mom4parrots
October 25, 2009 - Well...it's been awhile, but I had my hernia repaired along with a trunk lift on Sept. 8th, 2009. It was the best thing I could ever have done! Not only do I look fantastic, but I have lost another 20lbs!!! I am now 176, which means that I am exactly half of what I weighed when I started this journey! And because I had been working out like a freak, my plastic surgeon did not need to do any liposuction on me, which was amazing!!!! WOOHOOO!!!!
November 11, 2008 - I haven't been posting because not much has really changed. My weight staying constant, but I can see that I am getting better definition in my body from working out. I scheduled the first round of my plastics for January, but I might have to postpone it for a few months, due to the financial issues we have all been feeling. But I am still planning on having the surgery, and am very excited. It's amazing how many people see me, who have not seen me in decades, and think that I look fantastic. What a great compliment. Life is good! May 24, 2008 - Well, I'm still standing strong at 179. I am so excited to be able to not only fit in normal sized clothing, but to fit in the normal sized world (meaning airplane seats, restaurant booths, cinema seating, etc). Now I'm looking forward to the next phase, excess skin removal. It's amazing how much losing this weight changed my life. I even head up a weight loss support group at my gym....who would have thought?! Life is good now!!! April 24, 2008 - WOW, I am now weighing in at 179 lbs! That means in 3 more pounds, I will be exactly half of my old self!!!! My personal goal is to weigh 174 (pre skin removal surgeries), so I am in reach of the goal. It's great to see faces of people who haven't seen in in years. It's also great to see the reaction of my regular doctors. They are stunned at how great I am doing, and how healthy I have become as a result. I'm stunned that I am still able to lose more weight...it's very slow go, but I'm trying really hard. I hope I can make my personal goal. March 24, 2008 - Today is not only my 43rd birthday, but also my 20 month surgiversary. I'm now down to 182 lbs...that's 170 lbs down!!! I feel great, and know that I am looking pretty great too, except for all this excess skin. Sometimes I still think of myself as obese, but then I catch sight of myself in a mirror or window, and realize that I am incredibly normal sized now. I just bought a bathsuit, since I'm going to visit my parents in Delray Beach, and I got a size 12...me, a size 12! I'm proud of myself, but understand that now I have to stay strong so I can keep this weight off for good! February 24, 2008 - WOW, I'm 184 lbs! I had a personal goal of making it to 174 lbs, which would take my BMI down to overweight instead of obese, and I am only 10 lbs. away!!! I am now comfortably fitting into size 14 pants, and large tops. I can't believe how great I feel, and knock on wood that I haven't had any complications, except my incisional hernia, which I plan on having taken care when I have my excess skin removed. I still make sure that I am working out at least 3 times a week, for no less than 1 1/2 hours each visit. Living this new life is so simple, as long as I just stick to my new ways. I know that I will keep this weight off for the rest of my life! January 24, 2008 - I'm down to 186 lbs. I feel and look better now than I did 20 years ago! I went into a health food store over the weekend, and when I asked the woman if they had any sugar free or very low sugar protein bars, she told me that only those really big people who get their stomachs done eat those. I told her I used to be one of those people, and she nearly had a heart attack! She kept saying, no way, no way, you were never fat, look at you, there's no way. My husband and I were both laughing at her....what a great feeling to know I look normal. WOOHOO! December 24, 2007 - Well, I'm now down to 188 lbs. It's amazing how much hanging skin I now have. It seems to have gotten alot worse recently, but I know that I am going to have all of it taken care of. Something to look forward to. I've stepped up my workouts, because I am afraid that I have hit a plateau. I just have to keep plugging away. It's nice how many people are there to support me during my journey, I don't think I could have been as successful as I have been without all of them! November 24, 2007 - I'm still holding at 190 lbs., but I've really begun to notice how much more loose my skin is becoming. I know that I have to keep up my workouts, and that it will help with weight loss as well as skin. I would really love to lose 15-20 more lbs. by my 24 month mark...please keep your fingers crossed for me! It's really nice to have people stare at me and know that they aren't staring at me because I'm obese! I no longer worry when we go out to eat that people will judge me and watch to see how much food I'm eating...I feel like I'm no longer on display. And it feels great! September 24, 2007 - I'm now down to 194 lbs. and