Annie M.

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December 21st I reached the 2 year mark after RNY. It has and is an amazing journey, I've had ups & downs. I've lost 100+ pounds since my initial visit with Dr Schoen.
I feel better, my joints hurt less, sleep apnea gone, and diabetes gone. It is fun to buy clothes. I don't hate looking at myself in the mirror. People are amazed at the transformation both outside and inside. The outside has changed the inside in terms of confidence and self care.
I have some saggy skin but that's okay, I'll take it as opposed to obesity.
My husband, sons, extended family and friends have shared this journey with me; supporting, encouraging and sometimes challenging me to stay on the hard path of making good food choices and exercising. It is a lifetime commitment. I'll never not want to eat junk. But the more I don't the easier it is. It is worth every difficult moment. I'd never want to start at the beginning again but I would if I had to.
Thanks  Dr Schoen, Breana and Lisa. You are the best. Thanks for all your care.
Annie

1 year down and the rest of my life to go!  I'm very pleased with my outcome.                                                                               
I hit my goal a couple of weeks ago (Feb 2011)

 It's amazing to me that almost a year has passed since my RNY.  I'm 100 pounds down and 3 pounds to my goal. In some ways it is very frightening because now the hard work of maintenance is here. This is for the rest of my life. I have times where I still want to eat my emotions. I'm sure that is how it is. I keep reminding myself that the holidays are NOT about food. I'm going to work at focusing on all the things I can eat not the things I "choose" not to eat.
I just bought my first size 10 jeans. I still cannot believe it. Every once in awhile I look in the mirror and am shocked to see the woman looking back at me. I know that I've changed inside as well as outside. I have more confidence and self love.
I allow myself to not do this life perfectly. Just the best I can with God's help each day.
I'm very thankful for...
... having insurance coverage for this surgery
...my family & friends who have supported me through thick & thin
...the amazing people I've met on this journey
...Dr Schoen, Breana, Lisa, Sara
...most of all God who has seen me through all the ups and downs, will never give up on me and loves me more
   than I can understand.

Thanks Tink for the privilege of sharing my story and pictures. I am very blessed. I will feel successful when I reach 1 then 2 then 5 then 10 years out and I'm still doing the things I know- protein, water, movement. I know I cannot do this alone. I need the support, care & accountability that places like Life Starts gives.
Thanks with a hug~
Annie

October 21st is my 10 month post RNY mark. I can't believe it. I'm down 96 pounds with 5 more to go. I'll measure myself tomorrow and post a new 10 month photo. I feel very good physically & emotionally. I'm thinking about my holiday plan for food and exercise. I will set some goals and write them down.
With the weather/season change (colder and darker earlier) it will be harder to walk. I've gotten a new part time job and a new dog, Roxie a 1+ year old black lab mix. She is so cute and a great motivator to walk.
I'm committed to eating my protein, drinking my water and moving my body. 
Ten months down and the rest of my life to go.
Happy October~

June 21st was my 6 month mark. I've lost 75 pounds since surgery and 80 from my highest weight. I've lost 30 inches. I've gone from a size 22 to a 14 size pants. My sister gave me a pair of size 12 shorts that almost fit. I cannot believe that I wear size 14.  It must take awhile for ones brain to catch up with the body. I still feel fat.
Am I doing this perfect? NO. Most days/moments I make good food/protein choices, drink enough fluid, and exercise.
I've had many people tell me I look great. I do feel good. The real proof will come when I'm measuring years not months.
I had a wow moment this week.  When my grown son introduced me to his boss I did not feel embarrassed about how I look. I don't want my family to feel embarrassed by my appearance. This same son (when he was in grade school)  bit a young boy because he made fun of how fat I was.
I love going to WLS support groups and meeting people on ObesityHelp.
I don't ever want to be fat again. Is it normal to have fear about this?
Thanks to all you new  friends that have encouraged me~

5 months down and the rest of my life to go~ More and more I realize how this is a forever journey.
(no duh!) I wish it could be done once and for all but that is not life. I pray I never lose sight of
this goal for better health. I'd like to say I've done everything perfect, that is not the case. I've
had many victories and made more than 1 bad food/exercise choices from time to time. The difference this
time is that I don't give up. I keep working on achieving better health through better choices.
I'm working on consist ant exercise, getting 60 g of protein, 64 ounces of non-caloric fluid.
I feel good aside from some low grade nausea. When I think of eating dense protein I feel nausea.
Food that settled well in the last couple of months no longer settles well. I love my protein drinks.
I'll just keep trying to get the protein down.
I'm so grateful for warmer weather to walk more. I've gotten to buy a bra/panties from Victoria's Secret (I didn't think I'd ever be able to do that). I can cross my legs, I can walk with less pain (I have R.A.)
I feel more confidence and self love. I think the self love is not from improved appearance but from self discipline. I love this new life~
P.S. I've lost 70 pounds and 25 (over all) inches

I can't believe yesterday was my 4 mo post RNY.  I feel great, most days I'm eating enough protein, taking all my vitamins and drinking all my fluid.  I've lost 61 pounds and 20 or so inches from all over.  I can cross my legs, buy clothes NOT in the plus size section. It makes me get teary to realize I'm at the point of feeling "normal" (whatever that is !) I feel healthier, more attractive & more confident.
I pray I never forget where I've come from or how I felt before.  Most people now know I had WLS. Most people are very supportive, caring and excited with me about this journey.
I know this is a journey and it is day by day sometimes even moment by moment. This is a lifetime process.
I'm thankful for my encouragers esp. my husband/family/friends, Dr's, insurance to have the surgery and after care, and most importantly God who helps me daily and loves me no matter what I weigh.

Yesterday was my 3 month post op date. I'd lost 48 pounds and today stepped on the scale and I entered the 100's. YEAH~ My next goal is to lose 25 more pounds and exercise consistently.
I'm feeling good and very happy that I did the RNY
It has been difficult at times but very worth "it".
My habits and thoughts about food have changed so much. I'm very thankful for this. I know it is a day by day and sometimes a moment by moment decision to be/eat healthy.
I could not have done this without God's help and the support of my family and friends who have been such faithful encouragers.
I have met so many amazing women on this website. I'm thankful for all their imput, care and encouragement.

I'm in my  8th week post surgery. I'm feeling pretty good. Weak/dizzy  if I stand or walk too long.
I had an iron infusion which has helped some.
I've started the "Trial and Error" diet. I've enjoyed adding regular food to my diet.
I'm still having a protein shake in place of breakfast. I'm struggling to drink enough fluid.
I've just added Benefiber. I feel like all I do all day is sip, sip, sip and take all the supplements.
I've lost 40 pounds, Yeah~
I really do not like the Bariatric Advantage chocolate calcium Lozenges. It takes a long time to let them dissolve and I can't stand the  gumminess of chewing them. Of course I bought 270 tablets.  Any suggestions about a better tasting/consistancy in a calcium? How long do we need to wait before we can swallow tablets whole?
I bought my first pair of pants NOT in the Plus size section in 18 years. I can't believe it.
I'm feeling more normal and like this new normal.
I'm not hungry and in fact have had to make myself eat. I've only vomited once early on. I have no pain.
I'm very thankful.