Last weekend I attended the ObesityHelp Conference in Costa Mesa, CA.  (L.A. area).  It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot!  I met so many people and the group I was with from Modesto Support Group...were crazy and fun!  I met with a plastic surgeon and got evaluated for tummy and boob lift.  After losing 120 lbs and simply being almost 57 years old....just about everything needs shifting and lifting and trimming!!  Unfortunately for me, the cost is more than I can dream to come up with.  But it was fun just finding out what they could do!  Actually possible to be rid of the stretch marks and the ugly up/down cesearean scar!  And would be so nice to have the girls back up where they belong and with some substance to them again.  All the weight loss has really taken it's toll on them. LOL

I'm nearly two years out, now.  I love my life these days.  I look better than I did in school days and I'm a lot more confident than I ever was before.  Part of that is just because of the growth process I've gone through in the last 4 or 5 years, and a little bit is because of my improved physique.  I'm glad I heard of ObesityHelp and of Dr. Higa in Fresno, CA.  Both are outstanding!!!

Life is good!  I'm at my goal and enjoying life so much!  I'm still not used to seeing the size my clothes are, when I take them out of the dryer.  I wear size 4 jeans now....which is quite a change from the size 20 stretch pants I wore before my surgery!  I have extra skin in my tummy area, but not nearly as bad as I feared it would be after losing 120 lbs!  Guess my skin still has some elasticity in it, even at my 56 years of age. 

I'm one of the lucky ones, as I've had no problems at all.  My main exercise is walking and riding my exercise bike.  I like to watch the Biggest loser and ride my bike while watching the program.  That's quite a ride!  I'm just thrilled that I can do it.

My two sons have had RnY surgery in the last year.  Both have done extremely well.  We look like an entirely different family, these days! 

I'm so happy I had my RnY done last June 26th.  I've now lost 100 lbs and I'm within 20 lbs of my goal weight.  Now, both my sons have decided to do the same thing I've done.  Older son (29 yrs) had his own RnY done two weeks ago, on 4/08/09.  He started out at 343 and already when he weighed in on my scale today, he's down to 310.  He's obviously very very happy! 

My younger son (28 yrs) is having his RnY done on May 6th.   We're a WLS family now!

These months have gone bye quickly!  I've lost 98 lbs total, so far.  I still have 20 more lbs to lose, but these last pounds are very very hard to make disappear.  Now that the weather's beginning to get better, I'm hoping to get outside for lots more activity and exercise! 

By the way, I feel great!  I wish I'd done this years ago, but glad I did finally do it.  I had very few problems while losing the weight.  I think that's because I've been very pro-active, in taking all my vitamins and in getting to support group meetings.  All the knowledge from people who have walked this path before me.....has been soo helpful to me!

I'm looking forward to buying clothes this spring and even a swimsuit! 

So far, this has been a wonderful journey!  I'm now down 70 lbs and feeling fantastic!  Went to my second OH Event,  in L.A. , Oct 31-Nov 2, and enjoyed it emensely!  (I went to the Sacramento OH event, back in September and wanted more, cause I enjoyed myself so much!)  Highlights of the weekend were listening to Ron Lester, actor and former fatty...speak about his weight-loss journey.  Had to come home and watch "Varsity Blues" just to see how he used to look.  Wow!  And he was sooo nice!  And other highlight for me was listening to Melting Mama and EggFace, and watching their demonstration of cooking up some delicious foods that I am able to enjoy without fear of gaining my weight back.  They were fantastic, and I'd wanted to see them because I love checking out their sites and trying new recipes.  (I love to cook)

I still have 48 lbs to lose, but now I feel so much better and am enjoying my life each day.  This was soooo worth it!