I Made It

This is such a big day for me..... I started this journey around age 13 when I joined Weight Watchers with my mom. I remember the lady teaching me about the food groups I would be eating and how to measure my food. I remember in 9th grade the popular girl telling me she noticed that I lost weight and looked good, I felt so good at that moment, and that my hard work was paying off. Fast forward 31 years, 2 kids later; a lot years of being self-conscious of my body image, size and how I always felt fat next to my freinds. A lot of my money spent on Weight Watchers, Phen Phen pills, Jenny Craig and every fad diet that came along. I knew I was never going to lose the weight AND maintain it off the rest of my life.. It just seemed impossible for me....
I am grateful for 1 year ago today. I am grateful for being able to put my surgery expenses on a credit card. I am grateful to Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos and his staff. I am grateful for the person that invented and pioneered the Vertical Sleeve, I am grateful to my husband for saying yes I can have the surgery, and yes I changed my mind you can go to Mexico. I have been grateful everyday for the past 365 days for taking the leap of faith and having this particular surgery. I still think about it everyday.
My stats- I went from a size 18 to a size 8 and I kissed Lane Bryant goodbye forever. I liked her because I was on the smaller side in her store..... That was my rationalization as I snuck in and out of her store hoping to go unnoticed by someone I might know. Now it's Macy's and Nordstrom and Target and Loft. I would like to say you will save money on food by not eating as much or spending as much on ordering in a restaurant. The truth is you will more than make up for it going shopping and finding that most of the things you try on actually fit you, look good on you and you have to try on a lower size than you thought you were.
For those who are thinking of taking the journey, or are newly sleeved, all I can say is it's worth it! I won't say it's easy, it's not a cake walk, there are days I miss my intimate relationship with food and I want to be able to gorge myself silly. There are times when I go out to eat with new people I've met in the past year that don't know about my surgery, I get anxiety about how I am going to maneuver through ordering small on the menu because it's obvious I can't eat much and silly for me to order a big plate. In trade-off I don't miss the guilt every time I ate, or the embarrassment of what I ate in front of people, or the embarrassment of seeing myself in pictures that reiterated the denial I wanted to be in. Also, I lost a lot of hair. Honestly, I have thin hair and not a lot of it as it is... the surgery thinned it out more. I am bummed about that, but it doesn't take away from my happiness of being "thin." I take Bioten and a Multi-Vitamin everyday, hoping my hair will get back to where it was before surgery.
I feel like I was given a gift of a vehicle that I can use to control my intake. I work hard to get the Protein in and I still stumble with my love for sweets, but I don't have the everyday guilt and shame I carried around all of these years. It feels awesome to walk in a room and I am not the fattest, I am one of the thinnest or what I consider average. I have 2 small children - 5 and 6 years old. I did it for them, so I can teach them to eat better and take better care of themselves. I want them to be proud of how their mommy looks and takes care of herself as they grow up. I wanted to be healthier and have more energy and a more positive outlook on life, I am a better parent because of the surgery.
I need to exercise more, I really haven't exercised much the past year. I never liked it but I did it to help control my weight. I know it's good for my health and will help me tone my body, I need to incorporate it into my life. My next step is focusing on maintaining my size 8 and being healthier through exercise.
Thank you for reading about my journey.... I used this forum to give me courage to have the surgery and a place to go when I needed questions answered or forum of friends that can relate to me.... I am grateful for this forum too.

Thanks for all the replies.. The main reason I chose WLS was because both my parents had a family history of diabetes and I was SOOO scared. I guess, if not for that, I would have waited some more time, probably chosing WLS in my mid 30s. I only started considering WLS this last year (2011) after a family friend had it done. Wouldn't have had the courage to go through if not for this board!!

It was one year ago that I was in Mexicali Mexico sitting in my hotel room the night before I was to go to the hospital for my surgery. I can not believe that one year has passed and I have gone from a weight of well over 300 lbs to almost being out of the 200's. I am greatful that I found the courage and money to have this proceedure done. I am living the life I have always dreamed of. I am not stared at with disgusted looks and shame. I am now getting hit on by younger men!!!
My life has changed for the better and I will be at goal in the near future. I have lost almost 150 lbs and my knees, back, hips and feet thank me everyday.
For those who are just starting your journey it is a journey of ups and downs but in the end it will be worth it. I love love love my sleeve. :wub:

Hi! I was sleeved April 13th. Started at 210 and weighed 169.4 this morning. Sounds line we are on similar tracks. . I am very happy with the speed of my loss and I am learning what I can eat and what I can't. Seems every day is different.