Re: Brief Update

February 7, 2004

Congrattulations on breaking 200! I was so touched by your son's

comment. My daughter is four also and at here pre-school I

frequently hear other kids say " your daddy has a big tummy " and

other things like that. Until I was out of school, I was the normal

height for my weight and my mom was...welll...let's say she had a

big tummy too. To my continuous regret now, I was ashamed of her in

front of my friends (she's gone now).

When I talked to my daughter about the comments she was

unconcerned. She doesn't yet know enough to let it bother her. But

I told her that I was going to make my tummy smaller and she got mad

at me. She said for not to change anything and she liked my big

tummy just fine. She was really nervous about me changing

anything. I know now that there is at least one person in the world

that loves me completely without prejudice of any kind, and so much

so that she doesn't want me to change a bit. Aren't kids often the

sweetest people (sometimes they are lunkheads too...)?

Of course she will will be happier with the new me because I will be

able to be a better, more active dad.

As for your " party of one " , count me in too. I am very happy for

you!

> You may not recognize the ID - it's me, - somehow it would

not

> let me back in with my other ID....

>

> I had to post because yesterday I finally went under the 200#

> mark...I was elated. Of course I was standing in the middle of

the

> gym locker room stark naked and couldn't exactly start jumping up

and

> down... but I was celebrating big time on the inside (tears in my

> eyes).

>

> At 8 months I finally hit my first plateau and with the cold, flu

and

> pink eye I suffered through over the last 8 weeks it was

definitely a

> joyish occasion (even if it was a party of ONE).

>

> This journey has taught me so many things but the most important

> thing I have learned or finally realized is that I am someone, I

> matter. I matter to me. It is worth the effort and time to spend

> time on me. I have to retell this to myself occasionally to not

be

> distracted from my goals. It is important to put ourselves

first. I

> know as a longtime overweight person how easy it is to put others

> first. We think we are sacrificing for others and all we are

doing

> is sacrificing ourselves in the process...many times over without

> knowing it.

>

> We all have something to offer that makes us special. The

greatest

> gift of this journey for me is realizing that I am special and

have

> something to offer and now I don't hinder that by offsetting

> responses because of the way I look. *It shouldn't matter but

> somehow it does*

>

> I just wanted to let the preops know that this is not easy street -

> you don't leave any baggage behind because you have surgery and

you

> don't get to " bypass " the psychological and emotional issues as

Oprah

> would portray. I know personally that there is no way I would be

> where I am today without the surgery but I feel in no way that I

took

> the easy way out. I address daily the issues of why I was

overweight

> and in time I will come to terms with this and

hopefully " exercise "

> my way through instead of eating myself to an early grave.

>

> I have to share that my 4 year old the other day was getting

dressed

> in his PJ's and since he's going through a growing spurt and extra

> lean - I said to him " your getting skinny " and he turned to me

with a

> huge grin on his face and said " you too mama " ...I almost burst

into

> tears - one of my greatest fears is that one day he would be so

> ashamed of his " huge " mama in front of his friends but that is one

> fear down.

>

> Love to all the preops for the journey ahead and hugs and many

kisses

> to all the postops who know exactly what I'm rambling on and on

about.

>

> Everyone deserves this journey.

>

> 350/199/150

> 4/29/03

> Dr. Fisher / Richmond Kaiser

February 7, 2004

,

Thank you, what a beautiful story for us pre-ops to read and look forward to in the future.

Caroldonahue282004 wrote:

