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I was skipping around reading different posts on Facebook, and found an article by Dr. Laura Berman (you know, the sex therapist on Oprah), and she's talking about her challenge of fighting breast cancer and what it's like going bald during the chemo treatments. While reading that article, she said something that struck me SO deep, that I wanted to share in hopes that it hits someone else too. You see, I'm scared to death of who the "new me" will be. Will I still have my self-deprecating humor? Will I still enjoy what I do today when I'm thinner? Will people still like and love a thinner me even though I've been overweight all my life and this is how people identify me? I'm going to have to learn that my overweight self today isn't want defines me. That being a thinner me and having health and happiness is OK! Here is the quote: "It is amazingly empowering to let go of something you think defines you, only to discover you are a truer version of yourself without it. It’s like letting go of an anchor that’s holding you down." ~Dr. Laura Berman I'm ready to meet that truer me!!

Having read quite a bit pre-surgery, I knew there would be many different possibilities post-surgery. So far, my story has been a best case senerio. At the hospital, I walked quite a bit and the nurses were quite pleased with the amount and speed I walked. I think, because of this, I have no gas pains at all. Had a gallbladder surgery 12 years ago and my wife said I had terrible gas pains. The pain I do have is in my chest which my doctor said is due to the hiatal hernia repair I had but it is better today. Been sipping on Ensure Clear and that is going down well. Gain 2 pounds in the hospital, which made me laugh. Figure that will disappear soon enough. So far, I am happy with my progress and am trying to be good and compliant with my recovery plan.

I am in the insurance required waiting stages of surgery. My insurance requires 6 months of a doctor supervised weight loss program and this is my 4th month. I have an endoscopy schedule on 7/31 and all other testing and paperwork have been completed with the exception of an EKG. I will be 42 in 2 weeks and have been overweight most of my life. I am tired of being tired. I have no major medical problems so speak of just the usual arthritis and aching back. My arch nemesis is SUGAR. I can pass up anything except sweets. A few weeks ago I created a bucket list of things that I want to be able to do once I lose weight. I am sure that most of you can relate. 1. Cross my legs 2. Ride any ride at an amusement park 3. Run 1 mile (nonstop) 4. Parasail 5. Ride a motorcycle for hours without being in pain 6. Fit on a motorcycle with my husband 7. Touch my toes 8. Tuck my shirt in and not be embarrassed 9. Shop and wear clothes from Victorias Secret 10. Zipline 11. Step on a scale and not be embarrassed 12. Wear a bathing suit with confidence 13. Tube on a river (I will have to explain this one) This obviously doesn't cover it all but these are some things that have been weighing on my mind lately. I realized last week while vacationing in the Smokey Mountains, that anyone weighing 340 pounds has no business getting on a tube in the river rapids because there are so many shallow areas where your ass literally hits rock bottom then you have to roll out of the tube, fall flat on your face and pick yourself up and walk down to a deeper end just the start all over again. My daughter says that I am taking the easy way out by having surgery. My husband says that I am trying to kill myself and need to find another way to lose weight besides surgery. I need to lose at least 150 lbs. before I do begin to develop life threatening health issues.

Today marks my 6 month anniversary.. I am 11 lbs from goal, but not trying to lose anymore weight. I officially posted my before, during and after pics in the success section of VST if you are interested in looking at them.. but i will post 2 pics here.. my before and after. I again would like to say thank you to everyon that followed my blog and my journey.. I hope I was able to inspire some of you and be a helping hand to anyone that needed it... And i appreicate all of your support. so without further ado.... me at my heaviest.. me yesterday 06-11-12

Hi - This is the first time I have ever blogged. I am due to have the sleeve this Thursday, July 19 and am a little afraid and anxious at the same time. Would appreciate any feedback.

Well, I'm at the hospital ready for surgery. Must say I'm nervous and excited. Ready to start my journey.

Well my friends, it has been a year since I was banded and plicated (is that a word?) I can truly say that my life has changed. At the tender of age of 60 - I am now a JOCK...I walk 2-3 miles per day and work out at the gym (yes, I said G-Y-M) for an hour 3-4 days a week. I have competed in 4 - 5K walk/runs and have registered for 2 more. Who would have thought? I have lost 104 pounds of me and I don't miss one ounce. Gone from a size 22W to a lean/mean size 12. WOW..I don't remember being a 12 in my past - but I am sure I was sometime in my past. Has this been easy - Shoot NO. anyone who thinks it is hasn't walked in our shoes. If someone says oh, lapband, that will make your weight loss so much easier. HAHA, LMAO, What is easy about weighing your food, chewing until your jaws ache and eating bites that are too small for an infant? And lets not forget - No drinking while eating - that is a real good one to learn. I have gone to so many family gatherings where I actually leave the room just to avoid eating too fast or eating the wrong thing and that is OK. At least I will be around longer to enjoy those family gatherings. As I look back over the past year I reflect on tears when I could not eat something I thought I really wanted. I remember not being able to eat my dinner as a restaurant (that's why they make takeout containers). I remember rushing to the bathroom because something was stuck - I thought I was having a heart attack- and then there is the slime ! But with all that "bad stuff" I remember crossing over into onederland and then down, down, down..I am now looking to drop even more (hopefully another 40). Celebrate ! But even if I don't loose anymore weight - 104 pounds of ME is GONE and GONE FOREVER. My BP meds - GONE, the borderline diabetes - GONE, the high trigylcerides -GONE. My 80 yr old Mother says that I have my "glow back". I guess she is right. I get up everyday looking forward to a new day in a healthier body. All that stuff being said - Thank you Lap band, thank you plication and thank you lapband talk family because without you and your support I would not have been so successful. So, like it is said in the south - "If the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise" I will post again. I have never written on a blog before so this is another 1st in my new life. Thanks for reading and best wishes for your success. Melinda in Florida

I am 140 days post op (5months). Wow time has flown by. I have lost 27 lbs since my surgery date and 42 since the beginning of 2012. I have had 3 fills and i am just starting to get what the restriction should feel like. My last fill last Thursday was eye opening. To be honest I have been able to eat everything and with the occational vomiting. I had to get serious with myself and stop and evaluate what I was doing. Taking it one bite at a time!. Well I am glad to share and hear from you. Take care all.

Hi everyone! I am 2nd day post-op. Yeah, I have been sleeved! Yesterday and the first half of today were extremely rough. But things have started to even out this afternoon and am finally getting a little bit of clear liquid down. I hope to get to go home tomorrow but they haven't had me up walking yet so may be another day or so. I am very thankful to have this opportunity to change my life and become the mother I want to be and that my children deserve. I love reading about everyones journeys so keep the info and advice coming.

When I started my WLS journey, I never expected to be a blogger. If you would have told me three months ago that I would be typing out my weight loss funny moments....and some not so funny moments, I would have told you that I thought you had lost your mind. Well, I would have been wrong. The other day I checked to see how many visits I have had and I was shocked to see that in only three months, you all have read my blog 10,000 times. DANG.....that's a lot of reading. Thank you so much for the support, and I hope I can continue to make you laugh and smile throughout our journeys together. I finally understand why Sally Fields said, "You like me. You really like me." It wasn't ego....it was pure shock. Ok, now that I got done with all the sappy stuff. Stay tuned as I plan to write about my exploits from the past few days. I will explain that getting drunk isn't anything like it used to be....and I still have the ability to fall for no reason. Can't wait to write about my 20th H.S. reunion and let you all know how great it felt to be around the same size I was in H.S. So many stories....so little time. Stay tuned.