I started my journey in February 2005 at an all-time high weight of 530 pounds. I found Spark People in December of 2005. I had lost over 100 pounds at that time. I spent much of 2006 in transition. I had to go back to work for survival. This involved moving three hours from my family. It meant total relocation. It meant many changes. Then Tim (my husband) had a stroke in July. That was certainly a very stressful time in my life. In August, for the first time in my entire life, I was hospitalized for an infection in a tumor on my leg. In September I was in the hospital again, this time with chest pain that was not cardiac related (thankfully). October brought surgery to remove the tumor and life changed for the better. A month off work, more stress, and then back at it. The year 2007 has been one of growing for me. Realizing that I've accomplished so much. I've worked on the inside and emotions and am now ready to begin anew once again. I did a lot of personal growth in 2008. I explored my options and realized that I did not want to weigh 400 lbs for the rest of my life. I came to the decision to have gastric bypass surgery. In September, I did just that and boy what a ride it has been. No real complications and onward I went. This year has been an interesting one. I have managed to get down to 265 lbs (as of this writing in mid November). I actually got here back in July and have been bouncing up and down the same five pounds since. My surgeon says I can easily drop another 30-40 lbs and I know he is right. I just have to regain my focus and keep going. I am looking forward instead of backward. I am gearing up to make 2010 the year I get to my personal goal ... 230 lbs and then to have the tummy skin removed. I will return to monthly updates as I used to do them until space ran out here. I will continue because I know that I can do this. Surgery was a tool. Time for me to knuckle down and use it appropriately!

Mini-goal right now is to get to 230 pounds which will be 300 pounds lost and the weight I was at 24 years ago when I got married. Long-term goal is 195 lbs but is subject to change as I near that weight and see how I look and feel.

Gastric bypass surgery on September 8, 2008. Follow the rules, get off my butt, and drink tons of water!

My name is Karon and I'm 47 years old. I'm from a very small community in central Illinois. Currently we live in the far west suburbs of Chicago. I've been married to the same great guy for 24 years. We have two daugthers ages 21 and 23. We have four granddaughters: Cecilia Michelle (age 4) and her baby sisters Nadia Marie (age 2) and Malaina Aleise(born May 09); then there's Chloe Jayne (age 2).

Email address is norakeno@yahoo.com I also have a blog that I post in a few times a month. It contains family stuff as well as my struggles in the process of losing weight. Blog is here http://norakeno.blogspot.com Feel free to drop by, read a little, comment ... whatever!

Add a Link Courage doesn''t always roar. Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying "I will try again tomorrow". Start Weight 2005 - 530 Pre-Op Weight 2008 - 387 RNY Surgery Sept 8, 2008
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