowel movements, I am back to normal again. Was it the adhesions; was it a parasite like they said that finally went away after they cut me open???? Who knows, but what I do know is, I am back to eating NORMAL (VEGGIES INCLUDED) and I am back to normal BMs and that is all I care about it! Today was my 11 month anniversary of surgery and I must admit, I feel wonderful as I am at my goal weight of 160lbs! Ok, so I adjusted my goal weight to 150lbs, but to hit 160lbs is amazing and if I stay here I won’t be too upset at all! I have lost of total of 108lbs and I can't wait to see all my friends and co-workers as it has been about 15lbs I have lost since all this hospital junk started 2 1/2 weeks ago! I will post an 11 month pic soon!

I must thank everyone for their lovely thoughts and prayers! I really do appreciate it! Every time someone posted about me, Happy Loser made sure I got a copy of it to keep my spirits up and THANK YOU for that! And Tavia, you’re an amazing women who has been through so much, but you put yourself out there for everyone and for that I THANK YOU too!!! Good Luck w/ the PICC line and keep up your amazing positive energy!!!

5/16/06 I didn't post my weight last week because I was in the hospital and this week I am posting one day early as I will be heading back out to the hospital tomorrow for some exploritory surgery. I feel confident my doctor will find whats wrong with me and I will be perfectly fine after this and my saga will end! I am so looking forward to eating veggies again! But in the meantime I have now lost a total of 108lbs!!! Of course I do expect to gain some of that back b/c once I start eating again, and not exercising nearly enough, I will put some pounds back on. But I have re-adjusted my goal anyway! I would like to get down to 150lbs! Some have already told me they think I will be too thin, but I don't think so! My BMI is now normal, my bloodwork is all coming back way healthy, now we nail down this intestinal issue and Ilyssa is good to go!!!! So now its time to relax today, get my house in order and get prepared for surgery! Thanks to EVERYONE for being AMAZING through out all this!

5/3/06 Good Morning all! Well another Wednesday weigh in is upon us and I had to re-weigh myself 7 times this morning b/c I couldn't believe it! People had told me this week it looked like I had lost more weight but I didn't believe it. So yesterday (like an idiot) I got on the scale! I didn't tell anyone what I weighed in at yesterday b/c I knew it couldn't be right, but two days in a row at 170lbs!!!!! HOLY COW! I only have 10lbs to go!!!!! My tummy is still a bit messed up, but I am on the road to recovery and I go away in two weeks to hit the beach for some sun! Wow do I need it, I tried on my bathing suits again last night and I am so pale! Well thanks everyone for your continued support! Oh and yes I have been going to the gym, it’s been sporadic, but at least I am finally going! Oh yeah and scroll down, I put up my new 10 month picture. :-)

4/26/06 Hi folks! Still on the darn BRAT diet, tummy still a bit messed up :-(. But I haven't gained any more weight which is great! I am going to see the PS tomorrow about a TT!!!! SOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!! I just had my 10 month aniversery and I am down 94lbs total. You know what ... I am very happy with that!!!!! I will post a new 10 month pic soon! Love to all!

4/19/06 Good morning boys and girls! Ok, so we are down 1lb this week and still on the BRAT diet (still having tummy issues!). And I have finally started to exercise (thanks to Happy Loser). I can't say I am enjoying it, b/c I LOATHE it!!!! But if my body needs it (which it does) then I have to do it! Thanks for everyone's support and Happy Loser rocks!

4/12/06 Well still on the BRAT diet! Gained 1lb this week, I guess with everything going on thats not too bad! Could be much worse!! Happy Passover and Easter to all my friends, I love you all! And Happy Loser here I come!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4/5/06 So my friends know I am the excuse queen so here we go again. I gained 2lbs back this week. I have had some belly problems for about a month now and the Gastro Dr. put me on the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) so w/ all the extra carbs I am taking in and lack of protein, I have gained weight and I AM TIRED!!! But its not the worst thing in the world! Life is still good and I am happy! Thank you to my Happy Loser for being there for me! See you next week!!!!!!!


3/29/06 Ok, 1 more pound this week! 12lbs to goal! I have had such a bad stomach (I think due to a bug, going to the gastro dr this friday) and all I have been eating are carbs, some how I managed to lose that 1lb! Gotta as always thank my best buddy and amazing support system Mrs. Happy Loser herself who is now part of the century club! I am so very proud of her as I know she is proud of me! Thanks to everyone here on OH for being amazing! As soon as I kick this bug its off to the gym for me and bye bye the last 12lbs!

