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December 23, 2003
I am a 32 (almost 33) year old wife and mother of 2 girls, ages 4 and
6.  Like most everyone else, I have been heavy all my life.  I can
remember in the second grade having a boy pull the chair out from under me,
and when I hit the ground he made crashing noises, you know...like the
floor was crashing in.  That is really my first memory of being made
fun of for being fat.  As I grew, I always tried to be the person with
the smart come-back and make fun of myself before anyone else could make
fun of me.  I was a very good student, and I went to a very small
school with only 33 in my graduating class.  I was a "good girl" so I had a
lot of friends.  Only one short period of my life would I consider
myself to have been at a normal weight.  During my senior year of high
school, I was working after school and on weekends, and I didn't have time
to eat.  I actually wore a size 11/12 prom dress and thought I was
still fat.  Wow, to look back at those pictures now...I was skinny.  You
could even see my bones!!
Now I am up to almost 300 lbs after losing about 90 lbs a few years
ago.  My top weight was 334 on my first OB appointment with my second
daughter.  I actually lost 4 lbs during that pregnancy. Then in 2001 I
started a Bible-based (I say that loosly) weight loss program called Weigh
Down and lost down to 242.  After finding out the founder's doctrinal
standpoint, I quit the program and have never been able to successfully
lose weight since.
My friend Sandy had lap RNY on October 31.  I have to say I thought she
was nuts.  Since then I have been on this site every day,
reading...reading...reading.  She is doing fantastic and has lost 53 lbs already. I
now really believe that this is the only hope for me to lose the
weight and keep it off.
This past weekend I was sitting on the floor wrapping Christmas
presents for my girls, and I could hardly breathe or bend over to reach for
the paper, tape, etc.  I had such a hard time even getting up off the
floor.  I decided I don't want to be this way for the rest of my life. My
girls are young and I want to be around for a long time for them.  My
dad had a heart valve replaced and bypass surgery this past August at
the age of 52.  I don't want to have open heart surgery twenty years from
now.  I want to be healthy.
Last week I found out that my husband's insurance will now cover WLS
after believing for some time that it would not.  Yesterday I started
making my first phone calls and am scheduled to attend an informational
seminar January 13 with the New Start program.  I am being sent a 10 page
medical and diet history form to complete before the seminar and I
guess I'll just go from there.
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My highest weight--334
12-30-03
I scheduled my psych eval today.  It's not until January 29.  That will
be the last thing I need to do before everything gets sent to
insurance.  I'll get my physical, blood work and medical clearance this Friday,
attend the seminar on the 13th, and then the psych eval the 29th.  I'm
hoping for mid to end of March for surgery.  My youngest daughter has
preschool screenings and I have a few issues at work that I need to
work around, but we'll see how things go.  I'm so ready to get off this
weight merry-go-round that I have been on for so many years.  It can't
come soon enough.
Just a note about my friend Sandy who had surgery on 10-31-03.  I saw
her tonight after not seeing her for a little over a week, and she looks
fantastic.  She has lost 60 lbs in 8 weeks.  She almost looks like a
different person.
1-15-04
I spoke with New Start last night and they have confirmed that my
insurance will pay for my surgery and the most I will be responsible for is
my $1500 deductible/out-of-pocket expense.  WOOHOO!!  I also asked if I
was being unrealistic for wanting my surgery in March and was told
that that was not unrealistic at all.  Yeah!!  I did attend the New Start
seminar in Jeff City on 1-13-04.  It was mostly about the lap band, and
I already knew that I wasn't interested in that procedure, but at
