The waiting

Anyone that knows me knows that I hate waiting.  I have little to no patience.  And it is only exacerbated when I have no control over the situation.  So waiting for office staff and my Insurance company to get the paper submitted and make a decision was so HARD for me!  The office staff at Spokane Plastic Surgery did a great job getting the information submitted.  However my insurance company did not necessarily do a good job receiving the information or being consistent on what they wanted submitted to consider the surgery.  This made me crazy.  I would call the Insurance Company to be told that my Drs. office did not send pictures or start a file properly.  And then hear from SPS office staff that the Insurance company did not request pictures or start a file for them properly.  All I can say is that Alicia at SPS is a saint!  She worked so hard to make sure the Insurance company had what they needed and in a timely fashion.  She dealt with my weekly sometimes daily (ok 3 times daily) phone calls for updates with complete courtesy and professionalism as did Toni!  Even when I was losing patience with them and maybe not being my sweetest self  (I'm sorry Alicia and Toni).

Additionally Toni and Alicia gave me clear ad reasonable expectations that it usually takes 30 BUSINESS day so about 45 calendar days to get an answer from an Insurance company.  They tried to gently set me up to not freak if we still were waiting in January.  Oh man did they try.  But I REFUSED to accept that answer.

I knew that with my original Gastric Bypass Surgery approval that the squeaky wheel gets oiled with my Insurance company.  I called for updates, spoke to the nurse that actually makes the decision and made sure she had all the documents that were required for my WLS.  I  believe it was because of my diligence that I received approval for gastric Bypass Surgery in such a short amount of time.  The difference there was that I had tests that had to be preformed and sent back to them before they would approve it.  But once they had all tests and all the information my approval was made within days, not weeks.

I approached my Abdominoplasty with the same attitude.  If you speak nicely, follow up with the decision makers and make sure they have everything they need then the process will move more quickly. Additionally, in making my follow up calls I got to actually speak to the Nurse Manager that makes the decision on my surgery.  I got to plead my case to her and explain all my health issues related to the extra skin.

I don't want to share too much, mostly because it is embarrassing and most people don't really care.  However if you are reading this blog to find a way to get your surgery covered by your insurance company it may be helpful to hear how I got mine approved.  The primary issue was the extra skin kept getting infected.  No matter how clean and dry I kept my skin I had recurrent nasty itchy skin infections under the apron of skin and in my belly button. I had gone to both my primary Dr. W and my WLS Dr. V over the past 2 years and been treated for these infections.  I refilled prescriptions multiple times over the years.  In the summertime was the worse.   This is what all of my Drs sighted for my primary complaints in their letters of support to the Insurance company.

What I also got to tell the nurse at the insurance company was that I suspected I had a separation of my abdominal muscle which makes me at higher risk for a hernia.  This separation happens from being morbidly obese as well as carrying 4 babies to full term.  And my babies where big squishy 9 pounders.  :)  Also you can get hernias or increase your risk of them developing anytime you have abdominal surgery, of which I have had my bypass but also in 2004 I had my gall bladder removed. By pulling that muscle separation back together, it could help prevent hernias.   I also got to tell her how the extra skin was effecting my ability to exercise.  I told her stories of how I had to strap the skin down to run, or do any cardio with spanx or other binders.  And lastly I bared my soul to her and told her the extra skin was negatively effecting my marriage.  I felt unattractive due to my extra hanging skin and it was effecting my sex life and thus my marriage.  (Please note:  these were MY hang ups.  Tim never once complained or probably even noticed the extra skin.).

The nurse told me she had everything she needed to review the surgery and she would be making her decision soon but gave me the standard "it can take 30 days to make a decision".

