The Century Mark

[Guest guest]

Greetings, all:

No, I haven't reached the century mark as far as age goes, but as far

as my weight goes. I had my surgery 3/1/00 and as of this morning

10/14/00, I have lost 100 pounds. It's enough to make a girl cry.

I have been through dealing with the carafate (bleech, but

necessary!!!), going on the actigall, the vitamin and protein intake

debate, blah, blah, blah,...and even hair loss. BTW, folks, I had

thin hair to begin with due to male pattern thinning related to

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. My hair has stopped falling out in mass

quantities, I didn't need a wig and I finally covered my grey back

up this week (HUZZAH!)

Folks, you will survive all of this. Be mindful, pay attention to

the Doctor's instuctions, join the Post-Op list and garner the wisdom

from those who have gone before you.

If you are very serious about changing your life completely, then go

for the surgery. If not, don't bother. Care for yourself. You

must put yourself first. I did a ton of research before surgery and

the latest bouts of naysayers has sent me deeper into the research.

ALL WLS COMES WITH RISKS---OK! Got it?!? Or do I need to repeat it?

But I would still do this all over again because remaining morbidly

obese, especailly with PCOS (and possible diabetes, ovarian/uterine

cancer risks, among other things) was a DEFINITE NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

EARLY DEATH SENTENCE. 100 pounds off has bought me a lot of old age

time - no matter what anyone else says.

I recently put myself in the ER - dropped a tool chest on my head and

left shoulder and also irritated my hearniated disk at S1. In short,

I was in a lot of pain. Do you think I could have even been able to

move with 100 more pounds on me? H**L NO! I am able to bounce back

quicker, do more things with my life, have a ton of energy, not to

mention wear nicer clothes.

So hang in there folks. I expect to see all of you (well, a lot LESS

of you) at next year's picnic. Me, I expect to be at my goal weight

by then.

Hug yourself, love yourself, take care fo yourself, thank your God

that you are trying to do the best thing for yourself. Oh, and while

your at it...bless Doc R. for being as accessible as he is (you think

other WLS surgeons contribute to a board like this, let alone have

one?) and for caring and for sharing as much information (pleasant

and not so pleasant) as possible... aw heck, just bless him for the

nice guy he is.

I am way behind with contact letters, with the injury, I lost the use

of one arm. I apologize but will get back up to steam soon.

-Ginny Ivanoff

mgb: 3/1/00

348/248

(I have almost lost one whole supermodel)