least I have the seminar under my belt.  Next step is the psych consult on
1-29-04 then everything goes to the surgeon.  I am making progress.
1-29-04
I had my psych eval today and he said that he didn't see any reason for
me to not have the surgery.  He was very supportive and told me that I
would be a good candidate for the surgery. He is going to dictate the
report and attempt to get it transcribed and faxed to New Start
tomorrow.  Tomorrow is my 33rd birthday.  This year is going to be great.
2-12-04
FINALLY all of my paperwork is in to New Start.  That, "We will fax it
tomorrow" thing...don't believe it.  Now all I can do is wait, wait,
wait.  Since my insurance requires a second opinion for WSL, I saw
another surgeon on 2-4-04.  All paperwork is now present and accounted for
and can go to Chris for medical review.  Waiting is so hard.
2-19-04
I had a message from New Start today.  Dr. Scott has accepted me as a
patient, and a letter to the insurance company has been drafted and
should be sent tomorrow or Monday.  Thank you, Jesus!!  Another step
closer.
3-06-04
DENIED!!!  Unable to establish medical necessity...whatever.  Now I get
to start on the appeal process.  I know this is somewhat standard to
be denied the first time, but I was really hoping I would be different.
4-13-04
Well, I've gained about 10 lbs since I started this process.  The
stress is getting to me but THE APPEAL IS IN THE MAIL.  I poured my heart
and soul out into a seven page letter, complete with photos from age 10
to present day (even some in my undies...very humiliating even for my
husband to see them) along with 68 pages of documentation and office
notes from various places.  Lance and I prayed over the paperwork before I
sent it and I have people praying all over the place.  God is good and
I have His divine favor everywhere I go...that even includes the
paperwork that comes from my hands.
Things are changing at work and it looks as if I will become a
full-time employee soon with full benefits, including paid insurance.
WOOOOHOOOO!!!  I have read the policy and there is no exclusionary clause about
WLS.  So even if Lance's insurance is a bust, I have a backup plan.
I'll update again when I have any news.  Have a great day!!
5-17-04
APPROVED!!!  I spoke with the insurance company today and I have been
approved.  Hallelujah!!  God is so good to me.
I am going to change from the New Start group to Dr. Hornbostel.  I
attended a seminar at the urging of my friend Sandy who had surgery with
him in October 2003, and I was very impressed with him.  He will be out
of network for me, but I really liked him, and my husband is OK with
it.  His office is actually less than half the distance from our home.
St. Louis is a 4-hour drive for us, while Dr. H. is less than 2 hours.
I'll update again when I have more info.  Have a blessed day.
5-19-04
I faxed my info to Dr. H's office today.  Just
waiting...waiting...waiting
5-21-04
And the saga continues...Last week I transferred from a part-time to a
full-time position in the bank where I work.  I assumed that I would
have a 90-day probationary period before my company-paid health insurance
kicked in.  No such thing.  New insurance coverage starts June 1.  Can
you believe it!!!  All that work with my husband's insurance and now I
have a new primary insurance.  One good thing is now Dr. H is in
network, but I get to start all over with insurance approval.  Will it
never end!?!?!?!?  I spoke with MeLisa yesterday, and she can't do anything
until she gets a copy of my new insurance card (which I have) but it
won't be effective until June 1.  This insurance stuff is crazy.  I keep
reminding myself that God is in control and His timing is perfect,
even if it seems off to me.
5-24-04
I have a my new insurance card, even though it isn't effective until
June 1, and I faxed it to MeLisa today.  She can't do anything until it
is effective, so back to waiting.
6-18-04
I now have an appointment scheduled with Dr. H, but it's not until
August 18.  Wow, that seems like a really long time.  I already have
