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Hi, I can post now! I had my open RNY surgery 11/18/02 at Hurley

Medical Center, in Flint, MI, with Dr. Obeid. They have a great

program there, lots of support. My starting weight was 348 pounds,

and I am now 207, for a total weight loss of 141 pounds. I had been

losing very steadily, but at one year I hit a plateau for 3 weeks.

Last week I finally lost 2 more pounds. Those plateaus are

frustrating! I am not sure what weight I will end up at, since I

haven't been small since I hit puberty. 148 would be nice, for an

even 200 pound loss. We'll see!

I am a 39 year old homeschooling mom with 3 kids and a hubby. I have

so much more energy now. These are some of the positives that have

happened since surgery:

I can touch my toes,

I can cross my legs,

I can ride on amusement park rides,

I can run (slowly, but I'm running!),

I can hike with my family without feeling like my heart is going to

explode (my kids tell me to slow down),

my kids (and hubby) can put their arms all the way around me,

I have a lap!,

my blood pressure is much lower,

I can wipe myself without wrenching my back,

I don't snore anymore (my husband likes this ,

I can wear my wedding ring,

I can actually go into a store and have a choice about what to buy-

and the clothes look attractive on me,

Giving blood is much easier now,

My body is working properly, (I'm actually excited to be having

periods!),

Kids don't stare, and point at me anymore,

I don't feel like I am the biggest thing in the room anymore,

I don't knock things down with my hips,

I am not afraid to go places, because I know I will fit in the chairs,

My feet, and back don't hurt like they used to,

I can go shopping all day without pain,

I don't worry that my kids and husband will be ashamed to be seen

with me,

I feel more feminine and graceful,

I don't worry about getting diabetes, or having a stroke,

I don't need a seat belt extender anymore,

I don't worry about breaking chairs when I sit down, and most

importantly

I feel better about myself!

Wow, that was quite a list once I got started. I'm sure it is a list

all of you can understand

I have been reading posts for a few months now. I can really relate

to the popcorn thread that people have been talking about lately. I

really have to watch myself or I can sit down and eat a whole bag

while I am reading. I have decided to leave it alone for awhile and

see if the weight will come off faster.

Sorry for the long post, once I get started it is hard to shut me up!

God Bless,

from Michigan

348/207/?