Midgie67

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Guess it has been awhile. 

Last week I flew back to MA to see my surgeon for my 2 year check up. (2 months late, but what the heck, I at least got there LOL) To say she was floored is an understatement.  (She was so impressed, she had me send her my journal and all my pictures from the last 2 years so she can use me in her seminars!) I have lost to date 260 + lbs!  I started my journey at over 440 lbs and I weighed in today at 179 lbs!  Life is good, hell life is great!  The surgeon said I am doing great, and went way past what she ever expected I would do!

2 years ago I couldn't do any of what I am doing now.  I hike with my family (our new passion)...we go camping and I walk daily.  I love to exercise, and hang out with my daughter OUTSIDE. Which I never wanted to do before (well I wanted to hang out with her...LOL  but to go out..forget it.)  My daughter has a new mom and my husband has a new wife LOL

No regrets...no problems. I eat 1/3rd of what I use to eat.  I am actually still losing.  Surgeon said I should be done....but it is still hard to eat when I am not hungry.  I have to say, the program Mass General Hospital puts out is WONDERFUL.  Some say they require you to do so much (several nutrition classes before and after the surgery) and I was one of them when I heard how many classes I had to attend.  But now...they were so worth it.  I needed that constant help.  If we had not moved to AZ last year, I would still be attending the classes.  My surgeon said that it is now a 2 year wait for the surgery at Mass General.  If you are in MA and want the best care...take the 2 years..if you are in deseperate need, I am sure they will fit you in earlier...they are wonderful there.  They are going to expand, so I am thinking that 2 year wait is not going to last long.  But they are the BEST in MA.  (Heck anywhere!)

I am so thankful for all I have!  Check out my before pics and you will understand.  Before the surgery I would go to work everyday (4 hours a day, all I could handle at that weight), did some activities for girl scouts and church, but came home every night and just sat on the couch...I was tired all the time, never had the energy to do much else.  I know now, if I didn't have the surgery when I did, I would be on the road to the grave right now.

The above picture says it all (taken 2 weeks ago) My husband and I went to a semi-formal at our daughters school.  For the first time in my life, I felt SEXY...I don't intend to go back to where I was (I love this sexy feeling LOL)

Plastic surgery is on the list.  I need it in my legs bad...but other than that, I won't really need it. I think being a gym rat since 3 months post-op has helped a lot! I went from wearing 5 X shirts, 6X pants, and a 56 H bra...to a small/medium shirt, 10/12 pants and a 36 C bra!  (and yes, you can add a boob lift to that plastic surgery list LOL they just basically deflated LOL)

I am truly happy.  I had been overweight all my life....so I he never felt this way.  Just had to share. 

TTFN and thanks for reading

Margery

 

Today marks 2 years since I had my surgery.  I am down a total of 263 lbs.  Totally amazing. 

What is 2 years in your life?
To a parent with a new born baby it is the years that their child grows up just a little, but enough, (and fast, take it from this mom) most learn to walk, talk and start to get a personality.

To a married couple, 2 years means they made it through, and the gift is cotton (cotton???) oh well. LOL

2 years to a soldier can mean time away in a foreign country and miss out on the lives of their children, wives and families for OUR freedom.

2 years can mean a toddler that goes from wearing a helmet, having her parents being told she will always need to receive special services/wearing hearing aids and never attending Catholic School ~ but that child persevered and showed them how wrong they really were! (GO ANNA! ~ my sweet baby)

2 years can mean being unemployed, unhappy with your life and then finding your dream job in Yuma, AZ.

2 years to a college student may mean a degree in hand.

So you see, 2 years can mean many things to many people.

2 years to me…means FREEDOM. Freedom to enjoy all the wonderful gifts God has given me. I am doing things I never thought I would do in a million years. Hiking with my family, walking 19 miles for Relay for life in May, and jumping rope (yeah that is not that important to you, but to me it is) with my daughter. There is more...but won't bore you with it.

2 years ago on August 21st, this caterpillar came out of her cocoon and started her journey to be a butterfly. A butterfly that can soar, and fly and do things that the caterpillar never thought she could ever do.

My favorite quote is one from Mother Teresa…which plainly states, “God does not require us to succeed, he only requires that you try” I carry that quote with me everywhere…have since Aug. 21, 2007.

