ObesityHelp

I'm a 48 yr old, mother of two boys 23 and 12. Married to a wonderful 37 yr old husband who is my rock!



Me and Steven on our wedding day! 4/27/2003 oh how I wished I were thin...it was an amazing day!



My handsome boys!! Gotta love em! They clean up GOOD! =)

Trying to balance and full and wonderful life, I happen to fall at the bottom of the list when it comes to diet and excercise. I go in spurts with excercise and feel that if im NOT on some kind of weight loss plan, I gain weight. I have been against WLS for myself for the last 2 yrs but now I feel desperate in a way and tired of NOT living my life to the fullest. Something that only an obese person can understand. So here I am...eager to learn and just in the beginning process of my journey. I'm looking forward to meeting new people and learning all that I can about this process! SO HELLO TO EVERYONE! Julie =)

1/25/04- Update - gosh...amazing how quickly you can forget to update...I dont remember what date my first entry was but I plan to date them from now on.

I have since completed just about all of my pretests for surgery including my Psych. I had heard that the referral for a Psych can hold people up so I scheduled my own and paid for it out of my own pocket. I personally didnt think $150 was alot to get it done and overwith. It was a piece of cake.
I also had my consult with Dr. Coirin on Jan. 22. He is such a nice man. The office is extremely busy and I could tell he was just going going going and yet not once during my visit did I feel rushed at all. He answered all my questions and told me that I was definitely a candidate. Now for the final approval from Blue Shield.
From what I hear, this takes about a week. Dr. Coirins office staff is friendly and nice and seem to be on the ball. Wow! You cant imagine all the files!! My estimated date for surgury is mid February which I will be exstatic if that is true. I'm trying not to get my hopes up on that but I do know that it will be just around the corner. I'm VERY EXCITED at this point as i'm sure all pre-ops are! WIll keep ya posted when I hear something!
For those of you who are still trying....never give up! Time passes so quickly....the time will soon be here! BYE! =)

2/4/04- WOO HOO! I have a date! February 23rd! however, she has the 19th open too but wants to make sure I can get all pre-op stuff done before then. The 19th would work out better for me because my youngest son would be with his dad that weekend and I would be home by the time he came home. So if I can change it, I sure will! Now all of a sudden I feel my nerves kicking in....i've been excited all along but now its becoming a reality! I CANT WAIT!

Ok ok.....so now I am scheduled for the 19th FOR SURE! OMG!!

2/7/04~ 12 days to go....I cant help but do the countdown thing! I am very excited but a tad nervous at the same time..like just the thought of my life changing completly overnight! Thanks to all the wonderful support here...makes it ALL BETTER! Hugs to everyone! Julie =)

2/10~ 9 days and counting..hahaha! Today I went to the 3 hour training class. I enjoyed it. Just when you think you know everything, there is always more! I want to know as much as possible so that I can work this tool to the best of my ability and have the best results! Know what I mean? It still amazes me that at this point, there are still people that asked questions like...but I wanted sugar free fudgecicles! Can I have those?? Duhh...the dietician says "Is it on the list??!!! Amazing! Or...I can NEVER have this before? I dont know maybe its me but I had to speak up and say "your making a life changing decision to have surgery to lose wieght..why would you waste energy worrying about what you cant have when you should focus on doing everything you NEED to do to make this the best journy possible and to STAY HEALTHY!" THAT is MY #1 concern!!!
I know its going to be hard work, I know there are going to be tuff days...but I will plunge through them the best that I can and use my support outlets to the best of my ability...thats MY commitment to myself! Ok enough said! Looking forward to next week...excited, excited, excited!! I go for my preop stuff on friday...I expect it will then become even more real! Until next time!! Julie =)

2/14/04~ Happy Valentines Day to all of you!

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for all the messages on my surgery support page...boy is the support unbelievable!! You all made me cry....I sit her bawling while typing this and thinking...never in my entire life have I met so many loving caring people. All of us on the same journey and maybe that is why...we ALL understand eachother...Thankyou for the messages...I love you all! 5 days to go and i'm trying to stay healthy for surgery. I really appreciate all the support and that my friends is what keeps us going!! My mindset is great, I just want to get on with it...know what I mean? lol...Have a great day and again..THANKYOU ALL!

02/16/04~ WOW! Only 3 days till my surgery...im having so many feelings its hard to discribe. I am however second guessing whether I can do this or not. I guess not really knowing what lies ahead...It's so easy right now just to say...umm I want this to eat right now and go get it or make it. Will I be able to stop...you know those kind of feelings...and just wondering "will I make it through the operation". The thought of leaving my husband and children without me...is somewhat disturbing...I know I will make it but just having strange thoughts...I'm sure this is normal...maybe I should hit the chatroom for a bit...still looking forward to Thursday....a life changing day.

2/18/04~ Well, tomorrows the big day at 1:30 pm. I have to be there at 11:30 and my hubby will be taking me. Luckily he was able to take over a week off to be home with me. My mom will be there too so I know I will feel pretty good going in. I cant believe this day is finally here...I cant wait! I know this is just the beginning of my journey. I'm hopeful that it will go as well as most of you out there! I've cried a couple times the past few days...just because....in the car to work I was just thinking...thank you lord for giving these doctors a way to find this surgery so that those of us have another chance at living a healthy life! So onward and upward from here! See you all on the other side!

Julie =)

2/19/04~ TODAY IS THE DAY!!! YAY!! I got a good nights sleep and feel pretty good. Not really nervous at all...just ready to go! Thanks so much to all of you for your kind and encouraging words...I'm so looking forward to this today and know i'll do fine! I am just so amazed at the outpouring of love and support from people like you! It truly is a gift! Thankyou for that! Well, I better go pack! Will keep in touch! I am bummed though, I have NO angel! Oh well...I will soar with my own WINGS! YEAH!

Julie =)

2/22/04~ HI EVERYONE! I"M BAAAACK!! I got home late last night...seemed like it took forever to get discharged! wait wait wait...you know how we all love that! However, im doing great and it felt great to sleep in my own bed with my husband...the surgery went well and I have been feeling really good....havent needed much pain med either....just get tired at the end of the day and i'm not much on staying in bed watching tv so I was definitely ready to go home! Each day gets better and better and I feel so blessed to have so many people call, write and come see me....it just amazes me! You guys are ALL so wonderful! Hugs and kisses to all of you! Thanks to my family and friends for being there! Thanks so much for all the posts on my surgery page...MARY SUE..thanks for the calls all the way from SOUTH CAROLINA! WOW! Kristin in Calif, daughter and Tina..thanks for coming to see me...you all brightened my day! Michelle and Sandra thanks for the phone calls...You all are so special...I think my husband was SHOCKED at how many people from this site we heard from! Now he knows why I have spent hours on here! Im totally looking forward to watching the pounds come off! I dont feel to thin right now with the bloating going on but am drinking lots of water and walking as much as I can! I will keep you all updated! Another POINT for DR. COIRIN! THere were like 8 of us there this week! WAHOO!
Julie =)

2/27/04~ Hey Hey....well, I went to my 1 week appointment and all went well..i'm down 15 pounds! WOO HOO! Just started eating real food yesterday. I just got to have an egg in the morning and that went well...today I got to have my egg in the morning and whatever I wanted (protien only) on the list...I had a piece of cheese, a little chicken and 2 teaspoons of cottage cheese. I know it doesnt sounds like much but it was pretty good...tomorrow and on I just eat my three meals of protien only for the 1st month...im excited and hope the weightloss continues!
I still feel great...my incisions are healing well but boy do I itch! ANyone else have this problem? Its not just the incisions its everywhere!! My legs, butt, stomach...ARGHH! Drives me nuts! Well till next time! Take care ALL! =)

2/28/04~ Just had to say that I wieghed again today because I kept thinking....how could I have lost that much already...well low and behold..the scale had moved again and i'm down another FOUR (4) pounds....I just cant believe it...and someone today actually told me I looked thinner...GO FIGURE! YAY!!

3/4/04~ Well, two weeks post op today...things have been going pretty good....Down 22 pounds as of this morning....not bad for two weeks huh? I just hope it continues... I have had a few bad bouts with food and that hasnt been fun but none the less...we learn and move on. I steamed some cod on the bbq in tinfoil and took 3 bites...It didnt want to go down at all and did chew chew chew. Also, ground beef...FORGET IT! Then one nite I had some black bean soup and then a tiny piece of fillet of Sole...I think I ate too fast and the beans hit bottom and with the fish...it put me over the edge...DUMB DUMB DUMB! See now the sole was fine but the cod wasnt...go figure! So i'm trying to stick to more soft foods right now...I know it will only get better! YAHOO! Feeling good and I can already wear pants that I havent worn in months! How awesome is that! See ya next time! J.

3/15-04~ Ok its been awhile but I gained 2-3 pounds this past week and so i've been a little down. I dont have any idea how that could happen. I feel like i am barely eating much! But got some support off the boards and I guess my body is just trying to catch up! I hope thats it! This is my second week back to work and all last week I increased my excercize and increased my water intake to at least 64 oz and above. I hope that helps. Plus I have decided to stay off the scale till I see Dr. Coirin on wednesday...I have just been feeling like a failure like when I was on all the other diets of my lifetime. It was a great feeling to watch the scale go down down down...now UP! YIKES! I really am worried! Guess I'll talk to Dr. C. on wednesday about it. I cant QUIT like all other times right? But then I could eat more if I really wanted too! I feel myself wanting to do that but i know that THAT is NOT going to get me to where I want to be! So I keep on truckin' and hopefully things start moving again! Talk to you all soon! j.

