2 years

2 years. Wow time flew!  Would I do it again? in a nano second On these milestone days you always want to share something that has helped you. So here's mine (take it or leave it)  Be afraid be very afraid. I personally think a healthy fear of failure is a good thing. It keeps my head in the game. I'll never say -149 pounds gone forever. I know those little fat cells (well not those I got whacked off with plastics) but those remaining are just hanging around waiting in the wings for me to screw up, get lazy, lose focus, reach for the bread basket, take a second helping. RNY was my last chance. There is something desperate and life changing about having your stomach severed and your intestines re-routed. Add to my story that I did it in a foreign country, alone and am still paying $ monthly for it. Failure is not an option. I'm sure other post-ops reading this feel the same way. As you begin to feel and see the dramatic changes you never want to go back. That encourages me each day. On days it doesn't I look at a list I made of the worst things about being fat, my before pic (I put a Before & After pic on my fridge), a pair of my fat pants (a tight 26/28), come to OH and find strength in others or I blog about it. For those in the beginning stages of this incredible journey I remember those stalls when the scale wouldn't move and I would freak out. We have all been on so many "diets" in the past and failed we can't imagine when something will finally work for us and when the scale slows those old fears creep in... am I going to fail? The answer is: maybe. This will work for you... for a time. The question really should be will you work for it? Change your mind. Remember they operated on our guts not our head. The head thing... our responsibility. Don't think of this as something you have to get through till you reach goal. Hell I know I can suffer through something for a period of time I shot orange grease out of my a$$ for weeks on Xenical, ate pounds of grapefruits and gallons of cabbage soup, stopped eating all together, took countless other diet pills. I can get through anything. Change that thinking because this isn't a diet. This is your life. Change your life. Make changes that you can live with not just get through. Find protein rich healthy foods that you truly enjoy, incorporate exercise/activity that's fun and something you look forward to doing, find stress reducers that don't involve a bag of Pepperidge Farm Salsalito cookies and... keep a healthy fear. I posted a little summary in my blog www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com and a new Before and After pic. Thanks to my OH pals for being a part of my journey, ~Michelle

Wow, 2 years! And you look awesome. I hardly ever post on this forum but you've been an inspiration to me so I had to say congratulations on your success.

Thank you Pam.  ~Michelle

Thanks very much.  I learn so much from you.  ~m

From one Michelle to another (Michele) thank you

You look terrific....I agree (I would do it again) I am only 3 months out but what a difference I feel in those short months. And thank you for all the great recipes.

I always tell people those first few weeks are not so great but quickly (it was 7 weeks or so for me) I knew it was the BEST GIFT I ever gave myself. Thank you for the well wishes, ~Michelle

CONGRATS MY BEAUTIFUL SISTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CELEBRATE YOUR TWO WONDERFUL YEARS WITH YOU!!!! You are indeed and inspiration and I for one would be lost without the recipes from my beautiful OH sista Eggface's World - great post, great word of advice - exellent example - when I count my blessings I also send special thanks up for having your in my cyberlife  - oops what am I talking about? you are in my kitchen almost every day (lol)....wishing you nothing but the best on your journey for life and I, like you stay vigilant and on guard every day - my before and afters are all over the place but most of all etched in my memory with all the experiences of a life that I do not want to return to - so I stay afraid my dear sista in a healthy way that keeps me focussed.  Sistas on the same journey!!!!!

Well right back at ya!!! because you INSPIRE me daily so THANK YOU! ~Michelle

Congrats to you  to day is a great day .  I am a month out from RNY and doing well. I just cannot wait to get out this NG tube [ I want it out of my Belly now please] . Not to much longer 6/30/08 made it this far with it now it just a walk in the park till it is out.  Down almost 50 pounds !!! Yea .   Your web site is awesome !!! Thank you for starting it up .  Patty