Raptor Wings

Last week I went to a seminar sponsored by the Bariatric Center of Kansas City. It's the same seminar I went to last year in May when I was ready to start this wild journey. This time, however, I went as a former patient, a Q&A subject, so to speak.

There were six of us, all women, who had had some version of bariatric surgery. There were a lot of questions about appearance, specifically excess skin. Some of the other women referred to their "bat wings." Well, I might have had bat wings when I was 14. I now have raptor wings. Or better yet, pterodactyl wings! It's pretty sad. I think if I waved them enough I could become airborne. That's just one area where I've got more skin than I need. Next time someone says "Gimme some skin" I'm gonna whip out my scalpel.

I call my behind "elephant ass." Ron just laughs at me, mainly because I think he's secretly agreeing with me and doesn't want to have to lie by saying I'm being ridiculous. But I say it's no laughing matter. I may have mentioned that ten years go I lost 80 or so pounds. I don't remember the elephant ass back then. Maybe it's that my skin has lost a lot of elasticity in those years or maybe it's because I've lost 90 pounds in about seven months (it took about a year to lose the previous 80). Whatever the cause, it's humbling. I know I could get a multitude of tucks to minimize the issue but I'm not sure I want to do that. Besides, I look fine when I have clothes on. And, luckily, I don't have a profession that requires me to bare my bod.

You should ALL be VERY thankful for that.

Pomp & Circumstance

I saw my bariatric psychologist last week and he informed me that I have officially graduated from his care. I'm guessing that's a good thing. He said very complimentary things about the approach I took regarding my weight loss surgery journey, which I appreciated.

I've lost weight before. Lots of it. But this time I have an ace in the hole. Or rather an egg in my abdomen. I also have resolve and fierce determination. I've worked hard (and will continue to put in the requisite energy and effort) to get this weight off - harder than I've ever worked. I've still got about 30-35 lbs I want to lose and I know it will be a battle. I know there will be plateaus. I know I'll get discouraged. But I also know I have success on my side. Eighty-seven pounds of it. Five pant sizes smaller. Thirteen and a half inches off my bust, waist and hips in two months. The ability to nestle in Ron's arms lying on the couch. And other things that would be considered TMI if I shared them . . .

So I've been kicked out of the nest to fend for myself. A year ago I think I would have fallen straight to the ground, flat on my back, gasping for air. Now . . . I think I'll soar.

Stay tuned . . . I'll keep you posted.