3/17/04~ Ok...had my one month check up today. I'm down 24 pounds and Dr. C. says i'm doing good and that is the norm for someone my size. He says about 20 pounds a month in the beginning. As for the gaining/not losing..he said is very normal as alot of other people said. Thankyou all for your support and encouragement. I was very bummed but I will continue to carry on...of course what else is there to do?? As long as I lose this weight..I will be fine...I guess I just need to stop wishing it was all off by tomorrow huh? Ok..thats it. I feel better now. I will also try to keep my wiegh ins to one time a week! UNless I just decide to wait till my 2 months appt. Nahhh...I know I wont be able to do that. We'll see! Talk to you next time! Julie =)

3/23/04~HELLO ALL! Things have been pretty good lately...im just doing what i gotta do! Eating right, taking vitamins...excersing etc. I feel thinner but have decided to only wiegh once a week. I know some people say not to but I gotta know!! As far as food issues...i still have problems with beef but just try to eat whatever i can to get my protien in. I have gone out for a few meals lately and I think its interesting that I actually orded a full King Crab dinner from outback. Well, just the pound of crab and steamed veggies...Now WHAT was I thinking? lol... a pound of crab? lol...I obviously wasnt thinking! Unfortunately, I ate one tiny piece of crab and a bite of broccoli. Next time I'll just order the side of crab with my hubbys dinner. That way it will be 20 bucks less too! lol...
Oh well..whatcha gonna do Live an learn huh? But all in all things are good and i'm still full of energy and feeling great! Talk to you soon!

Julie =)

3/25/04~ WOO HOO! Today was wiegh in day. I was a good girl and waited the whole week. DOWN 7 more pounds! YAHOO! I am so happy! Thats a total of 31 now. Ok...now I feel like i'm doing something right! I guess the increase in water and excercize has helped! I promise only to wiegh once a week! I promise I promise I promise! lol... The scale can really cause you to play head games with yourself. I guess it all comes in time...thanks for the support and encouragement from all of you that helped me when I was down. I really appreciate ALL of you! Until next time! Keep on truckin'! I know that dates me but oh well!

Hugs to all!!!!

4/1~ WEIGH DAY!! Down FIVE (5) more pounds!! YAY! Total 36 now in 6 weeks. My blood work came back great too! woohoo! I am very thankful for Optisource too...dont know if I could gag those other vitamins down! Anyway, i'm feeling great and full of energy still and actually have fit into some clothes that I havent fit into for quite some time...THAT IS GREAT! I am sooo thankful for this surgery! I still have food issues sometimes and have to throw up in order to feel better. I dont know if it doesnt agree with me, if i'm eating too fast or not chewing well enough...OH well..I keep on keeping on and love looking thinner and feeling better. OH WHAT A JOY! J.

4/8~WEIGH DAY! lol...Lost another 3 1/2 pounds this week. Its funny that I feel fat this week and was afraid to weigh. I havent been eating alot but I have been eating more carbs it seems. Meat just doesnt interest me and there for I have been snacking more than eating a meal. I found that popcorn tastes good and I can eat a good amount. So this week i'm going to try harder on the protien thing...plus I havent been getting all my water in either..I dont want the wieghtloss to slow so I better be good! HAPPY EASTER TO ALL OF YOU! Until next time! Keep on truckin'!!

04/20~Guess I didnt check in last week huh? I only lost 1/2 pound so I started being more strict with my protien and drinking more water and excercizing more too! I went for my 2 month check up with Dr. Coirin today and lost another 2 pounds already. I"M HAPPY! Had a great time at the Modesto get together..talk about support and fun! Hope to make another one sometime! Thanks girls! So on to thursday...weigh day! Until then! =)

4/22~ WOOHOO! Down 4 more pounds since last official weighin last thursday for a total of 44 pounds...boy do I feel great! Someone asked me this morning if I had gone shopping cuz i had this pretty new blouse on...I said NOPE! Just finally being able to fit into old stuff! i said...so its KINDA like going shopping but I dont have to spend any money! I LIKE THAT!!! haha.... I only have a few different sizes in there but it sure is an awesome feeling to look in the closet and most everything fits comfortably! I am loving this journey for sure and all the love and supportive people that i've met along the way too! Thankyou all for being as special as you are! Hugs to you all! Julie =)

4/29~ WIEGH DAY~ Down 3 more pounds for a total of 47 now! Wow! Soon i will be half way to the century club. I had an amazing week! Met with friends I hadnt seen since surgery and they were all shocked! People have really been noticing and telling me I look great! This is such an awesome journey and I am loving every minute! I have been working out hard and lifting weights. It not only makes me feel great but it helps me sleep like a BABY! Now THAT is the awesome part! Oh YEAH! My hubby and I just celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary on tuesday. Where did this last year go? It took me many years to find the man of my dreams and now with WLS its the icing on the cake! Finally, I will be happy in my own skin! Well, at least I hope so! One of the reasons why i'm really working out and working with wieghts is because we never know how our body is going to look at the end of this journey and that scares me! I dont want to have to have a bunch of plastic surgery. So the least the better and working out and toning and shaping my body parts the best I can will help in that area. Thats something that I CAN DO! Dont get me wrong...I dont work out 7 days a week, i'm not a fool! Not that if you do you are...I just have to have some down time. I'm a very busy active woman, wife and mom involved in lots of things. I relax on the weekends as far as working out goes and occasionally will take a mile walk to the nearest starbucks with my hubby! Thats it! Well, you all have a fabulous weekend! Now if the darn wind would stop everything would be COOL! lol..We're NEVER happy are we! Hugs to you all! J. =)

05/07/04~Helloooo everbody...wieghed in yesterday and down another 2 pounds...not much this week but I'll take it. Total 49 pounds! I am still excercizing quite alot and lifting weights. FEELING GREAT! I think I need to eat more and definitely more protein. I dont even want to cook dinner for myself and let alone eat much at all. With my workouts increased so much I really need to increase protien. So I posted on the boards and got some good ideas...THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU who responded! I ordered some samples of protien off of vitalady.com. Hopefully, that will help! Good day to all of you and keep up the good work! Hugs to you all! J.

05/15/04~Hey everyone! A little late on the update but hey...i'm here right? Had my weigh day last thursday and down another 2.2 pounds. WOO HOO! So down 51 pounds and a few ounces. I wasnt exactly thrilled with that 2 pounds but its better than nothing. Im not sure why the losing is so slow but i'm going to still try to eat more protien than carbs..ahh maybe it was all the chips and salsa from the week before..I dont know!

I even bought some protien powder and so maybe the supplement will help! Hope you are all having a great week! You deserve it!

Ta ta for now! Julie =)

05/20/04~ YAYAYYAYAAYYY My hard work and determination FINALLY paid off! Down 5.8 pounds this week for a total of 57. I had changed things up a bit in the lat week which always seems to work for me! I started making my protien shakes in the morning and working out harder...and made sure I got all my water in. WOO HOO! I even started doing the stairmaster this week...YOUSA my BUTT HURTS! hehehe

Guess thats a good thing...i'm not doing it for long periods of time but man what a workout for the 5 minutes I have been doing it. Of course that is after my 35-45 min on treadmill, weight lifting and floor work such as situps, leglifts, buttlifts etc....I feel GREAT but man can I feel it in my body! Unfortunately, I cant really see the difference in my body even with the wieght loss. I mean my clothes are all loose and frumpy looking and i hate it! Love it but hate it..does that make sense>? lol..

So I'm going to keep up my routine and hopefully i'll have a good week next week and the next too.....2 months till vacation and I want to feel much better than i do now...is that asking too much? Well, back to work for me....HOW FUN! Hubby and I are off to Reno this weekend to cause some damage....hopefully we come home WINNERS! OH YEAH! Have a great week everyone and keep up the good work! Did I say what an amazing journey this is??? WOW! Who'da thunk!?

05/27/2004~Well, another weigh day arrives! Down 4 ounces...woo hoo! lol...I was a little disappointed but I had a big loss last week. It will come. I'm trying to be patient but again...I wonder if its something I did or didnt do. I have been working out alot and I was in Reno for 3 days too! Eating 3 meals out each day was different...I didnt think I did bad at all and I was able to get most my water in too! Do you think a hot stone massage, facial and pedicure can make you retain fluids? lol....well, i'm not going to worry about...each week is a new one and I continue to refocus each week after I weigh and look at what I need to do. I will keep up my excercize and weight lifting cuz it makes me feel great! I'm really tired today and glad I have a 4 day weekend planned. I got to thinking about no excercize for 4 days and have decided to take my bike with me...YEAH..thats the ticket..will be fun! i just hope my butts ready for it! heehehe hate those bike seats! Well, have a great and safe Memorial day weekend everyone...Keep on keeping on.....this is our new life! A second chance.....oh yeah...just a little tidbit...I hadnt been back to my gym in over a year...went last nite and ran into my trainer and some of the girls I used to train with....they were like WOW...you look great! hehehee...it was so nice!! It was great to see them and realized how much I missed my workout buddies! I have new workout buddies at my work where I work out now but i'm still going to try to go to that gym now and then when I cant do it at work! Change of atmosphere ya know!
Ok...I'm outtie! BE good everyone! Julie =)

06/03/2004~ Hey Hey everyone! Happy Thursday! Its WEIGH DAY!
Well, i'm down another 2 pounds this week...not what i want to see but i'm not complaining after the english toffee and chocolate covered banana's I ate over the holiday weekend. YIKES! I did however continue to do my workouts and even over the weekend walked all over San Francisco....my hubby surprised me and we drove to Tiburon and took the Ferry over to San Francisco on Sunday. There was alot of people but what an absolutely gorgeous day!! I really enjoyed just being with him in the beautiful city and walking around people watching. The great part was not having to fight traffic or parking or anything...

Just off the boat and there we were and then when we were ready to leave...jumped on the ferry again.
Now as for me...well I have been feeling wonderful...tight pants continue to get looser and I have more energy than I have had in years! Even all the walking in San Fran....I didnt get tired or complain at all! THAT in itself was a great feeling. Now as for today...for some reason I am draggin! I had brain overload from work yesterday and think I may be still recooperating from that! HECK, who knows...what I do know is that I'm off tomorrow and the weekend and I'm thankful for this short week! I look forward to the day when I can retire....hopefully that is sooner than later! lol...Have a great week everyone! CIAO!

