Sandy V.

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210 lbs and going down.....I've now lost 199lbs, 99 since surgery.   I feeling great and doing great.  40 lbs to the surgeons and nutritionist goal, and 60 to mine.   But right now this moment,  I am feeling absolutely on top of the world!!!

I was going to be one of those that updated regularly, and not have huge gaps of time in my blog, but it seems I got caught up in life, and didn't get around to it as planned.   but isn't that a good thing..life that is?   I know it sure feels good to have one again, to be able to finally move as I once did, and do the things that I have enjoyed and have stopped doing because it hurt to much to be as active as I wanted.

This summer has brought about so many changes,  I've watched my body change shape,  my closet become emptier as the large clothes were packed away, my health get better, and my outlook on life become better.

I look in the mirror and know it's me and see that I'm smaller, and I put on clothes that I've always worn, and watch as they droop and sag around this new body that is changing everyday.   I just smile and  put those big clothes in a box ready for a yard sale so someone else can enjoy them.  

I found I couldn't wait to box them up and never see them again, but when it came time for the yard sale, it was hard to let go,  why such a connection to those clothes?   Was it because they were my "fat clothes"?, and I was afraid of gaining the weight again? But some of them were made especially for me by my mom, so many years ago.   My mom, a professional seamstress, could make anything by looking at a picture.   And I had some beautiful clothes.   Was the connection I had to the clothes the fact that my mom made them, and by letting them go, it was as if I was once again letting go of a little bit of her, a little bit that I can never get back.   I struggled with it for awhile, but in the end, they all went in the yard sale, resolving to let someone else have pretty clothes also,  and those that did not sale, were given to a charity consignment shop that helps animals be adopted.   Okay I saved a couple of things,  one a blouse that she did beautiful embroidery around the neck and sleeves.   And a sweatshirt that we worked on together that was made for Halloween.   Two special pieces that have truly special memories.      Oh, and I saved a shirt, and a pair of jeans.   the largest clothes I had to wear ever.   Two reminders that never again,  never never ever again will I allow myself to be that size again.  but also a reminder of how hard I have worked to become healthier and more at peace within myself and with myself.  
Life is good and I have been blessed.
til next time
God's blessing upon you and yours
Belinda

It's been awhile since I've posted anything other than my weight loss.  thought while I had a chance I would write a few words and let anyone who is reading this what is happening with me
I have now lost a total of 175lbs, with 85 lbs lost since surgery in September.  I had my 6 month check up with Dr. Greenlee the first of the month and he was very pleased.   I have had no problems what so ever, and am feeling wonderful.
The knees still hurt some, but nothing compared to a year ago.  I am now walking twice a day,  a mile each time.   I am working with 3lb weights and resistance bands every other day.
I didn't meet my goal of 100lbs in six months, but if you read some of my earlier post you know that I had a bit of a problem with my foot and having a open wound on the bottom that would not heal.  I was unable to walk for about two months before and after having surgery to remove a small bone that kept the wound from healing, but after the wound care doc removed the bone, it healed up in about two weeks and a week after that he okayed me to start walking again.  I had to gradually build up my distance again, but have now got to a mile,  and loving it.  I put  a book cd  in my walkman and take off.   Zoey and I love it.  and now that it is warmer  we can be outside more and more.
I can not wait to get my hands in the dirt and start my veggies and flowers.
This fall I am going back to Western  to finish my Bachelors degree in Agriculture and get an Associates degree in Hospitality Management.    then finally after that I plan on getting back to work.  
Life is good.
Hope all is well with you and yours,
until next time...hopefully sooner than later
God Bless each and everyone of you and yours.
Belinda

In two days it  will be 4 months since my surgery.  I've lost 67lbs since surgery, and a total of 157 since starting the preop diet two years ago.  I am so very glad that I had lost the 90lbs before surgery.  I feel so good these days.  It's been such a long time since I have felt like this, I' had compltely forgotten how it does feel not to have pain everyday, not to be able to breath, walk. do all the things I have wanted to do in years and couldn't. I know have been blessed and give my every lasting thanks to the Lord for placing me with the right doctor and the right weight loss clinic.   I believe without any doubts that I was meant to have surgery in Lexington and find the success that I have so far.  I am not near goal, but am so much closer than I was a year ago.  Plus healthier than I've been in years.
God is good. 
Take care everyone,
May God bless you and yours
til next time
Belinda