everything done, so I get to fill the time with just waiting and more
waiting.  I guess I'll update in August.
8-08-04
Only another week and a half until my consult.  It has been a long
wait.  Update on Sandy (her surgery was 10-31-03) she has now lost 131 lbs
and looks great.  I can hardly wait until it is my turn.  I have
another friend (another Amy) who is scheduled for surgery Sept 2.  She will
be the 3rd woman in our church who has had WLS.  I will soon be the 4th.
I am believing and praying that I will have my surgery before the end
of the year.  My deductibles have already been met and I need to have
this done this year.
I really feel as if my husband and children have been cheated because I
can't do the things that I would like to do with them.  Today, for
example, after we got home from church they went to my father-in-law's
farm and had a great time and I stayed home and took a 3-hour nap.  That
isn't the way that I want to live my life.  God has a plan for me...to
give me a hope and a future. I need to be healthy to fulfill that plan
and to have a future.  Anyway, enough rambling...I'll update again after
my consult.
8-19-04
I had my consult yesterday.  Everthing went well.  Dr. H. and MeLisa
both seemed to think that insurance approval shouldn't be much of a
problem with all the info that I submitted.  We'll just wait and see, and
pray of course.  I'll update with any new info.
9-13-04
MeLisa called me Friday saying that she had received the approval from
Lance's insurance.  Since I already had that approval, it was just a
matter of them issuing a new letter addressed to Dr. H.  My insurance
(which is primary)has requested documentation that I am able to understand
and follow the after care plan.  I wrote a 3 page letter this last
weekend and faxed it to MeLisa first thing this morning.  Hopefully I will
hear something positive soon.  Have a great day.  Phillipians 4:6-7
9-15-04
MeLisa called today.  She said my letter was good and she has me
scheduled for the dietary consult next Tuesday the 21st, as per my insurance
request.  One more baby step.
9-21-04
I had my dietary consult today.  She was very nice and was very pleased
that I was so informed about the surgery.  I'm hoping for a quick
letter from her so that the insurance company can get things moving.
9-29-04
Yesterday I called my insurance company to check on the status of my
pre-determination.  They told me that I have been APPROVED!!  I also
called MeLisa and she told me she has already sent my information to the
hospital for them to work out payment with the insurance company and that
I should be hearing back from her in a couple of weeks to schedule a
surgery date.  WOOOHOOO!!!  I'll post again when I have a date.
11-09-04
I can't believe it...I finally have a date.  November 22.  Exactly 11
months from the date of my first phone call to begin this process.  It
seems like forever.  I am waiting for MeLisa to call with the pre-op
info.
11-15-04
Well, MeLisa has never called.  She said she was still waiting on a
phone call.  I guess it never came. I assume that I will not be having
surgery next Monday.  One more big dip in this huge roller-coaster ride of
insurance approval.  I removed my surgery date from the list.  It was
very sad.
11-23-04
I now have an official date.  December 14 is the day.  Pre-op is
December 7.  Yeah!!  Thank you, Jesus!!  I just found out yesterday that my
insurance is changing January 1 to the horrible Blue Cross/Blue Shield
of Kansas City.  I'm so glad everything finally got worked out before
then.
12-7-04
I had my pre-op testing today.  Only one more week to go.  My official
weight was 317.6.  OHHHH that sounds terrible.  Anyone reading this
please pray that I don't get my daughter's cold.  They won't do surgery if
you are sick.
I'm not nervous at this time, I just want to get it over with.  I'm not
sure if I will update again before surgery or not.  If not, I'll be
back to give the update next week.
12-16-04
I'm home and doing wonderful.  The hospital was great and everything
went very well.  I had surgery Tuesday morning at 10:00 and was dismissed
