I know I have been gone from the boards... life has taken off for the better and I just don't find much time to make it over here anymore. Shoot, I have not even updated my profile in months! LOL! Matter of fact, I forgot my own rebirthday because I was enjoying a wonderful getaway in Savannah, GA!!! Guess that is what happens when you are on vacation without a calander, watch, or a scale! I did not even care about "what I weighed" the whole time I was there even though there was a huge scale in the cardio room of the hotel. Hey, who knew I'd be this far one year later? While I was on my trip I stayed on the bandwagon treating myself with a bit of sal****er taffy at the end of a successful day! LOL! I did cardio almost everyday, I practiced some TKD, and I walked all over Savannah, I got in my protein (even back on the shakes to supplement), and I drank more than my fair share of fluids! The things that I accomplished on this trip alone is enough for celebration! One year ago I would have never DREAMED of walking around a historic town with my son in tow. I would have NEVER even dared to get more than a few yards from my car, let alone walk several miles and actually ENJOY IT! Knowing that if my son got tired, that I would actually have to carry him. BUT I DID IT! WOW, I feel so accomplished! I can't even begin to express the feelings that I have had this past year.... the accomplishments that I have made... and the amount my life has been enriched by doing this journey! I am thankfull everyday for my surgeon, my health, and my life! WOW! A Year of Pros: * I have a healthy BMI! * I have boundless amounts of energy! * My health problems are all gone now! (Except allergies of course, but even they are better!) * I am healthy, happy, and enjoying life!!! * SEX is GREAT! * I SLEEP!!! * I am smaller now than I EVER have been in my entire adult life! * I feel sexy! (Although I am still battling the head issues related to the extra skin and lack of breasts.. but that will come with time and perhaps some PS! LOL!) * I graduated from school with honors and in a REGULAR sized cap & gown! (And now I am only a handful of classes form my second bachelors degree!!!!) * Discovered my truest friends! (The ones who stuck by me through all my crazy ups and downs!) * My son and husband are proud of me! * and more importantly, I AM PROUD OF ME!!! A Year of Cons: * Coming to the realization of how big I really was (I NEVER had any concept of how big I was until a few weeks ago!) * The expense! (OMG, who knew clothing, supplements and vitamins could be so expensive. But it has taught me to appreciate everything I do have!) * Taking vitamins and having such a restriction on painkillers kinda sucks! (but it is such a small price to pay.) * IT WAS THE HARDEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE!!!! (But it was the BEST decision that I could have ever made for myself.) * Losing "friends". (But if they were real friends they would have accepted me for who I am... THEN and NOW!) * Losing my hair!!! (At least it gave me the nerve to do something WILD with it!) * The emotional rollercoaster was NOT FUN in the least bit. (but it changed me on the inside and forced me to face some demons that I avoided for years!) You know what though... the only reason why I have not made "goal" (146 gives me a "normal" BMI by the health charts) is because I don't want to!!! My goal was to be happy and healthy and when I got down to 148 I was NOT happy nor healthy looking so I am SATISFIED with hoovering at the 150s!!!! I love me! Blessed be! Brightest Blessings for a Wonderful Day~ Jamie M. aka Lady Autumn Weight- 257/152/146 BMI- 44.1/25.3/25 Height- 5'5" Total Weight Loss: -105 lbs. Surgery Date- 1/19/05 Visit my OH profile or stop by My Weight Loss Journey Website at: home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-LadyAutumnsWLSjourney Visit my Live Journal at: livejournal.com/users/magickalmom

What an inspiring post... thanks for sharing! CONGRATZ on all of your accomplishments! I am so happy for you and your hubby! Brightest Blessings for a Wonderful Day~ Jamie M. aka Lady Autumn Weight- 257/152/146 BMI- 44.1/25.3/25 Height- 5'5" Total Weight Loss: -105 lbs. Surgery Date- 1/19/05 Visit my OH profile or stop by My Weight Loss Journey Website at: home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-LadyAutumnsWLSjourney Visit my Live Journal at: livejournal.com/users/magickalmom

*happy dancing* YOU GO GIRL! I am so happy for you. You go get that personal goal girl!!! Personally, I think that I ought to change my signature line because I am done loosing.... once I got close to my goal weight I looked too gaunt and sickly so I put back on another couple of pounds so that I would look and feel better! Brightest Blessings for a Wonderful Day~ Jamie M. aka Lady Autumn Weight- 257/152/146 BMI- 44.1/25.3/25 Height- 5'5" Total Weight Loss: -105 lbs. Surgery Date- 1/19/05 Visit my OH profile or stop by My Weight Loss Journey Website at: home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-LadyAutumnsWLSjourney Visit my Live Journal at: livejournal.com/users/magickalmom

Mary, you will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that everything that goes well for you and that your recovery is smooth and your results are flawless! *hugs* Brightest Blessings for a Wonderful Day~ Jamie M. aka Lady Autumn Weight- 257/152/146 BMI- 44.1/25.3/25 Height- 5'5" Total Weight Loss: -105 lbs. Surgery Date- 1/19/05 Visit my OH profile or stop by My Weight Loss Journey Website at: home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-LadyAutumnsWLSjourney Visit my Live Journal at: livejournal.com/users/magickalmom

Hi Everyone.... I'm am so glad that I am not alone on this matter... Sorry that everyone is in pain... I have been telling my PCP that my back and hips hurt for so long and she finally put me on muscle relaxers... Only thing is I don't get to enjoy no pain because I am knocked out from the meds... My hips started hurting about 8 months and have just gotten worse as the time goes on... Recently I started getting lower back pains and before it would only last for a few days and now it has been going on for the past 2 1/2 months.... I go and see my surgeon for my year checkup tomorrow.... I was told earlier in the year that if I didn't get my protein and vitamins in that it would start to affect my muscles... I hope that is not the case but guess I will find out tomorrow... I have told people that I hurt more now than I did when I had all the weight to carry around... I understand your frustration, here we are looking good and we are and so much pain we can't enjoy it... My husband told me that he was gonna go and buy me a cane, cause I walk around bent over holding my back... I don't think I could even make it up the hill.... LOL... Well I hope that everyone gets to feeling better.... Take care..... Julia