06/10/2004-OH HAPPY DAYS! Down 4 more pounds this past week! For a total of 63.... And I actually bought some size 18 pants! WOOHOO! I cant remember when I've worn that size...been many many years for sure! I'm still working out a good amount but this week it was only two days of floor work (situps, leglifts, pushups, butt lifts) and 30 minutes of step aerobics.

I was draggin tired this week so I only put those two days of excercize in. Bad girl! Well that was actually 3 days since last thursday as I hit the gym and did the treadmill for 45 minutes.

Anywho....we just found out tomorrow is a holiday for state/federal workers in memory of Ronald Reagan so WOO HOO a three day weekend! Lucky me!
On another note...I (with hubbys help) cleaned out my 4 closets in my bedroom and the one in the spare room. I got rid of two HUGE black garbage bags full of clothes and one bag of shoes! Some stuff i saved to sell on ebay but took the rest to good will. I know I should have taken it to the support group but just the thought of draggin that all there and then home again overwhelmed me! That is how i am...I did give lots of stuff to a friend a month or two ago too! That was so wierd...like giving your life (as i knew it) away...very strange feeling. Good one though till I look in my closets and there is only 2 out of the 4 that are full! It was fun doing some shopping! It could become a real bad habit! lol...i have always been a clothes horse no matter what size but this is MUCH MORE FUN! heehee...

Well, guess i've jabbered on enough...good day and weekend to all of you! J.

06/19/04~ Hey everyone! I'm a few days late but what else is new! haha....Lost another 2 pounds on weigh day! I'm ok with that! I have been slacking in the excercize department for the last two weeks and have only made it a couple times a week. Man, with summer and having this special project at work...it seems like I have NO down time or time for myself...hopefully this week will be better! I HAVE to get at least 4 days of excercize in this week. On a GREAT note....I actually bought my FIRST size 14/16 blouse! WOW! Kinda shocked me! I cant even imagine NEVER going in Lane Bryant again...a strange but awesome thought!

Well, its a beautiful day in the neighborhood..im still trying to figure out how to add pics to my profile....didnt get many answers from my post last week.....well life goes on and the pounds keep falling off...i'm LOVING this wonderful tool of mine!

I did see someone yesterday that I hadnt seen in quite awhile and she was like...oh my gosh...you have lost so much weight...you look beautiful! WOW! Now if THAT isnt a self esteem booster I dont know what is! Life is good! Wish I could attend more of the group gatherings....I feel kinda left out of the loop...I promise I will try in the near future!
Keep up the good work everyone! Your AWESOME peoples!

Ok...hope to be able to add some recent pictures...here goes!
June 13, 2004

June 24th, 2004~ WEIGH DAY! Down 3 more pounds for a total of 68...WOW, i'm amazed! Cant wait to get over that 70 pound mark and then on to the century mark...wow...I cant even imagine! Happy Fathers day out there to all you fathers....hope your day was excellent!
As for me...got back on track with the excercizing this week but then the other nite I slipped and fell at my son's swim meet (cute huh?) and busted up my toes! I know at least 2 are broken...but maybe all 4 are. I'll find out for sure tomorrow...not sure that they do anything anyway but maybe tape them up. I have to work the swim meet again tonight so hopefully I dont do anything dorky and slip again... In fact I SWEAR Allen Funt from Candid Camera was hiding in the bushes! lol.... I fell at the edge of the pool and while it hurt like hell, I almost fell into the pool! Now wouldnt have that been a sight! lol... NO NOT FUNNY! Like usual, I think I just laugh out of embarrassment! Anywho....thats over and I wont be able to do aerobics today but I still ride the bike without too much pain and the wieght lifting too!
So onward and upward everyone! LIFE IS GOOD! I've been getting lots of compliments lately and thats nice...wierd but nice cuz even men saying things like...wow you've lost alot...how much have you lost! Makes me smile....I wanna work harder somehow in the weeks to come..Vacation in Tahoe is July 11th and Vacation at the Beach is July 24th. I want to lose MORE! It will come...I have faith!

Thanks Laura M for updating my pictures...I almost feel human! lol...
Your a sweetheart and Thanks to Charlie too for helping me....either i'm dense or just a true blonde! lol.... I think its the latter! You guys are awesome! As all of you are! Have a wonderful week!

07/03/2004~Hey everyone! HAPPY 4th of JULY! Wow....where did June go! Well, I was able to update my profile on thursday this week...just tooo busy at work and home. As for wiegh day well I stayed exactly the same! What up with that? I was kinda bummed but i havent had a week like that since my 3rd or 4th week. I shouldnt complain...I have gone over and over in my head about what I did wrong...I excercized like a fool....I actually started running on the treadmill this week....running one minute and walking for 4 minutes and while walking I was walking at a faster pace than I ever had...>I really thought that would help! OH well, I will continue to press on. One good note though...I'm in to a 14/16 top...yes I went shopping again....40% off all clearance at Lane Bryant this weekend...who can resist? lol...
Well, off we go garage saleing...its a beautiful day in the neighborhood out here in sonoma county! LOVE IT! Have a happy and safe weekend to ALL OF YOU! Take care...till next time!

07/08/04~HEY LO everyone! Another week down and NO weight loss! Man....its so frustrating for me....I keep going over and over and over in my head maybe it was this, maybe it was that the reason I didnt lose! Then I get bummed and think...why bother even working out? It doesnt seem to help! Ok....i guess I wont go on with my little pity party...I swear I was just thinking how lucky I have been NOT to have a plateau. Well, I guess it was inevitable..just like the hair loss thing. ya think? Well, onward I go....enjoying where Ive come thus far and hoping to have a better week next week. Of course we leave sunday for Tahoe for a week. I know i'll be getting plenty of excercise but will have to work a tad harder on the food thing. WISH ME LUCK!

07/19/2004~Well I'm back from Tahoe and ohhhh what an awesome time we had! Didnt get to weigh last thursday but weighed this morning and lost 5 pounds from last weeks weight! WOOO HOO! Two weeks with no wieght loss was kinda depressing but something changed. I know we got plenty of excercise on vacation thats for sure. Lots of walking and bike riding and driving around on the Sea-Do's. What a blast that was. All of us had such a great time..we are DEFINITELY going back next year! I'm also happy with the weight loss..well lets just say EXSTATIC! So just thought I'd share for now....i hope all of you had a great week also. I hate coming back into the valley heat that is for sure but something has to be said for sleeping in my own bed! So a week of work then off we go again to the beach for a week! Cant wait! Ta ta for now....keep on keeping on everyone! I'm amazed at the new pictures and transformations of you all! YOU LOOK MARVELOUS!

08/05/04~Hey everyone! Well the VACATION QUEEN IS BACK! I dont wanna be! lol... Well I had a great time at the coast...we were so busy and had so much fun its hard to be home and back to the routine! I have this beautiful golden tan that someone actually told me I looked Hawaiin yesterday..crack me up! Blonde hair and green eyes = Hawaiin? I dont think so! hehee
Well, I hadnt weighed in two weeks and was a little worried...I dont know why but probably old feelings of being on vacation and gaining weight. I know we did so much walking and stuff that I got plenty of excercise in. My eating habits we'rent the best but I knew for sure I wasnt over eating either..just not so great choices. So the verdict is.....I LOST ANOTHER 7 POUNDS! WOO HOO! My total is now 77 and that is making me feel a little better....I'm still behind alot of people but hey...I plan to keep on keeping on and watching the scale go down..no matter HOW LONG IT TAKES! I feel great!
I had seen alot of friends and relatives that I hadnt seen since just after surgery..there were amazed and I heard alot of "YOU LOOK GREAT"! That made me feel good and not to mention, sitting out on the beach in my bathing suit, walking on the beach...walking for hours down the board walking and hiking up steep hills was.....not hard for me at all!
Isnt this journey just amazing?? Bless all of you for the support and encouragement on this site and I wish the best to all of you newbies trying to get approved....I pray that all of you are able to have this life saving surgery! Hugs to all of you until next time! Love ya, Julie =)

08/21/04~ Hey Hey everyone!! Well, its been 6 months and a slow but steady and exciting journey. I am down 80 pounds and feeling absolutely fabulous! Im really looking forward to the 2nd half of this journey and getting to goal! Im hoping to be there by my year anniversary but I may be setting myself up. My goal says a number but I know that when im there I will know whatever that number may be. You have all been so great and supportive and encouraging and I thankyou for that! I never dreamed that I would be at this point in my life. It is awesome and I am enjoying the journey just to feel somewhat normal again!
I hope to see you all at the gathering at Danni's today. Its been awhile...and I cant wait to see how beautiful you all look! Thankyou for accepting me as I am! Julie =)

09/16/2004~Hey Lo everyone! It's been awhile since I posted. Last thursdays wiegh in I gained 1 pound and wasnt happy about that. So after reading what ConnieSue had found out from the doctor on chat I decided to give it a try! Nothing new really. We already know that we need to be on the protien train, excercize daily, drink our water and dont forget our vits! So that is what I did and I lost 6 pounds this week! WOO HOO! NOw ask me if Im happy! WOO HOO! That good loss just bumps me up to 87 pounds. Im going to do my best to stay on it and stay at 800 calories too! IT WORKED! SO i'm smiling big and feeling great! I'll keep up the good work too if you all do too! Keep on keepin' on...WE CAN DO THIS! Love ya all! Julie =)

10/09/2004~Skipped a few weeks but im here now! I gained a few pounds after a stressful week of no excercize and crappy eating. ITs been a nightmare of a week. My uncle has been in the hospital for more than a month and he passed away yesterday afternoon. A very sad time. We also found out a few weeks ago that my MIL has breast cancer and will have to be having a mastectomy in the next few weeks. They have now found something in her other breast and have to see if that will also need to be taken out. In the interim....I had to kick my oldest out of the house and i'm upset about that. Not to mention my youngest is having problems at school so i've had to be on him like white on rice! ARGHHHH!
This past week has been better though and I managed to eat better and get my excercize in. I lost 4 pounds and brought me back to 90 POUNDS DOWN! YAY!

I can just TASTE THE CENTURY CLUB! Hopefully, it will motivate me to do good!