Thursday around 11:30.  I even went to my daughter's Christmas program
tonight.  Pretty good, huh!!
I'm feeling great, just a little discomfort, but nothing like when I
had my gall bladder removed 5 years ago.  I haven't had any nausea at
all, and am looking forward to getting better (and thinner) each day.
Thanks to all for the prayers and support.  Veronica...thanks so much for
calling while I was in the hospital.  I'll return the favor in a couple
of weeks.
I don't really have much to report.  I lost 11.5 lbs from the pre-op
testing to the date of surgery.  That amazed me, but I'm sure that I have
gained most of it back is water and gas.  I see Dr. H. next Thursday
and will update then.
12-18-04
This morning I was able to get on my scale at home and it actually read
my weight...299. I haven't been able to weigh on that scale for a
really long time.  Woooohoooo.  I'm still going to post my result from my
appt on the 23rd.  My weight at home was without clothes, and you can't
do that at the doctor's office, so I am eager to compare.
12-26-04
Well, I'm on to stage 2 foods, which is anything that will go through a
straw.  I have never had this problem before, but I am having to force
myself to eat.  Nothing tastes good.  I have choked down 2 Instant
Breakfasts today and had a bit of refried beans for lunch and a bit of
pudding for supper.  Quite a change from my previous eating habits. My
incisions look fabulous.  They hardly look like anything was done.  Did I
really have surgery?  hahaha
I am feeling good and am going back to work Tuesday for 1/2 days this
week.  My husband has been wonderful taking care of the girls and the
house.  He is such a blessing.  I am going to try to stay off the scale
and only weigh on Sundays.  Today's ## is 291.5, down from 317.5 WOW!!
1-05-05
Not much going on.  I am tolerating everything very well.  The only
problem I have had is the Instant Breakfast  YUCK!!!  I am choking down 2
a day with some extra powdered milk in them.  I'll be glad when I can
get some protein another way.  I only lost 1/2 lb last week.  What's up
with that?!?  I haven't eaten anything.  Oh well, tomorrow is another
day.
1-09-05
I'm still doing great.  I'm down 30 lbs and not quite 4 weeks out.  I
get to progress to ground meat and cooked veges on the 13th.  That is
very exciting.  I had some chili this weekend that I ground up in the
blender.  It wasn't too bad.  The hamburger didn't grind up very fine, but
I didn't have any problems with it.  Yeah!!  I am back to working
full-time now in my regular job.  I work in the drive-thru in a bank.  I
have been working in the lobby, which is a much slower pace, for the past
2 weeks and was really bored.  Friday I was back "home" in my own
window with my own stuff.  It felt great.  I even had four different
customers tell me how great it was for me to be back.  I guess I was missed.
That makes a girl feel good!!  I start Curves tomorrow, so we'll see
how that goes.  I have never been an exerciser, but I am hoping that I
will love it, as everyone I have talked to about it seems to.  Have a
great week.
1-16-05
I started ground meats and cooked veges this week and all is going
well.  I have now lost 35 lbs and am starting to feel better already.  My
knees aren't as painful when climbing stairs, but I still have a long
way to go.  I saw a video of me this weekend that was taken 11 years ago.
My face is not nearly as round as it used to be.  It's hard to see
the changes when you see yourself every day.  People tell me that they
can see them, but it's hard to see them for yourself.
I started Curves last week and that is going pretty well.  The time
goes so fast because you are moving all the time.  It's a great
concept...I wish I had thought of it.  Until we meet again...
1-30-05
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!  Today I am 34 years old and have lost 43 lbs
since my pre-op testing weight.  All is going well.  I haven't had any
problems except not chewing something well enough a couple of weeks ago.
It came back up pretty quick.  Other than that, I am doing very well.
I feel really good and am taking my vitamins, calcium and still
