WHAT? ONLY 24lbs?

Hey Guys ... I have something I would like to share if you don't mind ... I just realized that I have only 24 more pounds to go to get to goal (average weight for a woman my age and height). WHAT???? Imagine my surprise? When I realized this I thought to myself ... no wonder the weight loss has slowed down. I now have a little bit of hope that I might actually make it to goal!!! I want to thank each and every one of you guys for all your support, love and friendship. This journey would be so much harder without y'all!!! Truly you guys rock!!! Love, Tammy

T, I have no doubt what so ever that you will make it to goal. I am so happy for you.... HUGSSSSSSS Kristina

Kristina, Thank you for your kindness and support!!! Your words made my evening!!! Hugs, Tammy

Hi Tammy That is great news. How long did it take you? Any advice to share? Rose

Rose, I had my surgery on Oct 31, 2003. It has been slowing going but I guess I am getting there ... perhaps more like the turtle in the race rather than the rabbit ... but at least I am starting to see the finish line. Advice ... gosh, I am not the poster child for WLS ... but I guess if I have any advice to give it would be; *Follow your docs orders *Cherish your new chance at a new and improved life. Treat your new pouch with care, kindness and concern. Treat it like the true gift it is! *Make it your mission in life to learn all you can about your weight loss surgery and plan on being your own best advocate for the rest of your life. *Remember that not everyone loses weight at the same pace ... be prepared to be the person who is the "slow loser" cause that can be pretty hard sometimes. Try to keep in mind why you had the surgery in the first place ... usually that is for better health ... so keep your eye upon the prize of better health, especially when the going gets tough. You can't always control the rate of weight loss, but you can always control what you feed your body and how you take care of it. *Know that once you have surgery, vitamins, adequate fluids and protein are no longer an option ... they are mandatory. Sure you can lose without them ... but what you are losing is far to costly. Take the best care of you that you can!!! After all ... you want to be able to enjoy your new body for years to come!!! *Lastly, make sure you record your journey in both a journal and in pictures ... this includes pre-op ... you will be so glad you did in the months to come!!! Wishing you the very best in your journey!!! Hugs, Tammy

Dear TAmmy, Congratulations!!! That is a tremendous accomplishment and we're all standing with you to see that you get all the way to "goal". I've never actually thought that "goal" was possible. I was going by the scale that is on this web site as to probable weight loss. My goodness if we can actually get to "goal" it would be amazing. I don't think I have ever been at "goal" Keep up the good work and you are an encouragement to to those of us who are "newbies". I'm 7 weeks out and down about 34 pounds. I posted you a question on a previous post. What did you mean about your pouch being loud and clear? Mine gurggles and makes a noise after I eat, is this normal? Thanks, Mama

Thank you Mama Mama ... I have always felt the same way. It seemed so very far away just a few short months ago ... and now suddenly, it seems reachable. How cool is that??? And congratulations on your wonderful loss!!! Keep up the good work!!! FYI - my "goal" is the average weight for women my height and age. I had always thought I wanted to go down to something like 105-115 ... don't think that weight would work on me now. In all honesty thought I would like to lose another 10 lbs on top of the average goal. At least that is what I am thinking now ... who knows how I will feel when I get there. Depends on my actual size. I am already wearing clothing that is smaller than I wore in high school and for that I am very thankful!!! Now about the pouch ... can't say for sure it is normal ... but what I can say is ... mine has done it since surgery. Over the past couple of months it has gotten a little more quiet ... but still rears it noisy little self when it wants to. When I was newly post-op ... whatever I put in ... food, water ... etc, it made so much noise it was embarrassing. Hubby was wonderful and told me he couldn't hear it ... but I had a good friend who told me hubby was just being nice .... it was LOUD and definitely noticeable!!! But it does get better .. or at least we get used to it??? *grin* Best wishes on your journey!!! Hugs, Tammy

Tammy, when you reach goal, holler loud & clear so we can all do a happy with you. You must be so proud of yourself. Goal is still another -80 for me. I hope to be there by 2005. ((HUGS)) Elissa

Thank you Elissa. Actually I have been feeling a bit down ... wondering if this was it for me as far as weight loss goes. Truly it was such a, enormous blessing to see that I don't have as far as I thought to get to "normal". So with that I say to all of us ... just continue to hang in there. Just keep on doing what we know we need to do and let everything else fall into whatever place it intends to fall into. Elissa, thank you for your continued support. Means the world to me!!! Love ya, Tammy

TT (tiny tammy!) Congrats! I can't wait until you hit your goal. I'm so proud of you! As always, you are an inspiration to all of us. Love ya, Deb