You may not recognize the ID - it's me, - somehow it would not let me back in with my other ID....I had to post because yesterday I finally went under the 200# mark...I was elated. Of course I was standing in the middle of the gym locker room stark naked and couldn't exactly start jumping up and down... but I was celebrating big time on the inside (tears in my eyes).At 8 months I finally hit my first plateau and with the cold, flu and pink eye I suffered through over the last 8 weeks it was definitely a joyish occasion (even if it was a party of ONE).This journey has taught me so many things but the most important thing I have learned or finally realized is that I am someone, I matter. I matter to me. It is worth the effort and time to spend time on me. I have to retell this to myself

occasionally to not be distracted from my goals. It is important to put ourselves first. I know as a longtime overweight person how easy it is to put others first. We think we are sacrificing for others and all we are doing is sacrificing ourselves in the process...many times over without knowing it. We all have something to offer that makes us special. The greatest gift of this journey for me is realizing that I am special and have something to offer and now I don't hinder that by offsetting responses because of the way I look. *It shouldn't matter but somehow it does*I just wanted to let the preops know that this is not easy street - you don't leave any baggage behind because you have surgery and you don't get to "bypass" the psychological and emotional issues as Oprah would portray. I know personally that there is no way I would be where I am today without the surgery but

I feel in no way that I took the easy way out. I address daily the issues of why I was overweight and in time I will come to terms with this and hopefully "exercise" my way through instead of eating myself to an early grave. I have to share that my 4 year old the other day was getting dressed in his PJ's and since he's going through a growing spurt and extra lean - I said to him "your getting skinny" and he turned to me with a huge grin on his face and said "you too mama"...I almost burst into tears - one of my greatest fears is that one day he would be so ashamed of his "huge" mama in front of his friends but that is one fear down.Love to all the preops for the journey ahead and hugs and many kisses to all the postops who know exactly what I'm rambling on and on about.Everyone deserves this journey.350/199/1504/29/03Dr. Fisher / Richmond Kaiser

February 7, 2004

You are so right - our children love us so unconditionally - if

everyone was as unjudgemental as they are this world would be free of

prejudice and mistreatment.

I'm going on 9 months postop and that is one of the few comments my

boys have made about my physical appearance. Mostly they have

noticed that we don't go to fast food and that I eat on smaller

plates than them and we go on bike rides and to the gym all the

time. The changes to them are that I'm not " couch mama " anymore.

Your daughter will continue to love you as you and your health and

energy will be bonuses for her as well.

> > You may not recognize the ID - it's me, - somehow it would

> not

> > let me back in with my other ID....

> >

> > I had to post because yesterday I finally went under the 200#

> > mark...I was elated. Of course I was standing in the middle of

> the

> > gym locker room stark naked and couldn't exactly start jumping up

> and

> > down... but I was celebrating big time on the inside (tears in my

> > eyes).

> >

> > At 8 months I finally hit my first plateau and with the cold, flu

> and

> > pink eye I suffered through over the last 8 weeks it was

> definitely a

> > joyish occasion (even if it was a party of ONE).

> >

> > This journey has taught me so many things but the most important

> > thing I have learned or finally realized is that I am someone, I

> > matter. I matter to me. It is worth the effort and time to

spend

> > time on me. I have to retell this to myself occasionally to not

> be

> > distracted from my goals. It is important to put ourselves

> first. I

> > know as a longtime overweight person how easy it is to put others

> > first. We think we are sacrificing for others and all we are

> doing

> > is sacrificing ourselves in the process...many times over without

> > knowing it.

> >

> > We all have something to offer that makes us special. The

> greatest

> > gift of this journey for me is realizing that I am special and

> have

> > something to offer and now I don't hinder that by offsetting

> > responses because of the way I look. *It shouldn't matter but

> > somehow it does*

> >

> > I just wanted to let the preops know that this is not easy

street -

>

> > you don't leave any baggage behind because you have surgery and

> you

> > don't get to " bypass " the psychological and emotional issues as

> Oprah

> > would portray. I know personally that there is no way I would be

> > where I am today without the surgery but I feel in no way that I

> took

> > the easy way out. I address daily the issues of why I was

> overweight

> > and in time I will come to terms with this and

> hopefully " exercise "

> > my way through instead of eating myself to an early grave.

> >

> > I have to share that my 4 year old the other day was getting

> dressed

> > in his PJ's and since he's going through a growing spurt and

extra

> > lean - I said to him " your getting skinny " and he turned to me

> with a

> > huge grin on his face and said " you too mama " ...I almost burst

> into

> > tears - one of my greatest fears is that one day he would be so

> > ashamed of his " huge " mama in front of his friends but that is

one

> > fear down.