A very wise man once asked me why? Why do I want to have the surgery so bad? Well if he had a few days, I could list 100’s of reasons, but I gave him one he would understand. With tears in my eyes, I explained…God gave me this body and I have abused it. He agreed, but also said you are doing something about that…and I did.

I wanted to show God that I was thankful for everything he has given me in my life. My wonderful parents; brothers; sisters; friends; a loving parish community; the best husband and the most beautiful daughter. (My miracle) I need to embrace them and cherish them, for God has given me these gifts. Gifts that I would have left behind way too soon without the surgery.

I did this for me, but for God. So as Mother Teresa says, God didn’t ask me to succeed at it, he just asked me to try. I hope I fulfilled that for Him; for God. So that I can enjoy not only the new body he helped me obtain, but all the other many blessings in my life.

Today marks my 2nd anniversary (or as we say in the gastric bypass world) Surgerversary or our rebirth day. 2 years! It went by so quickly. I am not that caterpillar anymore. I am that soaring butterfly. The one that can do anything, anything she sets her mind to. Thank you Lord for all the gifts in my life… for the 260 + lbs I have lost. That with prayer and God’s help will never, ever return.

I thank my family, my friends, my God for being there. I could not have done it without them. My journey will not end here. I have a lifetime of work ahead of me, so this soaring butterfly can soar higher and higher. Until the day I go to God, and in person thank him for helping me get my life back. The life I always wanted the life I feel he wanted me to have.

I will post my 2 year pic today...

Peace and love,

Margery

Well it has almost been 2 years (as of Aug. 21st) I have moved to AZ and went back to MA last week to see my surgeon....but  she had a family emergency and was unable to see me...so it looks like I may have to go back to MA in Aug (would love it actually) LOL

I am a total of 240 lbs down and feel great.  I can eat most anything (but still in small portions), but still need to exercise daily.  I went from a 5 x to  a Medium shirt...a 5 X pants to a large pants and...a 56 H bra to a 36 C...it is amazing!  I would do it all over again.  I actually have a life!!!!

Now it is plastic surgery times, since I carried around all that weight for the last 36 + years.  Hoping once I see my surgeon in Aug. she will give me the referals for the plastic surgery.

TTFN

Ok...been a REALLY long time.  Sorry about that.  I am now...about 16 months post op. I moved to AZ at the end of November and loving the weather!  I am down over 210 lbs since surgery.  I can't get over it. 

I need to find a gym quick.  I noticed I am turning to jelly again.  That is on the list first thing next week. 

Az is different than MA (besides the weather of course!) and it is taking me a lot to get use to.  I guess the hardest part is the way I get treated (much better than when I was overweight) back in MA most people knew me when...you know?  Here people have never known me overweight.  So I am not sure if they would have treated me any differently (like I noticed in MA, I got treated one why being fat, another way after I lost all the weight)

I will post new pics soon

TTFN!

 

Today is my "Surgerversary"!  Happy 1 year REBIRTHDAY to me! I am down 170 lbs and never felt better!  Still no regrets! Having Gastric Bypass was one of the best decisions I ever made!  Again, I couldn't have done it without all your support, prayers and just being there for me.  I am a new person.  I go to the gym at least 3 days a week (most weeks it is 5 days if I can make it there!  I love the gym) This past week we went to NJ for my uncle's funeral.  We were only 20 mins from Sesame Place, so we decided to take Anna there.  Last year, I would have had to sit on the sidelines and watch as Everett and Anna had a great time on all the water rides.  This year...no way!  I went on everything with her.  It was great!  We decided to use that as my one year "celebration"  I just can't get over what a year makes.  I still have about 30 lbs to lose to get to the doctor's goal, and about 50 lbs for my personal goal.  I know I will do it, and if not, I am very, VERY happy at where I am right now.   

 

I went back through my posts and on June 5th of last year (before the surgery) I listed these 10 things I can't wait to do that I couldn't do then...

