2 month Update **Crosspost**

[Guest guest]

Today is my 2 month anniversary! I thought it a good time to reflect on the

past two months. My life has changed alot and I know it will continue to for

the next year or so. I can't tell you all how much this surgery has meant to

me. I know all of the post ops can relate but to the pre ops...please hang

in there....You're going to be in my shoes....and its worth every second you

have to wait.

Because of this surgery, I've lost 48 lbs, I've lost over 37 inches all over

my body. I wear clothing I've not fit into in 3 or 4 years. I have noticed

that when I walk from the parking lot to the door of the building, go up the

elevator and walk the halls to my office that I no longer am breathless when

I arrive. I have taken the 4 flights of stairs and made it, a bit difficult

but I couldnt even walk half of them before surgery. I have energy during

the day. I can clean my house and work in my yard all in the same day. I go

places more often. I no longer just lay around all day on the weekends, I

get up and do things. I am no longer eating junk all day. I'm not a perfect

eater but I see myself looking at labels on everything, thinking whether its

high enough in protein or if not will it make me to full to eat something

along with it that is. I am taking my supplements almost every day...which

is great because I've never been good at pills. I no longer feel like the

world hates me. I used to assume no one would be interested in me due tomy

size...I know notice that I don't let others intimidate me. My dad and mom

keep telling me that I'm not the same person that left for Spain...that they

are seeing more of the old Amy...the one that enjoyed life and kept busy. I

think thats the biggest compliment...not that I look great and have lost

weight...but that I'm becoming the person I am suppose to be!

So if you made it this far...thanks for reading my ramblings. I just can't

begin to do justice to how much I appreciate this surgery and what its done

for me. I thank all ofyou that went before me and answered questions, talked

to me, encouraged me and just shared your stories so that I could follow my

path to health! And to all the preops....I hope that if there is ever

anything you need, a hug, reassurance, information or whatever...you know

that I am one of the people here willing to share my experiences...even if

I'm still pretty new to post op life!!!

I love all you for showing me the way!

~*~ AJ ~*~

Age 37 5'8'' Post op 7/24/01 Open DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 390.2 -24.9 lbs!

08/16/01 BMI 58 387.0 -27.9 lbs!

08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.6 lbs!

08/30/01 BMI 58 378.3 -36.8 lbs!

09/10/01 BMI 56.7 373.0 -42.1 lbs!

09/24/01 BMI 55.8 367.1 -48.0 lbs! -37.75 inches

[Guest guest]

AJ,

I can't believe how much has changed over the last 2 months. My surgery was 5

days before yours, so I can really relate to where you are at. This surgery

really can do wonderful things for us. You should be very proud of your

progress both physically and emotionally. I always felt that I was too fat to

be worthy of attention/affection/friends, but now I realize that my weight was

my problem and no one else who cared about me thought of me that way. It sounds

like you have some really positive support around you and I know it has made

recovery easier for me by having that. Have you taken any before and after

pictures? I know mine are already looking impressive and I can't wait to see

what 1 year out looks like.

Congrats on your loss so far!

Kathy M.

DS 7/19/01

213 pre-op

164 today

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/24/2001 9:38:19 AM Pacific Daylight Time, andem4@...

writes:

> I can't believe how much has changed over the last 2 months. My surgery was

> 5 days before yours, so I can really relate to where you are at. This

> surgery really can do wonderful things for us. You should be very proud of

> your progress both physically and emotionally. I always felt that I was

> too fat to be worthy of attention/affection/friends, but now I realize that

> my weight was my problem and no one else who cared about me thought of me

> that way. It sounds like you have some really positive support around you

> and I know it has made recovery easier for me by having that. Have you

> taken any before and after pictures? I know mine are already looking

> impressive and I can't wait to see what 1 year out looks like.

>

>

I am overloaded with positive support...I have it at home, at work and with

my friends...and it does really help! My dad is taking my new pics tonight

after work and I'll get them posted...I'll let ya know when I get it done!

And thanks for the kind words... we so deserve to feel good again!!!

Congrats on your loss too! I'm glad you also are having a good experience.

~*~ AJ ~*~

Age 37 5'8'' Post op 7/24/01 Open DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 390.2 -24.9 lbs!

08/16/01 BMI 58 387.0 -27.9 lbs!

08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.6 lbs!

08/30/01 BMI 58 378.3 -36.8 lbs!

09/10/01 BMI 56.7 373.0 -42.1 lbs!