Hi ....Weighed today at my Diabetic Doc's office,  down a few more pounds, ....39...since surgery.    It has slowed down a bit, but I'm happy with the progress so far.   
Still not able to walk like I should,  because of my foot.  I am hoping that the new shoes I had to have made to allow the wound to heal will let me get back to walking a bit more each day. 
They are nice looking walking shoes, and feel great,  better than any shoes I have ever worn. 
That's about all the news.
take care everyone,
May God Bless You and Yours,
'til next time,
Belinda

Still doing wonderfully...feeling even better every day.
My one month anniversary today...I weighed so I could see how much I have lost in my first month..... 32lbs gone ...a average of 1lb a day....and 122 lbs gone since I started the diet for surgery...
it is amazing to see my body get smaller.  to see a neck finally !!
Getting back in the clothes that I had put away, hoping and praying to fit into them again.  and now they are getting to large...woohoo!! oh what a feeling!!!
everyone have a great day..
God Bless you and yours
til next time
Belinda

Hi Everyone...still doing well with food, water and protein. 
I am having a few light headed/dizzy type moments.  They are really odd feelings.  I am calling the center today to find out if they can give me a clue as what is happening.  
Will update as soon as I know.
Take care 
til next time,
Belinda   

Hi Everyone....doing great here.  Feeling absolutely wonderful, full of energy and still no major problems. 
I have started solid protein since the last update,  but yet do not want food, nor do I feel hungry.  
I am getting all my water, and protein in,  it isn't easy, but if you pace yourself and make a schedule you can do it. 
I have had one bout of constipation, and the worst I have ever had, but good ole "MOM" took care of it, and now putting Miralax in my hot chocolate protein every morning, no more problems there.  
I wake up full of energy and ready to go, out walking the best I can, or playing with Zoey, (wish I had her energy) but still lose that energy around 2 pm or so.  But this is normal, and expected, after all I did have two major surgeries in one only 23 days ago.  
I am now down 24lbs since surgery, and that is a total of 114.  
What a wonderful trip is this so far....and a blessing.
til next time...
May God Bless You and Yours,
Belinda

Hey there everyone,  it's been two weeks since I got back home, but not been able to get to a computer until today.  Wow,  this is an amazing experience!!!!  I have not had any problems since the night of surgery,  not one!  

Although the surgeons found a surprise when they got their camera in there.  Seems I had a pretty good size mass attached to my left ovary,  they told me about the size of a soccer ball...and weighed about 5lbs.
So before they did the gastric by pass they removed the tumor and my ovary, and had a biopsy done.  Praise the Lord!, it was not cancer!  and they proceeded with the surgery.  Dr. Greenlee said everything else looked nice and healthy in there, and I did beautifully through the surgery.  I know I slept great!!!  lol
I was sick only one time, the night of surgery, and after that I begin to feel good,  I was up walking that night, although I don't remember a great deal about it,  but the next day I walked all the time, every time Dr. Greenlee came to check on me, I was out in the hallway walking with my little rolling companion.  

My friend, Connie stayed the first night with me....Thank you sweet friend,   you were a blessing to me.  I  appreciate you so very much.
 
On Thursday,  I was on my way home, and doing great.   On Friday, although I was sore, I got out and walked about three times that day. I've continued to walk everyday  as much as my knees will allow me. Although the body is willing, the knees still scream pretty loud at times.

I went back to have the staples removed on the 19th, and had lost 18lbs since surgery.  Oh I know part of that was the tumor, but hey it is still weight that I had been carrying around with me.

I have yet to ask 'what in the heck have I done to myself?"'.  I am still thanking God for the blessings  He has given me, and will continue to do so everyday for the rest of my life.
I weighed yesterday at my endocrinologist office and had lost a couple more lbs,  for a total of  110. 
Life is grand!!!!
May God bless you and yours,
til next time
Belinda

Oh yea,  finally it's here.   Will update as soon as I can!!
May God bless you and yours,
Belinda

Woohoo  one step closer...and finally  made it to "boot camp"...it was a good day,  made even better by being in the good company of new bari-buddy and special friend Connie...
Connie,  you are such a wonderful lady,  you are beautiful inward and outward,  and truly special human.,.  thank you for everthing..and yet thank you just doesn't seem  adequate  for all you have helped me with the past month or so. But thank you from the bottom of my little tomato-loving heart.  (lol)
I am at peace with everything, and very ready for Tuesday.  I am trying to be calm and relax, and all the while i'm like the little duck on the water...calm and serene up top,  kicking like hell down below!!!
So much to do in the next few days.  
Remember me,  and his team on September 9th, at 10:30 CST.  
Keep us both in your thoughts and prayers. 
Take care everyone,  
God Bless you and yours
til next time,
Belinda