Again with the waiting.  By this time we were past the middle of December.  I actually told my husband that despite all my efforts it would probably not happen before the end of year (and thus in time for us to use our already paid deductible since my transfusions over the summer were so expensive).  I was doubtful we as a family could come up with the deductible plus our co-insurance for this surgery until the end of 2015 if we couldn't take advantage of what we had already paid in 2014.  So even if I got approval after January 1st I could not have the surgery for another year.  I was sad.  But with my 15 year wedding anniversary on the 18th of December, Christmas fast approaching and my oldest sons 12th birthday coming up on the 29th I just put my disappointment aside and focused on my family and the holidays.

My Consultation

As soon as I got the go ahead from my WLS Dr.V that I was cleared to look into skin removal surgery I did!!!!  I immediately called Spokane Plastic Surgeon's office and requested a consult with Dr. Dallas Buchanan.  As luck would have it after playing phone tag a few times with the awesome receptionist Toni, they had a cancellation and got me in the following week.  I don't remember the actual date but it was the week before thanksgiving.

Toni literally called me and said can you be here in 1 hour (maybe less).  I was so anxious to get there and have the consult that I said yes and basically hopped into the car with Harlan (my 5 yr old son) and raced the 30 minutes to the north end of town to get there!  About half way there I had a sudden horrific realization..... I was on my period and wearing the most unattractive period panties I own.  LOL  I know you girls out there totally understand my horror.  (and if this part of my story makes you uncomfortable you should close your browser and delete this blog from your list because things get more real and graphic from here forward...maybe not in THIS post but in the posts to come).

So here I am..... last minute appointment that she is squeezing me into.... me in my period panties... no time to go home and change.  Do I call and cancel?  Or just press ahead and hope that the Dr. has a sense of humor?  Humor prevailed!  I decided I would just apologize for my panties and go anyway. I kept reassuring myself that if I choose him as my surgeon he would be seeing more of me than just my period panties.... besides, he's married right?  He has a wife that probably has similar panties that he has seen.  And he, being a Dr should know all about a women's cycle and know I can't make it stop, right....RIGHT?!?!?!

I get to the office door.  It is a big wooden door.  I could still change my mind, they haven't seen me yet.  Oh... what to do?  All I could do was hope that he was very clinical in which case he would never mention my horrid panties or stupid period or he would have a sense of humor and just laugh it off!  Thankfully Humor prevailed AGAIN and I pushed open the heavy door.

Toni was there to greet me warmly and made me feel welcome.  I signed in and then sat down, trying to wrap my head around sitting in this office about to embark on my first step in the skin removal surgery journey.  I barely had time to feel centered and the wonderful nurse was there to call me back.  The nurse (whose name I forget) was again so welcoming not only to me but to Harlan.  She gave him a nice chair to it in.  I gave him my phone to play on.  She closes the door and asks what we are seeing me for.  I take a deep breath and say "skin removal after Gastric Bypass surgery weight  loss".  She smiles and asks how much I have lost.  I tell her 160 pounds.  She grins from ear to ear and says how awesome that is!  She then tells me that Dr will want me to get all the way undressed and put the big fluffy white robe on.  White fluffy... did she say WHITE?  Undressed ALL the way?  I smile and say.... "ummm I'm on my period, heavy day.... I think it is best I leave my panties on".  She says "Oh yes that makes sense".  She points to the robe hanging on the back of the door and leaves.

I quickly grab the robe and undress down to my hideous period panties.  I notice a full length mirror on the back of the door under where the robe was hanging.  I stare at my hanging skin and my panties....They are cheap Walmart ones that celebrate St. Patrick's day.  I have rainbows and Shamrocks and a pot of gold on my ass.  Sigh.  Why does it have to be Thanksgiving next week?  I mean, at least if it were March or hell even springtime my panties would make more sense!  I am still hoping for an unattractive very clinical serious Dr that will not mention said panties.  I wrap the very nice fluffy white robe around myself and tie the belt just in time to hear a knock at the door.  I tell them they can enter (nurse and Dr,) and I take a seat on the exam chair/table.

