On this home page, the "doorway" to my site, I'll introduce myself and talk about my reasons for wanting a web site. I put a picture of myself on this page, just so you can put a face with the info.

Please sign my guestbook with any comments or reactions you have to my site. You can also contact me privately. I love to get mail!

02-10-02 Well it has been a while huh. Ok I have lost a total of 46lbs maybe more because it's been 5 days since I weighed. Almost to my first goal of 50lbs. Hit a plateau, got over it!
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01-09-02 So far I have lost 32 lbs. WooHoo!!! I am on my way. I hope to reach my first goal of 50lbs gone by the 17th. I don't know if I'll make it but I am sho 'nuff shootin' for it. Wish me luck!
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12-20-01 It has been 2 weeks and 3 days since my surgery. I have officially lost 22.5 lbs. I am still not eating very much. Like an idiot I had a bite of pizza today. I think it is stuck cause I haven't been able to eat anything else all day!
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12-10-01 I am on the other side! I had my surgery on 12-3-01 and it was 6hrs long. The doc found a hernia and repaired it too. I was in the hospital for 6 days. I didn't "sip" anything but water and ice chips for the 1st 3 days because I had trouble keeping the water down. The thing that people have asked me the most is if I would encourage someone to have this surgery. Surprisingly my answer is no. I would tell them that this surgery could be the answer to their weightloss needs, I would tell them that it could reverse or prevent co-morbids like high bp, diabetes, arthritis, depression. I would not "encourage" them though. I would tell them to do their own research on the procedure, aftercare, changes in lifestyle and eating habits, and know that this is the right thing for them. I would tell them to realize what a major life change this is going to be for them. This is not a diet that you can just quit when you are sick of it. This is not a temporary thing that can be cast to the side if you don't like it. I would tell them to make for very certain that this was what they really want. It's what I really wanted. I did the research. I watched videos of the procedure. I flooded myself with information on the surgery, the risks, everything. I realized the life change that I would be required to go through. I realized that this is major surgery and that there would be some pain. Mostly I sucked it up, but a couple times I couldn't and it got the best of me. For the most part I was strong emotionally, but again because of the nature of the procedure and the impact it has on you life, there were a couple of weak spots for me. All in all I'm glad I did it and wish I would have done it years ago, when I was healthier and more able to bounce back quicker. But I am glad I did it.

11-29-01 *Update*
I got a surgery date! It will be Monday 12-03-01 at 7:00 am at East Texas Medical Center here in Tyler, TX. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in they righteousness." Psalms 31:1
**The Beginning**
This website is dedicated as a journal of my journey to health and happiness. I am currently looking into having weight loss surgery. I am 32 years old, 5'6, and weigh 354lbs. My BMI is 57.1. This is the calculation of how much actual body-fat you have. Over 35 is considered obese. I am considered morbidly obese. Doesn't that sound awful! I am in contact with a surgeon in Dallas at the Center for Obesity Control regarding this surgery. I am supposed to go to a seminar on January 12, 2002 at the hospital where he conducts the operation. That seems so far off, but others have waited longer and some are still waiting after years. I am also researching a surgeon named Dr. Dirk Rodgriguez in Palestine. I have contacted him through e-mail and hope he gets back to me soon. There is also a new doctor here in Tyler named Dr. Babineau, the only Bariatric Surgeon in town. I met his nurse at my support group and may get in touch with him soon. From what she says he is doing only open RNY's but the incision is along the rib cage instead of down the abdomen. She says it heals better with less chance of hernia's and clotting. I'll definitely be giving his office a call if for nothing else than to find out about the procedure. I would rather have the surgery here in Tyler instead of traveling even the 40 miles to Palestine or the even longer 88 miles to Dallas. I will update periodically to journalize my endeavor. Pray for me if you pray, think kindly of me if you don't.

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