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Well, I am re-cooping again....yep, I have had my plastics.  I had plastic surgery on Tuesday (02/12), BL/BA and arm lift with axilla skin removed, also had fat injections in the "smile line" area.   It took five hours to complete and the surgeon is thrilled with the outcome, he feels it was more successful than he even anticipated....that's always a great thing to hear!  I would love to hear from anyone who has already had these procedures and would like to know about your recovery, and what you experienced.
Will keep you up-to-date as to my progress, would love to hear of your updates, too!  
Huggggzzzz, cls

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!!
What an amazing ride this past year has been!  I couldn't be more relieved and/or excited with everything which I have experienced.   The benefit of gaining health this past year has been the most thrilling as well as the wonderful people I have met thru this Journey, they certainly have become "new family" and I couldn't ask for better support.  James has been incredibly supportive through the past year, too....I know this has NOT been easy on him by any means and I am very fortunate to have him going through this experience with me.  
I will spend my "surgiversary" at the doctors office doing a follow-up visit, labs and a meeting my nut, too....sounds like a good way to spend the morning.  I am officially down 170lbs. since I began this Journey and couldn't feel more pleased!

Hi there!  I have updated my photos with some recent pics from a wedding we attended over the past weekend.

Jezzzzzzzzzz, it's JUNE already!  As they say, time flys!  
This has been exciting, VERY exciting ride  I have lost 160 lbs. since surgery, 08/22/06.  Lots and lots of compliments which are marvelous to hear, but sometimes difficult to handle....I am sure you can relate.
Shopping has been thrilling and such a new experience...AMAZING!
Off of all meds and feeling fantastic!   All doctor visits have been succesful and they couldn't be more pleased, which is a thrilling feeling.

Well I have accomplished a few of the goals which I set for myself prior to surgery.  MAJOR one....be healthier by the age of 40 (my surgery was six months prior to my 40th birthday) and it would be nice to spend that birthday in my favorite place in Mexico....I DID BOTH!  It was a marvelous birthday and traveling to Mexico to celebrate was the icing on the cake.  I was able to experience that marvelous fitting in the airplane seat feeling.....WOW, what a MAJOR that is!!!!  I am 5'10" and airplane seats have NEVER been a favorite thing for me, but NOW.......WOW, I kept my legs crossed almost the entire flight.....cause I could!!!!  LOL
I have experienced a tremendous weight loss of 145lbs. in seven months and thoroughly enjoying the ONEderland!!!  What an amazing experience this has been.  I have been at a stall for the past couple of weeks, however I am not complaining!
I will add some recent photos so you can see the new me!

End of January....Doing GREAT!  Feeling better and better on a daily basis!  Energy level has increased and am enjoying that aspect very much!  Going through clothes like wildfire, amazing to me!  Couple of recent issue with the stomach, but hopefully nothing to be alarmed about.  Enjoying this great Journey!


HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Feeling GREAT!   My joints are doing the happy dance! 
Have been experiencing some quick loss recently which has been exciting.  I will say that I have enjoyed some recent exciting shopping experiences (this is a FIRST statement....NEVER was much of a shopper, always hated stores and couldn't stand fitting rooms!  LOL!)  Now things are a little different....Thank GOD!  It has actually been FUN to shop and enjoyable to try things one, too!   Have been hitting my health club every other day and enjoying this, too.....another WOW moment to have those words come out of my mouth, but they are true!  I hope you are all experiencing a great beginning to the new year!  Thanks for checking in!



I can NOT believe how quickly everything is moving....and in a great way too....DOWN!   Feeling sooooooo much better than I was feeling pre-op, you couldn't pay enough $$$s to feel this good and that is amazing to be able to say only after 14 weeks!  I have a super support group which has been amazing and incredibly important throughout this journey as they have helped me get through the bumps in the road! 
Wishing you are yours a wonderful holiday season!