OHHHHH, had my 9 month visit with my surgeon last week! He gave me the go ahead to get some consults on plastics!!!! I have a support group meeting next week and a PS will be speaking and I will get some great info then I am sure and I have two appointments w/ surgeons at the end of April!!! LIFE IS GOOD, DON'T EVER TAKE IT FOR GRANTED!!!!!!!!!

3/22/06 :-( only down 1lb this week again! GOTTA START THE GYM!!! Yesterday I did a naughty and got on the scale and I was down much more than that and I was sooooooo good yesterday. Oh well! I am only 13lbs from goal! STOP COMPLAINING! Thanks everyone for your support!!!

3/21/06 Hi Guys just got back from a few days in Florida!! It was 80 degrees everyday and SUNNY!!!!!!!! I have taken two new head shots, as tomorrow marks my nine month anniversary! Just wanted some feed back on which one we all like better, closed smile or teeth???? Let me know! Oh and thanks to everyone including my favorite Happy Loser the plateau is gone and I will post my loss tomorrow!

3/15/06 One pound this week!!! Not complaining at all, I am 14lbs to goal, one week away from my nine month aniversery, a few days away from seeing my doctor and 2 days from a long weekend in FLORIDA!!!!!!!!!!! LIFE IS GOOD!!! Thanks to my pal as always Happy Loser, I would be lost without her!

3/9/06 Ok, no weight loss this week and of course I have an excuse. I had a bad tummy (some kind of stomach bug) and ate lots of carbs as it was the only thing I could keep down. I honestly think I might be at the end of my losing anyway. Which is cool, b/c I have exceeded my short term goals and maybe over the next few months between exercise and a tummy tuck I will get rid of the last 15lbs. But I am not going to get myself crazy about!!! I feel great, I look great and thats all that counts! Congrats to my friend Happy Loser on her 100lb lose! Its HUGE!!!

3/1/06 1lb!!!! Hey its better than nothing, I only have 15lbs to go!!!! :-) I will get around to my 8 month pic soon, I promise!

2/22/06 Ok, no loss this week, but I am ok w/ that! Had a hectic weekend moving so food wasn't as good as it could have been. I'll live! Thank you miss Happy Loser for keeping me in check and it was amazing to see you this past weekend you look amazing! I will have my 8 month pic up soon!

2/15/06 Sorry I haven't really been writing much lately, been super busy! I am in the middle of a HUGE move into NYC and trying to pack and just get organized has been a nightmare. I did lose 2lbs this week so I am now down 92lbs! Life is good. I am now wearing a 14 (which in my life I don't remember ever wearing)! And life is all-round good. A bit stressed, but good! As I say every week and mean it every week couldn't have done it w/o Happy Loser!

2/8/06 WOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO THANK YOU HAPPY LOSER!!!!! WITHOUT YOU I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE IT!!!! MUCH LOVE!!! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU!!! Will update more later!

2/1/06 I am trying not to be sad, but I gained 1lb back. I have been terrible w/ my carbs (which Gellman always warned me about) and now I gained 1lb back. But thank god for Happy Loser b/c she has been watching me like a hawk and without her, I would be up 2 - 3lbs this week not just 1!!!! THANKS HAPPY! So for the month of January, my 7th month since surgery I only lost 1lb!!!

1/25/06 Ok, the stall is back. I haven't been exercising (i know shame on me) and I think once I kick that up things will start to change in the mean time, I just had my 7 month anniversary and I am down 89lbs, so what do I have to complain about!!! Look for a new picture sometime later today or tomorrow!!

1/18/06 Ok the stall is over!!!! Thank god for fitday.com and Happy Loser in NC and all my friends who have always been super supportive!!! Only 19lbs to go!!!!

1/11/06 Well I think I hit my official first plateau!!! Not a happy camper! :-(

1/4/06 Happy New Year to all!!!

Well I didn't lose any weight this week, but I also didn't gain! I know what I did wrong and I am back on the wagon and working on getting myself down a few pounds this week. When I first had the surgery I had said to my friend (Happy Loser of NC) that I would be happy at 180lbs, but now of course, I am kicking myself in the ass saying, who are you kidding I want to be 160lbs!!! Well not to make excuses for myself, but I didn't work for the last week and a half and was home a lot and I ate just too much! So now I am back at work concentrating on my water, and watching to stay away from salty carbs (pretzels) which the doctor warned me about when I saw him for my 6 month post op visit. PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN!!! So it's a new year and I am going to watch myself as I had been up until the holidays, no excuses now! Hey again, at least I didn't gain any weight!!! Life is going very well though, I am happy for the first time in a LONG time!

