Sitting on Santa's lap and other festivities!
Yes this is me... Sitting on Santa's Lap, and it's been 3 decades since I last sat there... When I was a child, people would complain about how bony my butt was landing me the family nickname bony butt for a while... I hated it but for the last 25 years, i would kill to get that nickname back... 
I have come along way since last Christmas... 100 pounds ago. I look forward to seeing what next Christmas brings... it's now 8 months and change since my surgery... and i feel like i lost 10 years with the 100 pounds. 
Here i am with George at my Surgeon's Alumni Christmas Party... You can imagine the food at a shindig such as this... Protein, Protein, Protein, raw veggies, and Sugar free jello... but I enjoyed it.
Here i am with Susan, our bariatric coordinator... she is a lapbander herself and takes amazing care of us... 
Last but not least... This is me with Doctor Rehnke... in his festive Christmas tie... When we move i will really miss my amazing, sweet surgeon... Anyway, I couldn't miss this Alumni Christmas party since it was the first one for me... and the last one for me. Unless, i happen to be down here around the next one, I'll miss it. I really didn't know anyone there since i live almost 2 hours away, i go to a closer support group in Celebration, FL. I didn't get to meet anyone at the hospital when i had my surgery because I was so out of it and had my own room. I do plan on visiting some new patients right after they have surgery buti need to plan it around when I have my appt with the doctor or a concert or something... in the area. Anyway, most of the bandsters outside of the blogs i met in my support group at Celebration and they have their surgeon there... But I went to Chicago with a wonderful group of supportive bandsters.... BOOBS, to be exact. Well, i got distracted from a point I was going to make. There was a girl Dawn who won a lapband surgery through my doctor and Allergen. You may have read about her on LapBandTalk well, i have met her a couple times, at a support group and i saw her today at the party... She's lost 108 pounds in the 7 months since her surgery... And since she's been so successful, Allergen and the surgeons' office are donating 2 more this year. So That's awesome news for self-payers everywhere. check around your area to see if there are any contests by surgeons there... And remember that my surgeon's diet is Lean and Green which is why her results are so good... most would never be that good, without little to no carbs. Anyway... I am happy for her, and whoever else wins the next 2 surgeries. As for me, i am staying in a hotel here in Clearwater so i can go to my doctor's office for a fill tomorrow and save gas and hassle. I am officially starting the 5 day pouch test tomorrow... i'll keep you updated on that process too.
Yes this is me... Sitting on Santa's Lap, and it's been 3 decades since I last sat there... When I was a child, people would complain about how bony my butt was landing me the family nickname bony butt for a while... I hated it but for the last 25 years, i would kill to get that nickname back... 
I have come along way since last Christmas... 100 pounds ago. I look forward to seeing what next Christmas brings... it's now 8 months and change since my surgery... and i feel like i lost 10 years with the 100 pounds. 
Here i am with George at my Surgeon's Alumni Christmas Party... You can imagine the food at a shindig such as this... Protein, Protein, Protein, raw veggies, and Sugar free jello... but I enjoyed it.
Here i am with Susan, our bariatric coordinator... she is a lapbander herself and takes amazing care of us... 
Last but not least... This is me with Doctor Rehnke... in his festive Christmas tie... When we move i will really miss my amazing, sweet surgeon... Anyway, I couldn't miss this Alumni Christmas party since it was the first one for me... and the last one for me. Unless, i happen to be down here around the next one, I'll miss it. I really didn't know anyone there since i live almost 2 hours away, i go to a closer support group in Celebration, FL. I didn't get to meet anyone at the hospital when i had my surgery because I was so out of it and had my own room. I do plan on visiting some new patients right after they have surgery buti need to plan it around when I have my appt with the doctor or a concert or something... in the area. Anyway, most of the bandsters outside of the blogs i met in my support group at Celebration and they have their surgeon there... But I went to Chicago with a wonderful group of supportive bandsters.... BOOBS, to be exact. Well, i got distracted from a point I was going to make. There was a girl Dawn who won a lapband surgery through my doctor and Allergen. You may have read about her on LapBandTalk well, i have met her a couple times, at a support group and i saw her today at the party... She's lost 108 pounds in the 7 months since her surgery... And since she's been so successful, Allergen and the surgeons' office are donating 2 more this year. So That's awesome news for self-payers everywhere. check around your area to see if there are any contests by surgeons there... And remember that my surgeon's diet is Lean and Green which is why her results are so good... most would never be that good, without little to no carbs. Anyway... I am happy for her, and whoever else wins the next 2 surgeries. As for me, i am staying in a hotel here in Clearwater so i can go to my doctor's office for a fill tomorrow and save gas and hassle. I am officially starting the 5 day pouch test tomorrow... i'll keep you updated on that process too.
Had to laugh at the party food at a bariatric surgeon's Christmas celebration. Glad you got to go the party this year and hope the fill goes well.
ReplyDeleteYou look so cute on Santa's lap. So are you on the good list or naughty list ;) Merry Christmas roomie!
ReplyDeleteGreat Pictures! How neat that they do a xmas party! Clearwater is very beautiful! Hope the fill tomorrow gives you some good restriction!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT.. how great it is that your surgeon celebrates like this.. very motivating as you are!!! thank you so much for all of your kind words on my blog.. means so much to me.. be well Maria!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good party
ReplyDelete- that's a great idea to visit with other people who are in the hospital getting there lap bands , while you are there getting your fills, etc., - you will certainly be an inspiration to them.
Hope the fill goes well for you.
What an awesome party! Sounds like you had tons of fun and you're looking awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm on day two of my 5 Day Pouch Test and I'm actually really enjoying it. Getting back to the basics feels really good!
You are looking sooo awesome.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all fantastic on the 100 pounds- so jealous.
ReplyDeleteAnd you are so lucky to have a surgery center that has such support. I can't imagine how helpful it would be to be able to meet and talk with others in the same boat as you.
DD
www.bandedup.blogspot.com
look at you!!!! you look amazing!! you've shrunk!!!!! i'm so proud of you! imagine next christmas! they'll be calling you bony butt again! lol.
ReplyDeleteHow cool of your surgeon to have a party! OK, I've been so intrigued by Celebration, FL. I hadn't heard of it before the recent unfortunate national news from Celebration, but it looks so charming!
ReplyDeleteyou look so beautiful in all of the pictures Maria! Congrats on all of your success so far- can't wait to see what you do next! Is it time for a new picture in your "jared" pants yet? You look fab! love ya roomie :)
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous in all the pics!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! You are an inspiration!