Updated 8-30-11
I'm now 54 and it's been almost 4 years since my WLS.  I lost 129 pounds at my lowest weight of 131 but that was after surgery for colon cancer from which I had complications.  That was an impossible weight for me to maintain and was framkly too low for me I think.  I am now maintaining at 145 pounds which is 5-10 pounds higher than I'd really like.  Considering what I've been through, I've done very well.  I eat pretty much anything that I want, just not much of it.  That is one of the main goals I had when I decided to go down the WLS road.  I can eat like a normal person SHOULD eat!  I feel great and I'm healthy (cancer free) and life is good. 

I'm now the Nana to 2 beautiful granddaughters whom I adore.  My hubby and I celebrated our 36th anniversary  in July.   On a sad note, i lost my mother last November; she and I were so close and I miss her terribly.  She lived next door to me so it's sad to look through the window and see that empty house there.  My daugher and her husband plan to buy the house as soon as they can sell their duplex.  It will be wonderful to see that house alive again, hopefully with grandchildren coming in the near future.   

Having WLS was the single best decision I have ever made for my health, both physically and mentally.  I encourage anyone that in interested in it, do so after making the committlment to follow the doctor's instructions and do it for the right reasons!  Best wishes!  Alice

8/15/07
I am a 51 year old wife and mother of 2.  My husband, Ronnie and I have been very happily married for 32 years.  We have 2 dogs, a 4 year old pekingese, Sparky and a 1 year old chocolate lab, Cody.  I am an administrator at the ECU Medical School.  We spend time at White Lake in the summer.  I love to travel; I went to France my senior year of high school.  In 2004 I traveled with a great group to Ireland, N. Wales, Scotland, England, France and Germany.  This was a 19 day trip of a lifetime.  I just completed a huge scrapbook from this trip.  My favorite hobby is scrapbooking.  This is something that my wonderful daughter and I enjoy together.

I have battled my weight as long as I can remember.  I have lost and gained weight several times. I seem to  wake up every morning vowing to start over again and get my eating under control but I never seem to win that battle.  I believe that my last option is to have gastric bypass.  This is a major step and I pray that God will see me through it.  I have the support of all my family and friends.   Let the journey begin......