5 Months Update

[Guest guest]

Well, I can not believe it has been 5 months since I walked into the

surgery room and allowed my new life to begin!? As I reflect back, I

can say that I am glad I had the surgery. This is the second time I

have said this; basically because I wanted to give myself some time

to really reflect on the last 5 months. I have been good. I don't

expel alot of gas and I don't have diahhrea. As a matter of fact, I

have to make sure that I drink my water or I have problems with

constipation. Ever now and then, I do have painful gas pains that

makes it hard for me to move. The last time, pasta caused it, so I

try not to eat pasta. I am not a big loser on the scales, however, I

am a big loser totally. I can eat anything I want, however, I try

very much to watch what I eat. I don't call myself dieting because I

have done this for so many years, over 26 years. I have lost 60

pounds since surgery(90 lbs since last May- I started at 315 and is

not at 225), 5 dress sizes from size 24/26 to 16/18 dresses and pants

and Med/Large shirts, 1.5 shoe sizes, from a 48DD to 40D bra. I

exercise 5 days a week by taking circuit training/step aerobics,

muscle strength. I will add kickboxing and water aerobics next month.

It's the little things that have become B-I-G to me during the last 5

months:

1 - During the last month, I have flown 3 times. For the first

times, I did not spill over into the other person's seat. I do not

feel the other person's body heat from being so close. Whenever, I

let the tray down, it sits flat without sitting on top of my stomach

or on my legs. I had several inches of extra seatbelt left instead

of using my extension.

2 - I can feel my collar, pelvic bones and ribs. I remember about 2

months ago, I was on my back and my arm rubbed across my stomach. I

felt this knot; I immediately panic. I thought I had a knot of

cancer near my stomach. After further examining this " knot " , it was

my rib cage! I still laugh at this.

3 - I used to sleep with my hands under my apron; now, my hands just

slids off my abdomen.

4 - I can actually do step aeorbics with an extra step and don't feel

winded.

5 - I can run upstairs or across the parking lot without passing out.

6 - I have my 16 year old daughter asking to wear my shoes because I

have gone from a size 11 W to 9 1/2 M/W. (I even have some boots!!)

7 - I am stopped at least once or twice a week by a different man

telling me " I like what I see " . I tell them that I like what I see

as well.

8 - I don't wake up 30 minutes after falling asleep grasping for

oxygen because my heart is racing.

9 - I don't have pain in my knees, hips or back from carrying the

extra weight.

10 - I thought that I had lost my bracelet only to find that it was

further up my arm.

11 - I felt great when I was purchasing a shirt from Hard Rock Cafe,

only to tell the cashier that the large was too big, can I see the

medium. I did purchase the medium jersey and it isn't too small.

I could go on but I will stop here. I have some challenges ahead of

me. My dream job vanished last Friday when the company closed it

doors and ceased all operations. Well, I did get a chance to live

out one of my dreams during the last 2 years by working on a cruise

ship; now, it's time to find a " real job, in the real world again " .

I am preparing to take the LSAT(Law School Admission Test) in

December. I have one month to prepare for it. My 16 year old is a

Senior in high school. She takes applying for college and

scholarships very likely. So, I am having to stay on top of that.

And the list goes on and on.

Take care and thanks for listening,

in Atlanta, GA

BPD w/ DS & Gallbladder removal on 5/25/01