kimmyco

@@kimmyco, to be honest, there is always that possibility that someone may take it as "bragging". However, I personally believe because it's a support group they need to SEE that they CAN reach their goals.
I am a very visual person. I am a perfect example of someone a year out who hasn't reached goal. I would love to see someone walk in and share with me their journey.
I say do it! If you helped one person, you have done your job.
Congrats to you.

Thank you very much for your thoughts. Maybe I can agree to a trial run and attend a couple of them and see how each of us feel.

Thank you so much for your feedback. I have struggled with this so much since last night. I spoke to my husband about it at length last night and he agrees that I should do it. He stated that if I could help one person see the long term goal is attainable and to just allow it to happen then my presence was worth it. I just don't want anyone to feel worse about their personal journey of they are struggling so much right now. My heart hurts for each of them because we all know this journey we embarked on was a hard one.

Thank you very much for your thoughts. Maybe I can agree to a trial run and attend a couple of them and see how each of us feel.

Thank you very much for your thoughts. Maybe I can agree to a trial run and attend a couple of them and see how each of us feel.

I agree with your surgeon. Sometimes people are struggling because they have lost sight of what is possible. They may need help finding hope.
If you are honest about your experience and share your own story with compassion, you can be a tremendous inspiration.

Thank you so much for your feedback. I have struggled with this so much since last night. I spoke to my husband about it at length last night and he agrees that I should do it. He stated that if I could help one person see the long term goal is attainable and to just allow it to happen then my presence was worth it. I just don't want anyone to feel worse about their personal journey of they are struggling so much right now. My heart hurts for each of them because we all know this journey we embarked on was a hard one.

Thank you so much for your feedback. I have struggled with this so much since last night. I spoke to my husband about it at length last night and he agrees that I should do it. He stated that if I could help one person see the long term goal is attainable and to just allow it to happen then my presence was worth it. I just don't want anyone to feel worse about their personal journey of they are struggling so much right now. My heart hurts for each of them because we all know this journey we embarked on was a hard one.

I went to see my doctor yesterday for my one year appointment. It went exceptionally well. Before I left my doctor and his PA explained to me that they have support group meetings on Tuesday nights. They stated that they had several individuals that were still struggling both physically and mentally with the surgery. They have both pre op and post op patients that attend. They asked me if I would be willing to lead the groups and talk about my success and that the goal is attainable if you allow it to be.
Now here is my dilemma. I was honored they felt I could help. But me, who has been successful in my journey with lots of hard work, going into a group with struggling individuals would that make them feel worse about their struggles and their journey? I feel like it would be going in bragging because I have been doing so well. But the doctors didn't see it that way. They believe that i can help the others see that this can work. That I am proof. THOUGHTS? I have posted my before picture, taken day before surgery last year, and my after picture that was taken Wednesday of this week.

It's a support group so hopefully the people attending understand it's not bragging but encouragement. Since the staff specifically asked you to attend they most feel that way as well. I think it would be a great idea for you to attend. Hopefully you can provide real life practical examples of how to survive post op life.

I opted for the sleeve. Best decision ever.