I want to wish everyone a Happy and a Health New Year! We all have a lot to look forward to!!!!!

12/21/05 Tomorrow makes me six months post up and I am down 85lbs!!! Dr. Gellman was thrilled w/ how I was doing, I just saw him on Monday. All my blood work came back great and overall I am doing wonderful!! Life is good!

12/14/05 I am a happy camper! I am down 82lbs in almost six months! I have made huges changes to my life for the better and feeling amazing about the whole thing! People recently have been asking me if I would do it all over again if I had to and the answer is HELLS YES!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!

12/13/05 Well it is close to 6 months post op, actually only 1 week away, and I took some great new pics today, so I thought I would be a show off! Thanks to everyone for your support!

12/7/05 I only lost 1 more lbs this week, but you know what, it is still losing and with all these holiday goodies around me it is hard to say no. Especially when I know now that I can tolerate small doses of sugar (GOSH I AM DUMB)!!! But its ok, I feel great, 80lbs lost is HUGE!!! I am a happy camper!

11/30/05 Ok, it was a holiday week, but I still managed to lose 1 pound. I'll take it! I have lost 79lbs in just over 5 months, I am not complaining. LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND TOO GOOD!

11/23/05 Well I made the 5 month make and feeling wonderful! I have lost a total of 78lbs now and it is great! Had a great birthday weekend in DC, ate lots of great food (in small quantities) but yummy none the less.

11/16/05 Can't even describe how amazing I feel. Life is good! I am going to clean out some of my pics today and put in the new! I think one of the best things is now my new BMI puts me into the overweight catagory vs being OBESE!!!!

11/9/05 I don't know how much happier I can be than this! I am down 70lbs today and I am 4 1/2 months post op! I know my Dr. didn't think I would be losing it this fast, but I am! My birthday is 10 days away and I am about to turn 30, I would like to weigh in that day around 194ish. That would make me super happy! It seems like my 3lbs a week loss has turned into a 2lbs a week loss and that is ok in my book! I need to start working out and exercising! I will soon enough, too much going on in life right now to focus, so all my weight loss has be be based on my diet. Wow, I haven't weighed in under 215 in my adult life, so to be in the 100s is amazing! Thanks to my friend Happy Loser, I couldn't have done this without her! THANKS!

11/2/05 What can I say, I am down 68lbs since surgery which is now 19 weeks ago! I can't be any happier about that. Some drama in my life elsewhere, but not worth writing about. Life is good! I can't wait to be under 200lbs!

10/25/05 Saw Dr. Gellman yesterday for my 4 month Post Op visit. He was very pleased with my weight loss and with everything else. I had a list of questions for him and these were his responses, mind you don't quote me, I am doing this from memory. If I get something wrong, I am not perfect!

Knot on left side upper tummy by incision when laughing hard?
Normal

Knot near incision on right side when throwing up?
Normal

Hair loss?
Happens to almost everyone (high percentage) lasts about six months and there is nothing you can take to help. He says it will grow back! He has heard people say Biotin helps, but he has no proof.

Protein drinks. They don't agree with me and I can't find one I like?
He said if I can get in 60 - 70 grams of protein in food alone (and I said and still lose weight), then that is fine. They make a lot of people full, bloated and gassy, so why do that to yourself.


Tired/ B12 am I getting enough?
Time to get blood work done!

Flu shot, can I take it?
Yes

Alcohol?
1 drink affects you, like 3 drinks affects anyone else, but it is trial and error, don't drink mixed drinks or I will be in the bathroom getting sick from the sugar and drink with people I know who can watch out for me.

Vitamins, do I stay on the Flintstones?
If they agree with you and you’re not repulsed by it, then by all means stick with them. If not try Centrum chewables.

How much weight do YOU think I will be losing?
He guest-mated, that I will get down to 170 or around there, so I told him I wanted to be about 160 and he agreed that would be good for my body!

Flax seed oil?
Not aware of any specific affects it has on bariatric patients. It is a good overall nutrient, but not anything special for WLS patients.

Leftovers, can I eat them?
When I told him I had read something on the message board about how reheating the food breaks down the chemicals blah blah blah, his response was shocking. He said it was ridiculous, he said use common sense, if it has been in the fridge for more then a couple of days forget, if not, go for it.

Not everyone can tolerate leftovers, but I happen to be someone who can. I can eat anything leftover except beef, ground beef no problem, any other, forget.

10/24/05 Have the Dr. today so decided to weigh in! I am very happy being down -66lbs!

10/19/05 Stalled for a week, but lost 1lb this week. Not sad about it, atleast I didn't gain!

