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8/26/04 Wow, wonderful day. Had my first appt at 8:30 a.m. and met with Lora at MMPC. What a sweetie, and she's a Christain and at the end of the meeting she prayed with me. What a comfort! Dr. Baker is also a Christain, so this makes me feel so much better. At 10 a.m. met with Dr. Dawn White and it went very well. One small UGH -- I am one inch shorter than I've always said, so that brings up the BMI -- doggone it! EKG was fine. Have to have bloodwork done locally tomorrow after 12 hr. fast. A sleep study is scheduled for 9/15 since Dr. White is pretty sure these headaches and sore throats in the morning (and feeling tired all the time) is from sleep apnea. I will see Dr. Baker the next day. This is working out great, getting at least 2 appts. done for each 141 mile round trip. I have to say I'm pretty happy.

9/3/04 Got home after 4 days of camping (had great weather all four days which is really something this year!) Anyway, had my results of my blood/other tests. Not bad at all. Good numbers on cholesterol, LDL, and all other tests came out normal. Not so great numbers on HDL and Triglycerides. Don't need to call back, one other hurdle I've overcome.

Today is the sleep study 9/15 and then see Dr. Baker, can't wait! Thanks to everyone for your positive thoughts and prayers!

September 15, 2004 SLEEP STUDY! Oh man all those wires and that thingy in my nose, UGH!!!They ended up giving me a Sonata to go to sleep, just couldn't drop. Finally did around 12:45 ?? and was awake by 6:45. That is still not a full night's sleep for me. Felt okay in the morning, but ended up paying for it later in the afternoon and evening with a major migraine.

September 16, 2004 Dr. Baker was great. We had a nice time together. He went over my chart with me first, and then we kind of went back and forth with questions/answers. He was impressed with all I knew. He said that once he saw the results of this surgery on people's lives and LIVING, he was hooked. He has never done any other kind of surgery that has such a long lasting, and life changing effect on anyone! Now, the surgery is 90% of what he does. He said he's done about 900 himself. (All surgeries done at MMPC are about 1600-1700). He is the first surgeon in the world to use the new binding material for the staple line that helps prevent leaks!!! Their mortality record is much better than the average nationally of .5%, (MMPC is about .3%)

I am kind of upset after talking to Kim in insurance today. She told me that she has been working on one UPS person's case since APRIL!! The other one gave up with Aetna and I guess is going to pay that portion herself. That portion would be the surgeon's cost, she said. BCBS will cover all the hospital stuff, but Aetna covers the testing, surgeon bills, etc... I have no idea what that would be (more questions to get answered). I put in a well thought out letter of my past diets and exercise and how the weight keeps coming back with my file today, too. So much for our "GREAT" coverage that UPS keeps touting!

I napped a bit today and woke up with that headache! UGHHHHH! My DH said I was snoring as soon as I hit the couch!!!

Oct. 24, 2004 Well, this week was somewhat of a let down, but at least I know where I stand right now. Kim at MMPC wrote that Aetna has certain requirements to meet for the pre-operative regimen. She will be getting back with me and the other Aetna patients as soon as she gets it altogether. Just wish they would have known about this sooner, then I could already be a couple months into the program. The regimen is for 3 months and includes seeing a nutritionist/dietician, a behavior modification expert, and an exercise expert. Sure hope that my Curves membership will be okay with the exercise portion of this! The other part that is upsetting is that UPS specifically says it will not pay for nutritionists, behavior modification, or exercise. One of the girls wrote to me that they are trying to weed out the people that won't be able to afford that so they won't have to pay for the surgery. That sounds like the most likely scenario. That's pretty sad. You have people that have tried everything to lose weight for so many years and then you pull the last hope they have away from them because they can't afford the three things that would get them the chance for a new, happy life. I am trying to keep my chin up and keep working toward my final goal, but it is a little depressing.

November 22, 2004 I got the new program in the mail from MMPC on Friday, put a post on OH and then got a note from a member saying that Aetna was not covering WLS after 1/1/05. Well, finally after a lot of phone calls, I found that UPS/Aetna will be paying for the surgery and I didn't have to worry myself to death this weekend. It took some doing to find an actual person to talk to at UPS, but I finally got through. Now I just have to get the appointment set up for the 12 week surgical prepatory regimen and pay a little over $500 out of pocket to get approved. I am hoping that this will help me with the deep depression a few of my friends have been dealing with after surgery!! I hope for decent weather on my drives to Grand Rapids for the next 3 months, but I also know, THIS IS MICHIGAN! I just want to start my new life and feel better. I am praying for that.

