Wow! You do look happier. Congratulations! I can't believe you just had a hysterectomy, too. Ouch. 2 major surgeries in 6 months. That's got to be hard!. I had a vaginal hysterectomy 2 year earlier. I actually felt better after my hysterectomy because I was hemmoraging and in so much pain before the surgery. I could have mowed the grass a week later! Take care, Heidi

Way to go! Nice post and CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement! That's so cool! I hear a lot about people breaking up after WLS that it's nice to hear your story! Hugggs and blessings, Heidi

Thanks for all your suggestions and encouragement everybody. I ended up posting on our local WLS yahoo group "let's do lunch" and got 6 people to go to lunch with me and then someone else went to dinner with me. It was fun being with people even though it was around food. Hugggs and blessings, Heidi

Hi all, I've been pretty scarce around here lately, and I have missed you! I do lurk from time to time but have not had the patience to post much using my dial-up (S L O W) connection. Anyway, hello! Six months ago yesterday, I had my surgery with Dr. DeWitt at Carraway in Birmingham. In a way, I feel completely the same, and completely different. What is the same is...well I am still "me" - I wasn't sure how the changes might affect me What is different is...I don't feel like the prisoner in my body I did six months ago. I was in a terribly low spot just before surgery, in terms of ability to move around, constant pain, etc. As I have posted before, the exertion of getting INTO BED kicked my butt and I would lay there afraid I was going to die, and ashamed to say anything about how scared I was. I had no problems with my surgery or recovery - it felt too easy, almost! No sickness, no nausea, no pain, not even any dumping at first. However! I know now for sure now that I dump on sugar. I was afraid to really try it except a nibble for a long time after surgery, but I have since tried it, and learned! Most unpleasant. But other than that, literally NO problems at all. I weighed 351 before surgery, and have lost 90 pounds, leaving me at 261 according to Dr. DeWitt's scale. I had to weigh on HIS scale of course! I am about half-way to my goal weight of 170. I've been a little freaked out lately because I notice that I can eat larger quantities of food, and from this point on, I know it's going to take much more of my focus not to go back to shoveling it in there! Hopefully the good new habits I have formed during this time will sustain me and I'll stay right on track. That is my plan, anyway! And I wanted to share some other good news... My sweetie Rod surprised me Wednesday night with a lovely engagement ring! W00t!! We have been dating for almost six years, and I'll be surprised if you didn't hear the big SIGH OF RELIEF from both our families I have posted some photos on flickr.com under the name atlantagrrl if you are curious. Lots of silly stuff there, including pictures of my new kitten (we joke that the kitten is our baby and we are having a shotgun wedding heh!!). In answer to the inevitable question, "So when is the wedding??" our answer is, "In the next year or so...stay tuned!" I look forward to seeing you all out & about more in the coming weeks. I got totally into volunteering with the Red Cross after Katrina, but I have had to back off on that and focus on my job, and get back to the rest of my life. I've missed being in touch on oh.com and I have missed seeing my Tusca-losers - look out yall, I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack! Thanks to every single one of you for your friendship, prayers and support during my journey. Much love, Kathy

Melanie, Thanks so much!! When I look at myself in the mirror, I do not see it but when you compare pictures..... Wow!! What a fun ride!! Terri