And to top this ALL off..I've started a new career and i'm working on that and working fulltime at my regular job....lol...

Life sure does keep us busy doesnt it? BUt we keep on keepin' on! Until next time! Happy FALL everyone! =)

10/14/2004~HAPPY THURSDAY EVERYONE!

Down 2 more pounds and suddenly...the CENTURY CLUB light went on! lol...I realized that wow....I am going to do this!! and SOON! lol...So I will be trying a little harder this week if I can...and hopefully I can get there in the next week or so!

On the down side. My uncles funeral is today and that is going to be very sad and my MIL is doing ok...but they found a lump in the other breast and are checking that out to see if they need to remove both breasts or just the one. A very trying time for our family.

NOTE: Live every day as if it is your last and TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY how much you LOVE them...dont wait till its too late! Try to LIVE WITH NO REGRETS!

Until next time....PEACE OUT! lol....I love you all! It's been an amazing journey but this week as Person of the week (THANK YOU JUDY IN THE AV for APPOINTING ME!) has been an eye opening and touching experience. To read what others truly think of you...puts it up close and personal and since i'm a visual person....I coud read with my own eyes some really great things about myself....WE'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY! and THIS MY FRIENDS IS JUST THE ICING ON THE CAKE! YEAH! Thats the ticket! j.

11/13/04~Well, I cant believe its been a month since Ive posted. My how time goes by...its been a hectic month thats for sure! My MIL had her double mastectomy on the 11th and all went well thank god. She actually came home yesterday...can you believe that? 1 night in the hospital after an almost 5 hour surgery? wow! She is actually in good spirits and glad to be home. I'm very thankful for that.
Steve and I have decided to cook thanksgiving dinner at her house for them so that will be nice.

Now, on the weight loss front...I am down 95 pounds and still feeling great but could be feeling better! They have cracked down on our working out at work now so I am not excercizing and lifing weights like I was or should be. I can really feel it and then on top of that im not drinking enough water either!

So my goal since last thursday was to do just that and I AM! This thursday the 18th is my 46th birthday and I WANT to be at the CENTURY club on that date. The 19th will be my 9 month post op date. I know I can do this...just gotta WORK IT right?

I hope all of you have a happy and safe thanksgiving if I dont talk to you. My new business is doing well and i'm looking forward to the life change!

For those of you that dont know, I am working as a loan agent with a broker in town. WOO HOO! So if anyone needs a home loan, refinance or equity loan...PLEASE CALL ME OR EMAIL ME AT Findualoan@aol.com.

Love to you all! Be good! The new year is getting close! What a fabulous journey this has been! Julie =)

11/24/04~ Well, ok....so I didnt hit my goal last week and yes I was a bit disappointed cuz I worked like HECK! I did however lose 2 pounds I think that brought me to 97, then I weighed the next day just because it was my 9 month mark and vwalla another pound which brought me to 98. I decided not to be mad but to just keep on keeping on like I tell everyone else....I mean what else is there to do? Give up? NOT ON YOUR LIFE!
So here it is...the day before thanksgiving, I wake up, stumble downstairs to let cats out and think..hmmm...maybe I'll weight today since I wont be home tomorrow and thursday is my wiegh in day...so off go the clothes and on the scale I go. WOWWOWOWOWW!
I am down FOUR..yes 4 pounds...for a grand total of 102 GONE FOREVER! I couldnt believe it...shocked me over and over again!
I am a HAPPIER WOMAN TODAY! heehee

SO just remember...NEVER GIVE UP! Not to mention, I watched the end of the biggest loser that I had Tevo'd last night....I balled like a baby....just listening to Kelly Mac say that she didnt believe in herself and now she does....Boy did THAT hit home! I could so relate, I cried uncontrollably for a few minutes and just said...THANK YOU GOD for this lifesaving tool!

That about sums it up! Onward and UPWARD for all of us! Be Thankful for every thing you are and every thing you have! Life is a blessing and so are ALL OF YOU who have shared yourself with all of us and become a part of this very special family!

Love and hugs to all! Have a safe and Happy Holiday! ENJOY!

Julie :)

12/26/04~ WOW! I cant believe its been this long since I wrote in here. So easily to forget! I had a wonderful Christmas and hope everyone else did too!
I have finally made the century club and as of a week and a half ago I am down 104. Keep forgetting to get on the scale! I dont feel like I over did it at the holidays but my excercize routine has suffered with my work load at work and all the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
I feel fabulous and beautiful and the most enjoyable thing that I love about this journey other than the weightloss of course is looking in my closet and pulling out EXACTLY what I want to wear! It fits and I look and feel great! I cant even imagine being at goal!
I have gotten so many compliments lately that it blows my mind and certainly boosts the old self esteem eh? It was a wonderful Christmas with my family and my husbands family and my kids.
I know its going to be a fabulous new year too!
My life has changed so much in the past several years. Not just the wieghtloss but finding and marrying the man of my dreams. I never dreamed I could be this happy and have such a wonderful loving relationship with my husband. He is truly amazing in every sense of the word! I LOVE YOU HONEY!
So Happy New year to all and remember to just keep on keeping on and be thankful for every positive beautiful thing in your life!
Love ya! Julie =)

12/29/04~WOO HOO and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ME! I hadnt weighed in a couple weeks because of the holidays but was feeling crappy because of all the sugary stuff I had been eating (DAM CANDY!) and lack of excercize and water. Well, I finally got it together and started excercizing this week and wieghed today. YES YES YES! I FINALLY made it to the ONEderfuls! -3 more pounds for a total of 107 pounds down and I weigh 197. I have not weighed this little since I was pregnant with my first born which was 23 years ago. How AWESOME is that!?
I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy 2005. WE cant help but be healthier..... Thank you all for being the warm family that you are! WE are all in this together and WE CAN DO IT!
What a fabulous Holiday season I have had this year....I feel like a million bucks and I know its only going to get better!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! Julie =)


THE ONEderfuls! YAY!

01/23/2005~Hello everyone! Well, we are less than a month from our Mexico cruise and 3 months from our Caribbean cruise that honey and I will be going on with friends. I am HIGHLY motivated and working out hard to finish this last leg of the journey. Trying NOT to get discouraged along the way as my weightloss continues to be slow no matter what I do! ARGHHH!
So how do you like my NEW DOO? heehee...have always wanted to be a redhead but didnt have the courage..imagine that! I guess my blonde locks were my security blanket while I was heavy...now ANYTHING GOES! I did it myself which I am a hairdresser but most importantly....everyone has LOVED it! My honeys words were...you SEXY VIXEN! Ok...I can take that! lol...
Well, just wanted to update and wish everyone a fabulous year!
Cant wait to see those of you who are going on the cruise! Can you believe it will be warm weather....now I dont own ONE single summer clothing item that fits....and I hate to buy too much since summer is still a ways away...oh well...we'll have fun none the less! SEE YOU ALL THERE! PARTY TIME! Peace out! =)



MY NEW RED HAIR! I LOVE IT!

01/29/2005~Hi ya out there! Just wanted to share a little of my frustration these past few weeks. I finally realized that I have been just enjoying life lately..especially through the holidays. Although, Idid keep my excercize up during that time, it was more like 2 days a week maybe 3 on a good week.
So I read back on my profile and realize I have only lost 25 pounds in the last 5 months! WOW! Talk about an eye opener. So a few weeks ago...I thought...THIS IS IT! I HAVE to get to my goal. Ihave two cruises coming up and I'm NOT happy being a size 16 on the bottom anymore.
I have totally been WORKING IT at the gym. I have increased the length of my cardio from 30minutes to 50 minutes and am doing it almost EVERY DAY! Not the same stuff though...cuz I get bored. I have been running intervals on the treadmill and am walking at 3.6 or 3.8 instead of 3.2 and running at 5.1. I walk till I warm up which is about 5 min then I start increasing the speed. I run for one minute then walk fast at 3.8 for 3 or 4 minutes. When I finish this workout for 50 minutes I do my weight training cuz this is what helps to slim you down. Ialso do situps, leg lifts etc. Most importantly for me...I have to switch it up because Iget bored. So I take a step arerobics class here and there which includes body toning for 30 minutes after an hour step class. I like that because youcan go at your own pace only I push myself all the time as if I weighed 110 like the leader! HA!
Every day I have to talk myself into it...and through it...this is how I get it done. To top it all off...I STILL dont lose the weight like others....this entire process since surgery has been slow as molasses...ARGHHH! Those who know me...have heard be complain...but with the support an encouragement from myfriends and my family here at OH...Ijust keep on keeping on....and feel great at the accomplishments I have made.

So I guess what i'm trying to say as that it is NEVER EASY and the weight may take another year....but what am I to do? Stop? Give up? NO WAY! The workouts make me feel strong and alive and beautiful so If you cant give yourself ANYTHING ELSE, give yourself THAT! You will feel so ALIVE! The weight will come. I keep working on that part...and every part. One day at a time, one hour at a time...babysteps....cuz even with babysteps eventually WE WILL GET THERE! And ISNT THAT THE GOAL! HELL YEAH IT IS!

Now come on everyone! LET'S DO IT! Julie =)

03/06/2005~Ok....boy it has been awhile....if you've read my profile then you know the frustration continues regarding weightloss. I have continued with the hard workouts and finally posted on here about my frustration of WORKING MY ASS OFF AT THE GYM and NOT losing any wieght. Well, I got the same answers as I always do EAT MORE which I've always known but its hard and I HATE protien drinks...ok..so I decided I really needed to CHANGE SOMETHING UP! Especially, since my workouts are way more strenuous than they used to be...IM PUSHING MY BODY WHERE ITS NEVER BEEN BEFORE as my girlfriend says...ok...so I ate and ate and ate more protien...tried to really keep track to make sure I was getting enough in. MY GOD...I felt like I was eating all the time...plus adding a protien drink before or after my workouts to help rebuild those muscles.
YAHOOOOO! It's called the PLATEAU BUSTER! THankyou princess splenda! I lost 5 POUNDS this past week..so let me tell you...I am CONTINUING ON!! Less than two months to go until our caribbean cruise! I wanted to lose 20 pounds by the trip..so 15 to go...that makes 50 pounds needed to get to goal....I will get there!!
Also, dont forget to DRINK DRINK DRINK THAT WATER TOO! Oh yeah I recently tried a "SPIN" class at the gym....WOAHHH! 45 minutes of riding riding riding that bike..up hills, down hills etc....the sweat was DRIPPING off me! It's going to be a weekly thing now...I CAN DO ALL THINGS! lol...