December 7, 2004 UPDATE -- Well, I am now set up for my first two appointments. The first "intake and preparation" will be Dec. 15th and then approximately each Wednesday thereafter I will be having appoinments consisting of a clinical part and a group meeting part. They will start around 6 p.m. and I should need two hours each time. I imagine that I will be needing to leave the house around 4:30 each Wed. and not get home until after 9:30. I will be counting down the weeks toward approval for surgery! At least I am now in the mode of doing SOMETHING! I was pretty down in the dumps since no one from MMPC would call me back for this new program. I bet I could have had appointments set up two weeks ago if I had not waited for them to call me as the letter said they would do. Oh well, I am moving forward and that is a positive thing! Anyone with Aetna questions that reads this, I am getting to be a pro, so just e-mail me!

Dec. 22, 2004 Had my first group meeting, but actually the second time I have been up to MMPC for my 12 week program. On the 15th I saw Mindy and weighed in at 253.8. I got my 1200 calorie diet and was told to start exercising right away. Today I went to group and my behaviorist from August was there. I thought the meeting was very good, it was dealing with emotional eating and dealing with it. I am a big time emotional eater, and this meeting really gave me some tools to use to overcome that. I lost 5 pounds from my original weight taken back in August 252.4. I'm down to 247.4. I am counting it as 6.4 lbs from last week! :) I can see how this time spent in group will help me avoid that "food greiving" that surgery brings on for a lot of people.

Dec. 29, 2004 Lost another 4.2 lbs. this week. We had a great exercise session. About 14 people in the class and we each had an exercise "station", we spent time on each one then switched to the next. I really like this method, keeps you busy and thinking as you go. Kind of like Curves, but you don't have the rest stations between, where you march in place. The people are really nice. I have been having a really good experience so far, hope it keeps up!

Jan 3. 2005 Went to MMPC for my meeting two days early since we are heading up north for vacation. Went up about 3.8 lbs. this week, darn it! I know the New Year's party is part of the problem. Did fine through Christmas, but went out for a party on the 31st. Oh well, keep the nose to the grindstone now! Will start Curves back up next week.

Jan 12, 2005 Okay, I lost almost all I gained last week. Stupid New Year's party was tough! Went skiing last week and had a great time in the condo, it even had a jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom. Did very well that whole week and as of weigh-in tonight I lost 3.4 lbs. Have been going to Curves daily since we got back from skiing, except Monday, we went skiing again at Timberidge for around 2 hours total. My thighs are still feeling that burn! Had been feeling very down, but the exercise daily is helping! Even when I have to force myself to get out and do it!

Jan 19, 2005 Well, that 3 lbs is back again. The nurse said I should concentrate on the protein and not the carbs. I know that will work for me, but I was trying so hard to follow the diet that the dietician gave me. As of 1/21/05 I have lost the 3 lbs plus another three. I knew this was the problem, when I eat carbs it makes me crave more of them. Now I am concentrating on protein and salads I feel better and am losing. Can't wait til next Wed. Hope the weather is better by then!!! Storm is coming in over Lake Michigan, yikes!

Jan 26, 2005 And the new weight is: 239 Yahoo, a loss of 7.8 lbs since last week! I knew that the high pro, low carb would work for me!! That should prove that I will be able to lose once the surgery is done, too! It's high pro. afterward, right?

Feb. 2, 2005 Weigh-in showed I lost another .8 of a lb. The internist said that if I was really keeping track of my calories like my weekly charts say, I should be losing faster than the scales shows. OHHHHH, I was angry. I kept my head, I didn't go get something sweet, but it just irritates me. If it was so easy to take off the pounds, let alone keep them off, I wouldn't be considering this surgery and working so hard toward that end. I've lost a total of 14.2 lbs. in 7 weeks, I think I am doing well, darn it! I'm on vacation next week so we shall see what happens on the 16th. They submitted my paperwork to Aetna on Monday, Jan. 31, too!

Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005. Called the machine at home to check messages. There was only one from Roylin at MMPC. She said she'd leave an e-mail for me. Okay, I HAVE TO FIND A COMPUTER. Dang, why didn't I bring my laptop! Finally thought of the business center at the lodge and asked about using it. The girl told me $3.50 for 10 minutes. I told her I just needed to check one e-mail from my doctor, and she let me use it! Lots of messages, but found Roylin's and she said: I AM APPROVED WITH AETNA. I started crying so the girl at the business center wondered what was up. I told her I'd been approved for bariatric surgery and guess what, she had the surgery in 2003 and has lost 120 lbs. Amazing the small world we live in!

Before I got to the computer, I had also left a message for Roylin to call me at the lodge when she got her voice mail. She called at 9:30 a.m. and said: "are you sitting down?" I told her I got her e-mail and that I started crying! Then with a knot in my chest I asked about our BCBS of Illinois coverage for hospitalization. Sounds like they have to start all over for approval with them. I asked her to check with Kim on that because back in Aug/Sept, Kim said that they would be no problem. She said she would check and get on this right away. I sent her an e-mail when we got home to remind her on Monday, too. I am trying not to lose hope, but it seems it's one thing after another for me to overcome.

Feb. 14, 2005 I got great news today! The only thing BCBS needs after surgery is a copy of the Aetna approval with the claim from the hospital!!! I am ready for surgery as soon as I finish my 3 month program for Aetna (3/16/05) I am too happy for words! Thank the LORD!

Feb. 21, 2005 I AM SCHEDULED for surgery APRIL 12, 2005. One day after my 48th birthday!!! Renee called, said they tried to call last Thursday, but couldn't get through. I will have two appts. two weeks prior to surgery (Mindy, the dietician and Randy the PA) and I'll get the supplements. That will begin the 2 week pre-surgical "fast" on product, then will continue until 2 weeks after surgery. The products are pretty good. I understand that lots of people say their tastes change post-surgery. I am not nervous right now, in fact, I feel pretty well and have lots of energy.

Here's a record of weight loss on "the program": Feb. 23: lost 1.4 lbs. at tonight's weigh-in. March 2: lost 2 lbs. at tonight's weigh-in. March 9: OOPS! gained 2.4 lbs at tonight's weigh-in. March 16: lost 1 lb. Now I just need to keep this off for another week and a half before I start the supplements on the 29th. I'll be seeing Mindy the dietician on the 28th along with Randy the PA. Hoping for no surprises!

SURPRISE! 3/17/05 My luck of the Irish today is that Laurie Griffith asked me if she could be my Angel. Hey, isn't that the sweetest thing? (I do have some Irish blood in there with the other Heinz 57!) Thanks Laurie and can't wait to meet you personally.

I just calculated my BMI: When I started the diet program I was at 46.5 and as of my last weigh-in before surgery it is 42.6 (a loss of nearly 4 points!)

My appointments at MMPC went great. Met with Mindy (dietician), got all the low down on how to do the supplements and how things will progress before and after surgery. Ordered my supplements and then went to see Randy (PA). I had to sign all my forms of things that could happen with surgery. I was ready for that, Kent wasn't! Guess I shouldn't have showed him the list. Also got all the directions and information that I'll need for a room for us the day before surgery, etc... Hope they have room for us! I weighed in 2 lbs less than my last weigh in, so that's pretty good. I wasn't really watching my intake for that week. We went out for dinner when we got home. Just praying for strength to make it on the supplements these next 2 weeks, starting tomorrow! Got an awful lot of loving friends on OH that are rooting for me and praying! I am SO LUCKY!

I have a new Angel, Patty J. Laurie has some personal things going on right now that need her attention. When I asked Patty she got right back to me and was really happy to do it! Thanks so much Patty!

My last personal weigh-in on 4/10/05 was 221 lbs. Two days until surgery and I still feel calm. Can't say the same for Kent, but we're working on it.