I look up and make eye contact with Dr. Buchanan.  He is a nice looking Dr. with a nice smile and a trusting face.  He is dressed in scrubs.  He introduces himself and says "I'm sorry I'm in scrubs but I was in surgery this morning.  I'm embarrassed because I usually like to meet new clients in a suit"  Oh Holy Crap!!!!  I have an opening given to me by fate itself.  I respond "Oh Dr.  I won't worry about your scrubs if you don't worry about my ugly period panties."  he looks up at me again, gives me a genuine smile, laughs and says "Ok.  Don't worry, we see everything in here, much worse than period panties" Relief washes over me!  A nice Dr with a sense of humor and the ability to make people feel at ease!  He is wracking up points in my book.

He asks me some questions about why I am there today.  I tell him about 4 pregnancies with HUGE babies, and my major weight loss of 160 pounds following a successful Gastric Bypass Surgery.  He smiles and tells me congratulations and commends me on how hard I have worked and how not everyone that has WLS succeeds at keeping the weight off.  We talk more about my weight loss, how long I have been at my current weight etc.

We had a nice chat about my health, my battles with anemia, and he makes a polite attempt to talk to Harlan who is too engrossed in his phone playing to respond.  So far so good.  I ask him some questions about his experience and how long he has been doing these type of surgeries.  Well, come to find out, he has personally been trained to do and has preformed 100s of gastric Bypass surgeries he has done 100s of skin removal after major weight loss surgeries.

It is important to note at this point that in Spokane, WA there is not very many Drs that will preform such surgeries for post WLS patients.  Apparently doing these surgeries require more training and skill than the average tummy tuck due to the very large amounts of skin that gets removed.  I am sure there are other reasons that I am not aware of, but my WLS Dr. V basically told me when she referred me to Dr. Buchanan that he was the only Dr she knew of locally that did these surgeries.  Her own WLS surgeons in the Rockwood Weight Loss Surgery Center no longer did them.  She did know of one other Dr in Idaho that did post WLS plastics and a handful of Drs in other cities like Seattle.  So finding Dr. Buchanan in Spokane that not only understood my gastric bypass surgery, had preformed them himself, and had the training and experience to do post WLS plastic surgeries was as lucky as the shamrocks and pot of gold on my ass!

Next came the exam part.  I had to stand up untie my belt take off my robe and let the first man other than my husband in 20 years see my full naked body in all it's saggy glory,  I was waiting to see the same grimace of disgust on his face that was on mine.  But no.  He told me my skin looked pretty good for how much weight I have lost. He was completely professionally and courteous.  He did his exam and then asked me if he could take some pictures to submit for insurance purposes.  Big sigh.  Great.  Not only will Dr. Buchanan see my hideous period panties but now we are going to photo document them for his files and my Insurance company.  Kill.Me.Now.

While he is taking his pictures I am totally sucking it in and not breathing.  Typical girl..... camera comes out and suddenly my spine straightens, abs pull in and boobs get pushed up a little.  That last part was extra hard because my bra with all it's gravity defying effects lay crumbled on the floor by Harlan's chair.  Then Dr. Buchanan says.... "Ummmm these are for the insurance company to get your surgery approved.  Don't suck it in.  Let it all hang out."  OH EM GEE.  He's kidding right? Period panties.... no bra... saggy boobs.... and I can't even attempt to pull my abs in?!?!?!?!  Give me strength!  Then he says "Ok lets try the pictures again.  let it hang."  And so I did.  And I turned to multiple angles and sides and even showed him my butt covered in shamrocks, rainbows and pot of gold!  Oh and he had me lift my apron of skin to document the rashes under the flap.  KMN.

Then I gladly wrapped my robe back around myself and sat back down.  We discussed the 3 options I had for surgery.

Option 1:  panniculectomy - Panniculus is a medical term describing a dense layer of fatty tissue growth, consisting of subcutaneous fat in the lower abdominal area.[1] It can be a result of obesity and can be mistaken for a tumor or hernia. Abdominal panniculus can be removed during abdominal panniculectomy, a type of abdominoplasty. A panniculus can also be the result of loose tissues after pregnancy or massive weight loss.  

