Dear Vickie, Congrats on the awesome job. We can all, so relate to your story. I know that not a day passes that I don't thank God for the opportunity to have had this surgery that has changed our lives so greatly. Keep up the good work and keep off those lbs. Linda 367/207/?

Happy Re-birthday to us both! You're doing great - keep it up! Vickie J. 277/138.5/138

Happy Re-Birthday to us both! What a wild ride this year has been - but sooooo worth it! Keep up the good work! Vickie J. 277/138.5/138

Hello everyone, Even though it is now past midnight and no longer "offically" my 1 year surgery anniversary, I wanted to post a bit about my post wls life. I went to the Bariatric Center today for Pam to give me an offical weight on the Tanita scale. And the number is..... drum roll please..... 138.5 lbs. This is a monumental WOW moment. At that moment, I weighed exactly half of my hospital admittance weight (277 lbs.). I've lost as many pounds as I now weigh. How cool is that???!!! Dr. Sieloff's goal weight was 158 lbs, my original goal was 142 lbs but I had revised that to 138 to give myself a little more cushion to allow for the normal, expected "bounce". I didn't expect to actually make my goal within the first year, figured I'd be close, but not quite there. What a pleasant surprise to see the scale register my dream number!! I've also been charting my inches lost and I've lost 101.25 inches total body inches. I've gone from a Women's size 26-28 to a Misses size 10. Losing the pounds and looking better (in my clothes at least) is wonderful, but the most important thing is that I'm healthier. I no longer have sleep apnea, elevated cholesterol & triglycerides, venious hypertension & edema (leg swelling) or chronic low back pain. I'm off all meds except for 1 for my Fibromyalgia that I'm not willing to give up (don't want to risk a Fibro flare-up). Other great changes this year has brought: I can walk without becoming flushed, hot & sweaty. My body's thermostat is no longer stuck on High. I can cross my legs like a lady. I fit in restaurant booths without having to shove the table away. I can buckle seat belts in cars & planes without sucking in my gut & tucking the belt underneath. I can shop in the regular sizes departments and in little boutiques that don't carry "Women's" sizes. I can bend over to pick up something off the floor without having to spread my legs to allow a space for my belly to get out of the way. I feel more self-confident and assured. I have more energy. I have greater enthusiasm for life. I'm looking forward to the future instead of dreading it and wondering what new ailment is going to hit me next. The world is a brighter place & I've got more options to explore it!! When folks ask if I'd have gastric bypass surgery again, I answer with a resounding YES! I can't begin to describe how much my life & health have changed for the better in the past year. But I could never have done it without the support I've received from family & friends and all of you, my OH family. My family & friends have made this journey easier and much more pleasant. I know that without everyone's support I would not have been been successful. So I want to thank all of you, my wonderful surgeon, Dr. Elliott Sieloff (& his fantastic nurse, Jody) and my pcp, Dr. Jesse Judelle, *****commended I "think about" weight loss surgery 4 years ago. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Vickie J. 277/138.5/138

BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO, Tracy!!! Isn't life GREAT TO BE LIVING IN IT!!!! ((((skinny hugs))))) wendyb 306/182/skinny of course!