4/16/05 Surgery was Tuesday 4/12/05, one day after my 48th birthday. I have been doing pretty well. Only one "pain" that really bothers me is the incision on the left side of my belly button. Burns like crazy! Helps if I hold it. Today I tied my robe belt around that area and it REALLY helps. No infection, it's more like a nerve thing, I think. Today I weighed myself at 214 lbs. That's a loss of 7 lbs since surgery and I am finally below the 40 BMI range -- actually at 39.1 and that is a total loss of 7.4 points since December 15th, 2004 when I started at 46.5 BMI! Feel pretty good. Getting the protein in is getting easier everyday, not as many bubbles when I swallow, and I am actually getting about 5 to 6 hours straight sleep when I keep the cats out of the bedroom!!! Still need an afternoon nap and usually after I am up in the morning I need an late morning nap, too. I am so surprised that I feel so good after major surgery. Here I am beginning my 4th day out and I am walking around the yard and doing all the things I am supposed to do, can't complain!!

4/20/05 One day and one week out! Today was a "tired" day, but I kind of over did it a couple days ago and really felt the energy drain the last two days. I now weigh 211, that's 10 lbs off since 4/10 Sunday. My BMI has gone down to 38.6 (Down 7.9 points). I am doing really well, pain is even gone in that one incision since about day 5. Can't wait to add a few things next Tuesday. The drinks and soups are getting old, but not intolerable. Just boring. They said I would think cottage cheese was heaven, I think they're right!

4/27/05 I've gotten off one more pound and the slow down is irritating simply because I've waited so long to get surgery. Oh well, just have to keep doing what I am doing! I'll try to focus on the long haul: I've lost 43.8 lbs since I started the diet back in Dec. 04. When I look at it that way, 11 lbs is really something for 2 weeks! My BMI is now 38.4, down 8.1 points. I also think that since I had already been losing, that things may be a little slower for me than others. The main thing is that I feel wonderful, have lots of energy, and can hardly believe that I had surgery 2 weeks ago! Life is good!

5/2/05 First post-op appointment and since the appointment 2 weeks before surgery, I've lost 21 pounds. I got into size 18 pants that I've not been able to wear since 1999! I'm tolerating my newest food choices well and feel terrific. Lots of energy! All my incisions are healed up, too. Matt and Mindy said I'm doing great! WOO HOO!

5/9/05 Have added some more of the foods that are on the 4-6 week list. I have no problems with tuna, chicken (mixed with ff Miracle Whip) or string cheese. I've been getting in the protein just like I'm supposed to and feel really wonderful. The scale is very slow in showing any loss, but I know the inches are clicking away. Got into another pair of pants (jeans with zipper, even) that I couldn't get past my thighs a little over a month ago! The scale did finally move a little, hit 207.5, so I'm down 46.3 lbs. since Dec. 15, 2005!!! BMI is now 37.9 a total loss of 8.6 points!!!

5/18/05 I am five weeks out and today weighed in at 202!!! My BMI is 36.9, so a total loss there of 9.6 points. Monday I had a 5 minute attack where I thought I had something stuck and it hurt right under my breast bone, kind of a stabbing pain. I took my vitamin late in the day and then went to eat some chicken. Either the vitamin, which I had broken in half, got stuck, or I didn't chew the chicken enough. Thought at first it was going to come back up, but it didn't. It helped me to sit up very straight and stretch some. Don't want to deal with that pain again, OUCH! I have now lost at total of 51.8 lbs since 12/15/04, I am one happy girl!!!

5/22/05 Okay, my Sunday weigh-in is 199.5. I broke the 200 mark by a half pound! I feel really good and am doing all the things they tell me to do! I have now lost 54.3 lbs since I began this journey! I have found that I have to remember to eat now. I don't always feel hungry and sometimes get close to forgetting. I want to be sure to get in the food so that I keep feeling good, so I'm being diligent with my food and water diary. BMI is: 36.4 (a loss of 10.1 points) As of Tuesday, May 24, 2005 I am down to 198!!!

June 12, 2005 I guess I missed a couple weeks here, but here's my update: I am currently at 192 lbs. A total loss 61.8 lbs. My BMI is now 35.1 a total lost of 11.4 points. I feel wonderful, lots of energy, even this hot, humid weather is not dragging me down like it used to! I now fit into a size 16 pant size and I look pretty decent in them, too. It's been a long time since I would have said anything like that about myself! I have no trouble getting in my protein and water requirements! Everyone at MMPC says I'm doing great, too. I have been blessed beyond measure and am so thankful for this surgery. Praise the Lord!