This option would only remove the layer of skin that hangs down.  It is most often covered by medical insurance.  the surgery would involve a low bikini line cut and removal of skin.  It would not address my muscle separation, any liposuction, or re positioning of my Belly Button.  Dr. Buchanan said that he almost never agrees to do only the Panniculectomy because patients are often not happy with the results and the other problems that need to be addressed are not.  he said to prepare myself that this is probably all my Insurance company would cover and that the additional work that would need to be preformed would be out of my pocket expense.

Option 2: Full Abdominoplasty-  (Click the link for some coll drawings of how it's done) In general, a complete (or full) abdominoplasty follows these steps: An incision is made from hip to hip just above the pubic area.Another incision is made to free the navel from the surrounding skin. The skin is detached from the abdominal wall to reveal the muscles and fascia to be tightened. The muscle fascia wall is tightened with sutures. Liposuction is often used to refine the transition zones of the abdominal sculpture. A dressing and sometimes a compression garment are applied and any excess fluid from the site is drained.

This option is what I want.  It addresses the hanging skin, extra tissue, moves my belly button, tightens my ab wall etc.  Dr. Buchanan said that most people are very happy with the results of this surgery and  it is what he recommends for me to do. However, he highly doubts my insurance will cover it.  But we can contact the hospital and get a price quote once we figure out what my Insurance will pay then we can calculate what my portion would be.   the whole time I am thinking about an appeals process through my Insurance Company and how I will be the squeaky wheel because THIS is what they should cover.

Option 3 : The Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck - For the most redundant abdominal skin, the Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck incorporates removal of skin and fat from the lower abdomen, and tightening of the abdominal muscles. In addition, the Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck allows for removal of excess skin from the center of the abdominal wall from the ribs to the pubic region.  Basically in addition to all that is included in Option 2 you would also get a vertical incision so they would take skin from the sides as well.

Dr. Buchanan felt that this level was unnecessary for me since I did not have alot of  skin hanging around above my belly button.  He felt that Option 2 would be most beneficial since I was concerned about the vertical scar.  Option 2 would have a lower bikini scar only.   This option would include a vertical scar as well.  And my shape right now is still hour glass-ish so I did not need this level.  besides the fact that he doubted even more that my Insurance would cover it.  But that didn't matter to me because I wanted option 2 and that was what I would get my insurance to cover.

He said he would get the paperwork sent into the Insurance company after he received the documents we had requested from my Primary Dr W., My WLS Dr. V,  and his consultation report and request.  I asked if there as any chance we could get it done before the end of the year.  Dr. B said that he had slots available and he was sure the hospital would too, he just wasn't sure the money end/insurance would get figured out in time.  But he would have his office staff get on it right away!

Challenge Accepted!  I was going to get this done.  This Year.  :)




(here are some of my "before pictures" not in my period panties! )

If you don't want to see them.... close this window of your browser!

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I do not offer eye bleach and you can't "unsee" this!

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Still here?  ok...... Consider yourself warned!!!!


Side view (box to cover identifying tattoo)

Front view:

4 babies and losing 160+ pounds have not been easy on this body!

Blood Update November 12, 2014

As you know from  my previous post I had been struggling with keeping my blood levels up.  Mostly because I wasn't taking my vitamins as prescribed by my Dr.  My iron levels were so low that I had to undergo 2 blood transfusions which totaled 4 units of Packed Red Blood cells.   It was horrible.  I learned a few things though!