Oh yeah...Our Mexico cruise with the California Losers was AWESOME! WE partied every nite...dancing till the wee hours of the morning....had an awesome time and WHAT A GREAT GROUP Picture we got! 75 of us! It was my ONE year anniversary on the cruise and down 110 pounds....the waiters even sang HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to me! I LOVED IT! IT was a fabulous way to celebrate with friends!

I am now down 113 pounds (yes I gained two on the cruise). I thought surely all the dancing would have counteracted the alcohol...GO FIGURE! heehee

SO on to a new week! GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU! and remember...WHEN THINGS GET SLOWWWW>.....STEP IT UP and CHANGE IT UP! Keep changing till you GET IT RIGHT! Cuz WE CAN DO THIS!
Julie =)

03/17/2005~Alrighty then! I thought I posted last week when I was killing myself with all the excercize and weight training I was doing...all to see a 3.5 gain on the scale. All I could do was cry! Why has this journey been so frustrating for me even though I have always worked hard at doing it right!

Well, decided to change things up. Talked with my workout buddies and Brian over at Max Muscle adn bought myself a heart rate monitor. GOt some supplements and decided to take a different approach. Cut back on the intensity of my workouts and stay in my "FAT BURNING ZONE"! Up my calories (lean protien) and take my supplements. Branch chain amino acids and Glucosimine to help repair my muscles and help block my body from burning muscle and protien and instead burn the fat!


Well...weighed today and bam, down 3 pounds. That actually is only from the last 3 days because I was in such a funk from gaining, I didnt workout or pay attention to what I ate thurs, friday, sat or sunday. So I am VERY pleased! I just hope that this program is working for me....

All in all, I can only HIGHLY recommend wieght training. My body is soooo strong and in good shape...I know im DOING MY BODY GOOD! Those are the things I have to constantly remind myself of!

Sooo onward and upward...or downward as far as the scale is concerned! Again...if what you see on the scale is not what you want. CHANGE something up! Of course we have to remember to not always judge the scale but to judge the way we feel and how are clothes are fitting. I had more people come up to me and say..wow....you look so great! Still embarrassing for me but I have to BELIEVE that what they see is what I should be seeing!
I feel amazing this week!

Ok..just to add to the topper...I have recently bought a size LARGE pant from the gap, walmart and jogging shorts from Sportsmart...okay....how's THAT for a slap in the face of reality! I smiled all day! I still cant believe it cuz to me my butt is still HUGE! lol...

Alright..enough of me already! Peace out everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Oh yeah..one last thing...isnt that progression pic cool? My hubby did that so I could SEE for myself ( yes i'm a visual person) the positive changes in my body...

Okay BYE!






03/25/2005~Hey hey everyone! I'm still working hard on my wieghtloss efforts and working out hard. Wearing the heart rate monitor has helped me stay within MY fat burning zone and seems to be working...on the other side, I have been taking my supplements although not much protien drinks. I also make sure I am eating every couple hours and keeping my metabolism burning..>YUP its working...Down another pound this week!

The most interesting thing is that I havent really lost any weight in the last month or so because of gaining then losing it....but EVERYONE lately says "WOW, you have gotten even smaller!" So I guess the weight training and workouts REALLY ARE HELPING even though the pounds dont seem to be moving.

I'll keep it up....because I feel sexy and beautiful and ALIVE! Which is more than I have felt in years! This journey has not only strengthened my relationship with my husband but because I LOVE ME better....it has made our marriage AMAZING! This man is amazing and he makes me want to be ALL THAT I CAN BE!

36 days till our Caribbean Cruise and WE CANT WAIT! I have been like a shopping fool! NOw the hard part is....pack light but pack everything! lol.... last time we had to pay an extra 50 bucks because our luggage weighed too much!

Okie dokie....its friday, I'm OFF WORK cuz its spring break for my son and LIFE IS GREAT!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Julie :-D

04/14/2005~ Well today was weigh day....I stayed the same! It's all good. I have started losing again for the past 3-4 weeks. Changed my program up as I said before. Working out, watching my heart rate, lifting weights, etc. I have increased my diet, added carbs, more protien and MORE CALORIES! That has kept me consistantly losing again...I FEEL FABULOUS! Minus the sagging skin that continues to get more prevelent as I continue to shrink.

Ahhh the good life! 14 day till we leave for the Caribbean!! YAHOOOO! Hubby and I cant wait...neither can our other 8 friends that are going. Just the thought of being comfortable in the airplane and not nerping out over where im sitting or having to get up during the flight to use the bathroom...
That is going to be sooo nice! Well, PEACE OUT everyone! Onward and upward is the ONLY WAY TO GO!

04/27/2005~Today is our 2nd wedding anniversary! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Honey! YOU are the LOVE OF MY LIFE! We take off tomorrow for our vacation cruise to the Caribbean! YAHOO!

Just wanted to share a pic of the Visalia get together...I stole a few! SO HAPPY DAYS!! See ya all when we get back!

Parasailing here I COME!


PAULA, JULIE, MIKEE, SUMMER & LORI

CAN YOU SAY CHEESEBURGER??? lol..

05/17/05 ~ Well, it's been a little bit....I guess i'm still recouperating from vacation...you know that old saying..."I need a vacation from my vacation" We had an absolutely fabulous time...THOUGHT WE WOULDNT?? hahaha
We swam, we ate, we laughed, we saw shows, we danced, I worked out (took a spin class, pilates class, stretch class, we snorkeled, shopped (BOY DID I SHOP) and so many other things..Oh yeah..>I even won about $500 gambling on the ship! WOOHOO!
All to come back and LOSE a POUND! YAHHHHOOO! So I was very happy...that even included eating at the midnight buffet. I swear I was ALWAYS Hungry! lol..
So here are a few shots I just had to share! Until next time..I trying to get REFOCUSED on doing what I need to do. I have appts coming up with Dr. Kent, Dr. Green, Dr. Katzen and Dr. Enevoldsen for plastic surgery consults this summer...I need to reach my goal before the end of the year so Im ready for ps. I want to be close to goal or there and/or continue to be in great shape! SOOOOO...onward and upward SHALL WE! STAYROOK OUT!!


Our Pink Jeep we had for our "Mild & Wild" jeep ride around the island...we had a blast! PINK RULES! We left the others in the dust! lol...

On the french side of St. Maarten is Marigot...just gorgeous!!

Formal Night at dinner...Isnt he just THE BOMB?? I Felt so elegant and beautiful in my beaded formal.

On our balcony in port at St. Thomas. An amazing view!

A portion of our room with the view. We had a suite. Full size shower and jacuzzi tub and double sinks and a dressing room too!



Last but not least...a casual dinner together.


06/18/2005~Hello all! Well its been awhile since I've updated...its been a crazy summer so far. Once I got back from our cruise I started having pain in my left leg/hip area which I figured was my sciatic nerve acting up again...well to make a long story short I ended up with a large herniated disk in my lower lumbar and had to have emergency back surgery on May 26, 05. OUCH! So i'm still recovering but thankfully I am able to stand, walk and move around with out much pain. The pain was almost unbearable prior to surgery and I coudnt do anything!!
But since then, my hubby has been taking care of me and I was able to go to Disneyland for our planned family vacation. No rollercoaster rides of any sort which was a bummer but I was able to do the drive with many stops and at least be with my family. It was a gorgeous week and a fun time had by all! I am adding one picture which is not the best but just wanted to add one. I have gained about 5 pounds this past few weeks and boy do I feel it. At least now im back to some walking per the doctors orders but no lifting, bending or twisting of any kind. UGH! I miss my workouts and weight lifting.



I also had a PS consult with Dr. Kent while I was down south and basically he told me I needed to lose more weight. I was a little disappointed but nothing I didnt know. Of course he said that because of the fact that if they do the circumferential body lift as I want ( he agreed that was what I would need) and THEN I lost more weight....I would have more saggy skin and therefore NOT be happy with my results! I totally understand and now I know that I need TO REFOCUS and get on the ball to lose this last 40-50 pounds that i'd like to! SO as I have said a zillion times....ONWARD AND UPWARD...we must do what we gotta do! Love ya all! Keep up the good work!

STAYROOK OUT! =)

07/02/2005~ Happy 4th of July everyone! Just wanted a quick update. I am healing well from back surgery and feeling much better...still not able to do any form of exercise other than walking which i'm doing occasionally. Life has been hectic but enjoyable being off and spending more time with my husband. I got strict last week and was able to take off 5 of the 6 lbs I gained on vacation...seeeeee how easy it is to eat wrong and not exercise (well thats not my fault) and gain weight...it scares me. I actually saw a girl that I ran into last summer who had lost alot through wls. She was way smaller than I am now. I just saw her again and she had gain a LOT of weight back. I was SHOCKED!!! Scared me to death because I can see how easy it can be to do if we dont stay focused. So im hoping to get my S***T together and keep losing. I go back to work in a week or so...not looking forward to that but am looking at a career change and have an interview next thursday...WISH ME LUCK EVERYONE! I REALLY need this change....it will cause alot of changes in my life some not soooo good but MORE money and MORE challenge and MORE oportunity to grow...I LIKE THAT! ALWAYS up for a challenge! I think it will be great for me! So keep your fingers crossed and keep those prayers coming!! PLEASE!
I still weigh 187 and am wearing a size 14 pant and a large top. I feel good but somtimes still feel soooo huge! WHY IS THAT? Oh well..I'll take this any day over 304 RIGHT!