June 19, 2005 Current weight: 188 Total loss: 65.8 Still feel great. Think I had a dumping episode on Friday night. Went out to eat, afterward I felt yucky! I didn't get sick and yack, but I was drained of energy and had to go home and get in bed. Slept for 12 straight hours. It must have been the fat content in my meal, since I had no sugar! UGH! Don't want that to happen again. Felt fine once I woke up, but it really knocked me out for awhile! BMI is now: 34.4 and total loss of 12.1 points.

July 3, 2005 Weighed in at 184 today! Seemed I was stuck there for a while, but now I see 4 more lbs. gone! I am now .2 of a lb. from 70 lbs off since the beginning of my journey! My BMI is 33.7 for a total loss of 12.8 points. I feel wonderful, look so much better in my clothes. I actually care what I wear when I go out instead of finding things to hide my body. I have noticed that people treat me differently now. Now I have to find out if it's my confidence or how I look that makes others relate differently to me?! I really don't care too much, I love feeling the way I do!

July 11, 2005 I am now at 182.5 and feel wonderful. I just had my check-up and I get salad and raw veggies now! Split a meal with Eileen in G.R. and drove her home after her pain treatment. According to Todd (the P.A.) I am doing great. All blood tests came back fine (a little high on biliruben, but was the same prior to surgery, probably from High protein diet). Nearly into a size 14 now and still shrinking! I love it! My BMI is down 13.4 points to 33.3.

August 4, 2005 Oh, I've been bad on getting this updated, lately. Summer is so busy, too much work and too little time! Sunday I weighed in at 174. I am now 5 lbs. less than my husband. I tried on a pair of his jeans and they fit.! I saw some people at an anniversary party on Saturday that hardly recognized me with all this weight gone! I am .2 of a pound away from 80 lbs. off since Dec. 2004, approximately 60 of that is since surgery. My BMI is now: 31.8 (down a total of 14.9 points).

August 17, 2005 Today I weighed in at 171. I was gone on vacation for a week of camping and kayaking and had a great time. Feeling great!

August 21, 2005 Down to 169.5! Don't even remember the last time I was in the 160's. It's amazing. Felt horribly tired yesterday. Don't think it was anything I ate, more that I feel too overwhelmed by my mom being sick with the infection after her knee replacement. Have been praying and asking everyone else to do that for her, too.

Sept. 13, 2005 I am now officially 5 months out and today I am 165.5 lbs. Seems I have so much going on right now I can't get on and update much or answer posts! My BMI is now 30.2 down .7 from my last update. I am down a total of 88.3 lbs. While the loss is slowing down some, it seems to flatten out for a week or so and then starts moving down again. I am not really worried about it, I am doing all the RULES and my tool is working with me for my goal!

Sept. 30, 2005 I weighed in at 161 today which puts my BMI at 29.4 and I am currently "moderately overweight" and would not qualify for surgery any longer! AMAZING at 5-1/2 months out!

October 9,2005 Today's weight is 158.5. My BMI is 28.9, only 4 more points and I will be in normal range for my weight and height!!! I had been just hovering between 161 and 163 for the last couple weeks and today I just dropped 2 and 1/2 lbs. I was slightly worried that things may be stopping for me, but I feel really good and know my body needs to adjust as the weight comes off. I now have lost a total of 95.3 lbs. Never in my wildest dreams could this have been possible before this gift from my surgeon and God! I journal every bite I eat, every single day. I try to exercise regularly, but sometimes that is hard to do. I take those vitamins and minerals EVERY DAY, never miss! I have been having an easier time lately getting in all my water, too. I just found that if I can get to 136 lbs. my BMI will be in the normal weight range ~ that's only 22.5 lbs from where I am today! I am in a size 12 pants right now, which are getting a little roomy. Depending on the top, I'm between mediums and larges. Another funny thing is I don't like these huge roomy tops anymore. I actually like the form fitting stuff, so does Kent!! Oh, happy day!

10/20/05 I am right about 157 and today I got a call regarding my blood tests. I am low on iron, which explains this tired, worn out feeling lately. I am to take 325 mg iron along with 500 mg Vitamin C to help absorption. Yes people, this surgery does mean it when they say things aren't absorbed as well afterward! It happens so gradually that you won't notice it without those blood tests, too! I think the cold is causing a little depression right now, too. Just know that the snow is coming and how cold I am all the time now! UGH!!! Drinking tons of green tea and decaf coffee to try to stay warm. Also doing all kinds of work in the house to keep moving and keep warm. If I can just get Kent to get the wood stove insert installed, I'll be all set. Mr. Procrastinator! Will try to be more upbeat next time!