09/24/01 BMI 55.8 367.1 -48.0 lbs! -37.75 inches

[Guest guest]

At 12:13 PM -0400 9/24/01, lookn2bthin@... wrote:

>Today is my 2 month anniversary! ... I no longer feel like the

>world hates me. I used to assume no one would be interested in me due tomy

>size...I know notice that I don't let others intimidate me. My dad and mom

>keep telling me that I'm not the same person that left for Spain...that they

>are seeing more of the old Amy...the one that enjoyed life and kept busy. I

>think thats the biggest compliment...not that I look great and have lost

>weight...but that I'm becoming the person I am suppose to be!

>...

>

>I love all you for showing me the way!

>

AJ,

You are a truly beautiful person, with or without the weight. I am

so happy for you that you are finding your real self again. Anything

like the " thin person within, screaming to get out? "

XOXOXO,

Steve

--

[Guest guest]

AJ!!!!!! 48 pounds!!!!!! OMG!!!! Congrats!!!

Thank you for posting your thoughts as well. I cried

while reading them because I'm so happy for you. I'm

so proud of you.

Take care,

dee

--- lookn2bthin@... wrote:

> Today is my 2 month anniversary! I thought it a

> good time to reflect on the

> past two months. My life has changed alot and I

> know it will continue to for

> the next year or so. I can't tell you all how much

> this surgery has meant to

> me. I know all of the post ops can relate but to

> the pre ops...please hang

> in there....You're going to be in my shoes....and

> its worth every second you

> have to wait.

>

> Because of this surgery, I've lost 48 lbs, I've lost

> over 37 inches all over

> my body. I wear clothing I've not fit into in 3 or 4

> years. I have noticed

> that when I walk from the parking lot to the door of

> the building, go up the

> elevator and walk the halls to my office that I no

> longer am breathless when

> I arrive. I have taken the 4 flights of stairs and

> made it, a bit difficult

> but I couldnt even walk half of them before surgery.

> I have energy during

> the day. I can clean my house and work in my yard

> all in the same day. I go

> places more often. I no longer just lay around all

> day on the weekends, I

> get up and do things. I am no longer eating junk

> all day. I'm not a perfect

> eater but I see myself looking at labels on

> everything, thinking whether its

> high enough in protein or if not will it make me to

> full to eat something

> along with it that is. I am taking my supplements

> almost every day...which

> is great because I've never been good at pills. I

> no longer feel like the

> world hates me. I used to assume no one would be

> interested in me due tomy

> size...I know notice that I don't let others

> intimidate me. My dad and mom

> keep telling me that I'm not the same person that

> left for Spain...that they

> are seeing more of the old Amy...the one that

> enjoyed life and kept busy. I

> think thats the biggest compliment...not that I look

> great and have lost

> weight...but that I'm becoming the person I am

> suppose to be!

>

> So if you made it this far...thanks for reading my

> ramblings. I just can't

> begin to do justice to how much I appreciate this

> surgery and what its done

> for me. I thank all ofyou that went before me and

> answered questions, talked

> to me, encouraged me and just shared your stories so

> that I could follow my

> path to health! And to all the preops....I hope

> that if there is ever

> anything you need, a hug, reassurance, information

> or whatever...you know

> that I am one of the people here willing to share my

> experiences...even if

> I'm still pretty new to post op life!!!

>

> I love all you for showing me the way!

>

> ~*~ AJ ~*~

> Age 37 5'8'' Post op 7/24/01 Open DS

> self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

> 07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1

>

> 08/06/01 BMI 59 390.2 -24.9 lbs!

> 08/16/01 BMI 58 387.0 -27.9 lbs!

> 08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.6 lbs!

> 08/30/01 BMI 58 378.3 -36.8 lbs!

> 09/10/01 BMI 56.7 373.0 -42.1 lbs!

> 09/24/01 BMI 55.8 367.1 -48.0 lbs! -37.75

> inches

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/25/2001 10:10:13 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

prd2bbsn@... writes:

> I also want to add that I always look forward to

> reading your posts. I admire you so much that you were

> able to overcome great obstacles to reach your goal of

> surgery w/Dr B. I can always feel your compassion and

> personal warmth in your posts and you inspire me to

> follow in your foot steps.

>

>

Wow...Doris..thank you so much. My personal goal since getting my surgery is

to help others and watch the transformation as they get thru their own

journies. You made my day...thank you so much!

~*~ AJ ~*~

Age 37 5'8'' Post op 7/24/01 Open DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 390.2 -24.9 lbs!

08/16/01 BMI 58 387.0 -27.9 lbs!

08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.6 lbs!

08/30/01 BMI 58 378.3 -36.8 lbs!

09/10/01 BMI 56.7 373.0 -42.1 lbs!

09/24/01 BMI 55.8 367.1 -48.0 lbs! -37.75 inches