One-Year Update

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone--I don't check this list too often--it's gotten way too

big for me. But I do like to share with all of you regarding major

milestones. If I can be of service to any of you, please email me

directly at suzmw@....

Here's what I'd like to share ...

Happy Anniversary to me!!!

I can't believe it's been one whole year since my open DS surgery! I

knew the whole point was to lose the weight that I could not seem to

lose any other way. And I knew the weight would come off rather

quickly. But it still blows me away to see how much I have changed.

Here are the numbers:

I'm 5'7 " , and will be 47 years old next month. I started weighing in

at 311 lbs, with a bmi of 49.9, size 30/32 and 3X. Current bmi is

28, and weight is 176. New size is Large or 14/16. Total losses are:

135 pounds released forever! The inches lost are

-11 " from bust

-8 " from chest

-12 " from waist

-18.5 " from hips

-16 " from lower hip/upper thigh area

-12.5 " from around upper left thigh

-8.5 " from around middle of left thigh

-7 " from around area just above left knee

-4 " from left calf

-2.25 " from left ankle

-5 " from upper left arm

-4 " from left forearm

That's a whole lotta inches!! I attend the gym regularly--and my new

thing is doing the spinning classes (also known as cycle) and yoga

flexibility (intense stretching). If any of you have a chance to try

spinning--by all means, go for it! It's intense, it's challenging,

you'll sweat like crazy, but you will feel so good afterwards! And

it's doing wonders for the shape of my legs--which need all the help

they can get. I look and feel great. I no longer have a fear of

chairs with arms! I fit into my surroundings easily and

effortlessly. I can do exercises on the floor, and get up off the

floor easily. It's no longer a monumental effort just to move from

one place to the next. The freedom is amazing.

I've recently been corresponding with a new pre-op, who was surprised

that after a whole year, and how well I'm doing, that I still take

the time to read these messages and post to the groups. I don't post

as much as I used to. But I still faithfully scan the Dr.

Keshishian, post-op problems and post-op friends lists. I have

received so much support and practical advice from all of you. I

want you to know how much I appreciate each and every one of you. I

am so grateful to have found this procedure--and that everything went

so smoothly. The entire process--finding the wonderful Dr.

Keshishian, insurance approval, surgery, recovery--it was all

perfect! It's the closest thing to a miracle that I've ever

experienced. To all of you who are still working on getting your

surgery, hang in there--it's totally worth it. Ask the post-ops--

even with complications, ups and downs, I think in the long-run it's

so worth it.

Thanks for letting me share with you on this very special day. With

love and gratitude,

Suzanne W.--Los Angeles

9/25/00--Dr. Keshishian