10/26/05
My Weight is: 159 (this morning is was 2 lbs lighter, but my appt was late afternoon!) So I am down 94.8 lbs since I started the pre-approval diet back in Dec. 04.

My BMI went from 46.1 to 29.1

My fat mass went from 120.5 lbs to 46.01 lbs. (so I have really lost mostly fat! COOL!!)

My percentage of fat went from 47.8% to 28.8%

I am in the desirable range for fat mass and fat %

My Fat Free Mass (muscle, water, connective tissue, etc...) went from 131.5 to 113.01 lbs.

My dietician thinks I am doing all the right things for keeping the food diary and tracking calories and keeping the protein up. The PA is happy with all the progress I've made, too! WOO HOO!


10/28/05

Yep, I finally made the 100 club, even a little extra! Today I am 153 lbs and that is 100.8 lbs from where I started!!! Never thought I would get to this point and now in 6-1/2 short months since surgery I AM THERE!

I would be happy if I lose another 8 lbs., however that crazy BMI chart says I won't be "normal" until I get off 18 lbs. My hubby is saying stop, stop, stop!!! I am looking pretty skinny (there's a word I've never used to describe myself before--EVER). I will work on getting a new picture taken! I do have a picture (head shot) from last month when I was about 9 lbs. heavier it's one for my passport for the upcoming cruise, here's the link:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=8071150&uid=3732029

YEE HAW! I am on cloud nine!

10/29/05 Lost one more pound, now at 152! I know I'm not supposed to weigh a lot, but usually when I start losing after a stand still, I lose for 3-4 days in a row, so I can't help it!!!

11/27/05 One more pound gone, down to 151 today. I don't want to lose much more, so have upped my calories to around 1200 - 1500 per day. I am in size 10 jeans and slacks (some are 12's based on the fit) and medium tops. Got new ski clothes since my old ones would fall right off me now! Thank goodness for the after Thanksgiving sales, I got really good deals on the coat and ski pants! Feeling really well, but I still think my face looks drawn. I am going to get a massage this week as a present for getting below that 100 lb. mark. As of today, I am down 102.8 lbs. If I lose another 6 lbs, that would be plenty. I know a lot of other people are getting into sizes a lot smaller than I am, but the way I feel and how my body looks, I feel that I shouldn't go any lower. It is such a strange thing after all these years to say that! I don't want to lose any more weight? This surgery has turned my thinking process upside-down! After all those years of not being able to get to a healthy weight, and now I have to watch not to go too low! AMAZING!

12/17/05 Today's weight is finally out of the 150's!!!! I weigh 148.5 and my BMI is 27.1 That's a total loss of 105.3 and I really don't want to get off any more than 3.5 more lbs. I just got a new Total Gym 1700 Club and have been using it for the last 3 days. I can feel the muscles, but it's not really bad! I am amazed at how strong I am and the amount of resistance I need for the machine. I have done the Pilates part of the program, too. Regular Pilates is more difficult, but I don't seem to be having a hard time with any of the exercises anymore! I really like my new machine, you can do so much -- resistance and aerobics -- I am glad I got it. They finally came down to a price I would pay and I found a website that included the shipping, so I couldn't pass it up!!! What a difference 8 months makes, I feel so good. I am going to watch a little thing that happened last night, however. I had this awful burning sensation inside just below my breast bone and had to take a Tums, if this keeps up, I will have to get hold of Dr. Baker! The Tums worked this time, but you hear about ulcers and I don't want to mess around with that!

