I don't know what to say....I can't believe it's been 3 months since I've posted!!!! Yes, I've been a bad girl and should be put in time out! It's not that I don't love you guys, but so much has been happening in the last 3 months.  Of course, I still get the 'negative' responses about my surgery, but I can't control the actions or thoughts of others.  But I will say this, I can't help it if people are afraid of the surgery or are misinformed about the facts.  I encounter people who would benefit from the surgery but for some reason or another, they refuse to have it.  I just wish that they wouldn't judge me because I chose to try to live a healthier life, (without prescriptions, excess pain and WITh a loving relationship) to the fullest.  I can only hope that one day they will seek the benefits as I have and realize how wrong they were for being judgemental.  Don't get me wrong, they are entitled to their opinion, but so am I.  N-E way, on to more positive things....I am officially back into the dating scene!  I never thought I would receive so much attention from the opposite sex so soon after my surgery.  I am truly enjoying it, but am cautious as well.  At one time, I hoped for just one good man to share things with, but now I am the recipient of attention from several men.  Don't get me wrong, I did say I was back in the dating scene- there's nothing wrong with meeting for an occasional cup of coffee.  I am just overwhelmed with the new phase of my life and am taking things one day at a time.  I can't thank God enough for allowing me this opportunity, now I am seeking His guidance for His chosen mate for me.  I was wondering if anyone else was going through the same thing-being 'new' at this dating thing. It's wonderful to be the shrinking woman instead of the gaining woman.  Here's to us, family....we are grateful for this site as well as for all the love being shown.  Continue to strive to be the best you can be and always, always give thanks and be blessed...
Take care

Hello OH Family,
    Yes, it's me once again.  I still can't believe it - where does the time go??!?!?  It's been a month since I've posted - I guess that since the surgery, I've been having fun! I hope that all are well, be it if you are pre or post-op, I pray that your 'fun' will come soon. Let's see, what have I been doing?  Just enjoying my tool and this renewed lease on life.  My surgery was 11-15-07 and I told my family (only my daughter knew of my surgery),a couple of weeks ago.  To say they were shocked is an understatement.  My niece who is a nurse at the hospital where I had my surgery was just too through!Her reply was..."you kept that from everybody".  I told her my reason for doing so...my opinion/research was the only important thing that mattered.  I cared not to hear the uninformed, unknowledgeable opinions of others.  I've always been one to keep to myself anyway..so what difference did it make? I also didn't want my family to worry and I wanted to 'rest' while I was in the hospital.  They would have been at the hospital watching me look helpless. (lol)  Sooooooooo...the tongues are busy now, but it doesn't bother me at all. I feel so much better since the surgery.  Some of my meds are gone forever and the way my clothes are bagging is so unreal!  Good thing I am one of those who maintained several sizes, with the hope of one day being able to wear them.  I have no idea that day would come so soon.I read profile of pre-op family who think they can't continue to go through the waiting game....just keep the faith.  I too, had the same feeling and look at me now!  2 months since surgery and feeling wonderful!  Just wanted you guys to know how much I am so blessed and I thank God for allowing me to endure on this journey.  Let's keep on the road to success and to becoming the best we can be.  Take care, my family and know that I love all of you.  Praise him!!

Hello everyone and again I ask for forgiveness for not keeping in touch.  My days consist of watching tv, reading and being concerned about a constant pain in my left side.  One that I had before my surgery.  I can't believe that it has been almost a month since I've posted anything.  I have been really enjoying being off from work even though I am guilty of not exercising as I should.  That nagging left side pain prevents me from doing so on a regular basis but I hope with time, it'll get better.  I have had a birthday (12/17) recently and I thank God for allowing me to see the big 5-0!!!  I celebrated with family and a few friends last weekend.  It was so refreshing not having to clean up after a house full of people! Now about my post experience...I haven't weighed in about 2 weeks.  I got tired of the scales going up one day and down the next. (lol)  I really feel that I am losing slowing even though I am still mainly on protein shakes and drinks.  I would have thought that all things considered, I would have lost more but perhaps it's a good thing to lose slowly.  Maybe the skin might not be as loose.  Wonder if anyone shares my sentiments.  But I am not complaining...I am so very grateful to have been blessed to partake of this beautiful journey.  I give God all the glory and hope others will be blessed as I was....keep smiling.  Until next time.

For just getting back to you, but today is the first day that I've felt well enough to get online and touch bases.  I arrived at the hospital at 5:45 am on Nov. 15.  I might have been a little nervous because my bp was rather high and it caused me concern.  I thought my surgery might be postponed because of it but was relieved when I made it from the pre-op stage to outside the operating room.  The anesthesiologist had diffuculty find a willing vein.  I joked about my bp being so high and they couldn't find a vein-what kind of stuff was that??!?!? (lol)  I had to joke to keep the level of anxiety low.  I remember mentioning to her about the movie..."Awake" where the patient wasn't fully unconscious and heard of the surgeon's plot to kill hilm. (lol)  Yesssss, I know...here I was getting ready to undergo a life-altering procedure and my mind was on something like that!  Hey, family, just keeping it real...I wanted them to know that I had my eyes on them.  (lol)  I remember being the that cold room, sliding onto the small operating table, my arms being strapped into plastic covered cushions-the next thing I remember being in a room and someone telling me they were a little concerned with me not waking up properly.  I went out again and then woke up that night in my room.  My daughter (bless her heart) was sitting in the lounger and her eyes lit up when she saw my eyes open.  I felt like I had been run over by a Mack truck, (not that I've ever had the experience, but I know it was close).  One of my friends had the surgery the day before and did very well.  He didn't even use pain medication and came to see me the day after my surgery looking like a million bucks.  I was so nauseous that day...all I could do was lay there in pain, nauseau and grunting while sliding my legs up and down in bed.  Family it was not a good feeling.  The pain med was wonderful but the pain for nausea didn't help at all.  Every second felt like 10 seconds and I couldn't wait until I got home.....I knew when I got there, I would be doing a lot better than I was doing at that moment!  I hate to rush time but in that case, I had no other choice. (smile)  I stayed in the hospital after the barium swallow didn't show any  problems other than my pouch being swollen therefore causing the liquids to sit longer causing nauseau.  the next day, i had a slight problem with throwing up after taking meds.  I was  trying to get in my liquids then they would come in and give me meds causing me to 'overflood' my pouch and the liquids came back up-strange the meds didn't.(smile)  So I came home on monday and am doing well.  I want to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes.  We are truly blessed to be allowed this second chance at a healthy life-God is so Good and awesome.  I thank him for blessing me, guiding the hands of my surgeon and allowind me to make it through this life-altering procedure.  To the ones who are waiting, I anxiously await you on the loser's bench.  To my family who are post-op,I thank you for welcoming me to the loser's bench!  We are on this wonderful, beautiful journey together.  I thank God everyday for this site and interaction with you.  May we continue to grow in God and love.  Happy Thanksgiving and count your blessings.  I am so happy for this first Thanksgiving where I won't let food control me.  It's going to be interesting to see my family's reaction to me not eating.  I can't wait to share it with you!!   God is an awesome God and I thank Him everyday for my life.  Love to all of the ones who kept me in their prayers and thoughts.  I thank God for you too.  Love Ya!!!!!! Take care