Jo-Anne's Trip to Oz

I am still here

2006-10-24T17:58:00.000-04:00

Day of surgery December 15th 2005 345lbs

August 2nd 2004 My Heaviest 360 pounds

Tammy's 1 year with our surgeon Dr Pop August 255 pounds

African Lion Safari September 8th
2006 248 pounds.

I am now down to 242. The progress has been slow but I am not unhappy at all. I am the healthiest I have been in years and even if I did not lose another pound I would still be happy.
I started a new job and have noticed that since being out of the house my weight loss is steadier. I like the job and it's nice to have some spending money too!
We are 3 weeks away from the arrival of our new grand son and I can not wait to meet him.
I will be adding some pictures for you now! Don't faint I know I've said this since the beginning but now I mean it.

The Beat Goes on

2006-07-02T19:00:00.000-04:00

I am feeling great! I am down to 255! Not to compare but I will. When my daughter had her surgery she weighed 251! I am so thrilled at the progress I have made. I have not felt sorry once about my decision.
I am wearing lcothes I have not fit in in years and I have so much more energy.
My grandbaby who has turned out to be -much to my surprise! A BOY, is growing well and not ginving my daughter too much trouble at all. We have been having fun buying him a wardrobe and decorating a nursery for him. We have just over 4 months to wait for his long awaited arrival! I can't wait.

Life Goes On

2006-05-22T19:42:00.000-04:00

Still losing and adjusting to life as a post op! I have to say that it's so much easier than I thought it would be. I have never been happier with a decision I have made. I have had no issues at all and the benefits I have reaped far out weigh the sacrifices I have had to make. I can easily give up Hershey's Kisses for the new found health I am experiencing. Tammy has promised she will get me a flicker account so I can get some pics here. Please be patient!
Notice my great weight loss at the top of the page.. 75+ pounds GONE FOREVER!

My Progress

2006-04-10T22:10:00.000-04:00

It has now been 3.5 months and I am down a total of 65 pounds. But, that's not the most amazing part... I can now walk long distances, fit in a restaurant booth, bend over and pick things up and I am happier than I have EVER been in my life. The surgery is the easiest and best tool I have ever been given to improve my quality of life.
In other news, on March the 9th my daughter and her husband gave me and my husband the best news ever! We are going to be grandparents on or around November 13th. This is our first grandbaby and we are thrilled! And I am even more thrilled because of my new body and health, I will be a fun and fantastic Granny!!! Look out kid!
I promise to update more often and pictures will be coming...

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

2006-01-19T21:28:00.000-05:00

As of my last posting I had a few detours but as of Dec 15 I am on my way. My wizard, Dr Steven Pop granted my wish and performed my surgery without any complications.
On my two week post op appointment Dr Pop was very happy with my progress and I was down 17 pounds.
It has been five weeks now and I have lost 35 pounds.
I feel terrific, better than I have in my life.
Even though I feel hungry all the time, I crave protien and feel staisfied when I eat. I have not been following the progression diet but I am not sick and have never felt yucky.
I will keep you posted.

2005-08-30T20:40:00.000-04:00

My name is Jo-Anne. I celebrated my fiftieth birthday Aug.7/05. Since I decided a long time ago that I was going to live to be 106 I figure I am hitting middle age. I have spent the most part of the last 50 yrs being morbidly obese. Fortunately, I have no major health problems from this as yet. I do have alot of emotional and social problems though. I can not go to a resturaunt that has only booths. I do not fit. If they have chairs with arms I am in agony as my legs are pinned together. I get very depressed when I need to shop for clothing. Everything is ugly and most doesn't fit anyway. I have a great husband whom I have been married to for 26 yrs. I know he loves me but I am sure we would have a better life if I could walk more than 3ft at a time. My breathing is laboured because of the extra weight on my chest. For the past 3 yrs I have looked into having weight loss surgery because nothing else I have tried has worked long term.
On sept 13 2005, I will begin my journey. Oz is the Barix Clinic in Ypsilanti Mi. My wizard is Dr. Steven Poplawski. Instead of sending me home to Kansas he will send me on a journey to healthy and happy living.
My daughter, Tammy had her surgery on Aug.24 (her 30th birthday) and her husband will have his on Sept 8. Tammy's site has a link here as well as Barix Clinic.
As I go on this exciting journey I will post regularly and will be adding pics. Please check back often.