Joanne K.

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For weight loss surgery peer support in the Tallahassee area, check out the Tallahassee WLS Support Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wls_tallahassee/.

I went for my second plastic surgery consult.  When the surgeon was examining me and showing me approximately what my arms would look like after having the skin removed he told me I was tiny!!!!  I HAVE NEVER BEEN CALLED TINY IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!!!!!!!!  Actually I told him that and he repeated that I was.  What I wanted to say was WOW I love you.  LOL  But thankfully I didn't!  I will hopefully find out the date for my lower body lift this week, it should be either the end of September or the beginning of October.  This will be done in conjunction with Dr. Sieloff repairing my hernia which is actually an incisional hernia from a previous surgery not my RNY.  I cannot tell you how excited I am to take the next step on this journey. 

As of today I have lost 134 pounds since surgery and 157 from my highest.  Overall I feel great.  My cholesterol was normal on my last blood test!  I was very excited with this news.  Of course some of the other numbers were a little off.  My liver function test was a bit high but from what I have researched that is not out of the norm for us.  Hopefully this won't prohibit me from having my plastic surgery.  That would suck especially since patience has never been my strong suit! 

I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone by!  It has  truly been metamorphic.  I have lost 129 pounds and over 106 inches and am at a normal BMI.  I now wear a size 10 and actually bought a size 8 pair of pants.  (that was a real WOW moment!)  But I have to say it is more than just the reduced size.  I have a much higher energy level and confidence level  (although truth be told that is something that I am still working on) 

The people that I have met on this journey have been amazing.  The local support groups have been so helpful.  What a great group of people, always willing to share ideas, problems and solutions.  The folks that I have communicated with from OH all have played a part in my success.  THANK YOU ALL!

Now comes the more difficult part, maintaining.  I believe I have established a good foundation, learned how to eat properly and how to make healthy choices.  Exercise has become a part of my life, something that was never a part before wls.  

I have gone for my first plastic surgery consult and will be going for one more before I decide for certain.  Hopefully I will be able to start down that road within the next few months to complete the physical change.  Mentally I believe it will always be a work in progress.  After 52 years I didn't expect this part to happens over night!

Today I am a few days past my 11 month anniversary and down 127 pounds and 101.75 inches!!  All I can say is WOW has this been an unbelievable ride!  There are a few foods that still do not sit well for me so I avoid them.  But otherwise I am doing great and feeling great too. 

Today I am 10 months out from surgery.  I have lost 121.6 pounds and 95.75 inches.  Overall I feel like a new person!  My blood pressure is normal (no more meds!), my  joints don't hurt when I walk, and I feel great!  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever reach a normal BMI, but I have.  And never in my wildest dreams did I think I would enjoy exercising, but I do.  The natural high that I get from exercising is amazing and it really feels good. (I actually like sweating!!!)  All I can say is WOW!

It has been a long time since I updated my profile.  Things have been going very well for me and I feel great.  Today I reached a normal weight!!!!  It is obviously the top end of the noraml BMI scale, but it is so amazing to me that I have made it to this point.  I have lost 120 pounds and gained so much energy.  

Last weekend my kids were in town visiting and they hadn't seen me since Thanksgiving and the week after.  My son told me I was tiny!!!  Okay, that is a stretch but it sure felt good to hear.  My daughter was amazed as well.  Both of them were so complimentary it really was a true WOW moment for me.

Thank you Alyson for creating my century card!!

Today I am 7 months post-op and when I got on the scale I literally was jumping for joy.  I have lost 100.4 pounds!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am so thrilled at how this tool has helped me to regain my life.  Truth be told the only regret I have is that I didn't do this sooner.  But since I cannot change that fact I will just enjoy the here and now!  

Saturday I went shopping with one of my girlfriends and I bought a pair of jeans that are a size 12.  I am comfortably into 14 for the most part, but a few 12s.  Also, I had to buy new underwear AGAIN!! LOL  This is the third time I am replacing them.  Good thing I don't buy expensive ones!  (like my dd who loves Victoria Secret!)  

My dh and I are going on vacation in April and I need to buy a bathing suit.  Do they make one that covers arms and legs to the elbow and knee????  My upper arms are very saggy.  (and I mean really saggy)  And my thighs look like elephant legs with all the rolls of skin.  Don't get me wrong I'd rather have rolls of skin then be the weight that I was, I just don't know how comfortable I'm going to be in a swimsuit.  I already told him that we needed to put our pennies aside for some plastics and he is really very supportive.  He understands that this is what I need to feel whole again.

Today is my 6 month surgiversary.  I have lost 91 pounds, 70.5 inches and feel great!  This really has been an amazing journey.  I have found a few foods that had agreed with me no longer seem to agree.  Rice and nuts have become EVIL!  I still cannot tolerate milk, but soy milk and lactaid cottage cheese seem to be okay.  As far as I am concerned this is a very small price to pay for getting healthier. 

I had bloodwork drawn a few weeks ago and everything other than my cholesterol was perfect.  I was disappointed that my cholesterol was higher than my pcp and I would like.  He wants me to go back on meds as he thinks it is genetic.  I am not happy about this and really would like the time to continue losing weight and exercising to see if it comes down on its own.  I have been walking on my treadmill most mornings and today went to get information about joining a gym for some weight training.  Hopefully this week I will decide which one will work for me.  (hours, cost, location and classes all play a part) 

In the last few days I have run into numerous people that I haven't seen in quite a while.  One woman said she honestly didn't recognize me that my face had so totally changed!  WOW was I surprised.  Now I do see a thinner person, but I still seem very recognizable to me.  (okay, I guess I should!!)  LOL  But as I said earlier, I feel wonderful and have lots of energy.  My journey continues!

Today I am 5 months out and down 81.6 pounds.  WOW!!!  I am feeling great and have lots of energy.  I weigh less than my husband for the first time and actually weigh less than when I graduated high school.  (and that was quite a few years ago!)  At least 4 mornings a week I get up at 4:45 and hit the treadmill.  It actually feels good to exercise.  (not something I have ever enjoyed before)  Life is good!

I made it to onderland today!  It has been 23 years at least since I weighed this "little"!!  Needless to say I am pretty excited.  Also this weekend I went shopping since everything is really big and I fit into a size 16!  WOW that really was a shock.