> >

> > Love to all the preops for the journey ahead and hugs and many

> kisses

> > to all the postops who know exactly what I'm rambling on and on

> about.

> >

> > Everyone deserves this journey.

> >

> > 350/199/150

> > 4/29/03

> > Dr. Fisher / Richmond Kaiser

February 7, 2004

Hi ,

Huzzah! Wow!

From 350 to 199 . . . I can only imagine how wonderful that must feel.

(But I do imagine it and hope to follow in your footsteps.)

Keep up the good work . . . both with your weight and the issues that

come with it. You are earning your successes.

All the best,

Kay

open RNY 12/1/03

donahue282004 wrote:

You may not recognize the ID - it's me,

- somehow it would not

let me back in with my other ID....

I had to post because yesterday I finally went under the 200#

mark...I was elated. Of course I was standing in the middle

of the

gym locker room stark naked and couldn't exactly start jumping

up and

down... but I was celebrating big time on the inside (tears in

my

eyes).

.. . .

Everyone deserves this journey.

350/199/150

4/29/03

Dr. Fisher / Richmond Kaiser

February 7, 2004

:

Wow! What a great accomplishment. I know exactly what you mean when

you say, " I matter to me. "

I know for me that the weight loss is important, but the more

important thing is the change in my mind.

And it's like asking which came first, the chicken or the egg. In

other words, did I start caring about myself because I began to lose

weight? Or did I lose weight because I began caring about myself?

I think it is the latter, but what's important is that for the first

time in my life, I take care of my needs in healthy ways, not by

stuffing down as much food as possible.

, everytime you are " celebrating big time on the inside (with

tears in your eyes) " just know that we are right there with you in

spirit celebrating your success!

Francisco

-124 lbs

> You may not recognize the ID - it's me, - somehow it would

not

> let me back in with my other ID....

>

> I had to post because yesterday I finally went under the 200#

> mark...I was elated. Of course I was standing in the middle of the

> gym locker room stark naked and couldn't exactly start jumping up

and

> down... but I was celebrating big time on the inside (tears in my

> eyes).

>

> At 8 months I finally hit my first plateau and with the cold, flu

and

> pink eye I suffered through over the last 8 weeks it was definitely

a

> joyish occasion (even if it was a party of ONE).

>

> This journey has taught me so many things but the most important

> thing I have learned or finally realized is that I am someone, I

> matter. I matter to me. It is worth the effort and time to spend

> time on me. I have to retell this to myself occasionally to not be

> distracted from my goals. It is important to put ourselves first.

I

> know as a longtime overweight person how easy it is to put others

> first. We think we are sacrificing for others and all we are doing

> is sacrificing ourselves in the process...many times over without

> knowing it.

>

> We all have something to offer that makes us special. The greatest

> gift of this journey for me is realizing that I am special and have

> something to offer and now I don't hinder that by offsetting

> responses because of the way I look. *It shouldn't matter but

> somehow it does*

>

> I just wanted to let the preops know that this is not easy street -

> you don't leave any baggage behind because you have surgery and you

> don't get to " bypass " the psychological and emotional issues as

Oprah

> would portray. I know personally that there is no way I would be

> where I am today without the surgery but I feel in no way that I

took

> the easy way out. I address daily the issues of why I was

overweight

> and in time I will come to terms with this and hopefully " exercise "

> my way through instead of eating myself to an early grave.

>

> I have to share that my 4 year old the other day was getting

dressed

> in his PJ's and since he's going through a growing spurt and extra

> lean - I said to him " your getting skinny " and he turned to me with

a

> huge grin on his face and said " you too mama " ...I almost burst into

> tears - one of my greatest fears is that one day he would be so

> ashamed of his " huge " mama in front of his friends but that is one

> fear down.

>

> Love to all the preops for the journey ahead and hugs and many

kisses

> to all the postops who know exactly what I'm rambling on and on

about.

>

> Everyone deserves this journey.