See ya all on the flip side! STAY SAFE THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND ALWAYS! SEEE YA! (grin)

09/10/05~ WOW! It's been awhile since I last update....we've been quite busy too! As for my weight...well I am still hangin' on to 187..got down to 183 but keep bouncing back and forth a bit. UGH! I just have NOT been excercising much...I HATE IT! I feel so much better when I do! Boy....ever since my back surgery I just can NOT get it together...part of it is the physical therapist only wants me walking a mile a day...I guess that would be ok if I'd do it..but i'm used to working soooo much harder...so whats my excuse? NONE! So hubby and I kinda made a deal last night with losing weight....I'll be heading to Cancun in about 6 weeks..I wanted to feel GREAT by that time and lose some weight..however the weeks keep slipping by....so...the deal is..in 5 weeks I need to lose 8 pounds. If I do that...he will give me another $100 bucks for my trip! The doll just surprised me with $250 bucks to add to my Cancun fund...YAY! Thanks honey! I LOVE YOU!....That man is AMAZING! I never wonder why I married him....i'm just dam thankful I met him!! Ok...so he wants to take some off too! The # of pounds has yet to be determined...but if he DOESNT lose his...then he will give me ANOTHER $100 BUCKS! I lose NOTHING! Hardly seems fair doesnt it? Oh well..spoiled I am....I am NOT complaining..we are both motivated by money...ARENT WE ALL?? LOL>>
Ok...so that means I need to get my ass movin'!! I have walked a few times this week and thankfully it has cooled down around these parts! YAY! I'm not ready for winter...but would love to be done with the 100 degree heat!
We just got back from visiting our friends in Washington..had a GREAT TIME! Hubby totally blew me away by mentioning "lets move here"! I think i'm still shocked...it is soooo gorgeous there! Just dont know if I could handle the cooler weather all the time and the rain.....this will be their 1st winter so we'll see how it really is!
I will add a picture of us at Mt. Rainier....GORGEOUS!!



Well, I hope all of you are back to school and doing great! We got thrown into school more than 3 weeks early this year when my son got accepted to a private school...he had to start on his birthday too and wasnt happy about that! The school is a college prepatory academy and I am so far very impressed with it. We still struggle with him doing his work...but were working on it!

Ok..until next time...STAYROOK OUT!

I also came across this cute "DRINK" mixture thing....thought i'd share it too!

How to make a Julie

Ingredients: 5 parts mercy 1 part self-sufficiency 1 part leadership

Method: Add to a cocktail shaker and mix vigorously. Top it off with a sprinkle of lovability and enjoy!

Username:

Personality cocktail
From Go-Quiz.com

How to make a jbags58

Ingredients: 5 parts competetiveness 1 part arrogance 1 part joy

Method: Combine in a tall glass half filled with crushed ice. Add lustfulness to taste! Do not overindulge!

Here is a cool graphic.....


Created By Boyson Aaron
Contact him to get yours! at
hoax99@hotmail.com

11/15/2005~ WOW! It's been 2 months since i've update??? Thanks for the kick in the butt Marta! lol...
Ok..so let's see...i've been running amuk lately...In September I went to Reno with my hubby and inlaws..had a great time gambling and just having fun. In October (22nd) I was suppose to go to Cancun with my mom, sister, aunts, cousins and friends for my aunts 70th birthday...unfortunately, with the Hurricanes our trip got cancelled the day before. There were 17 of us going. So that Saturday we all met and decided to go to Hawaii instead. After I spent 2 1/2 hours on the phone with Expedia...we were set. 14 of us on the same flight and staying at the Hilton Hawaiin Village Resort and Spa...WOW is all I can say! I can't wait to add pics...the most beautiful hotel there!

MOST OF OUR GROUP ON THE BEACH AT OUR HOTEL


THE VIEW FROM OUR ROOM!!


I actually bought a two piece bathing suit and wore it! lol...

It just happened by chance and we ALL had a fabulous time! I walked for days, Snorkeled at Hanauma Bay, Swam with the dolphins at Sea Life park, sunbathed, ate, drank, shopped, danced and laughed like crazy! WOW! What a great trip! I soooo enjoyed doing all those things with my mom and sister. We hadnt been together like that in a long time! Luckily for us..my mom who turned 69 on Halloween is very active...she snorkeled with us, swam with the dolphins too etc...


GORGEOUS HANAUMA BAY WHERE WE SNORKELED. GORGEOUS!!!

We also shopped alot and went to some shows. If your ever there..you MUST see SOCIETY OF SEVEN show. It was amazing! THe lead singer actually pulled me out of the audience to dance the swing dance on stage....I was like OMG...HERE WE GOOOO!!!
I loved it....now THAT was a WOW moment! My mom even said she thought it was staged because I didnt miss a beat when he grabbed my hand to go up there! I told her "alot has changed in the last two years"! The photographer even took some pictures so that was great to be able to buy one where he is swinging me around!!


ME, MOM, SIS not the best..but do we look alike or what?? lol..

Swimming with the dolphins was soooo way cool too and a MUST DO also if you can...a little pricey but WELL WORTH IT! Especially, when the dolphin pulls you around the pool! I cant wait to add pics...but i'm not at home right now! lol...


SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS and mom in background. WOW MOMENT!


One of my many beautiful pics. SUNSET HAWAII

Ok...so then in November I went with 2 girlfriends to Vegas for 5 days..Can you say WOOO HOOOO! Wow!! We had such a blast. One of my friends has friends who live there so they took us places we hadnt been...we got VIP passes to the PURE nightclub in Ceasars palace...HOT PLACE! We had an absolute blast...cept the drinks were almost 15 bucks a piece...that is CRAZY! But then there were the nice guy who bought us drinks...yeah thats the ticket! heehee
We also at at athe top of the World at the Stratosphere...that was delicious and BEAUTIFUL too! Very much like Space Needle in Seattle which I was just there in September and October...
YES! I've been a busy girl! Dont want grass to grow under my feet! hahaha
Ok..so back to Vegas....after dinner at the top of the World...we went to Olympic Gardens...a strip club...I've been there before and had a FUN FUN TIME! Well, again..we had an FUN time! Will have to add a few pics! Then the next night we took it easy...the three of us had decided to get tattoo's on our last night there and we did! I will also have to add a pic of all of ours...mine was the simplest but I love it...a sun in the middle with vines going out to the left and the right of it with my zodiac sign in the middle of the sun....
Just flew in yesterday and i'm good to go today..wow what a blessing this surgery has been!!! On the way home I sat in the middle...with no problems...no squishing..nothing! YAYYYYY!!
Well, this friday is my BIRTHDAY and my hubby is taking me to Tahoe...cant wait to relax and enjoy just being with HIM! I'm sure it will be beautiful and cozy too!
Ok..I think that may be enough updating for now! lol....as for my weight..well, i'm afraid to weigh till thursday.....I know i have put on weight..I can tell. Too much eating out, drinking etc....I feel YUKKY! So back to basics now..and back to reality!
That was my song yesterday all day.."BACK TO LIFE, BACK TO REALITY!!"
GOTTA LOVE LIFE! I loved it before but now its a whole different picture....good luck to those seeking WLS...its an amazing journey!

STAYROOK OUT! Pics to come..I PROMISE!

Your Icecream Flavour is...Neopolitan!

You aren't satisfied with just one flavor. They say variety is the spice of life and this shines through in your Ice cream of choice! Just don't eat all the chocolate and leave the strawberry and vanilla behind!

What is your Icecream Flavour?

Find out at Go Quiz


Girls Nite out In Vegas - Going DANCING at "PURE"!


The beautiful Sunset from our room!


THE BUTT SISTERS~ We ALL got Tattoo's!


MINE up CLOSE! The zodiac sign for SCORPIO -NOV. 18th!

12/05/2005~Well, it's a new month and boy have I been beating myself up! Not that I have gained any weight but from the lack of weight training and excercise since my back surgery all of a sudden SHOWS! I feel so fat, lumpy and bumpy I cant stand it. I'm really having a hard time and need and want to get back on track.
All that vacationing i've been doing hasnt helped either!!!!
So today I decided that was it!! I was not going to focus until after the first of the new year. BUt why wait when I feel so crappy now???
I actually got on the eliptical today for 20 minutes and then did all sorts of weight training. Funny thing is...I've felt great all day! Of course I didnt get out of my jammies till 3:30 this afternoon! But I felt great none the less! LOL...

Ok, so thats it for now..I just want to feel GOOD for the holidays and not fat and ugly....so I MUST DO THIS! I need to hit a support group TOO! LIKE NOW!

Below is our new family picture...we had these printed asn our xmas cards. I'll have to add one of just hubby and I too. I love it!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! ENJOY!!



OUR FAMILY PICTURE - Cline Cellars Winery in Sonoma County


December 31st, 2005~

Another amazing year BITES THE DUST! It's been a good year...one of many changes though...my back surgery and set back in the weightloss department, my best friends moved to Washington, my office moved, and lost my uncle too!

On the up side....my relationship with my husband has gotten even stronger, we traveled ALOT this year and got to see many things. I can only hope for the new year to bring even more joy to our lives.

Kids are doing well and I love them to pieces!!

So for the new year I wish everyone the best! I have many goals I want for the new year. Not resolutions...just GOALS! It's going to take alot of hard work but i'm willing to DO IT!

This LIFE is NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!! We only get to live it ONCE so I MUST LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST!

My weight is still up about 7 lbs since all the vacationing started back in October. I will however take it off. I am ready and motivated to change my life for the better, meet my weightloss goal and plan to have some PS done when i'm there! It's going to be an amazing year! I CAN JUST FEEL IT!!

So join me one and all....LETS DO IT! 2006 is GOING TO ROCK!

Jan. 10,06~HAPPY NEW YEAR! Just wanted to update a bit. Last week I was really depressed and down on myself. I think I got overwhelmed with all the new goals I have made for myself this year. After reaching out to my OH friends, I felt somewhat better so THANKYOU ALL WHO POSTED! WHO LUVS YA BABE!?

I also called my girlfriend in Washington who knows me better than just about anyone else. That helped me alot!! Thanks Girlfriend! I LOVE YOU!