10/12/05 Ok, didn't lose any weight this week, but didn't expect to after loosing 12lbs in the prior 2 weeks. Need to start exercising again. It's ok, I still feel great!

10/10/05 Well I finally did it! I cut my hair! I needed to, it was getting too sad! But it turns out, it looks amazing and I LOVE IT! Will post pics later!

10/5/05 Back from CA! It was awesome to fit in a seat on the plane!! And to top it off, I come back to a weigh in day and I lose 4 more pounds! Will upload some new pics tomorrow.

9/29/05 So it ends up it didn't matter if I waited the extra day to weigh in, b/c I was still 210lb for the last couple of days. While I am away, I might not be such a good girl like I normally am. I can't wait to leave! WOO HOO!

9/27/05 Ok, I was supposed to wait till tomorrow to weigh in, but I felt so good this morning I decided to do it today. No harm in weighing in 1 day early. I have lost 8lbs this week! I am feeling so incredible! I am off to CA at the end of the week for a mini vaca, and I know I won't be 100% sticking to my diet, so -8lbs this week is huge, being that next week will be like -1lbs if I am lucky! LIFE IS VERY GOOD! I am even wearing a shirt that is a 14/16 today! I will get a picture of myself up on the site later!! Damn life is good!

9/21/05 WOO HOO! I am very happy to be hitting the - 50lb mark! Despite my hair falling out (which it really isn't that bad yet), the infection I had in the beginning and the way the protein shakes and bars make me sick. It has all be worth it! I am working to up my protein, ok maybe I should have done it sooner, but better late than never. I feel good 90% of the time, the other 10% and feel so/so, this is much better than the way I was Pre-Op! I atleast can make my way through a day with out being ready to pass out. It is one thing to get alittle tired, it is another thing to truly need a nap! Life is good! My mommy would have been very proud!!

9/19/05 Ok, my hair has started to fall out. I just past the 12 week mark and go figure it starts. I have been getting between 60 - 65 grams of protein but I guess that still isn't enough. I have discovered a way to get in extra protein though. Unflavored protein powder mixed w/ Carnation instant breakfast (sugar free). It is about an 25 grams of protein w/ the milk. It might not be as high as some protein drinks, but atleast it doesn't make me sick!! So hopefully one of those aday w/ all my food will help. Cross your fingers!

Went shopping this past weekend. It felt great! I am fitting into 18W skirts, 1X tops and even misses XL is fitting me in some sweaters! I feel like it is only another 20lbs to misses sizes totally! But I have only been losing about 3lbs a week so I still have about another 6 weeks of plus sizes. I only bought a few things to get me through the next few weeks! I have four FULL bags going to the good will this week and I haven't even dented looking through my suits for work. Those I think I will list on the exchange vs. the good will. It is unbelievable! I haven't felt this good about things in a long time!!!! I will get some pictures taken soon I promise!

9/14/05 Life is good! The pictures below are both pre-op. The pic on the left (red capris) is about 3 weeks pre-op. The pic on the right (pink shirt) was the morning of surgery! SCARY! I can't wait to take some post-op shots!

9/12/05 So yesterday was an amazing day in New York. My husband, a few friends and I went to the Giants game! It was very exciting as it was my first game, but even more exciting was the fact I fit in my seat!!!!! I nearly cried when I sat down and fit with little to no overhang of fat!!!!

AND ALL MY CLOTHES ARE GETTING HUGE!!!!!!

I had been walking almost 5 times a week and now I have been a very bad girl! I need to get re-motivated to walk!!! And clothes isn't enough! I went shopping over the weekend, bought a few more bras (my boobs are disappearing already) but with a lot of the clothes, I found not much to fit, b/c I am in between sizes, which sucks! But I am sure things will be OK soon enough!

9/6/05 Well a long weekend just pasted by and I only walked twice (bad girl) (but I did go to the driving range) I can't really complain though, I just got into a dress that hasn't fit me in 4 years!!! I will have to take a picture to post on the site, b/c I feel so amazing in this dress. I went shopping over the weekend for the second time since surgery. I didn't buy anything though b/c I am at such a weird size. I figure it's for the better anyway, I wouldn't be able to wear it much longer. THANK G*D! Tomorrow is weigh in day, I will update my numbers then!

8/31/05 I can't be any happier! I am walking on a regular basis, I did yoga last night and I just feel good. I will take that 3lbs lose and enjoy it! I like the fact I am losing slow, I don't need to go shopping yet, I still have a ton of clothes I haven't even tried on yet that I know will fit from the back of my closet. LIFE IS GREAT!

