WOW MOMENT

It is finally official as of today 1-21-07 I have loss a total of 210 lbs!!!! I have never really said where I started out weight wise. Because I was ashamed of how bad I had let myself get. But I have grown to love and respect each and everyone of you. And if I can help someone out on the boad that is going thro what I went thro. Or feels the way I felt then thats what I wanna do. When I started my journey and had my first consult with Dr. Scott I weighted 498lbs. I bawled all the way home. Today I weight 289lbs!!!!! It has been WELL OVER 12 years since I was in the 2lander!!!! I am so happy and excited all rolled into one. I set a goal weight of 250lbs that is half of what I started out at. I didnt do this surgery for the big wow moments. I did them for the little ones too. Like being able to care for my own personal hygeine, being able to tie my own shoes, not having to be dropped off at the door at Wal Mart and riding a cart, actually being able to look down and see for myself that I have feet. Simple things that I took for granted when I wasnt so heavey that I will NEVER take for granted again!!!! Do I want to stop at 250lbs?? Not necessarly but if that is all I can lose then I can and will be content. Does it mean I am going to slack off and go wild. Oh heck no it means I will work even harder to pass my goal. Thanks to each and everyone of you here on the board. You have seen my highs and lows and been there with me in thougths, prayers, encourgment, & support thro it all. I thanks God for blessing me with such loving friends. God Bless You ALL Melissa 498/289/250 BMI 85.5/ 49.6

Melissa, You have won the battle, no matter what your weight. You are the most compassionate, caring, loving, funny person I know. Knowing that you are so much healthier makes me so happy, but I'd have loved you no matter what you weighed. You are one of the most beautiful people I know and I'm blessed for having met you and all the folks here on Missouri OH. Loveys and hugs, Lana

Mel, You are so awesome!!! I looked at your profile when I first came on board and you were just as beautiful then as you are know. I have had the chance to briefly meet you when you were in Columbia and you are such an inspiration. You will reach your goal and any others set before you. : You deserve this so much. Julia

WOW is right girl. I am so proud of you. You are the Bomb girl. That is wonderful and everything you have went though, you are totally awesome. God definitely blessed you in every way. You are an angel for sure. Keep up the good work We had surgery on the same day, and you are my inspiration. Kathlee

Congratulations Melissa! That is awesome progress. I am so happy that you are feeling better and have met some of your personal goals. You have every right to be proud of your successes little and big! Heck no, you won't stop - another year from now you will see new goals achieved that you never thought possible! Keep up the good work. Every step we take in the right direction, every choice good choice we make all works towards are ultimate goal of healthy, happy bodies!! Hugs, Marilyn

MElissa wow look at that BMI girl and the weight another wow. I know you wont stop you seem ready to go farther than you have ever gone in your life. What you have accomplished is nothing short of a miracle and i know that you will eventually attain that one goal that you long for more than anything else,Children, I know that you will be the most awesome mother because you want it so badly. Trust in God and he will lead you in everything to his glory. Jan

Melissa that is truely a wonderful moment, you are a wonderful person, I know you feel so much better you have come a long way...praise the Lord..I pray I do as good as you have......Vesta

that is awesome melissa. you are such an inspiration and a wonderful human being. i feel lucky to have met you. love, patty

That is such a milestone to have passed right on by. I don't know how you stayed so strong but you did. We all worried so much when you went in for hernia repair and had such a bad time of it. Now, look at you go...ya just keep on losing. And getting healthier every day. You help so many people here, your story is such an inspiration to everyone...pre- and post-op! Keep up the good work. Sherr

Wow Melissa you go gurl!!!!! Gurl that gives me so much inspiration to keep on going. When I started at 515 lbs I wasnt sure if I could do this or not, even after surgery its not been easy as you know but seeing how far you've gone really kicks me in the butt, that is soooo awesome gurl, keep up the good work!!! Hugs and Prayers Andrew