I also talked with my husband about some things and that really helped too! SO GET IT OUT! That ALWAYS HELPS! But then I dont think men really DO understand us women!

Ok, then on top of all that (PLUG YOUR EARS MEN! lol..) Yesterday I started my montly cycle and it was like NO WONDER I was an emotional WRECK! lol... I've started going through the change so I no longer have it every month ....so nothing in December which I didnt miss..ahhaha and then bam....here we are!

UGH! Soooo there you have it! I am still struggling to get back on track. Yesterday was the first day that I did really good. Except I probably only got in about 40 oz or so of water. I did walk a brisk two miles at lunch time and I fought off the popcorn monster last night too! So hip hip hooray for me! Today is a new day...gonna give it my ALL!

I am going on the little 4 day mini cruise to Mexico on Feb. 17th with my girlfriend and I want to make sure that I can fit into my formal gown and look and feel good...so I got 5 weeks to go! Mini goals ya know! This is the same cruise (different ship & port) we took last february (even same weekend) and had a blast! So need to get on the stick and stick to this thing...time to drop past the 180's. I AINT GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT! I'm too STUBBORN FOR THAT! So LET's HEAR IT PEEPS! ching ching!!

Vonage Voip

02/10/2006~ HEY ALL YOU FABULOUS PEEPS!!
Just a short update....seems like its been awhile since I updated. Been very frustrated with weight gain and life in general. I have so many goals that I want to obtain this year...I think I got totally overwhelmed...so I admitted myself into therapy again! LOL I'm going once a month. I'll tell ya, if you've NEVER been in counseling before...GO DO IT! You may not find one that works for you right off the getgo but dont give up! Actually, I think if you talk around to people you know, you'll find one tha works for you!
This is a new one for me but after only 4 visits and YES, GO WEEKLY if you can...it helps speed up the process rather than going every couple weeks...we are already digging deep and still even after all the years of that I have had counseling there is still more to learn about myself and why I do what I do to myself. YAHOO! SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND!!
So ok...counseling is going great and on Feb 1st I started to UP my exercise and started the Plateau Buster Diet. DING DING DING!! After 7 days (1 week) I was down 6 pounds and I weighed again this morning and down another pound! YEEEHAAWW!!
It's sooo great to finally see the scale moving in the downward direction.
Alot of stuff going on around here and trying to get and stay motivated. Last month (Jan) my oldest son was in a car accident with his friend...the kids were all caravanning to Starbucks to hang out when the driver looked down at his cell phone for a second and when he looked up the car in front of him had stopped...he put on the brakes, swearved, hit the devider and ROLLED 3 TIMES!! Landing on the opposite side of the street! I was called immediately and ran to the scene...it was dark and I took this pic with my phone so its not the greatest....but by looking at the car...I cant believe they werent hurt worse! Just banged up and bruised..>THANK YOU LORD!! They were both very shaken up and we spent several hours in the ER that night! I hope they learned something valuable out of that! Luckily they were in a 2004 SUV and both airbags deployed and probably saved their lives...my son was scared SHITLESS to say the least...when the vehicle came to a stop he couldnt get out! luckily with friends close behind, they ran in to help! He was crying and shaking and thought he did not have his seatbelt on..Well he DID! That also probably saved their lives. WHEW! Glad that is all over!! Let's see if the pic thing works!


My oldest sons crash, you cant see that the windshield is shattered and every window was broken out! Not to mention all the damage in the front and other side, nor the steering line that snapped off!

So what else is going on?? Oh...Leaving next Thursday Feb. 16th for Long Beach..me and my girlie friends are cruising out on the "Paradise" to Ensenada with KHOP radio station. SHOULD BE WILD!! But then hey..we can have a good time ANYWHERE! Pictures to follow! heehhee

In March, hubby and I will be taking our youngest on the same cruise..we are going to surprise him as he feels neglected cuz he's never been on a cruise! HA! Poor thing! LOL...

Coming up in September is my 7 day cruise with Paula to the Mexican Rivera and an OH CONVENTION! Cant WAIT! Then in October...off to Cancun for my mom and aunts 70th birthday..same crew that went to Hawaii as Cancun was our prior destination LAST YEAR but the hurricane stopped us. SO STAY AWAY HURRICANES!!

Ok..so then I"m going to add a pic of my son Alex incognito! LOL He loves to dress up in costumes and such...says he's going to HOLLYWOOD to become an actor some day...TOO CUTE! We put these in his stocking for xmas...ok here goes!

Alex being HIMSELF! LOL... GOTTA LOVE THAT KID!

Well, guess that is about it....oh yeah..we hit a naughty ladies party in Visalia last month with Marta, Anici and fun OH PEEPS! Had a blast but I was a lightweight..>UGH! See if I can post a pic on here....then OVER AND OUT! Till next time!!


LORI, RENEE, ME, PAULA, RHONDA @ Naughty Ladies party!

02/25/2006~ Ok...came across this picture and CAN'T BELIEVE it's ME! I think this was in 2001 or 2002....so GROSS it SCARES ME!


05/10/2006~WOW! It's been a long time since I updated. I havent been frequenting the OH boards too much...I have found another outlet for support that is smaller and I seem to get my needs filled better...however I still all of the California Peeps on this board...you all rock!
My life has been kind of crazy for awhile...have been walking several miles daily to help stay in shape....I had gained 9 pounds from my lowest weight and I really let it get me down...so with some perserverance and support from my new support friends..I have worked hard and gotten back down to185. Losing those 9 lbs..I still have at least 30-40 that i'd like to lose but we'll see. I had made the statement that if I was still at this weight in January of 2007. Then I would give up being so hard on myself and expecting myself to get to150 lbs. Maybe my body doesnt want to go there! I remember being at the weight I am now when I got pregnant with my first son. Sometimes I wonder if thats why my body wants to stay here so badly! Don't know but for now i'm going to keep on trying!!
My back has been bothering me off and on and it scares me to death sometimes..but I keep walking daily...wish I could give more but physically dont feel like I can.
I also had a biopsy taken of a spot on my nose which came back as cancerous and last week had to have it removed...I have this ugly section missing off my nose but looks like it should heal fine and be gone! All those years of fun in the sun and water have taken its toll!
Glad it was a common type and removable..THANKS Dr. Jacobs!!
Ok..what else? My kitchen has been undergoing construction as we had a leak while on vacation in march that ruined the wood floors and inturn got mold in the cabinets...so although it could have been much worse...the cabinets that were affected had to be torn out and rebuilt...I had no access to my kitchen other than the fridge for awhile...no sink, water or nuthing...ARGHHH! That can drive you crazy! I think I started to nut up regarding everything that was going on in my life! But the cabinets are done now so at least I have access to the kitchen...the flooring is being ordered and hopefully will be put in within a few weeks! I'll pray about that one! Lol..

So all in all...life is ok...i'm struggling with many things and trying to keep life in perspective if that is possible....THANK GOD FOR COUNSELING!! My body image sucks too! I am sooo ready to be done with the weight loss, done with the plastic surgery etc...although i'm not looking forwarding to finding the money to pay for it..nor going through all the surgeries i'd like to have...but I cant worry about that now as i'm not where I want to be nor am I where I need to be!

Take care everyone! Keep up the good work too! Julie =)

08/07/2006~

WHEW! It's been awhile huh? Well, alot has been going on lately...first thing first....I'm still trying to get my weight down and have gotten back down to 183 which is a good thing but would be nice to get to the 170's or 150's would even be greater as i'm totally ready to have some PS done and be DONE WITH THIS!
I guess the hard part is I have several week long trips coming up and would at least like to have a flatter stomach. September will be the Mexican Riviera cruise with my friend Paula, October is a week in Cancun with my sister, mom, aunts and cousins celebrating my moms and aunts 70th birthday then in April my hubby and I will be cruising again to the Western Caribbean (Ocho Rios Jamaica, Cozumel and Grand Caymans!) Totally looking forward to that! Actually looking forward to all of them.

Unfortunately, for the past 6 months or so I have been having bad back pain again....so I went back to my nuerosurgeon for some tests xrays, Mri etc....well lucky me...NOT! I have a new problem with my back and it's called Stenosis ( I think thats how its said and spelled). Basically a portion of my vertabrae has moved out of place and every time I move basically it pinches off nerves and tendons causing pain. Every day is different. Somedays (alot) I can barely get out of bed or stand up on my feet, other days its painful but not unbearable. This stenosis requires a HUGE operation he says. They will fuse 3 vertebrae together, put cages around it with pins and screws etc....I'm SO NOT READY TO GO THERE!!! So for now i'm just hangin' in....dealing with the pain and only taking pain meds when I just cant deal with the pain anymore! Luckily that isnt TOO often. I have just learned to deal with it. I continue to walk as much as I can and do my back strengthening exercises daily if not twice a day. This stretching and strengthen really helps me! Unfortunately, I get alot of pain when I lay down so my nights are not real comfortable. I toss and turn all night and it's very painful to turn my body. UGH!

But on the flip side...life is good, my baby just turned 12, my hubby is about to turn 37 and we've been having a great summer! My baby is back in school already! Where did the summer go?

I have lots of trips coming up and i'm looking forward to that! Except for the fact that I cant do the things I'd really like to do like horseback riding on the beach, ATV riding on the beach, dune buggies etc....Luckily I can snorkel and do some of the lighter things. I also plan to parasail on at least ONE of my trips!! But just to be vacationing or cruising and just being with family and friends and beautiful countryside and the ocean is enough for me! I dont want to dwell on what I can do but relish in the fact that I get to do all these amazing things! YAY!!

