Theresa

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/05/2000 11:14:23 AM Eastern Standard Time,

comic@... writes:

<< WOW!! I can hardly believe it's already been a year since my MGB. I had

surgery on Nov. 22,1999. We've been out of town for a couple weeks over

Thanksgiving (to Tenn. and then Ky. where my husband is from, where he

ordered 20 White Castles and brought back to N.C. with us, LOL) and I

haven't

had access to a computer.

So I've had lots of time with all the driving to reflect upon this last

year

and what it has meant to me. This has truly been a life altering

experience

for me and now I'm finally nearing the end of the rainbow!!! When I look

back

to only a year ago, I can't believe how miserable and depressed I had

become.

I hated to get out of bed in the mornings and I was a very pessimistic

person. I hurt everywhere!! I had headaches several days a week and popped

pain pills like they were going out of style.

What a helluva difference a year has made in my life!!!

I look forward to each and every day......I laugh more, have more

fun....shop

like there's no tomorrow and feel optimistic with all the new changes in

my

life. The guys at work call me Barbie!! haha I still can't believe that!!

I

am no longer on any medications and I actually eat as much or more than

pre-surgery.

Of course, that came with time.....everybody at work tells me that they

never

saw me eat until I got skinny...LOL But in all honesty I was a healthy

eater

beforehand but just couldn't lose the weight. The MGB has been my

miracle!!!

I did lose quite a bit of hair....it started at about 3 months and came

out

steadily for about the next 3 months. It was still falling out a little

until

I was 10 months post-op but it has finally stopped now. I tried

EVERYTHING....protein, which I have had darn near everyday for a year,

biotin, shen min, topical treatments, etc. Save your money!! No one ever

told me they noticed my hair getting thinner but they sure told me every

day

how much better I looked!!! And now it's coming back in!!

I had my one year blood work done before we left and it was excellent. I

found my Dr. Patel and have switched to him as my primary provider.

(thanks

so much Shea) He was so proud of me and talked to me for over an

hour

and a half!! At 3 months my iron was low and now it is perfect. My

cholesterol was 123 compared to 168 before surgery and my triglycerides

(sp)

were only 57. All levels were fine. I am overjoyed!!! Dr. R I'll be

sending

them to you soon.

When I started out I weighed 270 pounds and on 11/22/00 (1 year) I weighed

145, which is a total of 125 pounds in a year. I now weigh 142. 145 was

actually my goal weight but I'd like to get to 135 now!!! I know, I

know.....never satisfied..LOL

I went to Belks last week and bought a pair of Clio black leather

pants.........

SIZE 8!!!! and a pair of Liz Claiborne and 550 Levis jeans...all size 8

petite!!!

Who woulda thunk it!!! I only wore a 10 and 12 when I met my husband 14

years

ago

(but for some reason I weighed close to the same) My waist has gone from

48

inches to 29 or 30 inches...I did get some size 29 Guess jeans on without

laying on the bed...haha Shopping is so much FUN!! Now when I walk in the

door my husband and son want to know what I bought them....NOT!!!! I tell

then I shopped for them the last 12 years and now it's my turn and I'm

being

selfish. It's funny now I only buy the best and I feel like I'm worth it!!

I

can't wait for the Christmas Party and to see all the wonderful people I

have

met and meet some that I haven't!!! I got a Cachet dress, size 6...musta

been

a fluke and made a little large. I surely had a heart attack cause I

haven't

worn a 6 since 6th grade!!!

Ok, so here's a breakdown of the last 12 months:

11/22/00 270

12/22/99 -30

1/22/00 -17

2/22/00 -15

2/22/00 -10

4/22/00 -16

5/22/00 -8

6/22/00 -6

7/22/00 -4

8/22/00 -5

9/22/00 -6

10/22/00 -6

11/22/00 -2 145 pounds

now 142

>>

Theresa,

What a happy and exciting story you have to tell. Congratulations! Every time

I read a story like yours it gives me hope! Thank you.

Pat