RE: The New Me... :)

[Guest guest]

Neil,

So glad you posted! You're on the right track now, and have the stats to

prove you're a success!

Sorry we missed you tonight.

Dawn & Ralph

The New Me...

Certain people have made it known to me that I haven't been posting and that

they have *noticed*, so after tonight's support group meeting in Medford, I

promised then I would post something. So here's the stats:

Surgery: April 18th, 2000 (open RNY)

Starting Weight: 517 lbs.

Current Weight: 363 lbs.

Total Loss: 154 lbs.

Up until about a month ago, I was having a lot of trouble eating. I was

scared

that I wasn't going to make it to solid food. I was taking liquid protein

for a

long time (yuck!). But after talking to Dr. Randall and a (the

nutritionist)

at last month's meeting in Medford, things clicked and fell into place. I

started eating Ak*Mak crackers with spreadable cheese, yogurt, hummus, and

smoked salmon. Then I started to eat chicken and, finally, last week, I went

out

to eat for the first time and had sushi! I had finally learned to take small

bites and chew chew chew.

So now I feel great! Sure, it's not perfect and I relapse occasionally, but

everytime I get to eat something that I was able to eat before, I feel

better.

Tonight, before the meeting, I had sliced turkey, lettuce, tomato and mayo

in a

pita pocket and I managed to eat the whole thing over 90 minutes. Woo-hoo!

I even managed to drive the rental car over the weekend all the way to

Albany --

and I haven't driven a car in 3 years!

Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that I haven't disappeared.

Things

were very bad for a while, but now I am doing much better. I truly

appreciate

everyone on this list and at the Medford meetings. You're all a great bunch

of

folks. God love ya!

*hugs*

-The " New " Neil

---

Neil Marsh

35yo 6'2 " 517#/363#/220# Open RNY 4/18/00

Dr. Ned Cabot Brigham & Women's Hospital Boston