drinking 2 nasty instant breakfast drinks a day.  YUCK!!  Dr. H. said that
mid-February I can start trying anything, so I am looking forward to
finding something better for protein.  I don't really have much to say
since everything is going so well.  So...until we meet again...
2-13-05
Tomorrow is my 2 month anniversary and I have lost 51.5 lbs.  I am very
happy with my progress and am feeling great.  I am eating pretty much
anything that I want (within reason, of course) in very small amounts.
I even had 2 very small bites of steak today for lunch.  I thank God
for this opportunity to change my life.
3-14-05
Well...it's been three months since surgery and I have lost 64.5 lbs.
Amazing!!  I am feeling great and getting thinner all the time.  God is
good!!
4-14-05
It's been 4 months now, and all is well.  I am now down 77 lbs and
actua*lly weigh LESS than my driver's license says.  I am only 23 lbs away
from losing 100 lbs.  It is really hard to believe.  I experiemented
with protein drinks the last couple of weeks and finally ordered 4
different flavors this past weekend.  I am waiting for them to get here
because I know that they will help me a lot.  Oh, I almost forgot...I am now
off my BP meds.  WOOOOHOOOO!  Once before I lost down to almost where
I am now, but I didn't get off the meds.  I really attribute that to
exercising at Curves.  I have never exercised before, and I think it
really made a difference.  All in all, everything is good.  I will update
again next month.
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 April 2005  -77 lbs
5-15-05
Well, I didn't make 90 lbs by my 5 month anniversary, but I did make 88
today which is still pretty good.  I am now in a 22 jeans and an 18/20
top, down from a very tight 32 jeans and a 30/32 top.  That in itself
is pretty amazing.  I compared my size 32 jeans to my size 22 jeans and
couldn't believe the difference.  I'm not sure if I will make 100 lbs
by my 6 month anniversary, but I hope that I am pleasantly surprised.
I am feeling great and see Dr. H. this week for a check up.  I am still
enjoying Curves. I am the biggest looser on the wall with 107 inches
and pounds lost since I started January 6.  Everything is going well and
I have never had even one minute of wishing that I hadn't done this.
I feel so much better now.  Me weighing 229...for a girl who's highest
weight was 334...that's pretty great.
6-14-05
6 months today and exactly 100 lbs gone.  217.5 down from 317.5.
Amazing.  I am feeling really good and do not regret it for a minute.  I
would do it again in a heartbeat.  I am going to have labs done to see how
I am doing there, but all is great.
12-07-04  318.0 lbs  BMI 56.2  (pre-op testing)
12-14-04  306.0 lbs  BMI 54.2  -12.0 lbs(day of surgery)
12-18-04  299.0 lbs  BMI 53.0  -19.0 lbs
12-26-04  291.5 lbs  BMI 51.5  -26.5 lbs
1-02-05   291.0 lbs  BMI 51.5  -27.05 lbs (what's up with that??)
1-09-05   287.5 lbs  BMI 50.8  -30.5 lbs
1-16-05   282.5 lbs  BMI 50.0  -35.5 lbs
1-23-05   278.0 lbs  BMI 49.2  -40. lbs
1-30-05   274.5 lbs  BMI 48.5  -43.5 lbs (my 34th birthday)
2-6-05    272.0 lbs  BMI 48.2  -46.0 lbs
2-13-05   266.0 lbs  BMI 47.1  -52.0 lbs
2-20-05   263.5 lbs  BMI 46.6  -54.5 lbs
2-27-05   261.0 lbs  BMI 46.2  -57.0 lbs
3-7-05    258.5 lbs  BMI 45.7  -58.5 lbs
3-14-05   253.0 lbs  BMI 44.8  -65.0 lbs (3 months since surgery)
3-31-05  246.5 lbs  BMI 43.6  -71.5 lbs
4-14-05  240.5 lbs  BMI 42.5  -77.5 lbs
5-15-05  229.5 lbs  BMI 40.6  -88.5 lbs
6-14-05  217.5 lbs  BMI 38.4  -100.5 lbs
7-15-05  207.0 lbs  BMI 36.7  -111.0 lbs
8-14-05  197.0 lbs  BMI  34.9  -121.0 lbs
9-14-05  190.5 lbs  BMI  33.7  -127.5 lbs
10-15-05  184.5 lbs  BMI 32.6  -133.5 lbs
11-14-05  183.5 lbs  BMI  32.4  -134.5 lbs
12-14-05  179.0 lbs BMI 31.7  -139 lbs
1-14-06  174.5 lbs  BMI 30.8 -143.5 lbs
5-01-06  165.0 lbs  BMI 29.2 -153 lbs
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  This is one of the pictures I sent with my appeal letter.
What a difference 109.5 pounds makes!!  The red shirts were an accident.
I didn't think about it when my husband took the picture.

