THINGS YOUR THANKFUL FOR?

Hello all, I figured since it is thanksgiving week I would like to post about what we all are so thankful for. I want all the lurkers to post to... Come on now.. Its thanksgiving... I personally dont know where I would start when it comes to being thankful. I surely would have my family at the top of the list for sure. But right on up there with that would have to be this website and my surgery. I have had such a difference in not only my body image but my health also. There are so many WOW moments on a daily bases that I couldnt begin to mention them all but you NEVER forget what it was like being trapped in a huge unhealthy body. A small example is last year I put my tree up by just sitting on the couch and getting all the limbs untangled and shaped right because I couldnt even hardly go or walk or stand long enough to do anything. So I handed them to my husband and daughter after I got them shaped and they stood there putting the tree together. Well..... I just put my tree up and this is how it went this year....I didnt have to wait for my husband or daughter to be here to help me. I went up and down my stairs hauling and lugging huge rubbermaid containers with all the tree parts and decorations in them. Mind you there pretty heavy. Then when I got all the crap downstairs I put the whole tree together by standing the whole time and getting all the decorations out for the house. And still had the energy to go and buy groceries and cook dinner.So yes, I have to say this surgery has saved my life in so many avenues. Its not just about what size clothes you are in or what you weigh... Im looking forward to many more years to be here for my family and be healthier. Happy Thanksgiving to you all... Hugs Marge

Marge, What a great post, I remember decorating my tree using a office chair with wheels, so I would wheel around the tree and hang the ornaments. Not this year, boy I can hardly wait. I am thankful for having my life back. I have done so many things this year that I couldn't even imagine doing in the past. I am looking forward to more wonderful things. I am so glad that I met my surgeon and had the surgery. I go next month for my year follow up, and I am so looking forward to seeing her. She is my hero. My husband wants to bring her flowers. I think that is a neat idea. Happy Thanksgiving. Lynn

I'm thankful that I live at a time when the surgical techniques for weight loss make it a safe option for so many people. I'm thankful that one of the country's best WLS surgeons was covered by my insurance. I'm thankful that my insurance will cover plastic surgery to remove excess skin from my tummy and breasts as long as I lose and maintain a loss of 80 pounds. I'm thankful that I weigh 170 pounds less today than I did 13 months ago. I'm thankful that I can exercise for 40 minutes and not feel like I'm going to die. I'm thankful that I'm surrounded with family and friends that have been super supportive of my surgery and my lifestyle changes. I'm thankful that eating too many carbs makes me feel like crap, because that helps me make better choices. I'm thankful to be able to ride comfortably in an airplane, and to be able to ride a bike. I'm thankful for all the folks at this website that have supported, cajoled, and encouraged me for the past year. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone - may we all continue to be blessed! Kellie

Oh Marge - Thanks for starting this post. We all have so much to be thankful for. I personally am thankful for a daughter (age 30) who was brave enough to have a 9 year old VBG surgery revised on Dec. 21, 2005. I had fallen severely, on the ice 3 days previously and so I was hobbling around the halls of St. V's with her. I was still insistent that there was no way I was going to consider this surgery - even though I was 5'4" and about 335. I was in total denial of my health concerns and was just sure that if I could keep it together long enough, I would be successful THIS time on Weigh****chers. Needless to say within a month I was beginning to see the light and knew my health and well-being was in dire need of WLS. I am thankful that my dreams will be realized of having surgery on Dec. 20, in just a few weeks. I am blessed beyond measure by all the wonderful people I have gotten to know on this website and on the IN board. God Bless you all. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Karen

Things I am Thankful For: Your posts, Marge The rain - to water all the plants The fact that I have a job My wonderful array of diverse friends My parents and other family members My ability to move better after losing 110 pounds This website and all of you God bless, Denise

Hey Marge, I'm like you, I don't even know where to begin.... I am very grateful for my family and friends, as well because without their constant love and support, I never would have come this far in life. And, of course, I am extremely thankful for the surgery that allowed me to really live again, and all the wonderful people that helped every step of the way. My life used to be just a very dull, depressing existence, and now it is full of happiness and hope. I have met a wonderful man whom I plan to marry eventually. I am working again. My depression is so much better after years of non stop suffering. And basically, I feel like a worthwhile person again. I don't think it's all because of the surgery, but I know that played a huge part. But the surgery would not have been possible without everything else falling into place first. Oh geez, and I can't forget my kitties - when no one else was, they were here for me through thick and thin! There are so many more things I know I could mention, but that would take up a whole lot of space! Have a great Thanksgiving and talk to you soon! Keep up the great work; I am so proud of you and so proud to be able to call you my friend. Take Care, Tan

I'm thankful this long nightmare of bad health seems to be coming to an end. I'm thankful I had WLS and have begun my journey down the path toward a better, more active life. I'm thankful for all of you who have gone down the path ahead of me and are kind enough to share your experiences here so that I know I'm not alone on this journey. Happy Thanksgiving, all! Kix

greetings marge i've been thinking about how to respond to this thread...i don't want to oversimplify or sound trite, but i'm thankful for my LIFE. i feel like i've been given the great gift of getting another shot at it! even though i am just weeks from turning 50, i feel like life is beginning anew for me every day...and it's wonderful! i can do ANYTHING! i started out weighing 463 lbs...a couple of years ago, or even when i first had surgery, had someone told me i'd be in the one-hundreds before i turned 50...i'd have laughed in their face...i just never really believed i'd weigh less than 200 lbs...and i DO! so, i'm thankful for the amazing gift of getting to try my life again...and i'm gonna get it RIGHT this time! happy holidays to all of you! deb

Good for you Marge!!! I think that is a great Wow moment! I am very thankful for this surgery and for all of you and the support you've given me. It has meant so much!!!! Hugs to all. Lori