NewBeginnings

Tiff,
Thanks for sharing. I had no idea that the skin just grows over the staples. I learn something new on this site everyday.

I have to say that the day after the sugery I thought it was the biggest mistake I had ever made. Even days afterwards I was thinking this was so stupid. Well 30 days later I am feeling so much better. Yes the eating is still a challenge, the exercise is a struggle, and choking down the vitamins is a pain but it is a lot better. I'm posting this for all the people who think it will never get better. I was one of those people. I am now getting my energy back. Energy I lost years ago. For the first time in forever I went outside and played with my kids. Baseball in the back yard has never been more fun. I also took my kids to a waterpark which would not have happen a few years back due to my image of myself being a whale. While I have only lost 36 pounds I have gained so much more. Now I put only 36 because again I know people reading this think to themselves I have not lost enough as compared to others. I quickly learned I will lose at my own pace and that scale will go up and down. I also put things in perspective. I have never lost 36 pounds in 30 days and probably will never do it again. So instead of thinking that was not enough weight lost I get excited at how much that really is. I am ready to tackle next month and see what I can accomplish. I'm headed on my anniversary cruise in a month and I cant wait to shop for new things and experience new adventures off the boat instead of just being able to tell people how great the food was.