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Well, I am down 101 pounds now!  I am so freaking excited about it at times, but then at other times, I get down thinking about the 66 pounds to go.  I know I shouldn't but I do...
On a happy note, I am now in a size 14 from Lane Bryant and a size 16-18 in regular stores.  Oh no, I see increased spending at the malls

Well, I hate to say I'm disappointed, but of course I really wanted to be down 100 pounds by six months and I am "only" down 94 pounds!!  94 freaking pounds I can't believe it.  All those times I thought I must be a slow loser and I'm down this much in what seems like just a few weeks!
I've also lost 13 inches off my waist and 11 inches off of my hips.
My bloodwork is all good too.  Dave sent me a picture with my pre-op and my 6 month on the same page.  Holy crap, I didn't realize how awful I looked.  It is really pretty scary to think where I would be today--sizewise--without this surgery.
I am grateful everyday that to Dr. Jones and everyone at PNC for making this happen for me.
As of now, i've NEVER puked since this surgery.  I've dumped twice after eating candy--duh, once should have been enough.  I have to say that the dumping is way worse then I thought it would feel.  i thought I was going to pass out I was so exhausted so suddenly.  Of course, I am very thankful that I dump since I don't puke, otherwise I can see me making bad, bad choices much more frequently.

I had my three month check up on Thursday with Dave at PNC.  It went well.  I was shocked to learn that I've lost 8.5 inches off of my waist and 6 inches off of my hips!  According to their scale I am done 59.1 pounds.  I'm extremely happy with this.  In all of my years of dieting I could never lose more than 50 pounds before I started gaining it all back...Also, I've not been at this weight for over 3 years, so it feels really good.  I cannot believe the difference losing this weight has made in my life so far.  I can't imagine how different it will be when I'm down to goal.
My shorts and capris are getting too big, so I went to Wal-Mart (I hate Wal-Mart with a passion, but I needed cheap clothes--still feeling a bit guilty about going there though...).  I got all teared up when I realized that a size 20 fit me for pants.  I've not worn a size 20 at any point since the birth of my son, who will be three in October.  
Stats:
Hips:   Start 57  
             Now 51
Waist:  Start 50  
             Now  41.5

I went for my follow up with the nutritionist today at PNC.  I have been given the green light for eating anything.  Within reason, obviously.  I have been feeling pretty good physically.  I am dealing with a bit of anxiety, but it is pretty manageable at this point.  I am very diligent about taking my vitamins and now I get to add iron and vitamin C to the mix as well.  It's strange that sometimes I can tell a slight difference in the way I look and other times, none at all.  I went from a very tight size 24 pants to a loose 22 pants and a way too tight 26/28 shirt to a 22/24 shirt.  I am pleased with it, but being tall it takes more to go down a size.  I have gone through my closet and I have enough stuff to take me to a size 18 and then I'll need to be stocking up on more clothes.  I figure another 40+ pounds until I'm going to be too small for an 18.  What fun that will be! 
My stats:
Highest:  317
Today:  267
Loss this month:  17
Grand Total:  50 pounds!

I had my 1 month meetings with the nurse, Carole and with the dietician, Amy on Friday.  They were pleased with my progress.  Carole said the next three months will be really exciting for me.  I have noticed a little difference in my appearance, but I have noticed a huge difference in myself.  I actually wore a skirt, jewelery and make-up on Friday.  And it wasn't even a special occasion.  I am starting to feel good about my appearance.  I have a long way to go that's for sure, but as I was going through my closet, I thought I should probably just wear my nice clothes from now on.  Why waste my time in the raggedy stuff?  My husband looked at me on Friady and said "Wow, you look great."  I can't tell you the last time he said that.  The clincher was that he kept looking at me trying to figure out what was different and then finally said, "Oh, you got your hair done."  Ummm, no.  I think it's a little bit of confidence that you are seeing.

My stats:
Highest weight:317  (start of liquid diet)
Day of surgery:  305
June 1: 284
Total loss:  33 pounds

I was really nervous the day of surgery.  We left home at 4:15 am and arrived at 5:00.  I checked in and was taken upstairs for my vitals, blood draw, etc.  Then Russ was allowed to come up with me until they took me back for surgery.  Dr. Jones and several other people stopped in to introduce themselves and talk about the surgery.
I was taken back to the room and the anesthesiologist gave me something to relax me.  He said, "are you starting to feel a little more relaxed?"  I said, "Not really."  The next thing I knew i was waking up in recovery.
Everything went fine in the hospital and I was sent home on Thursday.
Friday I was dehydrated and had to go back in and get an IV.  After that I was feeling great.
I weighed myself today and I am at 298!! Below 300 yippee!

Yesterday went really well on the liquid diet.  Today is going well, but it is challenging to stick to.  I have not wavered, but boy it is tempting.  So far I've managed to convince myself that there is nothing that tastes good enough to be worth cheating and possibly ending up with the surgery being open!

I had to go to the grocery store today.  I should have had my hubby go.  It was about as smart as an AA group taking a field trip to a winery.  Very challenging.  I was really proud of myself for making it out of the store and all the way home without even a little cheat.  Amazingly enough, I can actually drive home from the grocery store without cramming an entire doughnut in my face.   Hmm.  Who knew?

So my dad told my uncle and cousin that I was having surgery and they were really surprised.  They didn't think I needed it.  (Umm, Hello, I weigh over 300!)
Then my mom was talking to my aunt who also was surprised that I was having it and she said, "Well, I guess I just thought it was for really big people."  Okay, seriously when you wear the biggest size they carry at a plus sized store--doesn't that make one really big?  The best part though was my mom's response, which was basically, oh, she's plenty big.  :-)

Well, I will be having my surgery on May 1st.  YIPPEE!  I am excited and terrified at the same time.  Sometimes I worry that there will be some sort of extreme complication and I will leave my son without a mother.  That makes me really sad to even think of.  I know that the odds of that happening are extremely small, but I think it is something that all mothers worry about--when they are facing surgery and when they are not.  
I am looking forward to having more energy and an easier time playing with my son, doing work in the yard and just living in general.  To celebrate the surgery my family is going on a european cruise in July 2008--I better start saving the money.  The thought of being on vacation and not constantly being reminded that i am the fattest person around is just great.  Even better though is the fact that I will be able to walk and walk and walk and I will probably be the only person on the cruise to not gain 10 pounds from all the food.  :-)