Hello awesome people.

Since I began this journey in January of this year, it's been an absolutely wild ride. I've had some huge changes both with my body and my life, and triumphs I never thought I would see. Through all of my hard work, i have pretty much point blank refused to tell most people in my life, let alone "go public" with it. I spend a lot of time with social media and I've seen firsthand how ignorant, judgmental, and downright cruel people can be about wls and the people who get it or want to get it. I'm sure many of you have witnessed this as well... "weight loss surgery is the easy way out", "people who get weight loss surgery are lazy and undeserving of praise", etc. At best, people simply don't know much about it and have preconceived notions that are hard to change. At worst, people outright hate and name-call because they have problems of their own and take it out on others.

Positivity has been one of my main weapons during this battle to reclaim my body. Exposing myself and my struggles to people was far too much of a risk for me, and I don't regret not telling most people.

However, I've recently been having a (very uncharacteristic) desire to share my progress, hardships, and everyday tips with people who could use them, either for inspiration or ideas or whatever reason. I realized that I would have been so much less brave and confident going into it without the help of people who have shared their own stories and ideas. I want to contribute to the "next generation", so to speak, of wls patients. I want to give back a little to the amazing community that has done such wonderful things for me.

To that end, I've decided to make an instagram. I'm still a little nervous about showing my progress in a place where I could be found (which is silly... people in my life saw me when I was 440 pounds and they see me now at 320 and they will see me later at 170, maybe below) but even just making the account and posting my first two pictures is sort of.. liberating. I found a picture from my highest weight that just astounded me. It baffled me. It saddened me. Then I put it next to a picture I took a few days ago and seeing them side by side made me feel like being so open will be worth it if it helps even one person who has suffered and struggled that way I have and am.

So, people, I would love to make new friends! If you don't have an instagram, I would highly recommend you think about making one, even just as a place to document your daily progress. You can make it private or for only friends, and you can follow other people who are wls patients or hopefuls, or exercise gurus, or anything, really.

I would also like suggestions for accounts to follow, if anyone already follows some helpful people.

here is my page: https://www.instagram.com/belly.laugh/

I really look forward to making new friends.

I'm sending a request!

Dawnie_doo

Feel free to add me. My instagram name is @grneyedmustang_vsg