one year ago tomorrow !!!! (kinda long)

Hi there everyone... Last year at this time (the night before my surgery), I was feeling very nervous and anxious, just not knowing what this year would entail...would I be successful and happy with this decision, or would I be a failure?? All I can say...is that I have been more successful than I ever thought that I would be. And life for me has totally changed...before the surgery, it had been YEARS since I had been out on a date...well, that has totally changed. Several guys have given me compliments, and it has been so hard to say 'thank you', as no one had ever called me attractive or sexy before. So this is a new aspect of my life that I had never thought about, and so far it has been wonderful. I have always been jealous of my sister...she has always been a very outgoing person, and of course, a much thinner person than me. As with some people, she had gained some weight over the years, but she was still much smaller than me. Before surgery, I felt that if there was one person that would have a difficult time with me getting thinner...it would be her. As a result of me having the surgery, it did cause her to look at herself, and she has started an exercise routine. So with me having had the surgery, this did cause her to improve herself...and for that, I am very grateful. Last week I saw my sister for the first time in several weeks (maybe a month or two)...well, she could never get over my size, and I asked her 'if I was smaller than her?' and her response was 'yes, Norma, you are definitely smaller than me'...that was the best thing that she has ever said to me. And, it felt wonderful !!!!! A year before I had my surgery, my Mom had said to me...'Norma, if you will lose some weight, I will give you $ XX'. My parents gave me so much more than that amount of $$...they helped me with the $$ for the hospital bill...and for that, I will always be eternally grateful. This past weekend, when I was spending some time with my parents...my Mom said to me...'Norma, I dont think that you need to lose any more weight.' And that felt so good for her to say that...she had been after me for YEARS to lose weight. So, just knowing that she now accepts me is wonderful. This past year has been a great one (needless to say), and I can not wait to see what the next year brings !!!! It has been so great to meet so many nice and caring people through this web site, and know about the emotions that we are experiencing has been very good. Thank you one and all !!!! Norma 251/142/130 beginning BMI 43.0 present BMI 24.3

Thank you Sandra...that is so sweet for you to say that...it has been wonderful to get to know you over this past year, and hope that our friendship continues. You are doing great with your weight loss. May God continue to bless you and Royce. Norma

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have done a fantastic job and look GREAT!!!!

Sherry thanks so much for your words of wisdom, and for steering me to considering using Dr A for my plastic. I just hope that I will look as good as you when all is said and done. Norma

WAY TO GO NORMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You should be very proud of your accomplisments and never lose sight of where you came from. Pat yourself on the back girl. You deserve it!!!!! Hope to see you soon at a get together and hear an update on your escapades! Hugs, Kelly S

Thank you Kelly for your words of encouragement...and trust me, I will never lose sight of the ultimate goal...to be able to accept compliments and think of myself as being a 'normal' person. Hope to see you soon. Norma

Congratulations Norma ! You look great and I bet you feel great too.... You have done very well... We are all proud of you

Thank you Maureen...it seems like it has been ages since I saw you. We need to get together...to go shopping (my new hobby...LOL), or to go to lunch some Saturday or Sunday. Good luck with your plastic...what surgeon are you using for that?? Norma