COURAGE

Ok folks....continue at your own risk.

Seriously stop reading now if you don't want to see me half naked....ok, fine.  It's just my belly but note that you have been warned.  I told you (a few entries ago) I would have the courage to post before pictures before my surgery so here it goes! And remember what yo mamma told you - if you ain't got something nice to say...don't say a damn thing at all. HA!

Below is the result of swelling to over 300lbs causing the skin to stretch and expand then losing 115lbs quickly.  As you can see my skin is saggy, droopy. A badge of honor some would say. To me is a mark of the past.

In about 15 hours I will head to the surgery center to start the process of changing the way this looks. More importantly I start the process of changing the way I (ME) see it.s  This surgery is about me.  It's not about what others think of me.  I am proud to say I have put in hard work to get to this point and now I am ready to have my mental image match my physical image.  In the beginning it felt like vanity, but now I realize it not vanity at all.  It's self esteem.  It's about feeling good about myself.  It's about self actualization by achieving your goals and working hard to get what you want in life.  That's what I've done.  I deserve it.

The next 15 hours will be tough, but it's worth the life time of happiness that comes with it.  Of course I am concerned about the pain, but it's only temporary.  The scars will fade, but the change will last forever.

Next blog entry will be POST surgery.  My emotions are all over the place, but alas the time is here.