1. No matter how inconvenient hauling a days worth or more of my pills in my purse is... it is no where near as inconvenient and scary as having to have Blood Transfusions.
2. I learned to take my damn medicine and that taking care of myself is my first priority because I can't take care of my kids if I'm dead or in the least, sick.
3. Blood transfusions are VERY EXPENSIVE!!!
4. I learned how much I love my family and friends and strangers that give whole blood selflessly.  I had several people give blood the week of my transfusions in honor of my struggle. It makes me cry to think about their sacrifice.  And even though I did not get a direct transfer of any loved ones blood, I know that their blood saved someone else's life.  So if you can:  GIVE BLOOD!
   
5. I learned that since I have received blood that I can't be a donor for a number of years.  But I promise when I can that I will give blood!  At the minimum of 4 times!
6. I also learned how much my family and friends love me!  There was a huge amount of scrambling that had to be done to get my kids taken care of so I could be in the hospital for 2 days, while my husband was out of town.  And Blood Transfusions can't really be scheduled or planned.  So thank you to all the people who helped get me and my precious family through that! 

So I faithfully take my vitamins and iron supplements daily!  And my blood work shows it!  On November 5th I went back to the lab and had a follow up panel of blood work done.  On November 12th I got the results at my followup appointment with my Dr. My blood work was great!  I had made some major improvements even since the blood transfusions.  My Hemoglobin was 11.3 and Hematocrit was 35.2%.  Both are still below normal but I am doing so much better!

When I had gone into the Dr back in August it was for a routine followup and to start asking some questions about getting an Abdominoplasty.  But obviously my low blood counts were more important that skin removal surgery.  My Dr basically told me in August that she felt I was too sick for surgery.  I quickly shifted my focus and worked really hard on getting better.

But now in November I realized with my blood work looking so good that I might be able to start thinking about my other health issues that were effecting my life.... the hanging skin, separated ab muscles, and constant skin infections.  So I hesitantly asked my weight loss surgery Dr. V for a referral to a reconstructive surgeon.

Much to my delight and surprise she was very supportive and excitedly told me about a brand new surgeon in Spokane that has experience in reconstructive sin removal aftr gastric Bypass Surgery.  She happily referred me to Dr. Dallas Buchanan at Spokane Plastic Surgeons!   And she agreed to write a letter to refer to my Insurance company once we got to that step.  

I got into my car after the appointment with such a huge feeling of relief that I was crying and feeling so blessed.  I called my husband and shared with him all the news.  We discussed the option of skin removal surgery and thought that I should at least go in for a consultation.  

Set Backs

I have recently had some setbacks on my journey to get healthy.  On August 9th I had my blood drawn for some routine labs in preparation for my upcoming WLS check up.  I went to my check up appt on August 12.  When I got there the nurse and Dr were very concerned about me.  My blood levels were extremely low.  Like scary low.

So my hemoglobin was only 6.2, which is about half of what it should be in order for my body to be receiving adequate oxygenation.  And my Iron saturation was only 1.91% and it should be somewhere closer to 20%.  All of this added up to me needing a blood transfusion.... like NOW!

The cause of these low levels are from me not taking my vitamins.  I know I know.... rookie mistake.  My Drs told me at every single appt to take my vitamins and treat them like MEDICINE not supplements as my body NEEDS them.  But I didn't.  I have a long list of reasons why I didn't but they all make me sound like a sniveling snout.  So I will spare you the details.  And besides.... the bottom line is that I didn't take them and now I am paying the consequences for those actions.

So I had to go get my blood typed and screened so they could prepare to transfuse me.  The following day I had to arrive at the hospital at 7:30 am and be admitted.  That in and of itself was a nightmare!  My friend Sara had to watch my kids while my other friend Sarah took me to the hospital because it just so happened that my husband was working out of town on these 2 days.    They transfused me with 2 units of packed red blood cells.

The following day August 14th, I had another complete Blood count done and my levels were still too low.  So they ordered another blood transfusion for Friday August 15th.  They put 2 units of packed red blood cells in me.  This time Tim was able to come with me!