1/24/06 It's 2006 and I am a new person! I just returned from a great vacation and here is what we did: Got home late Sunday night and I am restored and invigorated! Was feeling so low with all the cloudy days here in Michigan. We left Jan. 6 and the cruise began Jan 8. During the week on the cruise I actually lost 6 more lbs. I was eating, but it was very small amounts all during the day. I did take my little blender and made protein smoothies at night to be sure I got in enough protein. I weighed myself at the beginning of the week in the spa, and was shocked that another six pounds was gone by the end of that week. In Montego Bay, Jamaica I did the canopy adventure which takes you from tree top to tree top by way of lines strung between them with you in a harness and pulley set-up. It was WAY COOL! Never in a million years would I have been able or willing to do this a year ago! I went horseback riding in Cozumel, Mexico and ran like the wind. It's been years since I've ridden and it was terrific. In Grand Cayman we did a private company tour for swimming with the stingrays and snorkeling at two different reefs. It was great! (And not a ton of people like the tours with the cruise ships). While I have snorkeled with the stringrays before, this time I was anxious to have pictures taken while holding and kissing the stingrays. We then had a wonderful, mostly warm week in Florida before coming home. Visited my friend's parents for one day and then we went to Blue Springs and Homosassa Springs and saw the Manatees. They are such sweet creatures and get hurt often by boat propellers. They come into the springs during the winter since the ocean water is too cold for them. There were between 15 and 20 visible at Blue Springs and they say that 150 or more show up at Homosassa Springs. They are not as visible since they stay in the Crystal River, however. Homosassa is also a permanent home to some manatees that have been hurt so badly they can't go free anymore. They also have injured bald eagles, all kinds of pelicans, flamingoes, herons, and one hippo that is a resident of Florida since he couldn't be in a State of Florida park otherwise. We just had a wonderful time! Sure wish I could "winter" in FL, but maybe once Kent retires! I almost forgot, on the plane down and back, I had like 8 inches of room around my fanny in the seat! How cool is that? The armrests didn't even come close to me and I had a ton of room!

February 24, 2006 Went skiing last week and lost 4 lbs. Can hardly believe that I am losing whenever we are on a trip! That is a whole new "problem" for me. I weighed 142 when I got home, but now I am up to 145. That is about the right weight for me and my body type. I know that I would need to be at 135 to have my BMI say I'm "normal" but that would be too small, I believe. I am in a size 8 pants. I can't even remember being in a size 8 on my lower half, EVER. It might have been in 6th grade or something like that. The skiing is so awesome now. I have such good balance and it's so easy now, even the big hills! What a blast. Wish we had more snow down in SW Michigan, I won that season pass and have only gotten to use it twice. Darn! I am now entering my 11th month from surgery and it's been an amazing journey. Thank you Lord and Dr. Baker.

March 12, 2006 Currently at 143 lbs. and want to stay here. I have a little trouble with really painful gas in my intestines that I cannot figure out. I am trying to avoid all sugar alcohols to see if that works. It's a little difficult since almost everything that is sugar free has the alcohols instead. I really have to watch the calories, if I am lower than 1500 calories, I start losing again and I am looking pretty bony. My chest bothers me since I can see my rib cage sticking out now. I'm in a size 8 pant and I haven't been that small since maybe 6th grade and that's a guess since I don't really remember it. I feel pretty good as long as I get in the 80-100 grams of protein per day. Just have to work on the source of the gas pains right now.

April 10, 2006 one day before my birthday and I am now 140 lbs. I have been sick this last week and just can't eat very much. I have been keeping the protein up by adding some to my drinks of s/f Suisse Mocha, etc... One day I dropped down to 138.5 and that scared me. I really don't need or want to lose any more weight. I feel really good other than this horrible cold thing that will not let loose of me! I had to have an ultrasound today on my gall bladder since I had some pain when they did my check-up 4/5/06. When they pushed on the upper right side it hurt. So far no other symptoms like vomiting or nausea, but I did have some pain after some chicken noodle soup yesterday. Should know something from one of the docs in 2-3 days per the ultrasound tech.

April 11, 2006 I am 49 today and other than this cold thing I feel pretty good. I am also down another couple pounds to 138. I wanted to stay around the 144 mark, but with the coughing and sleeping I have trouble getting in the calories I need to maintain. Not complaining, but I have to be honest, I don't need to lose any more weight, my bones are sticking out! The only draw back really is the loose skin mainly on my thighs. I have a little bit on my belly, but not enough that I would need any work done. My face and neck look pretty good, not much hanging there thank goodness. The only time I can't hide the thighs is in a swimsuit. Guess I'll have to watch for one with running type shorts or biker shorts for a bottom! I am one year out from surgery and that's my only complaint, life is GOOD!