7-14-05
Today is my 7 month anniversary and as of this morning I have
lost...drum roll please...110.5 lbs.  WOOOHOOO!!  I am now at 207 (so close to
being under 200).  I am thrilled with my weight loss.  If I never lost
another pound I would be very happpy.  My knees don't hurt, I can be
outside in the heat and not feel like I am going to pass out and my
cholesterol is 196 which is down from 284.  What more could I want!!  Thank
you, Jesus, for this wonderful opportunity to change my life.
We are going for vacation soon.  Our girls wanted to go to Kansas City
(they are 5 and 8), so we are spending a week in the city and going to
do the town.  I am most excited about going to Worlds of Fun and riding
the things that I was too fat to ride before surgery.  Until we meet
again...
8-14-05
Eight months...WOW!!  It it hard to believe that eight months have gone
by since I was given this special gift.  I finally weight less than
200 lbs.  I am 197, which is a loss of 120.5 lbs.  The things that mean
the most are the little things...
...having to move the seat way up when I get in the van after my
husband has been driving
...not having to look for a chair without arms, or one that looks
really sturdy when entering a room
...feeling like a normal person
...not being the biggest person in the room
...crossing my legs while sitting (I do it all the time now without
even thinking about it)
...buying clothes with a "1" as the first number in the size instead of
a 2 or 3
...riding roller coasters again and fitting in the seats
...holding my girls on my lap and not having them slide off because
there isn't enough room
I'm sure there are more, but those are just off the top of my head.
I haven't been getting my exercise in very good this summer.  We have
been so busy that my schedule has been crazy.  School starts the 25th,
so I am hoping things are going to get back to normal (whatever normal
is).  My skin in really saggy.  I feel like the Saggy Baggy Elephant,
but it is OK.  I am hoping that someday I will be able to have the skin
removed, it would make such a huge difference in my pant size.  I am
wearing a 16 top and an 18 pants.  This sometimes varies a little
depending on the style. I am still hoping to lose at least another 40 lbs.
We'll see...
9-15-05
Nine months...127 lbs gone.  I have been snacking too much, and am
having a little struggle breaking that habit.  Maybe that is why I only
lost 7 lbs this month.  Hmmmmm.... I am firmly in a 16 top and 18 pants
now, which I am very happy about.  Things are good and still no regrets.
10-14-05
10 months...133 lbs gone.  Still snacking too much.  I told someone
that I was having a sugar problem.  She asked me if I was diabetic, and I
told her "No, I'm having problem with eating too much sugar."  I seem
to be addicted.  This has been an up and down month.  I only lost 6 lbs
this month, and that was earlier this week.  I have gone up a little
bit.  Again...the sugar thing.
I went to World's of Fun last Saturday with several girlfriends and
rode everything that I was too fat to ride before surgery.  We had so much
fun.  My friend Sandy, who is almost 2 years post-op, and I led the
pack most of the day.  We were there for 11 1/2 hours and she and I were
still the first ones to the car.  No huffing and puffing for us!!  What
a change from 2 years ago when we got kicked off Cyclone Sam because
we were too fat.  We actually rode together in the same seat this time.
It was quite a moment.
I finally am now wearing the career apparel suits that the bank
provides for its full-time employees.  I didn't want to get mine until I was
somewhat stabalized in my weight.  As I was doing the building check
yesterday morning, I happened to get a glimps of myself in the mirror and
it made me stop.  I actually looked NORMAL.  It was quite a moment for
me.  I thanked God for the opportunity He has given me and even shed a
few tears standing there looking in the mirror.  What a great feeling.
11-14-05
11 months...almost a year since my life changed.  I only lost 1 lb this
month, that is a bummer, but I am still not making the best food
choices that I could.  I bought a formal dress Saturday for a Christmas
banquet in a size 16.  That may not sound so good to some, but for me...it
is half the size I was a year ago.  I am really happy with that.  I
really wanted to be at 175 by my 1 year visit to Dr. H.  I see him Dec 6,
and I am still at 183.5.  I have been wanting to update "after" picture
as I have lost another 25 lbs since then, but we have somehow lost our
digital camera.  We have done a bit of remodeling, and I am wondering
if it got misplaced during that mess.  Maybe it will turn up.  Until
next time...
http://photobucket.com" target="_blank">http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/afaulkner/CopyofHornbostelPicture.jpg"
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This was taken December 4 at the annual Christmas Banquet at
our church.  Amy Sisson had surgery Sept 2, 2004, my surgery was Dec 14,
2004 and Sandy Guilford had surgery Oct 31, 2003.  Don't we look
great!!
12-14-05
One year...unbelievable.  So much has changed, but I still feel the
same.  It still shocks me when people don't recognize me.  I don't feel
any different and it is hard for me to realize that I really do look a
lot different.  I now weigh 179, which seems unreal to me.  For my
personal goal, I want to lose another 20 lbs.  That would put me at 159,
which would mean that I would have lost 159.  I know that Dr. H thinks I
