Just thought I'd post a quick update for my family here at VST. Today I am exactly one year out from surgery. On August 30, 2011, Dr Patrick Domkowski changed my life and introduced me to Rex, my new sleeved tummy. The short of it is that I'm now 117 pounds lighter than I was last year. I'd have given my eye teeth to lose that weight before surgery, but I just never managed to do it! Rex and I have had one heck of a ride and I couldn't have predicted how this year went if I'd have tried.

I lost a best friend. She died suddenly in January, but she was one of my biggest supporters every single day. I'm proud to tell Lynn that I have lost more than her entire body weight. I've lost a couple of other friends along the way. They are still alive, but jealousy has eaten both of them alive. I wish them both well on their journeys. Mine is going a different direction than theirs apparently.

I've gained a TON of family, right here on VST. I want to thank all of you for your support and well-wishes this year and I will continue to try to give back to those who are following in my footsteps. It's wonderful to come here and post the absolutely most bizarre questions and KNOW that someone here has experienced the same problem. You guys have been MY support group even when no one else in the world seems to understand! Thank you all!

So, I'm still about 50 pounds away from my surgeon's original goal for me, although he thinks I'm completely successful. I've lost over 1/3 of my total body weight, more than 72% of the total weight I wanted to lose, and I'm still working my plan. I will get to my goal...then I'll reach the goal the plastic surgeon set for me.

I'll post pictures tomorrow. My house was hit by a tornado on Monday and I've spent most of this week cleaning up from that. I am very lucky that my damage is minor and that no one in my community was injured. My final act of clean up was to go through my closet, which got drenched, and sort through my clothing. Everything that's in there now is either the correct size or too small (for the moment) and I'm sending another six bags of freshly washed, dried and folded clothes off to bless someone else.

I have to work tomorrow, so I'll take and post some pictures after I get dolled up for that!

Again, big hugs to everyone here and, for the newbies, THIS is why I had surgery. So that I could live my life without being held back by anything. All this week I have worked from sunup to sundown on cleaning up, repairing and helping others. Pre-surgery, I could barely walk from my front door to my car. This week, I've proven that I am capable and able to do ANYTHING I need to do, from hauling tree limbs to climbing on a roof to help patch it. I'm living, not merely existing. I love life!!!

I have always loved reading your posts, this was no exception. Congrats to you!

I was so caught up in your weight loss and losing your friend I forgot to acknowledge your home. Sorry to hear about your home and your neighbors homes. I hope the clean up/rehab process goes smoothly and every remains safe and healthy. I'm glad you are able to help. Thank God for Rex!

Being able to help others is such a wonderful thing isn't it? You've been through a lot but along the way it sounds like you found a new lease on life. All the best my dear!

Congratulations to you and all of your hard work!

You are in inspiration to us all and you will never know how much your comments and post have meant to me. We can always count on you for a reply and educational advice. Please continue to be there for us as we will try to be there for you as you strive to reach your goal! We know you will and will lead the way for the rest of us seeking to reach ours! Congratulations!

Congrats Lissa!

Sent from my SCH-R530U using VST

You have done a great job and have been a big inspiration on this board! Congratulations on your success and thank you for always being so open with your story. It definitely helps others!

Congratulations and well done on your magnificent loss. I enjoy following you posts re exercise. Cathy.

Congratulations Lisa, I too have been a follower of yours for many months, can't believe a whole year. I started my journey in Feb. last year but insurance was a problem and didn't succeed in getting my surgery done until 12/28/11. You have done wonderful!!! Be proud that you continued on your journey through all the tragedies that you have endured. You are a great inspiration to all.

Congrats Lissa!! I am one of those newbies that is following in your footsteps. Thank you for your support and advice..it has been helpful and greatly appreciated!

I always enjoy and get awesome encouragement from your post and your responses to others. Thank you so much for sharing your story and for being here for those who are starting out on their journeys! So happy for you!

Thank you Lissa for all your posts. I have been reading them since I first found this site and am now 4 days postop

Your words of encouragement helped me so much. Thank you and Congratulations!

I'm another one who has read so many of your posts and have found your words to be so encouraging. I am so blessed and delighted to read this today!!! What struck me most was that you have learned to say hello and goodbye with strength and, well, class. Goodbye to a dear friend; goodbye to those who cannot support your choice to make positive change; goodbye to whatever the tornado took. Hello to living and giving and being your best self! That is A LOT to learn in a year!!!

And I haven't even gotten around to your weight loss. Wow. Post those pictures, girl. I'm not the only one here waiting to applaud! Congratulations on learning to live life well. DeterminedGirl.

congrats!!!

Just thought I'd post a quick update for my family here at VST. Today I am exactly one year out from surgery. On August 30' date=' 2011, Dr Patrick Domkowski changed my life and introduced me to Rex, my new sleeved tummy. The short of it is that I'm now 117 pounds lighter than I was last year. I'd have given my eye teeth to lose that weight before surgery, but I just never managed to do it! Rex and I have had one heck of a ride and I couldn't have predicted how this year went if I'd have tried.

I lost a best friend. She died suddenly in January, but she was one of my biggest supporters every single day. I'm proud to tell Lynn that I have lost more than her entire body weight. I've lost a couple of other friends along the way. They are still alive, but jealousy has eaten both of them alive. I wish them both well on their journeys. Mine is going a different direction than theirs apparently.

I've gained a TON of family, right here on VST. I want to thank all of you for your support and well-wishes this year and I will continue to try to give back to those who are following in my footsteps. It's wonderful to come here and post the absolutely most bizarre questions and KNOW that someone here has experienced the same problem. You guys have been MY support group even when no one else in the world seems to understand! Thank you all!

So, I'm still about 50 pounds away from my surgeon's original goal for me, although he thinks I'm completely successful. I've lost over 1/3 of my total body weight, more than 72% of the total weight I wanted to lose, and I'm still working my plan. I will get to my goal...then I'll reach the goal the plastic surgeon set for me.

I'll post pictures tomorrow. My house was hit by a tornado on Monday and I've spent most of this week cleaning up from that. I am very lucky that my damage is minor and that no one in my community was injured. My final act of clean up was to go through my closet, which got drenched, and sort through my clothing. Everything that's in there now is either the correct size or too small (for the moment) and I'm sending another six bags of freshly washed, dried and folded clothes off to bless someone else.

I have to work tomorrow, so I'll take and post some pictures after I get dolled up for that!

Again, big hugs to everyone here and, for the newbies, THIS is why I had surgery. So that I could live my life without being held back by anything. All this week I have worked from sunup to sundown on cleaning up, repairing and helping others. Pre-surgery, I could barely walk from my front door to my car. This week, I've proven that I am capable and able to do ANYTHING I need to do, from hauling tree limbs to climbing on a roof to help patch it. I'm living, not merely existing. I love life!!! [/quote']

Wow, so sorry for your friend..

Congrats on your weight loss