Brief update....had the second scope Monday and everything is staying where the doctor put it!  Good news!  So, I have enjoyed trying new things and learning about that "full feeling".  Found a new website for recipes www.eatbetteramerica.com and it is really nice because they have all of the nutrionals listed right there....which is very helpful.  Tried some of those out this weekend and so far so good....thought I would share.  I am currently down a total of 70lbs., 39lbs. since surgery and 31lbs. prior to surgery....very pleased with this!  ;-)

09/29/2006
Had a bit of a set back....Had a stricture, they found it last Monday
when they did a scope.  WAS THRILLLED to hear this, as I was so
extremely fearful of a major food intolerence.  I will go in again next Monday
for an additional scope just to make sure everything is staying where
it needs to stay.  Honestly, I have felt like a new person since the
procedure.  I am able to keep things down where they need to be and that
is also helping with my energy level, too...go figure!  LOL  I am
approaching six weeks this coming Tuesday and that is amazing to me....as I
honestly feel I just am recently out of surgery as I am just now
beginning to advance in my diet....well, this isn't a race and it has
definitetly been on a day-by-day basis!

08/30/2006
Had a WONDERFUL day today!  Had my first follow-up appointments
post-surgery, and they couldn't have gone better....I have lost 13.5 lbs.
since the morning of surgery, eight days ago, and a total loss of 44.7 lbs.
since I began working with the Wellness Institute since May, 2005....I
couldn't be more thrilled!  I have been advanced to the pureed foods
and then onto the soft foods....been a little delayed in getting there do
to a set back when I first attempted to advance and nuffin' would stay
down....so, I went back to the basics and have been there!  The surgeon
thought I looked great and would say that no one would believe I had
major surgery one week ago....that was wonderful to hear!  Most likely
will begin work next week Tuesday and will take it easy and only do half
days or come home early if needed.....will play it by ear. 

08/12/2006
Getting closer and getting very anxious and excited!  Yyyyiiiipppeee! 
I think things are easier as we have developed a really good local
support group which is really nice.  Of the four of us in our group, I will
be the last to have the surgery and that is a great place to be in my
opinion....I get to listen to what they have been thru already and learn
from their experiences.

08/05/2006
Things are moving along...trying to keep busy.  Pre-op testing is
complete and this coming Monday will consist of my pre-op class and history
and physical with the doctor.  Looking forward to getting past this
stage.  Visited with two friends from our support group this week, one had
surgery on Monday the other on Tuesday both are doing very, very good
and assure me that I will do just as good in a couple of weeks.

07/23/2006
Well, I am getting into the "groove" for lack of a better term.  I have
begun preparing and getting my house and self organized.  I have joined
and started going to a local Circuit Training facility in my
neighborhood...think this will be just what I am in need of.  Have purchased
items which will be helpful to have on hand upon returning from the
hospital.  Mornings now begin with a Protein shake with added fruit, instead
of a cup of coffee as I am running out the door.  So, these are all
positive steps to a positive goal  ;-)

07/14/2006
Things are moving along!  Starting to get exciting, VERY exciting.  Met
with Dr. Nagle this week, seems as if everything is a go and all of my
additional questions have been answered.  Labs are next at the end of
the month and then History and Physical and the final pre-surgery class.  

07/01/2006
I HAVE A DATE!!!!   Those are absolutely the most wonderful words to be
able to say!!!!   Yyyyyiiiiipppppeeeee!!!!
08/22/2006 is my surgery date and I am anxiously awaiting this! 

06/16/2006
Well the largest battle is OVER ;-) ...I have been APPROVED by BCBS of
Illinois!!!  WOW, still can't believe it...sure has been a difficult
road.  I am thrilled now I will finally be able to fully concentrate on
the important stuff...getting healthy and ready for this amazing life
changing decision!  A MAJOR thanks to all of those who have been a factor
in the process of my approval...it means more to me than they will ever
know!

08/2005
Hi there!  I am in the same situation as most, fighting the weight
problems all my life.  The goal here is to be a healthy weight by the age
40 (ewwww, ick I put that in PRINT!)  Currently I am 35.4 (aka 39) years
old.  I have been working with the Wellness Institute at Northwestern
and Dr. Nagle...awesome!  Everyone that I have encounted has been GREAT
to work with, what a relief...sure makes this huge process a bit
easier! 
Currently I am in my waiting period with insurance, BCBS of
Illinois...don't get me started!  Their criteria is 12 months medically supervised
weight management.  I guess an entire lifetime of failed diet / plans
just isn't enough proof....oh well!!! Why do insurance companies rule
the world?
So during this period of time, I am researching the surgery and those
who have already had it done, as if I were writing a thesis!  Learning
wonderful things from people here....thanks to those who have been nice
enough to share your experiences as well as your hardships!