Nearly 2 years

It's been nearly 2 years since I've had my surgery.  So many changes have occurred and I'm not even sure if I can believe all of the changes that I have made in my life.  I still feel so fortunate to have been able to realize this dream.  I have dropped nearly 180 lbs.  I have shrunk from a size 30 (5X) to a size 14 (XL).  I have gained so much confidence that it is almost scary.  I have never been a shy person, but now there is almost no limit to the things that I will let myself try.

In October I was able to fly to Florida with my family to go to Disney.  I was able to purchase just one seat for myself.  Two years ago I would have been forced to get two seats due to my size.  I was able to walk all day through any park that I wanted to.  I was able to ride which ever ride I wanted to go on with my children.  I was able to create memories that only 2 years ago I thought would be impossible to have.  This has given me so much happiness!!

There are other things that have occurred since I have had my surgery that affect other members of my family.  After seeing my success, my dad made the difficult decision to have the sleeve done.  He is 6 months out from his procedure and has lost 128 lbs!!  I am so happy for him and so proud of him!  Without knowing it he is giving me and my family a gift.  He is giving us a chance to spend more time with him and he is giving himself a better quality of life.

I am still losing weight very slowly.  I am starting to plan my reconstructive surgery.  I have to stabilize my weight for 12 to 18 months and then I will be able to have the old stretched out, loose skin removed.  I am nervous to have this done, but excited at the same time.

I think the most exciting thing that has happened recently is the call I received 2 days ago.  I was asked by my hospital to do a testimonial about my bariatric success.  I will be featured in advertisements and literature promoting the program.  I feel very honored to be asked to do this.  I will keep you posted!!

Another dream realized!

I should have posted this earlier this week when it first happened, but as you know I am a procrastinator.  I rode my bike on Tuesday for the first time in about 10 years.  I didn't go far, but I had to see if I could do it.  It's just like they say "it's just like riding a bike.  Once you learn you never forget how."  I couldn't believe how easy it seemed.  I started out slowly and worked my way up.  It was exhilarating!  I felt free.  I felt younger.  I felt healthy.  I decided right then and there that I was going to ride my bike every chance I got.  Tonight I went again.  I went farther this time.  To the community center and back.  I am looking forward to riding at least 3 or 4 times a week until the weather is no longer agreeable. 
This was a big deal to me, but I didn't realize what a big deal this was to my daughters.  Last night they went and got their hair cut.  We have been going to Stefanie for 15 years and we know each other well.  The girls couldn't wait to tell Stephanie that "Momma went for a bike ride!!"  They were so excited for me.  They are both looking forward to going with me for a bike ride.  Hopefully we can go together as a family this weekend. 
I still can't believe how much my life has changed.  I notice people treat me differently.  I feel so good and I really can't believe that I wasted all those years like I did.  Getting healthy has been the best gift that I have ever been given.  I thank Dr. Fourman every day for giving me the tools and the opportunity to live the life that I am living now.

Today I met another personal goal

This journey has been about setting goals and reaching them little by little.  I am 9 pounds away from my next weight goal, but today I reached another goal.  This goal is not a number related goal, most of my goals are number related.  This is a personal goal.  Something that I haven't been able to do in so many years that I can't even remember the last time I was able to do this.  Today I was able to buy a pair of capris and a t shirt in the ladies department!!!!!  The ladies department, not the women's department, not the plus size department, the average sized ladies department.  Granted I had to buy the biggest size that they offer (16 capris and XL top), but it was in the ladies department.  It was just a short time ago, 16 months to be exact, that I had to buy the largest size that Fashion Bug offered (size 30 pants and 4x top).  I am in awe as I put this outfit on.  I didn't try it on in the store.  I was afraid to.  I was afraid that if it didn't fit I would cry and I was afraid that if it did fit I would scream.  I brought my bag home and set it aside for 2 hours, but curiosity got the best of me and I had to try it on.  I can't believe my eyes as I look in the mirror!!  I am actually becoming an average sized woman.  I never thought that I would be average sized again.  I'm still struggling with a distorted body image, but I think my mind is starting to catch up with my body.  This feels amazing!!  I am so thankful that I had the courage to take this journey!  This is truly an extreme make over!

