I really fell off the pouch wagon for about 3 months. Did not follow the pouch rules, eating candy (which I found I could tolerate!), drinking through meals, and not eating like I should. I had rolled around in my head doing the 5DPT for a couple of months and I finally did it last week... I lost 10 pounds and I finally feel back in control. I love it!!! Day 1 & 2 were not a breeze for me but I made it through them to the end.... it really gets you back to basics of what we learned going into WLS and thru post op. Me and my pouch are friends again.

Well, here I sit typing about being one year post-op. I can't believe
it has been a whole year since I went in that morning to surgery and changed my life forever. My only regret is that I did not do this sooner...
I look back and I know I could not have because the insurance was not there and I was not in my "Black Hole" far enough yet to want to do something
about my weight problem.
I have rediscovered myself in so many ways... more confidence (I
changed jobs after 12 years). I have my self-esteem back... my
pride has been restored. I am more out going... I have gone to Chief's
with friends and even got on the dance floor... I would have NEVER
done that a year ago. I want to go in public now... I went to the beach
just to hang out for the day, and loved it. I was not worried that other
people were looking at me. I really didn't care... and if they did, I didn't
care because I know how far I have come from in the last year.
I finally like myself... not totally pleased with myself, but I feel like I
am worth fighting for, and I have been fighting for my skinny-self to
come out and play.
Most of all I have wonderful friends that I have met, and grown to love
like sisters. They have made this journey fun and not as scary as I
thought it would be. They have been there for me with encouraging
words and wonderful advice. From the very beginning I have been
welcomed with open arms and hearts. I can never say enough about
my sisters... you are the greatest!!!!  ((((((((((BIG HUGS))))))))))

I want to most of all thank the Lord... He has been my biggest
fan and has helped my all the way. Thank you Lord! You are an
awesome God!!

Exercise really DOES help you to lose weight!!!!!  I have started to walk at home to DVDs in the last 2 days. I weighed this morning and finally my weightloss has started again. I have been at such a stand still for the last month or so I was getting depressed. I might not hit my goal of 240 before I see Dr B again but I am going to try to get close.  =)
Guess I will be doing more walking in the days to come. 

Well, I have my 1 yr visit in about a month.... I have been thinking how wonderful it would be to have some extra pounds off by then. I did 3 miles last night with Leslie Sansone... she has a lot of walking DVDs out on the market. I have several of hers and I like them... they sometimes get boring after you have done them awhile but she is motivating you as you walk and they are easy. This 3 miles video took less than 45 minutes.... I have a 4 miler by her that I want to try out tonight. I have to do something because I have become very slack in my weightloss efforts. I have become to complacient about where I am in this journey even though I am not at all where I want to be or ought to be. 
I have to get on the ball!!!!  
Oh, I have also taken a challenge to do a 5K walk for the cure in September... and then I want to do the Charleston Bridge walk in the spring of next year. On to bigger and better things.... no sitting around waiting for the pounds to "drop" off.... just like everything else, if you want it you are going to have to make it happen!!

P.S. I did the 4 mile walk tonight!!!  Yeah me!!!

Love you all....

I actually went out in public in a pair of pants today.... this would be the 
first time I have been in pants in 20 years.... unreal. I was so happy my
husband was about to call the men in white to take me away.  
I have needed something to kick me in the butt to get me going again.... I might not have lost any more weight but I am losing inches. I have my one year visit next month I have to get the loss started again. This WOW moment has made me want to lose even more.... it is time to recommit myself to my goals and to really get to work at watching what I eat and to exercise more. I can do this.... I have so many friends that are so encouraging and are looking so wonderful... they just inspire me so much. 
THANK YOU MY FRIENDS!!!  I love you.....

I actually rode my husbands bike tonight in my neighborhood... I have not even been on a bike since my late teen years. I loved it! I forgot how fun it
was to ride a bike. I finally put what everyone else would think when they saw me on the back burner and I  just did it for me. This surgery has given
life back to me. I can't wait to try other things that I had given up because I was just to big and unhealthy. This surger is the best thing I have done.

I did something tonight that I would have NEVER done 9 months ago... I live in Greer and they are starting to have these outside concerts on Fridays. I actually went to hear the Catalinas... and by myself. No one with me... hoping that everyone would be looking at them instead of me... no taking my husband (he was working) so that everyone could see that yeah, I can get a man. Before surgery, I would have wanted to go but wouldn't... now I want to go and just do it!!!! I loved every minute of it... I did not worry one time that the people talking or laughing around me were talking ABOUT me or laughing AT me!  WOW.. I would do this surgery again in a heartbeat... I can't wait to lose the rest of my weight... it kind of inspired me and kicked my butt into MOVE IT mode. Thank you Lord for letting me have surgery and for all my new found friends because of it.  I love you all!!!!

