Margie122

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

@@Margie122
hey bud
i remember you!!!
glad you stopped by to say hello
my day just got better after seeing your cheery face!!
pics are great - what else would i expect?
happy/sad to say i'm seeing "less and less" of you !!
NSV's are the best!!!
walk, run,stairs, energy
leap tall buildings, chew gum, rub tummy and head - all standing on one leg!!
you are amazing!!
your great decision to go back to school
i can hear my 16 yr old grand-daughter now
"what, she wanted to go back to school?!!" LOL
keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life
happy b'day and many more
kathy
congrats

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

Happy birthday Maggie! You look great. Awesome job
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations and happy birthday. I find your story to be so inspiring. High Five!
I went back to college as an adult and have earned a BS degree, master's degree and post master's. I won't go on for a PhD. I"m glad I made the decision to go back to school. Congratulations to you on pursuing your degree and your new healthy lifestyle!
Had lapband surgery 10/12/16

Happy birthday and congrats on this great success!

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

Whoa! You look like a totally different person! Your beautiful success is such an inspiration to the rest of us just starting the journey. Thanks so much for sharing!
Don't look back, turn the page, and let your next chapter begin!

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

Happy Birthday! And congrats on your successful journey. You have so much to be proud of. going back to school - YAY!

Happy Birthday and congratulations! My Birthday was yesterday : ) I can't wait to get sleeved I hope I get a January date!

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

Hello everyone!
Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work.
There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me.
It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey.
I hope everyone is having a great day.
Margie

It's been a long time since I've been on bariatricpal.com and I've missed it. My life changed drastically on 6/20/2016 when my mother had a large right sided hemorrhagic stroke. My life was the hospital ICU, acute rehab hospital and finally the subacute rehab. She didn't come home until the end of September and then had a setback where her vitals were so low she had to be readmitted to the hospital for 3 days and then do another week at the subacute rehab. She finally came home on 10/2. My stress levels haven't gotten any better since her coming home. I'm thrilled she is home, but she cannot be left alone. This means we have a home health aide for 11 hours a day, from 6AM to 5PM....while I am at work. Medicare and her private health insurance pay for none of it. We've had to modify the house, and stairlifts are also not covered.
Luckily mom is a fighter and just turned 67. She had the gastric sleeve in March and thank goodness she lost weight because her stroke recovery would be so much harder for her and me. I like to say she is full of piss and vinegar. She is DETERMINED to walk again and I know she will do it. Unfortunately she's very impatient and I have to remind her of her "gains" even though they may be small, every day. She's done SO WELL since June it really is amazing. In the life of a stroke 4 months isn't a lot and there is so much she can do on her own that I'm amazed.
As for me - I had my gastric sleeve surgery in August of 2015. I am SO THANKFUL I did because if I was 295lbs there is no way I would have survived the last four months. I would not have had the stamina or the strength. Weekdays I am up at 5AM and out the door at 6. When I get home I am constantly running around, up and down stairs, etc....trying to get laundry done in between a million other things. Transferring her from the wheelchair to the chair, or the chair to her bed is also serious exercise. On top of it I decided to go back and pursue my bachelors degree. I must be crazy! I had signed up before she had the stroke and I only have 11 classes to get my degree. Luckily I was able to switch to online courses and have already completed one. I had homework due by 11:59PM and it just happened to be on the night she was taken to the ER and I actually logged on from the "cubby" we were in while she was resting. I kid you not, less then 3 feet away from me in the other "cubby" a guy was getting a rectal exam. All that separated me from them was the curtain. I guess you do what you have to do! I submitted the last assignment at 11:45PM. She finally went up to a room around 12:30.
My weight has been semi-stable during this time. At first I couldn't eat....just couldn't hold anything down. Then I wanted everything that was bad for me. Then I realized that wasn't making me feel any better so I had better stop. I'm not going to lie, I pretty much existed on Decaf iced coffee, egg & cheese on english muffin from Dunkin Donuts, and Protein bars. I know it's not the greatest but it was all I could muster. I was getting up at 5AM and not getting home some nights until 10...and I still had stuff to get done at home.
Right now I'm 175. People say I'm thin enough. I have some loose skin on my stomach but it's no so terrible that I can't hide it and I have some loose skin on my thighs and upper arms. It's not enough to make me NOT wear a bathing suit or a sleeveless shirt. I feel good, and clothes fit well. I would like to get down to 165 but if that doesn't happen that's ok too. I'm comfortable where I am. I know if I had skin removal surgery it would probably get me there or close to it. That's probably not in the cards for me right now. Don't know if it will ever be.

I see my PCP next Tuesday. I am also going to see a therapist next Wednesday. I had to ask my PCP for something to help me with my anxiety and depression. I have cried every day since 6/20, sometimes several times a day. I know that's not healthy. I'm taking an anti-depressant, but I've only been on it since 10/25...and it takes about a month to come up to it's full effect. I hope it helps. I'm also taking .5mg of clonazepam for the anxiety in the morning and at bedtime. It's not a lot, but it's enough to keep me steady. I hate having to take those medications, but I need them right now. Some day I won't hopefully.
I know this is a long post - if you made it this far thanks! The one thing I need to make time for again is my monthly meeting at my bariatric center. I have only been to one meeting and that was in October. It was a celebration of everyone who had done well and had surgery the year before. I wore a lovely black dress and "big girl" shoes. I felt wonderful. I need to make the time to get back to my meetings because they are important and they keep me grounded. I'll figure out a way.
Margie

I was on the bus home the other day and when we passed the high school I saw that they had a sign for Bay Path University. I've been wanting to go back to school and get my Bachelors (I have my Associate Degree) so I looked it up. They have a campus at the high school for their "One Day A Week" college. I talked to one of the Admission's peeps today and I filled out the online application. I even completed the financial aid paperwork, but I know I won't qualify. Luckily my work will reimburse me up to $6,000 a year for classes (as long as I get a "C" or better). The school even has a "deferred payment" program knowing that most jobs won't pay until after you get your grades.
I'm going to start in September. I'm excited. I haven't been this excited since finding out my surgery was approved.

Sorry to hear about your added stress. I can sympathize with you because I also took care of my mother for many years through her bout of problems.

I also took care of my mother, and did so for most of my life until she passed away. Take care of yourself - I know it is SO, SO much easier said then done, but you're no good to anyone if you aren't at your best. Take the one hour to see a therapist, take your antidepressants, find a hobby that helps you relax and try to do it for a half hour or so before bed - yoga, reading, knitting, ect. I'm happy that you've had so much success post-op, so keep up your great work! I will keep you and your mama and your family in my thoughts and prayers!!

I'm so impressed with how well you are doing and getting your B A too despite tremendous stress!! Congratulations. I hope tge meds help the depression.. therapy has always helped me. Being a caregiver is incredibly hard work especially on females because they don't get much social gratitude for it. There's actual research on this!! Anyways, hang tough!