So that is about it...this weekend I'll be going down south for a parent weekend at Claremont College. My son went to Seattle for "SUPERCAMP" last month. SuperCamp is a learning camp for kids that includes academics, speed reading, learning strategies, organizational skills, trust, responsibility, etc...it is expensive but was a fabulous experience for my son which I knew it would be. It is geared to help students raise their grades and believe in themselves. The parent weekend will teach parents the skills and how to help our children implement the tools they have learned. So far the changes I have seen in my son are great! He wants to go back next year... HE LOVED IT! He is actually even saving 25% of the money of his from his birthday and earnings to help pay for next year. I'm looking forward to this weekend (kinda, i've always hated school). But to know that I can help my son do better is enough to get me motivated. The way they teach the camp is all upbeat and motivational...they dont even realize they are learning!
They even have a graduation and boy there were alot of tears! HAPPY TEARS but having to leave the newly bonded friendships is always hard....there were kids from all over the country! California, Australia, HongKong, Hawaii....amazing time! Money well spent in my opinion and we are all looking forward to an AWESOME 7th grade! YOU GO ALEX!!!

Till next time my peeps!!

11/14/2006~ WOW! It's been 3 months since i've written...i'll try to post some new pics when I can! I hope all is well in YOUR WORLD!!
Well, here it is November 14th...it is a beautiful fall day in Cali...sun shining after all the rain yesterday but there is still a crispness in the air.

It's been awhile since I posted last...I've been doing alot of traveling lately and I LOVE IT!

September 24-Oct. 1st I took a cruise to the Mexican Riviera with my girlfriend Paula who is also a post op 3+ years. SHe has lost about 300 lbs and looks phenominal!
I had a blast on this cruise and did lots of fun stuff. Paula and I decided to do the Zip lines at Los Veranos Canopy Tour in Puerto Vallarta. WOW! What fun...alot of work but well worth it! It was humid there so it really made ya feel sweaty and yukky by the time we were done! WE then went and got a massage at the Krystal hotel. $40 for 90 minutes...ahhh it was great!

Mazatlan we did a beach, shopping and lunch excursion..it was ok...didnt really care for Mazatlan but I did go PARASAILING for the first time in my life!

Cabo we did the Snuba...like scuba diving but the tank isnt on your back..its on a raft and we could go down about 25+ feet. I saw the cutes blowfish in my life! Our guide found him and brought him to us. He looked like a baby and when he put him in front of my face...I could see his little eyes moving and his little lips breathing...WAY COOL! It was 107 degrees in cabo and about 100% humidity...UGH!

All in all a fabulous time! Oh yeah and came home with a THREE POUND LOSS! YAHOOO!

October 21st -Went to Cancun with mom, sis, aunts and cousins plus a few family friends. There were 16 of us all together and BOY WHAT FUN!! Lots of fun in the sun, laughing and we even threw a suprise 70th birthday party at La Distillaria for my mom and a friend...we had a Pinata and pin the tail on the donkey and Mariachi's even sang as we ate out on the deck.
Was truly a time to remember! I LOVE being with family and friends!!

Heck who am I KIDDING! I just LOVE VACATIONING with anyone! lol..Came home and weighed...stayed the same. I was happy!

This past weekend Nov.10-12 my hubby took me to Santa Cruz, Aptos and Monterey for the weekend...it was an early surprise birthday present...it was nice to get away and spend some alone time with him. Just kickin it, walking on the beach, hitting the aquarium and cannery row in Monterey, going down on the wharf in Santa Cruz for some fresh Calimari. Thanks honey!

SO the holidays are around the corner and i'm trying to get my act together here...not that i'm gaining weight or anything but I really want to lose 10-20 lbs by the time my surgery in January is here! YES! A tummy tuck w/lipo of thighs/flanks is scheduled for January 19th with Dr. Place. Kim's surgeon..I loved her and now know why she loves her so much! I have two months to work hard and lose some more pounds. I'm very excited about this surgery and hope that it will help with the way I feel about my nekked body. So trying to get in the rythem of eating ONLY healthy stuff and exercising daily!! Not doing so great and I have no idea why!
Anywho...

Next week is my 48th birthday...boy time flies...cant believe i'm well on my way to 50. YIKES! But I am living and living a full life..so I have no complaints!

Thanksgiving is just a skip away also...it will be just Steve and I as Alex will be with his dad and Braydon (my oldest) well, he cant seem to call me back. hate that! Steve and I plan on going to the Lake house In Paso to meet up with his brother, wife, kids, inlaws and his parents for Thanksgiving. I hate not being with my family on the holidays...between kids going back and forth and his family, my family, brothers ,sisters etc...its just crazy! Moms disappointed that they will be the only one at my sisters for Thanksgiving from our family. Now I feel bad. Plus I only have my son for xmas eve and we never do anything for xmas eve so my family probably wont even get to see Alex for the holidays unless we have something before...and even then...getting everyone together is just a plain STRUGGLE before xmas! Hate that part! At least after all these years my mom doesnt give me crap anymore...
Hence the balancing elephant on my signature line. Gotta love it! It is SO TRUE!!

So that is about it...my weight has been stable for awhile now...up/down a tad....for the past almost 2 years. I guess that is a good thing.....thank god for wls. I really feel blessed to be living a semi-normal life again.

So this is it...who knows when I'll post again...maybe I can add some pics sometime in the near future from my fun trips!

STAYROOK OUT!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF YOU!!

03/26/07~HELLO OUT THERE!!!

Well, it's been awhile but the newest thing going on in my life is that I had my first round of plastic surgery on January 19th, 07. Dr. Michelle Place was my surgeon of choice in Danville, Ca.

After taking about a year and a half to check out several different surgeons I chose Dr. Place. One of the main reasons is that she took my body shape, what I wanted done and told me what she felt was BEST to get the OPTIMUM results for what I WANTED! So I am adding some before and after pictures. My results are amazing and these pictures are 5 months post op. Im' still swollen in some places and she said it can take 6 months or more.

What I had done is a Tummy Tuck with muscle repair and lots of lipo of my hips and thigh area...as you can see...I NEEDED IT!! lol..
She took 6 pounds off my stomach and 9 lbs of lipo. As of this date I am down about 12 lbs weight wise! YAY!!

I LOVE DR. PLACE!!!!

Before: Taken a few days before surgery



5 WEEKS POST OP!!




01/13/2008- HAPPY NEW YEAR and Hello OUT THERE!!

It's been so long I thought I'd update a little bit.... I will be 4 years out next month and I just cant believe it! Seems like it has just been the craziest ride!!

In retrospect...2007 was a busy year! IN January I had my tummy tuck and lipo to the hips/flanks which in the pictures above you can see what a huge difference it made in my body and also inspired me to GET MOVING on losing some more weight!

The hard part with plastics is that your workout regimin comes to a screaching halt for awhile. My weight was up when I had that surgery and I FELT IT! But as I said....having my new flat tummy and slimmer hips really helped my self esteem and my motivation.

IN June of 2007 I decided to have my arms and breasts done and I will post some pics too! I love the results but lemme tell ya...those arms HURT! I wasnt aware that my armpits had sutures as well so I reached above my head for some laundry detergent and felt this HORRIBLE stinging sensation...now how stupid am I? I think that was day 2 so lemme tell ya....I downed two bottles of vicodin in the next two weeks just trying to ease the pain! I learned a hard lesson!! UGH!

FEBRUARY 24th, 2009~

OW...well here we are in February of 2009. I just passed my 5 YEAR SURGIVERSARY!! WOOHOO! I can't believe that it has been 5 years and I still have the bulk of my weight off! I MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT EH? LOL

It's a blessing that I was able to have this surgery and although I think in my head that I dont take it for granted, at times I do by eating the wrong things. On the other hand, this means i'm human.

I really need to update this profile with more pictures and all that is going on or has been going on.

Truth is..I had an EXTREMELY difficult 2007 in more ways than one. I guess in retrospect I am THANKFUL that I Didnt gain a bunch of weight back. BECAUSE I CERTAINLY COULD HAVE!!

JAN. 2007-Tummy Tuck and 2 months recooperation.
JUNE 2007-Breast Lift and Brachioplasty and 3 months of recooperation..ugh! TUFF!
JULY 2007-Mother in law and friend died unexpectedly at 58 years old. Complications from Breast cancer after getting clean bill of health in May -GO figure! It's been devastating!
SEPTEMBER 2007-One of my closest friends and surrogate grandma was moved from her home next door to me (she is 91)and moved with her son 2 hours away. This didnt need to happen but its what they chose and I had an extremely difficult time adjusting to their ways. (like no phone calls from her or if they'd come to town (they'd stay next door) they would hide out and not even let me know that she was here. It's been heart wrenching because we looked out for eachother and she has been extremely close to my boys as well. We'd see eachother every day several times a day as well as talk on the phone, cook for eachother etc.
I've learned alot from this and have somewhat come to terms. It's still hard but I have to be the one to keep in touch and relish each moment that I do get to share with her. What I learned this past month is that she is doing very well and looks great. I know that they have her best interest at heart but I felt like a part of me was RIPPED OUT! I will survive and do my best to keep in touch with her as well as send cards of the going ons like school formals or that i'll be a new grandma this summer etc. It's been one of the most difficult things I've endeared in my 50 years of life besides losing my MIL and my best friends losing their only child 14 years ago. It's tuff!

Well, I will add more when i'm home and can update some pics...my life is good and I cant complain too much. This economy sux and is effecting all of us. But we KEEP ON KEEPING ON ...just like the road of WLS. If you KEEP ON KEEPING ON...YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!!

STAYROOK OUT! =)

Photos

304 1st day home from surgery (pink)

183 VEGAS November 2005

Weight Loss Survey Responses
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Member Interests:

Fish - I have a 55 gallon with Oscars and cichlids and a 5 gal for goldfish

Cats - Have two...Mocha (tub of lard cat) and Little Lady! We love them!

Bodybuilding & Weightlifting - Love wieght lifting! Have been out for about 9 mos. Cant wait to get back!

Movies - Love movies...exspecially CHICK FLICKS!

Photography - Love photography...would love to do weddings some day!

Scrapbooks - Enjoy scrapbooking..especially C.M. Hope to start again soon.

Romance - and romance

Comedy - gotta laugh right?

Hair Stylist - I am one! Have been since 1981.Still dabble in it and love new styles on me.

Shopping - Need you ask? Can only imagine when i'm normal size! YIKES! lol..

Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.

Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Antonio Coirin, M.D.