  Oh, yeah!!!

We are back from the Outer Banks and had a great time. I even climbed up the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse... it was equal to walking up
12 stories and I did it. I would not have not even tried 9 months and 140 lbs ago.  We also went out to eat at Cracker Barrel and I actually was able to find a skirt there... I can't get over being able to find clothes 
at regular stores. 
This is my last week at my old job... I start a new job next week. I would not have even thought about stepping outside the box 9 months ago. I know I have said this in the past... but I would do this surgery again tomorrow if I had to.

I can't believe that I am down 140 and feeling so great!  We are leaving for the Outer Banks on Saturday and I am so looking forward to walking the beach, renting bikes, site seeing... these are all the things that I would NOT have done 140 pounds ago. I would have this surgery again in a heartbeat. I also want to thanks the best support group in the world... my UPS!!!  I love all you guys!!!  Thanks also to the LCBB's... would love to see you all again soon. 

I am now only Obese.... no loger super or morbid!!!  I can't believe it. FINALLY!!!!  Thank the Lord... I would have this surgery again today if I had to. It has really been the best thing I have ever done for myself.
Funny that I now have to try out every chair I see... especially in Dr's offices.  I even did it in Lowe's garden department. I have been thinking about going back to some of the place our group met for supper and trying out some chairs that I could not sit in.  I am getting obsessed!!!!

I must be serously looney to get so thrilled about fitting into a Dr's waiting room chair!! Well, check me in sister because I almost did a major happy dance and ran down the hall screaming!!!!  I actually fit my WHOLE butt... that is hips and all (with room to spare) into one of those "One size does not fit all" waiting room chairs.  I use to stand or try to sit on the very edge of the chair trying not to fall off and make a fool of myself.  I could not even get one cheek in those chairs.  
Today I am going to see Russell and Chris for my 6 month check up. I never dreamed I would be down 116 lbs. I am a little nervous about seeing Bour this Thursday... I know I am not down to the numbers he probably wants for me but all I can do is take his advise and move on. I am not letting anyone take this happy feeling from me...
Hello to all my Upstate Pouch Support... Love you all and I could not have made it with out you.  ((((HUGS))))

I can't believe I woke up this morning missing 100lbs of myself.  I am so thrilled I have lost this much. Someone came up to me today at work and told me if I don't stop losing they are going to have to call me "skinny".  It made me feel good. I know I have a long road still ahead but with this tool I can make a better life for myself and my family. 
I would do it again in a heart beat!!

I had the greatest thrill tonight trying on some clothes a lady gave me... they were way to big. I looked at them in the bag and saw the size and just knew that they were going to be to small. It really blew me away. I felt like giving a shout out!!!  I can't wrap my head around clothes being to big. I thank God for this surgery and for leading me to Dr. Bour's office. It was all in His time. 
I am also thankful for the great circle of support from my fellow upstate pouchers.  It is soooo great to have such good friends. 
THANKS FRIENDS!!!

10/26  Ok, I had a weird WOW moment today. At work I have to go through 2 desks to get to some files hanging on the wall. Well, usually I have to turn a little side ways to get through without my hips scraping against the sides of both desks. I went through there
to day straight on and my hips did not rub on either side. I was like wow...maybe I have lost some of my saddlebags!!! Also, I had to pick up my oldest from school because she was sick and on the way home she put her head on my shoulder, raised up and told me I am not comfortable anymore...my shoulder is too boney!!! Sorry, because I was not going to fluff it up again for her.  =-)  
I hope all my pals are doing well... I really enjoyed our Monday night
meeting at Kathy's. I am so thankful for my new friends... you are the best.  Love ya!!!

10/5/06  I had my 1 month post op visit today. Dr Bour said I was doing good and keep it up. I was kind of nervous going in but I really like Dr B. He is so nice and genuine. I have lost 49 pounds in 5 weeks. I am pleased. I will not complain that is for sure. =0) I have already gone down 7 BMI points. YEAH!!!

9/6/06  I have my full liquid meeting tomorrow and can't wait. I am so ready for some new food. I have not had any problems getting in my 80g of protein in and I am feeling so good that I am wondering if they even did anything. I know something went on because I still have my stinky drain and a little soreness in that area but besides that I feel great. I am blessed and really amazed! My greatest fear before surgery was getting in my protein...Thank the Lord!!
I also go tomorrow for my follow up with Dr B. Can't wait to see what my loss is going to be. I don't have an exact number in my head that I expect to see but I would like to be happily suprised.