UPDATE- wowsa!

 Hello friends,

I just realized that I haven't been on here for months, and boy have a lot of things changed for me! I topped the scales in the hospital at 335, and now I'm at 201 (two more pounds until under 200!) I've had so many NSV - My husband and I went to an amusement park and I was able to ride the rides. I can fit into booths. I've had to give away soooooooooo many clothes, and usually have something new to get rid of about every 2 weeks. My eating has finally stabilized and I don't feel like I'm going to die after every meal anymore. I haven't been exercising for the past few months, but plan to make that change now that the weather is getting cooler. I hope that everyone is doing well and I'm happy to share my success with you. I'm not sure how many people really kept up with me in the beginning, but I had a very rough start. I never thought I'd be glad that I did this... but I am now. To anyone debating whether to have this surgery or not, DO IT. I had made the decision that I could no longer live as a morbidly obese person. I was perfectly content and had it settled had I died that day on the operating table. But I knew God had better plans for me, and I knew that I'd pull through just fine. Being thin is a whole 'nother world for those of us that have never experienced it. People treat you different and you actually feel like a person. No more wondering if you're the fattest person in the room or how many people have gawked or chuckled as you walk by. I share this as encouragement for those of you that feel you can't do this. You can. I thought of myself as weak, but trust me, living obese has made you stronger than you know. 

Best wishes and love to all. God bless...

Thank you for sharing this story!  I am getting very nervous about my surgery on Wednesday, but I also know that I cannot continue to live like this.  I look forward to sharing my success story in several months.  Where in Virginia do you like?  I live in Suffolk.  Congrats to you!

 Thank you for responding and best of luck to you!!

I live in Crimora... it's kinda between Waynesboro and Harrisonburg

Hey suffolk, I am in Isle of Wight ... don't regonize your dr. though...
 

Oh wow you are close!  Dr. Mann is at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth.  That is where I will be having my surgery on Wednesday.  Where did you have your surgery?

 Send Me your email Kim 

 My surgery is Wednesday too! Good luck!!!

Congratulations on your success this far!!  Thank you for posting this.  Honestly, I have been struggling with this decision for a few weeks.  I just found out a few days ago that I am approved for surgery.  I don't have dates just yet, waiting for the authorization to come in the mail, but I almost felt for awhile there that I dreaded those papers.  I would be forced to make a decision.  I know that this surgery will be life changing for me.  I just have to wrap my head around all aspects of it.  Slowly I am becoming comfortable with the decision to go through with the surgery.  I know it will be extremely tough, but like you said....being severely obese makes us tougher than we realize.

I'm looking forward to riding on rollercoasters & fitting comfortably in booths also!!  Thanks again for sharing your progress!!  Can't wait to celebrate your "One-derland" transition!!

Truly,
~Amy

I'm so happy that you are happy with your tool. I'm not quite as far along as you but I am hoping to be just as successful.

I'm so glad you posted this.  I will be having my surgery on Sept 17th and I've been stressing about it.  I have been back and forth on the fence with should I or shouldn't I.  I know I can't keep doing what I'm doing because it's not working, but to say that I'm scared of the unknown is putting it mildly.  It's fantastic you are enjoying the "new" you.  I hope you have continued success.