should be less than that, but I am thrilled with my progress.  I go see
him tomorrow, so we'll see what he has to say.
Today I had my hair chopped off.  It is still so thin and yucky
looking, so I thought it was very fitting on my one year anniversary that I
get it cut.  I love the new "do."  Now I really look different.  My 6
year old cried when she saw me.  She said I don't look like Mommy.  I'm
sure in a couple of days whe will get over it. (I hope).  My skin is
really gross as well, but only surgery can help that, and I don't really
have the funds at this time.  Maybe someday...
I'm going to sign off for now.  Good luck and God bless to all who are
in the process of having this life-changing surgery.  I am so happy
that I began this journey 2 years ago.  My thanks goes to God for allowing
me this wonderful opportunity and to Dr. H for making it happen.  I
have no regrets and would do it again in a second.
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Family picture before my hair was chopped off
1-16-06
It has now been 13 months since my surgery and I have lost 143 1/2
pounds.  Amazing.  My 35th birthday is January 30, and my goal was to be
down to 175.  I made that goal on January 9.  I just got back from
Curves, since I joined a year ago I have lost 212 pounds and inches.  WOW!
20 inches gone in each of my waist, abdomen and hips.  Unbelievable.  I
am so glad I had this surgery.  I do things now (and take it for
granted) that I couldn't do a year ago.  Simple things like sitting
comfortably on the floor were things that were impossible for me.
It's so crazy...I see the number on the scale and see the much smaller
clothes, but I still have a hard time seeing me that small.  I can't
shop in the plus size any more for shirts.  Pants I still can wear a 16W,
but I can also shop is the regular size department as well.  I still
find myself looking at the plus size clothes when I walk by, even though
I know I can't wear them anymore.
Things are going well.  I was a little out of control over the holiday
season.  We have a lot of very generous customers who brought in a lot
of really good homemade candy at Christmas.  I had way more than I
should have.  The sad part is that I knew how to structure my eating and
eat a little at a time so that I didn't get sick.  DUMMY!!  'Til next
time....
1-30-06
Happy Birthday to Me!!  Today is my 35th birthday, and I am happy to
say that I have lost 145 lbs and weigh in at 173 as of this morning.  My
goal was to be at 175 by my birthday, and I made it!!  Yeah.
Last week we took the girls to Stars on Ice at Kemper Area in KC (I won
the tickets, woohoo).  At my suggestion, we parked at the rear of the
lot, right by the exit.  We actually ran to the car after the show was
over.  As we live 2 hours from KC, we needed to get our girls home asap
for school the next day.  My husband commented on the way home that
last year I would never have suggested that we park as FAR away from the
door as possible and then run to the car.  I got a little teary.  I
have always said, it is the little things that make the most difference.
Yesterday coming home from church I looked down at my lap and realized
that I could see the seat on both sides of my legs.  It's the little
things...
2-27-06
I hit 169 this morning.  Yeah!  That is a 149 lbs gone.  WOOHOOO!!
3-04-06
168...that is 150 lbs gone.  Wow!
5-01-06
We just got back from my brother's wedding in Wisonsin, and I lost 4
lbs from the day that we left.  Crazy, but I'll take it!!  Down to
165...WOOOHOOO!!
8-04-06
We went to Estes Park, Colorado to Rocky Mountain National Park last
week for vacation.  Who knew...I LOVE to hike.  We had a wonderful time.
I would go back tomorrow if I could.  We hiked every day.  We went
with friends, and our last day there, my friend Shelly and I hiked 7.6
miles up a mountain, past two beautiful waterfalls to a secluded mountain
lake.  God is so awesome.  It was so beautiful.  I said several times
how thankful I am to have had my surgery.  There is no way I could have
hiked up mountains 2 years ago weighing 318 pounds.  It was enough to
bring tears to my eyes.  I didn't have a bit of trouble.  In facts, I
led the way most of the time.  What a difference!!  Here is a couple of
pictures.
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border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">  http://photobucket.com" target="_blank">http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/afaulkner/100_0826.jpg"
border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
I have gained a little bit of weight, but I am still very satisfied.  I
am averaging 170-175 now.  I know it is because I each a lot of junk,
and I hope I can get a grip one of these days.  On a crazy note...I was
measured for an insurance physical, and I am now 5'4"...yeah!!  I
gained 1 inch in height.  That helps the BMI.
6-27-07
I am now at my lowest weight of 162.  I changed jobs in March and
decided to change my eating habits as well.  We are going to Estes Park, CO
again this year and leaving soon.  I can't wait to hike again...15 lbs
lighter than last year.
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About Me


Chillicothe, MO

Location



28.8

BMI



RNY

Surgery



12/14/2004

Surgery Date



Dec 21, 2003

Member Since



Before & After 
rollover to see after photo




My highest weight
334lbs





-145 lbs January 31, 2006
173lbs
































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