Happy Birthday to me!

[Guest guest]

Well gang it was 4 years ago today that I had my complication free open rny. I

hoped that I was doing something positive for my life - however with a husband

and two little boys I was scared to death.

Today I am holding off 135lbs (this is a 78% loss of excess weight) and doing

very well. I have come to realize that I will NEVER be one of those size 4's

and relish in the normalcy of a 12 or 14 and I small or medium on top. I feel

great - my labs are good and I do use one or two shakes a day (or my hair starts

to suffer).

There have been many ups and downs over the last 4 years. The psychological

process of losing that much weight that fast (my original loss was 155 lbs) was

unreal. I was one of those poor souls who thought that once I was thin life

would be perfect - nope. Then there is the " What You See In The Mirror is Not

What You Really Are " game. Still don't know that I see myself accurately in the

mirror - but the image I see is better.

Focusing on better body image, finding my sweet spot (doesn't have to be the

MD's weight or a BMI of 24 for me - it is about feel good and being able to do

things I want/need to do), and focusing on the gifts this surgery has given me.

Lot's of new friends (online and in person), health, a new wardrobe, and the

ability to ride a bike with my kids, just to name a few.

For those that are struggling just know that you can beat this. We had a bad

year and I gained back 30 lbs - I have lost 15 of the 30 and am very

comfortable.

Thank you all for the support you have given me over the years - it has been

priceless.

Love,

Marjie