This weekend I just hung out and tried to rest and also got on a good schedule of vitamins.  I downloaded an app to my phone that reminds me what to take and at what time.  All in all I have to take medicines 6 times a day because of how my altered by surgery body absorbs nutrients.  But the App is helping me stay on top of it!

This morning August 18th I had another Complete Blood Count done and it looks like my Hemoglobin is at 10.7 and my hematocrit is at 35.  These numbers look good to the Dr on call.  My Dr will not be in the office until tomorrow morning to review these numbers.  But at this point I am doing better and will not require another transfusion today.

Throwback Thursday

I am currently 27 months out from my WLS.  And yesterday the scale said 180.2 pounds.  It still fluctuates on a daily basis...like this morning it said 181.4.  I wear a size 12/14 in pants and tops.  I am still 15 pounds from my "goal weight" of 165.  But when I stop and think about my life and where I have come from I think back to the last time I weighed 180 pounds and wore a size 12/14.  Well that was when I was in High school and the year after so 1991-1994.  I still weighed more than my peers since most of them were in the 110-130 range.. or at least that was my best guess.  So I still suffered from self loathing and hating myself for being "fat".  But when I look at the following pictures I want to cry for that girl.  I wasn't fat.  I was thick... in all the right places...  a booty to balance my breasts...thin arms... great legs....  But why did I hate myself so much?  

Those jeans are a size 12

 That dress was a size 14.  I had to search high a low for a dress that was in style and in my size.  So when I found it, the size and price was ingrained in my brain.... size 14 price $112.  Thanks Grandma for buying it for me!

This was Tim's Prom in 1994

So when I look at those pictures and see that girl I am sad that she didn't understand how perfect she really was.  I am sad that she didn't see how worthy she was, and how it didn't matter than she was a bit heavier than her peers.  That her self worth was not related to the number on the damn scale.

So today is "Throw back Thursday"....  And a full circle moment... my pants are a size 12/14.  The dress I wore to my 20 yr High school Reunion was a size 12/14.  I weigh 180 pounds.  I am still working on my current issues of self loathing and feeling less than.  I try to not let the number on the scale determine my value.  I am still a work in progress...but at least I am still working on it

The Ugly Truth about my weight loss

I have been struggling with something during this weight loss journey of mine.  And today while reading on facebook I found an article that sums up my feelings much more eloquently that I could.  Here is the link:

http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/11/what-no-one-tells-you-about-dramatic-weight-loss.html

Basically it talks about how as you lose weight you feel better and are healthier but sometimes, most times, your body does not look how you thought it would.  While my silhouette is smaller and sleeker while fully clothed, when you take those clothes off I am full of sags, bags, lumps and bumps.  When I go to the dressing room to try on new clothes I am often left feeling crappy about myself because of how clothes fit and feel on my new body.  And the ugly truth is that I can "fit" into a size 12/14 pants but because it squishes the extra skin up and creates and unsightly muffin top I opt to wear 14/16 pants instead even though they bag in the ass and create a bulge in my crotch area.    I can "fit" into a medium top but it hugs my muffin top and left over baby belly too snugly and so I buy the size large.  My bra siz is really a size 34DDD but I choose to sacrifice lift to avoid lumps....  A 34 band squishes the extra back skin and makes me have lumps in my arm pits... so I buy size 36DDD and deal with the extra sag in the front.  But trust me that little sag is WAY better than the full on "puppy dog ears" I have when I am not wearing a bra.  I have lost 2 cups sizes and about 8 inches around but the skin has not shrunk.  So my breasts look like lemons hanging in tube socks.  Sigh.  I hate them so much I wear a bra 24/7.  I wear one to bed too.  I'm not kidding.  An underwire one.... to bed.  Even my face suddenly has a million extra wrinkles now that I have lost the fat that used to plump these wrinkles out.  I no longer have 3 chins but I have a turkey waddle of loose skin under my chin.  Sigh.