8/24/05 So I thought I wasn't going to lose any weight this week, but low and behold, I lost 2 more pounds this week. I know people have these dramatic weight loses quickly and mine is going slow. It is fustrating, but at the same time, I don't feel deprived of anything. I started walking this week, FINALLY! Dr. Gellman will be pleased, as am I, b/c it is starting to give me energy!

8/17/05 Ok so 2lbs in one week. I need to drink more water, I am getting way too hungery and snacking vs drinking more water! Can't really complain though, the slower I lose the less hanging skin I will have! :-)

8/16/05 Well, I figured if I lose weight my back wouldn't hurt. Boy was I wrong. I have always had back problems, and I haven't had a flair up in a long time. About 3 weeks ago I noticed the pain, no biggie, I just ignored it and continue to wear heels. OK no more waiting it has gotten very bad. I went to the chiropractor yesterday (if you need a good one in NYC let me know) and he thinks it may possibley be a herniated disk! POOP! I had some therapy yesterday and today I am super sore. Best part was, he hasn't seen a WLS patient yet, so I get to be the guinea pig! He had so many questions it was unreal AND he was afraid to give me a full adjustment!

Anyway tomorrow is weigh in day, will update my chart then! Wish me luck!

8/11/05 I weighed in yesterday and lost another 3lbs. It feels great! Everything is starting to fit, I am starting to wear my good shoes again, it is wonderful! I am getting in all my food, but not enough water. I will start working on that! I just feel good and I have to admit the attention isn't so bad either :-)

8/8/05 I know, I know, I know, I should have posted ages ago!

Well went in for surgery on 6/22/2005 weighing in at 268lbs! I was 271 before the bowel prep. I ended up in the hospital for 6 days! I had fevers daily and was on no liquids by mouth for 5 of those days. It wasn't so bad; I just wouldn't recommend North Shore Manhasset unless it was an emergency. Was thrilled w/ the surgical staff, didn't like the nursing staff.

Got home on 6/28/05 I continued to have fevers daily for a while, couldn't understand why. Turned out I had an infection in one of my incisions. It left me with an open wound for about 5 weeks. Which sucked b/c I couldn't go in the pool, which is all, I wanted to do w/ this NY heat.

I have been weighing myself every week on Wednesdays since that was the day of my surgery. I find if I do it any more often I can make myself nuts!!!

I went back to work 7/27/05 only 5 weeks post op. I drove into NYC for the first 2 days, it wasn't that bad and I guess b/c my office isn't too crazy it wasn't so bad. I have been taking the train in since Friday the 29th with no problem. I do leave an hour early to head home, but that is just so I can miss the mad rush.

In the office, I sit next to a girl who keeps tons of candy on her desk but it doesn't bother me one bit! Everyone all day comes by looking for candy, and I haven't even sniffed at it yet.

I am really starting to feel much better. I still get tired, but I haven't been exercising much and I know that would help. Hopefully this Wednesday I will drop a few pounds! I need to get motivated enough to exercise after work. I have the ability to motivate others, but not myself!

6/21/05 Ok 1 day to surgery! I am over the moon and extremely nervous at the same time. In 24 hours from now, I will be getting myself together to go to the hospital and in 28 hours I will be wheeled into the OR. Thanks to everyone for their kind and encouraging words, it has been much appreciated!

6/3/05 My husband and I went to see Dr. Gellman and Yvonne a few weeks ago. Everything is running smooth so far. So right now everything is just moving along great. Only 10 days left in the office and 19 days to surgery! I am soooooo excited; I can hardly contain myself at this point! I was getting very nervous, but seeing Dr. Gellman definitely calmed me down. We went over some basic stats that put my mind at ease and I was advised to reduce my reading of other people’s stories, because as I would read about someone else’s problems, I would get more and more scared. I think at this point I know most if not all the risks involved and I am ready to take on those risks.

I got my approval from the insurance company yesterday. It only took 8 business days for an answer. When BCBS called me yesterday to tell me my surgery was approved, I had just finished walking up the steps at the subway station, I couldn't breath, my legs hurt and I was sweating profusely. So when I answered the phone and I got the good news, I let my new friend Max at BCBS know he was saving my life! I was screaming on 34th Street, people were looking at me like I had 5 heads, but I didn't care!!!!!!!!

4/28/05 Spoke w/ Dr. Gellman's office last week and got my date! I am scheduled for June 22, 2005 and I am sure I sound like everyone else, but it can't be happening soon enough! I recently moved back to NY and I got all my clothes out of storage last night and wouldn't you know it, most everything didn't fit. Well no shopping for me until post - op!