>

> 350/199/150

> 4/29/03

> Dr. Fisher / Richmond Kaiser

February 7, 2004

Actually, I do know that everyone here is celebrating with me (preop

or postop) ...You always make me want to cry everytime I read your

posts or replys (it's a good thing really ))))

I was just talking to my best friend in the world tonight, he works

for assisted living people and the girlfriend of one of his patients

is extremely overweight and contributes to his patient's very

unhealthy eating habits (suffers from MLS). She is an excess of 400

pounds and recently mentioned to my friend that she is considering

the lapband surgery.

I related that without this surgery I know I would be in a sinking

ship at this point and no good to anyone in my family. I am now an

inspiration to the girls at work (I have motivated 3 of them to a

walk program at lunch time) and my own family (my dad and mom now in

their 60's are seeing my results) have motivated them to begin a

regular exercise routine and healthier eating habits. (My dad is the

worst (where I got all by BAD eating habits from).

My greatest hope is that my family and friends will too benefit from

my surgery. But my greatest goal was to be a better mom to my

children and I have already seen that take hold.

My kids were my greatest push to better my health and myself. I see

daily affirmations that I made the right decision and that my

continued drive for a better me will make my children better people.

Tonight I went shopping with my kids and grandma (my mom). I wasn't

in the least bit tired or annoyed. I didn't have to sit down once or

grow impatient at all - it was actually a joyous occasion for me ---

I know there is alot of baggage inside that I deal with daily but

because of the surgery (tool) I am able to identify and deal with

issues in other ways. I thank God everyday that I was given/received

this second chance.

Thanks for listening...this support group is also a blessing!!!

> > You may not recognize the ID - it's me, - somehow it would

> not

> > let me back in with my other ID....

> >

> > I had to post because yesterday I finally went under the 200#

> > mark...I was elated. Of course I was standing in the middle of

the

> > gym locker room stark naked and couldn't exactly start jumping up

> and

> > down... but I was celebrating big time on the inside (tears in my

> > eyes).

> >

> > At 8 months I finally hit my first plateau and with the cold, flu

> and

> > pink eye I suffered through over the last 8 weeks it was

definitely

> a

> > joyish occasion (even if it was a party of ONE).

> >

> > This journey has taught me so many things but the most important

> > thing I have learned or finally realized is that I am someone, I

> > matter. I matter to me. It is worth the effort and time to

spend

> > time on me. I have to retell this to myself occasionally to not

be

> > distracted from my goals. It is important to put ourselves

first.

> I

> > know as a longtime overweight person how easy it is to put others

> > first. We think we are sacrificing for others and all we are

doing

> > is sacrificing ourselves in the process...many times over without

> > knowing it.

> >

> > We all have something to offer that makes us special. The

greatest

> > gift of this journey for me is realizing that I am special and

have

> > something to offer and now I don't hinder that by offsetting

> > responses because of the way I look. *It shouldn't matter but

> > somehow it does*

> >

> > I just wanted to let the preops know that this is not easy

street -

> > you don't leave any baggage behind because you have surgery and

you

> > don't get to " bypass " the psychological and emotional issues as

> Oprah

> > would portray. I know personally that there is no way I would be

> > where I am today without the surgery but I feel in no way that I

> took

> > the easy way out. I address daily the issues of why I was

> overweight

> > and in time I will come to terms with this and

hopefully " exercise "

> > my way through instead of eating myself to an early grave.

> >

> > I have to share that my 4 year old the other day was getting

> dressed

> > in his PJ's and since he's going through a growing spurt and

extra

> > lean - I said to him " your getting skinny " and he turned to me

with

> a

> > huge grin on his face and said " you too mama " ...I almost burst

into

> > tears - one of my greatest fears is that one day he would be so

> > ashamed of his " huge " mama in front of his friends but that is

one

> > fear down.

> >

> > Love to all the preops for the journey ahead and hugs and many

> kisses

> > to all the postops who know exactly what I'm rambling on and on

> about.

> >

> > Everyone deserves this journey.

> >

> > 350/199/150

> > 4/29/03

> > Dr. Fisher / Richmond Kaiser

February 7, 2004