have lost 158 lbs! This is just amazing... I see people who honestly have no idea who I am, because they have never seen me normal. I now know how the rest of the world lives, and I love it! I also know that if I continue to exercise and eat healthy I will keep this weight off for the rest of my life. Now all I have to do is wait the remaining 10 months and then start talking with plastic surgeons about having the excess skin removed....WOW! March 24, 2007 - Today is my 42nd birthday, and I cannot believe that I'm now 238 lbs. This was the definitely the best thing I could have ever done for myself. I now work out 4 times a week for and hour and a half each visit. I am making sure to get in all my protein, calcium and water every day. I actually cannot believe how easy this lifestyle has become. I know now that I will be able to keep this weight off for the rest of my life! February 24, 2007 - Wow, I'm now down 107 lbs! I weighing in at 245 lbs, and I've never felt better or younger! I just came back from a vacation in Paris, France with my husband, and I fit perfectly with some room to spare in the airplane seat, and I was able to walk everywhere around the city and not be an anchor for my husband! WOW! I'm now more than half way there! Everyday just gets better and better!!!! February 10, 2007 - I have finally broken the 100 pound mark! I am now 252! I can't believe how amazing this is, and how amazing I feel! I am able to do things that I haven't been able to do in about 10 years. WOW! January 24, 2007 - Today is my six month anniversary, and so far I'm down an astounding 96 lbs! I can't believe how wonder and easy adapting to this new lifestyle is. I love working out, and I love the way I feel. My philosophy is "If you cannot read the label, you cannot eat it", and boy does it work! I leave for Paris in three weeks, and I'm so excited about knowing that I will be able to fit in the airplane seat, and be able to walk around the city without any problems! This surgery was the best decision I have ever made! December 24, 2006 - It's five months today, and I've never felt better! I'm now down 84 lbs. This is like a dream come true. I'm finding myself doing things that I havent been able to do in years, like get up from sitting on the floor! It's amazing to see the photos I have my husband take one of me each month. I'm going to make myself a scrapbook of my weight loss journey. I am so looking forward to the New Year, and I know that this year I will keep my resolutions and continue going to the gym! November 25, 2006 - Well, it's now been four months, and I'm down a total of 72 lbs! I still can't believe how fast this weight is coming off. It's amazing how much better you feel when you don't have all the weight on you. But I still have to get used to some of the emotional and psychological changes. October 25, 2006 - Had my three month check up today, and I'm down a total of 60 lbs! I haven't been under 300 lbs. in a long time, and now I'm weighing in at 291! I just flew to Atlanta, and didn't need a seatbelt extender. Been feeling great, and have been working out a the gym three times a week for an hour each time. Can't believe how easy this new lifestyle has become! August 30, 2006 - Just saw the surgeon today, and he said everything is looking great! I'm now down to 315. I can't believe that I can walk as far as I can now! This is awesome! August 20, 2006 - Wow, I'm feeling so much better now. I am walking about 1 mile a day, and the pureed foods are actually pretty good, if you get creative. Just wish I could sleep on my side, but that will come eventually. August 2, 2006 - Hey all, feeling alot better now. Don't have much pain, just alot of discomfort. And trying to get in all my required food is sometimes a bit on the difficult side (never thought that a tiny yogurt would be too much food!) I go back to my surgeon on Monday the 7th for my two week follow up visit. I will post more then! July 23, 2006 - It's the day before my surgery, and I'm both nervous and thrilled! I've been lucky enough to meet two other women who are having the surgery at the same place and the same time as me from this website. It's been a huge help to be able to chat with these women, and know that everything that I am feeling is normal. Well, my next entry will be as a post-op! July 7, 2006 - My surgery is scheduled for Monday, July 24th! I am so excited, but of course alittle nervous. I will be posting a pre-surgery photo shortly. I can't believe this is happening, it's like a dream! June 30, 2006 - Got my insurance approval!!!! YIPPEE!! Now I'm just waiting to get my surgical date. June 16, 2006 - The waiting for the insurance to get back to you seems to take forever!!!! This is agony. May 27, 2006 - Well, had my psych evaluation, and passed with flying colors. Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the insurance company, so I can schedule my surgery!!! May 10, 2006 - Had my surgical consultation. Just can't understand what took me so long to do this!