 

1.  To teach my daughter to ride her bike, by running alongside (DONE)
2.  To fit in the chairs at work without having them pinch the sides of my thighs (DONE)
3.  To take my daughter to the movies and be able to fit in the seats (DONE)
4.  To fit in an airplane seat (Haven't done yet, but will be soon!)
5.  To go to the mall with my daughter and shop until SHE drops and not until I drop. (DONE & DONE AGAIN! LOL)
6.  To take her to the beach and not worry about how far down the beach we are from the car. (DONE)
7.  To shop in regular stores and not have to order my clothes on line (YES DONE!!! WOOHOO!)
8.  To cross my legs (OH YEAH!!!  Haven't done that in years!)
9.  To not be so tired after work to be able to cook dinner and play with my daughter  (WALK EVERY NIGHT WITH HER!! WOOHOO)
10.  To mow the lawn (ok you might think this is weird, but I always loved the smell of the fresh cut grass and mowing the lawn when I was a kid (of course I never let my parents in on that one, they thought I hated it HAHA), it was so relaxing and I was alone with my thoughts.) (Haven't done yet, because I don't have a lawn...but know I could do it!)

It has been a great year.  I will post pictures today (if I can figure out how LOL)  I still need to post my day of surgery pic.

TTFN

Been awhile....Not much going on.  Next week I will be 11 months out and I am down 160 lbs!  I still can't get over it.

I am now in a size 14/16 at Fashion Bug (shirt) and an 18/20 for pants.  I can't remember the last time I was that size!!!  I am at the gym about 5 days a week...me???  It is incredible.  I also have the best trainer...couldn't have done all this without her! 

Today I was able to get on an amusement ride with my daughter.  It was great!  I couldn't have done that before.  I was thrilled, so was my daughter!  It is the little things like that, that make me realize the surgery was the best decision I ever made! 

The move to AZ is up and running.   We are planning on moving @ the 15th of Aug.  I have been so busy, packing has not been my top priority.   I really need to get moving on that.  My job ended a few weeks ago (I normally get the summers off) But of course I won't be returning.  I am really going to miss it!  I loved my job. 

That is about it for this update...not much else going on.  I will see my doctors one more time before the move.  I will miss everyone at the MGH Weight Center.  They have all been great.

TTFN

Lots of things to report!

First, I went to Fashion Bug today and bought a shirt size 18/20!  Haven't done that for years and years!  I was in shock!  It fits so nice!  I have no boobs compared to before (they have just deflated!) LOL  I am so liking my new self! :-)

 Onto other news...I am moving!  Not across town or across the state, but across the country!  My husband got a great job offer in Yuma, AZ with the border patrol.  I am in shock.  I knew when he interviewed for the job, he would get it...but good things don't happen to us..you know?  The pay is excellent and the cost of living is so much lower out there then here in MA.  I am not sure when I am actually moving.  He is doing his in processing with the goverment now (back ground checks, finger prints, medical exams) and once they are complete he will get a report date.  If it is before my daughter gets out of school, then he will go first and we will follow once school is over.  I can't wait for the adventure to begin!  

He has always been my rock, especially since I had the surgery.  He was laid off in Nov. and he has always been great about all the new clothes I have to buy, the gym membership and hiring a trainer.  I don't think I could have done this without him.  So it is my time to be his rock and support this move and his new job.  

I am now just nervous about finding a weight center in Yuma that will take me on as a patient.  My husband and I talked about me just flying back to Boston every Aug. for my annuals.  I think I might do that, but I will also need a doctor in Yuma in case of an emergency.  So anyone out there from Yuma know of a good bariatric doc..let me know.

Ok I am babbled enough for one day.  Need to get back to work. (one of the things I will miss dearly!) And my church! UGH!  I just have to remember that moving and this job is the best for the family.

Thanks for reading
TTFN

In 3 days I will be 8 months post-op!  I can't believe it.  I am down 130 lbs!  it is amazing.  I did hit a wall for about 2 months.  Flip flopping between 5 lbs.  It sucked!  But I think I was able to break through that wall by turning into a gym rat! LOL  ME A GYM RAT?!?! Can you believe it??? I can't!  I am there 5 - 6 days a week.  Have a trainer once a week (Who kicks my ass! ~ She makes Jillian on the Biggest Loser look like a little kitten! LOL)  Really, she is great, and I couldn't do it without her.  I am walking 2-4 miles a day, depending on how much time I have to give and I am doing a lot of strength training.  (Need to get rid of these bat wings! LOL)  Inches are flying off me...I can't get over it.  I am going through clothes like crazy...but that is ok SHOPPING TRIP! LOL  It i nice to actually be able to buy off the rack for the first time in over 15 years!  

As always, no regrets!  I wish I had done this sooner!  My next goal to run in a 5 K race...YES RUN!  Something I haven't done since high school...maybe by the summer.

