SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Mar 30, 2009

Hey everybody,
I don't visit this site much , but I have a cousin going through this journey and she added me to her friends list which sparked me to log on.  I realize that I miss this site.  It's a wealth of motivation and encouragement.  I love reading about other's journeys and being inspired by them.  
Just to fill you in, this is actually part 2 of my weight loss journey.  In June of 2002, I had the gastric bypass and lost 130 lbs.  After 3 years, I started gaining weight back.  I gained 40 lbs and decided to see If I could get the lap band to help me stop gaining, lose what I had gained back and more.  After jumping through many hoops I got the lap band.  I've had it almost two years now and have lost 40 lbs.  My posts reflect my journey with the band. 
It's been 7 months since I last posted.  I have still been struggling with complying with the rules of the band, but slowly but surely, the weight is coming off.   I've lost 15 more pounds since my last post.  I'm exercising regularly, and I joined Weight Watchers.  That has really helped me to focus on what I'm eating.   I'm more aware of what I put in my mouth and I make better choices most days.  I'M FINALLY UNDER 200 LBS.  I carry my weight well, so Iook alot smaller than what the scales say.  I feel great physically!!!  I'm not on any medication, my joints still hurt sometimes, but the exercise helps tremendously to keep that at bay .   I can see bones everywhere!!!  In my feet, hands, my wrists are tiny, my shoulder blades, my collar bones, my rib cage.  It's amazing!!!    I wear a size 14/16.  (I started out 7 years ago at a 26/28)  I'd be all the way in a size 14 if it weren't for my huge panni getting in the way.  (A panni is that skin and fat on my belly, that hangs down over my pubic area)  I plan to have a panniculectomy once I reach my goal weight .  It's cosmetic surgery to remove that layer of skin.)  Most insurances cover it because it's a medical necessity. 
I have the fat hanging off the bottom of my arms, but I don't worry about that.  My arms are toned from exercise and I know how to "camoflauge" that part.  I have extra fat on my inner thighs and hips but body shapers take care of that.  It's this gut, that has got to go!!!    I love the way my body looks in my clothes.
I get compliments everyday!!!   Men take notice.  It's kind of embarrasing.  I should be used to it by now, but I'm not. 
When I see a man looking at me, I'm wondering, "why is he staring at me?"  Then he'll smile and speak and sometimes make conversation.  Then I realize, Hey, I must look pretty good!!!!!   I'm still amazed!!  I don't see my self like that.  I still see the fat girl . I have a closet full of clothes and shoes.  I work in an office and love to dress up everyday.  I have many sexy outfits to wear out clubbin' on the weekends.  And I love sexy lingerie.....  I wore it when I was bigger, but I really love wearing it now . 
These are some of the positives of losing a large amount of weight.  Since I began this journey 7 years ago, the initial hooplah has faded, but I am still on this journey and forever will be.   Weight loss surgery is not a magic cure.  You still have to work at it.  You will still have the same struggles with food you did before.  But it's oh so worth the struggle.  For the most part, I have maintained a 130 lb weight loss all these years.  Yes, I gained some back and had the lap band to keep from gaining the rest back,  but I wouldn't have been able to keep the weight off this long without the help of WLS.  
Good luck to all you newbies on this journey.  Everybody's story is different so don't compare yourself to others. 
Just stay positive and believe that you will be successful and you will...........
Until next time.........Keep the faith.....Queen Deneen

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