August 24, 2008 - Ok, still the same weight, but definitely getting into smaller clothing. I have changed a few things with my eating, because I want to try to drop some of the remaining fat on my body before I start having the reconstructive surgeries done. I have to see a dermatologist before my primary doctor will write a letter of necessity for the insurance company. He's being very difficult, but I have to do what I have to do. I'm incredibly lucky since my mother has offered to pay for this surgery. I will probably be paying for the second round, which will be the breasts and arms. I still cannot believe that I have lost 73% of my excess weight! WOOHOO!
July 24, 2008 - Well, it's my 2 year surgiversary! WOOHOO! I met with my surgeon, and so far so great. I'd like to loose a few more pounds, so I just need to buckle down and do it. I also met with the plastic surgeon, and have decided that I am going to do the body lift surgery now, and wait to have any remaining surgeries. Dr. Marymor will fix my hernia when I'm in for the body lift. Not sure when I'm going to schedule it, since I am waiting for insurance to get back to me to see how much they will cover. But I know that I will definitely be doing this surgery. Will keep you all posted.....
June 24, 2008 - Still no change in my weight. I have bumped up my work outs, to try to get as much of the remaining fat off my body. I have my 2 year appointment next month with my surgeon, I hope he's happy with my results (he makes me soooo nervous), and then I also have my consultation with the plastic surgeon next month. I am soooo excited about this appointment. I can't wait to be able to get all this excess skin off, and finally look the way I feel inside! I've seen this doctor's work, and it's amazing! It really gives me something to look forward to....
October 24, 2007 - Well, I can't believe it's been 16 months since my surgery, it seems like a lifetime away! I'm now down to 190 lbs...a shocking 162 lbs down since my surgery! I feel like a completely new person, and I know that people who meet me now would never believe that alittle more than a year ago, I was morbidly obese. I am now wearing a size 14 regular pants, and a large top...I used to be a size 32W pants and a 5XW top! What a difference. I now like the person I see in the mirror, and am feeling completely comfortable in my own skin...now all I have to do it hope that I can get the excess skin and the giant hernia covered by insurance!
August 24, 2007 - WOOHOO, I've hit Onederland! I'm now 199 lbs!
I am still feeling great, and making sure that I work out at least three times a week. Eating is so simple, you just need to think before you eat. This new life is amazing, I finally feel like the I now look like the person I've been feeling like inside. The excess skin is a bit annoying, but I know that I can always have all of it removed when I'm ready. Once the summer is over, I know that I need to get myself to gym at least four times a week, but I'll do it.
July 24, 2007 - Can't believe its been a full year since my surgery! 
WOW! I feel amazing, and know that I am beginning to look amazing too. I'm down 147 lbs. weighing in at 205 lbs. I have energy I didn't even know I had, and can do things that I only remember being able to do! I actually enjoy looking at myself in photos now....imagine that! What an amazing year this has been, and it just keeps getting better everyday!
June 24, 2007 - This is honestly the best thing I've ever done for myself! I'm now weighing in at 211 lbs, which is 141 lbs down! WOOHOO! I actually miss it when I cannot work out, who would have thought that?! The only down side to this is that now I am buying clothes constantly, because I seem to get smaller ever time I turn around. I know I'm doing well, but I hope to continue my success. And to make sure that I do not plateau, I'm going to start working out 5 times a week starting in July!
May 24, 2007 - Wow, I'm weighing in at 218 lbs.! I can't believe how close I'm getting to weighing under 200. I'm now fitting into size 14W pants! I'm still working out religiously 4 times a week, for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours each time. I'm finding it so incredibly easy to stick to this new eating lifestyle, and I find that eating out is the easiest part of it! I can eat just about anywhere. My husband and I thought that this surgery would be the death of our eating social lives, but we haven't had a single issue! I will never get fat again! NEVER!
April 24, 2007 - WOOHOO, I'm weighing in at 227 lbs. which means I'm down 125 lbs! This new lifestyle is actually much easier than I ever thought it could be. I find that I can go out to eat, or eat at someone's home with no major problems. And I love my work out time! I bought size 16W pants...it's been along time since I've been this size. Can't wait to see what I look like this time next year!