Thanks for reading!
TTFN!

In 6 days and I will be 6 months post-op!  I just can't believe that.  I am down (Drum-roll please!) 110 lbs!  as of this morning!  I am so excited.  It is nice to be able to weigh in at the gym....not something I could do before.  Gosh, there is so much I couldn't do before, that I could do now.  

We took my daughter to the Hannah Montana movie (first movie I had been to since the surgery)  I fit in the seat!  With room to spare.  I was so excited.  I fit in booths when we go out to eat, I had to move my seat forward in my car (since my stomach is 1/2 it's size LOL) All in all, I am just doing much more than I honestly expected.  I knew I would lose weight, but never though I could actually "do it".

You know how it is, you start out any diet so gung-ho...saying "This time I am going to do it"  I am sure I said that at the beginning of this also, but had the nagging feeling that it would end like all the others...lose 20-30 lbs and then gain that back, plus more.  

I am still amazed at what I am eating (or should I say not eating LOL)  My husband took me and my daughter out  to our favorite resturant last night for Valentine's Day.  We all ordered what we normally would have. (before the surgery LOL)   For me:  Cup of Clam Chowder, salad, friend clam strips with baked  potato. For Appetizers we got onion rings and mozerella sticks.   I had 1/2 of the clam chowder, a few onion rings, 1/2 my salad, a few clam strips and didn't even touch my potato.  I took the rest of the clam strips and the potato home.  I ate it for lunch and will finish it for dinner!  Now before...UGH...I would have eatten all that and got dessert also!  I was so proud of myself.  I didn't feel deprived or anything.  


I started stepping up my exercising a few weeks ago.  I go to the gym 3 times a week.  I am up to 3 miles on the treadmill at one time!  Before the surgery, I would go and barely make 1/2 mile before I thought I was going to die LOL  I am now have the treadmill set at a 2 incline and speed is up to 3.0...(before, no incline and if I had the speed at 1, it was hard) .

I still can't wrap my mind around all of this.  The last time I was at this weight was 14 years ago.  It is totally amazing.

As I always say...No regrets.  I would do it all over again!

Thanks for reading

TTFN

Happy New Year!  This year is going to be so much better than the past several years.  I feel like Valerie Bertinelli in the Jenny commercials...she says "This is the first New Year's Day I don't have to wake up and think about my weight!"  

I feel incredible.  I am down 92 lbs!  I just can't believe it. My original "personal" goal was 100 lbs lost by 6 months out.  I am currently a little over 4 months out...I can't believe I am going to make my goal! I never have in the past LOL

 I am finally starting to see it on me.  Sure, the pictures show it all (I will try and post some very soon) but I never saw it in the mirror...now I am starting to see it.  None of my clothes fit properly.  Time for another run to the Salvation Army for more clothes LOL  

I do a lot of volunteer work between church/Girl Scouts and my daughter's school.  Before I was so tired all the time...now I just feel like I have energy to burn.  Of course my husband says that this doesn't mean I can volunteer even more LOL  But at least I can handle what I am doing.  Before, I never had the confindence I do now.

One major change that has made a big impact on me (probably stupid to everyone else, but important to me) I love going to church...my faith is what has kepted me going all these years with my depression over my weight etc.  One thing I couldn't do at church was kneel.  As a Catholic, we are always on our knees LOL  This really bothered me...well in the last month or so, I have been able to kneel ~ to pray, during mass etc.  It is a wonderful feeling.  My knees don't hurt when I am done, and my back isn't stiff from trying to "hold" myself up!  It is great.

I am realizing just how badly I needed to do something about my weight.  Granted, when I went in for all the testing before the surgery, the doctors were very impressed with my health.  Blood pressure, cholesteral...both perfect.  No Diabeties...nothing..No signs (on paper that is) that I was obese, except for that number on the scale.  But the potential was there.  I have a friend, who passed away last Sunday.  She leaves behind 4 children.  (the youngest is the same age as my daughter) No, she didn't die due to obesity, she had cancer, but was cancer free at the time of her dealth.  She died from complications from reconstructive surgery.  It brings your life back into perspective.  I am so thankful I did this.  No regrets!  It was time.  I just wish now I had done it sooner.  

Well it is 5:30 am...and time for me to get moving for the day.  As I said, I will try and post some pictures by the weekend.

TTFN