So, my one year surgiversary was in August and I've been thinking of how to Celebrate the success of the past year with my Bariatric Pal friends. What can I add to what hasn't already been said? What were my experiences that can inspire and help newcomers? What were the challenges I faced and overcame? What makes my story so much more special than anyone else's? I came to the conclusion that the answer to all of those questions is, everything and nothing. For all of us the journey is unique and it's our most special accomplishment, but all of our journeys are very familiar and the same for many who came before us. But if I left this post right here, you'd say he lost his enthusiasm along with his weight, so let me tell my story (I promise to keep it short but sweet).
I've been overweight most of my life, I made countless attempts at getting it under control, I'd lose 10- 50 lbs. and slowly lose ground only to gain it all back. Sound familiar? In the meantime life went on, career, marriage, kids, house, bills, you know, right? Being young we feel invincible, yeah I was heavier than fit people but I could handle the weight. Of course, I was more of a spectator than a participant but I always figured I'd take care of it some day. Family, job, good times and bad times,there's always something that took priority over losing just a few pounds. But time rolls on, and occasionally I'd try another perfect weight loss answer, but ultimately it wasn't permanent and it was just another failed attempt. When I hit my fifties I noticed more muscle pulls, back injuries, knees were aching more, out of breath sooner, heart was working harder. So in my mid fifties I was put on meds for elevated blood pressure, shortly after statins for cholesterol. At sixty I was put on a CPAP for sleep apnea, and meds for pre diabetes. It was getting real, I was seeing the damage of carrying all the extra weight, but my doctor was keeping things under control, no worries. Then my hips began failing, I could hardly walk, I needed a cane to get in and out of chairs, I didn't want to move. I went to see an orthopedic doctor and he said the pain was from compressed cartilage caused by my weight, so I asked what we could do, he said "nothing, the damage is done". I think that's when I said enough is enough, I'm destroying my body and my future was heading towards life as a sick and handicapped old man. So I had a serious talk with my PCP, looked at my options, did research and made my decision to go with WLS at 62 years old. On my day of surgery the surgeon asked if I was ready, I said "let's do it", and I never looked back.
Here I am 14 months post surgery, no more meds, no more CPAP, no more diabetes, I walk miles with almost no pain,and otherwise feel fantastic. I'm now doing things at 63 that I wouldn't have tried doing at 53, I went from feeling like an 80 year old to feeling better than I ever remember. I was in size 3XL shirts and pants with waist size of 46", today I can wear large to medium shirts and 34" waist pants, now I can shop off the "normal" racks. I've gone from the sidelines and into the game, I'm stronger and I have more energy, I can walk, run, and climb, and play, I feel young again. I'm still not used to the face that stares back at me in the mirror, there was a heavy guy looking back for the last 40 years or so, now I see a leaner more vibrant looking man, it's strange but I'm getting more used to him.
So that's what makes my journey a special success to me, yours may be similar and it may be different, but it will be your special journey. I'm still learning to live with my sleeve, you can't erase years and years of lifestyle overnight, but after a year it's becoming more normal to listen to my sleeve and pay attention to what and how much I eat. If I can offer any wisdom, its to make your decision and then own it, go ahead and commit 100%. I know a lot of people regret not doing something sooner, but we can't change the past, we can only change the future. Best of luck to you all and thank you for your stories and experiences, I have learned and still learn from them.

Well.......actually one year and a month out from surgery. I still can't believe the person I see today. Took this picture about 10 minutes ago. To think, this time last year I weighed 222 pounds. Today I stepped on scale for first time in a month. I weighed 138 today. This has been so much work but I love it. Eight pounds away from my last goal.

@@kimmyco Congratulations on the transformation, and even more so for embarking on your Ph. D.!

I started out working out 5 days a week. Now I only work out 4 days a week. Decided to go back to school for my PH.D. So time gets in the way. ????

Well.......actually one year and a month out from surgery. I still can't believe the person I see today. Took this picture about 10 minutes ago. To think, this time last year I weighed 222 pounds. Today I stepped on scale for first time in a month. I weighed 138 today. This has been so much work but I love it. Eight pounds away from my last goal.

Well.......actually one year and a month out from surgery. I still can't believe the person I see today. Took this picture about 10 minutes ago. To think, this time last year I weighed 222 pounds. Today I stepped on scale for first time in a month. I weighed 138 today. This has been so much work but I love it. Eight pounds away from my last goal.

Well.......actually one year and a month out from surgery. I still can't believe the person I see today. Took this picture about 10 minutes ago. To think, this time last year I weighed 222 pounds. Today I stepped on scale for first time in a month. I weighed 138 today. This has been so much work but I love it. Eight pounds away from my last goal.

Well.......actually one year and a month out from surgery. I still can't believe the person I see today. Took this picture about 10 minutes ago. To think, this time last year I weighed 222 pounds. Today I stepped on scale for first time in a month. I weighed 138 today. This has been so much work but I love it. Eight pounds away from my last goal.

I did a side by side last night of the day before surgery. Yikes! And picture taken last night.

You look great!! How often do you work-out??

Well.......actually one year and a month out from surgery. I still can't believe the person I see today. Took this picture about 10 minutes ago. To think, this time last year I weighed 222 pounds. Today I stepped on scale for first time in a month. I weighed 138 today. This has been so much work but I love it. Eight pounds away from my last goal.

Well.......actually one year and a month out from surgery. I still can't believe the person I see today. Took this picture about 10 minutes ago. To think, this time last year I weighed 222 pounds. Today I stepped on scale for first time in a month. I weighed 138 today. This has been so much work but I love it. Eight pounds away from my last goal.

I was self pay. My surgery cost me 12k out of pocket completely. I said in the beginning, I will not cheat once. That was a lie because I have. Not big cheats. But cheats nonetheless. My sleeve allows me only a small slip up. I have allowed myself a small piece of pizza a few times. I have eaten potato chips on many occasions throughout. I don't always get all of my fluids in. My problem with that is if I drink to fast I get really nauseous for a few minutes. I have stuck to my plan probably 95%. But I have allowed myself to indulge on a very small scale.

I opted for the sleeve. Best decision ever.