From blob to butterfly.

I got a message today from the people who took the photos at my college graduation last year (my Master's).  They were offering a special deal on packages.  I checked it out.  OMG....I'd forgotten how bad I looked (and felt).  I always wore black and ugly sensible shoes.  I always tried to blend into the background and hoped no one noticed me.  Today I feel so different.  Even though I still have 17 pounds to lose, I am such a new person.

I wear bright colors and form fitting clothes.  It's really a miracle.  I hope everyone who gets this surgery succeeds and feels the same way. We are so incredibly lucky to have been given this chance.

I do miss my hair.  I've lost half of it.  I hope it grows back and SOON.

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April 2012, 2.5 months before surgery

March 2013.  8 months after surgery.

Wow, you look amazing. I am still pre-op--my date is April 17th. I'm nervous after reading posts because the diet actually sounds very complicated. I can't wait to get started--your picture is very inspiring. I have to say, though, after what I went through with my insurance company, I don't know how you ever managed to get your surgery approved!

For me it was incredibly simple.  I saw my PCP one day and he brought up WLS after weight problems for so many years. I said yes so the office called after my appointment that morning and got the call that afternoon that I was approved.  I didn't know people had problems of course until I signed on to OH. I had to do 26 weeks of nutrition classes and 6 months of bariatric classes and between that and all the medical tests it took a full year until I had surgery.  Only had to schedule when I was told to go ahead and never had to follow up on anything.  I am very grateful but we own our own business and pay out big time in premiums to have great medical.  Alot of people don't have  problems getting WLS but alot do.  It makes me incredibly sad when people need it in order to get healthy, but the insurance companies would rather pay for all the health effects of diabetes, heart disease you name it when the surgery could eliminate these conditions or improve them dramatically.  It was like for many years insurance companies would not pay for birth control pills yet put out thousands of dollars for pregnancies for babies, which seemed to me ludicrous. 

I wish you the best on your upcoming surgery.  Keep us posted!  Jane

I feel the same way. I used to never wear color or wear accessories. Now I wear green and pink and blue and even red! I got my ears double pierced and wear dangly earrings,rings, and necklaces every day. My husband says it's like having a new wife!

You are so beautiful!  I hope that after I have my surgery that it turns out as well as yours!  I am very worried about my hair... I have really thick shoulder length hair and I always get compliments on it.... That's my biggest fear... 

April

First off, congrats on getting your Master's, Jilly Bean!  That in itself deserves much praise!  I know exactly how you feel.  Seeing what I looked like back then and do now are like two different people.   It's unsettling, isn't it, to think we all could get so out of control and end up looking the way we did.  I now will wear lots of prints and refuse to wear plain black tops.  I don't mind black leggings but I no longer need such as you to go back to dressing the way we use to.  Form fitting clothes also.  No more of the loose non-fitting clothes.  You look beautiful as I told you the other day!  You have a great figure now and and we have all worked very hard and don't have the luxury or time to screw this up. We are not the type to get on the pity pot either. 

As I have said JB, we didn't get on the OR table and risk dying just to gain it back.  Yes, maintenance is ahead for us and then that is where we really are going to have to work our butts off to maintain the life we decided upon.   I too am very very grateful to be able to have this surgery.  There are many out there who have been denied, can't afford it and would give anything to have the surgery. That is why I hate to see people whine and complain about having the surgery and all that goes along with it or don't work the program and cry when they gain all the weight back.  Gee, what a concept, Huh????

Anyway,  take care JB and always great talking with you!  Jane

Way to go!!  Congratulations and Best Wishes for continued success!!!

Girl toss out those sensible shoes and put on some heels... you look AWESOME!!... Congrats on your Masters too :)

Woohoo! You look so happy!