I am the world's worst at updating my profile.  I really need to work on this!  Since my surgery 1/14/04, I have managed to keep ALL of my weight off except for gaining back 20#.  I am not proud of the extra 20#, but I also had "help" with this extra weight gain.  I was on some meds that made my appetite go THROUGH THE ROOF, so it has been a tough 2 years of battling the eating monster.  I chalk it up as a blessing that I didn't gain MORE than I did during this time...I could have gained ALOT more than I did.  I now work at a corporate level position with my company, so I am on the road alot.  My meals are on the road, so Subway has gotten ALOT of my $$$/business for I want healthy low fat meals.  Being on the road also temps you to eat those foods maybe you wouldn't eat if you were at home too.  It is a battle.  Obesity doesn't just magically go away when you have WLS...you will battle it daily for the rest of your life, or at least I do.  That's why I remain on OH/Bama Board for support.  There are folks there that are further out than I am and are SUCCESSFUL...that have KEPT their weight off, so I value their opinion as well as their friendship.  They are gold and a wealth of knowledge.  Whatever you do, no matter HOW FAR OUT YOU ARE, DON'T lose contact of those who are your sisters/brothers of WLS...you NEED them/their encouragement.  They are your lifeline for they know/understand what you are feeling and are going through!!!! 

GUILTY...of NOT updating my profile! I am so bad!!! It is now Dec. 25th, 2005. I have lost a total of 131# with 8# more until goal! I AM reaching my goal...I will get there! =) My goal is 160# which will put my BMI at 25 which will make me normal??? lol My life has changed SO much. I am much more confident & happy. My heart still aches for folks I see who are morbidly obese. I just want to reach out & hug them! I know how they feel for I was SO miserable...not necessarily physically, but emotionally.
My aunt put together a collage of pictures with music for everyone this Christmas...several pics of me as a baby until now. You could pic me out each time...look, it is the fat girl ~ there she is again! And again...and again. For me WLS has been more than a physical goal, it HAS been a goal of becoming a normal person with alot of vanity mixed in. I am human...I want to look good for my loving husband as well as making my children proud of me! So, for me to be a normal weight will be a first time event for me! =) AND, I am going to get there. I have confidence I have never had before. I am wearing my hair more FUNKY now! =) I wear a size 10-12 & a 36D bra!!! YIPPEEE!
My mother had WLS 9/26/05 and has lost 53#! I am SO proud of her! She has been following her diet so well...and I tell her all the time how happy I am for her. My mother has (only once in her life) been a normal weight...she is ready to do it again & stay for life! She too from infancy on has been overweight/obese...it is a family battle that is shared.
I also have had the opportunity to be an ANGEL to my 1st new post-opper, Pam Kirk!!! She is doing awesome too! I just love her & cannot wait to see what these next months bring to her life! WAYYY to go Pam!! WOO HOO!!!!
In addition to my weight loss, lately I have had some problems physically. Reality is...this happens to some of us. For whatever reason, I am having reflux each time I eat & drink. AFTER WLS, we are NOT suppose to reflux at ALL! Prior to WLS, I would reflux maybe ONCE in a 2-3 month period...this is not something I have struggled with in the past, it is a new one for me! I have NOT felt the burning sensation or "HEARTburn" since WLS...so I had NO idea I have been refluxing which means I have no idea how erroded my esophagus is either??? I have also been battling nausea with dry heaving & abdominal pain. I have also been awoken in the middle of night with a crushing feeling to my lower rib cage, as if a man with HUGE hands is squeezing me so tightly my breath is being taken from me. I have a very high tolerance for pain, these symptoms began last Spring but have gotten worse & worse over the months. I probably would have been "toughing" this out if it were not for a very special woman, Becky Bellamy, who made me promise to go to the doctor. I kept my promise. I told Becky, as a mother of 3 & one being a special needs child, it is VERY hard to take time for myself ~ away from motherhood & working full-time. I have to take care of myself. I have an ulcer. I also have possible Barrett's Esophagus, in addition to a lower esophagus stricture related to the ulcer. The results of the biopsy of my esophagus will be given to me this week. I will update when I know more.
Dec. 30th ~ My biopsy is FINE!!! YEAHHH!!! I went for a CT scan of my abdomen yesterday. Should know the results next week. I got really sick ~ N/V yesterday, last night & some today. Not really sure if it was the barium cocktail or I am sick with a virus??

March 13th: Man, time is flying!!! I can't believe it has been one
month since I updated my journal. I am now down 122#!! I cannot believe
how close I am to my goal. I wear a size 14 now with a few size 12's.
My annual labs were all normal, and actually very good. My B12 could
have been higher, but I will start B12 shots soon. One week from now I
am having my gallbladder removed...it is full of tiny rocks! LOL Very
common happenstance with people who lose weight. I feel great other
than episodes of nausea & vomiting related to my gall bladder. I
cannot believe just how pleased I am with myself @14 months post op! I
would do this over & over again!!!

March 16th: Weight down 125# now!!! 14# more till goal!

YIPEEE!!!

Last week of March 2005...my gallbladder was removed! No problems WHATSOEVER!!! Doing wonderful! =)