And I feel like a fraud.  People tell me all the time how great I look and all I can think is "yay, you haven't seen me in a bathing suit".  How many other people are struggling with their weight and think that once they get to their goal weight that they will be super model runway ready? I know that I had this notion that my stomach would be flat, my hips would be perfect and my ass would be grab worthy and that somehow my huge breasts would shrink, and be gravity defying-ly perky.  But here I am a mere 17 pounds from my goal and my ass is far from grab worthy, my breast laughably NOT perky.  So in honor of this realization and to de- fraud myself I am going to be brave and post the ugly truth..... the pictures that are unflattering.  The poses that I delete off my camera because they are horrid.  But the truth is that I *am* all of those things.... I look great.... I am Beautiful.... I am unflattering.....  I am horrid....I am flabby.... I am bumpy..... But most of all I am healthy.

If you are squeamish about saggy skin please close your browser window now.
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lots of truth about to be splashed on this page!
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 My face full of wrinkles.

Full body.  Belly skin hangs over.... notice how it hangs unevenly.....  I can thank my children for that.  pregnancy stretched my skin unevenly...

 an extreme close up!  Belly and saggy thighs.  And all the scars from 2 abdominal surgeries.

 Arm flag that hangs over my Bra.  Awesome... NOT!  And seriously.... WTF happened to my belly button?!?!?!

Speaking of arm flab..... here it is from the back.  Skin hangs over my bra.  Skin on arms are like wings.  Bat Wings.   And and the cottage cheese ass and saggy skin on my thighs.

Side view.  The skin just hangs.  Do you see the definition on my sides?  there are abs under all that skin.....

 My saggy baggy thighs.....  Notice the skin hangs over my knees.

It is freeing to put this out there.  I am still scared to hit "post" but I know that there are other women out there that have had babies, have lost weight but are still so completely unhappy with how their bodies look.  I am right there with you.  In all my saggy glory. 

I love my life.  I love that I am healthy.  I love that I can run and jump and play with my kids.  But I Fucking HATE that after losing 157 pounds that I still look like shit in a bathing suit.

I am 17 pounds from my goal weight of 165 pounds.  I know that I can lose the weight.  I know that I can.  But part of me is holding on to these last pounds because I am scared of what my skin and body will look like f I lose another ounce.  

I want to break free of the vanity and focus on  my health.... but I am struggling with all this skin.

21 Month Update

Hi there my lovlies!!!!  I have missed posted on my blog.  But life always seems to get in the way!  LOL  I am busy chasing kids, being social and having fun!  Life is full of so many opportunities that i never realized I was missing at 338 pounds.  Hiking, biking, swimming wearing a bathing suit, wearing a pretty dress.  Dancing till I drop.  So many choices and so much life to live!  I am so glad I have a second chance to do it!!!

Here I am in my beautiful new dress dancing all night at my Moscow High School Class reunion.

 Here is Tim and I at the same event.  Who would have thought that I would ever look smaller than my husband?!?!?

That dress is a size Large.  WHAT?!?!?!  a large. Size 14  So hard to believe since I started out on this journey in a size 3x or 28.  Un-freakin-believable!!!!

Here is where we get the nitty gritty..... the numbers.  They don't lie!

Started weight:  338, Current weight: 185
Starting BMI: 55.4  Current BMI: 30.3
Starting Neck measurement:  16.25  Current: 13.25
Starting Bicept measurement: 16.75  Current: 13
Starting Wrist measurement: 7  Current: 6.25
Starting Bust measurement: 53.5  Current: 40.5
Starting Bra Size: 44DDD, Current Bra size: 36DDD
Starting Waist measurement: 53  Current: 37
Starting Hips measurement:  61  Current:  44.25
Starting Thigh measurement:  34  Current: 24.5
Starting Calf measurement:  20 Current: 15.25
Starting Ankle Measurement:  10 Current: 9

Total Weigh Lost: 153 pounds  
Total Inches lost:  68.5 inches ( 5 ft 8.5 inches)
Total BMI Points Lost: 25.1