It's been 1 year

It's been 1 year and I'm down 137 pounds.  I have so much energy and I get so much more done.  I am still losing weight, but it is coming off much slower these days.  I'm ok with that...it's still coming off.  I cannot believe the change in me.  Not only how much different my body looks, but how much better I feel and how much more confidence I have.  It is said that I am sassier than I was before, I'm not sure that that is even possible. I was looking at the pictures I have taken over the past year and I am amazed.  While I will never forget being as big as I was it almost doesn't seem real.

Been too long

February has swept in and I realize that it has been such a long time since I have blogged.  I continue to steadily lose weight.  My skin is sagging in places that I never imagined I would have sagging skin, but I consider this sagging skin a temporary badge of accomplishment.  I say temporary because I know through toning I will be able to correct some of this and what I cannot correct through toning I will have surgically corrected when the time is right, if necessary.  Even if I must keep this extra skin, it is better than the fat that I have been carrying around for 15+ years.  My son commented a few days ago that even the skin on my arms (the skin that I call "granny bat wings") seems to be going away a little bit.  It is so exciting to hear my kids notice things like this.  My 8 year old daughter hugs me now and is able to wrap her arms around my body and her fingers touch for the first time in her whole life.  She is ecstatic by this seemingly small accomplishment.  My 4 year old daughter looks at the pictures that I have taken along the way and says "remember when you looked like that mom?", like it was a long time ago.  I find it hard to believe that it hasn't even been a year yet and I have come this far!
    Today I got down on my hands and knees and scrubbed my kitchen floor.  This seems like an ordinary, mundane task.  But believe me this isn't ordinary to me!  I haven't been able to do it for years.  I have relied on my wonderful husband to do tasks like this for me.  Bless his heart, he always did it and NEVER complained.  Today I felt quite accomplished.  Not only did I scrub the floor on my hands and knees I didn't struggle to get back up.  This is another milestone that I have passed!  The last 10 months have gone by so fast and I don't feel like it has been hard work.  It is only a short chapter in a lifelong journey.

Staying on track!

It has been a long time since I have posted anything!  I just want to report that I have been staying on track.  I saw Dr. Smith on Thursday and he was very pleased with my progress.  I have lost 25 pounds since I have seen him last.  He is very excited about my progress.  I have to admit I am too!!  I am starting to shrink out of all of my clothes again, but that is OK.  I know that they make more and soon I will be able to buy clothes from nearly any store I go into.  No more shopping exclusively at Fashion Bug or Lane Bryant!  That will feel sooo good!!!  I still can't believe how much my body has changed and how much the decision to have this surgery has changed my life!  I seriously wish I had done it 10 years ago.  It is a little weird for me because I still see the body I had before I lost all of this weight.  I really have to stand still and concentrate on what is really there, not what my mind still sees.  I know it will take time and I know my brain will catch up with the rest of me.  I can't wait.  For now I will have to settle for putting the pictures of my progress side by side.

Happy Thursday!!!  Today I am happy to report that the scale says I am 113 pounds lighter than I was 7 months  ago.  If you would have told me in March or April of this year that I would be 113 pounds down by October I would have laughed very loudly!!  But it is true.  When I got dressed this morning I put on the top that I wore to my birthday party that was held August 27th.  I can see such a difference in the way that it fits.  I thought it fit really well the night of my party, but wearing it today I feel much more comfortable in it.

I see Dr. Smith again next month.  He will be so pleased to see my continued progress.  I am slowly getting back to exercising since my gall bladder surgery.  Went for a long walk yesterday and am planning to go a little further today.  I am really beginning to enjoy my walks.  It gives me a little alone time and I know I am doing something positive for my health.