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Thank you so much!

I can't believe it has been a year already since I had my surgery. Time really flies. This past year was filled with lots of major milestones, NSVs and overall positive things. I decided to write this post to hopefully inspire others who are on the fence or those who are already on their weight loss journey. I had my surgery (MGB) in Egypt on 30 January 2022. My sister had hers earlier that month and it didn't take her long to convince me to do it as well. I flew to Egypt on 28th, admitted to hospital on 29th and had the surgery 30th morning. I stayed in the hospital for two days and rested for a week in Cairo before flying back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The whole process went smooth and the recovery was quick with no major issues. Just a bit of discomfort which is normal for any surgery. I was not given any specific diet to follow except for some guidelines - one week of clear liquids, 1 week of pureed food followed by gradual introduction of solid food in week 3. I will start with the positives and the current stats. The negatives / issues are listed below My starting weight was 149 kg. I was 85 kg yesterday. That means I’ve lost a total of 64 kg or 43% of my starting weight. I still have like 15 kg to go. The weight loss was quick at first then started to become slower but I’m more than happy with where I’m at right now. I didn’t follow a strict diet but rather reduced my food intake and ate healthier. I always start with my proteins vegetables and end with carbs. It helps that I cook myself so I know what goes into my food and can control the portions. I now enjoy food better than before because I really take my time to eat. There are some foods that I can’t tolerate like pasta, scrambled eggs etc. Not sure why but I’m not too concerned by that. Here are some of the major achievements and NSVs I’ve experienced the past year (a part from the weight loss): I went from size 52” pant to size 34-36 inches pants depending on the cutting. Here is a comparison between the pants I wore on surgery day and the current ones. Custom-made shirt on surgery day vs the one I wore yesterday (Size M) Here is me in December 2021 and yesterday morning (left to right) I got myself a mountain bike when I went below 100 Kg and that helped a lot. I try to go on a ride around the town whenever time and weather allow. I’m planning to do this more often after the rainy season. I feel more fit and energetic overall. I was able to join my family in a lot of fun activities which was impossible last year. I took the kids to the water park last weekend and we all had a great time. My son told me that he is so happy I could go on the water slide with him and that made the whole journey worth it. I’m planning to join the gym and start rebuilding muscles and tone my body. I’ve some loose skin here and there but it doesn’t bother me. I might end up having it removed but it is too early to decide now. There were also some negatives (as with everything in life) which I consider to be minor : - The 6 months blood work showed that I had Vitamin B12 and D deficiency. The doctor asked me to take high doses of Vitamin D and daily Vitamin B12 tabs which I’ve been doing over the last 6 months. I’m planning to redo the test soon. - I struggled with heartburn and indigestion early on but I learned how to control it. I don’t add a lot of spices to my food now and will stop eating if I feel any discomfort. I still get it every now and then but OTC heartburn medicines really help. - Loose skin specially on my arms and thighs (but that was expected) Overall I’m very happy with my decision and what I’ve achieved over the past year. I’m really looking forward to this coming year.

Thanks!

Thank you so much!

Thanks!

One year anniversary was yesterday. Here is me in December 2021 vs yesterday (left to right if it not obvious 🤣)

Congratulations! Well done and keep up the good work

Totally agree. I now enjoy and appreciate food better. I also believe cooking small portions yields better food somehow.

I got this update earlier today and I couldn't be happier. Today marks my 1 year surgery anniversary

Same here for me. I've never been very strict on what I eat except for the first month or so and immediately after the surgery. I was not given any specific diet to follow only some guidelines for the first month after the surgery and that I should cut down / reduce carbs thereafter. Now I only eat when I'm really hungry and I don't get sugar cravings that much. I try to increase my fruits and vegetables intake and cut down on the carbs. I still enjoy (almost) all the foods I used to eat before just in small quantities. It helps that I cook my food myself so I can control what goes in into my food and also the portion size. That said, I can't seem to tolerate some foods (pasta, scrambled eggs etc) which is not a bad thing haha

That is awesome. I started doing that also and it always feels great when the clothes fit. I bought new pants from my favorite brand in size 32 inches for my one year surgery-versary but I don't think I will be able to go down to that size in time. Too ambitious maybe lol. I'm now wearing size 34-36 depending on the cutting (down from size 54'').

I took my kids to the water park this weekend and we all had a great time there. Guess who was on the slides and joined them on almost all the rides. It was so much fun and my kids were super excited that daddy can finally join the fun. That on its own made the WLS and the whole journey worth it.

That is awesome! I can't wait to take my kids to the theme park and try all the rides too

That is awesome! I'm glad you had fun at the birthday party. Compliments are always nice and encouraging.

That is a good problem to have. Great job. I'm now down to Size M shirts. I had to get tailored shirts before my WLS.

"My clothes don't fit me anymore". This used to have an entirely different meaning last year haha. My wife laughed when I said this and told me she can't ask me to lose weight to solve that issue anymore 🤣🤣. I guess it is time for another wardrobe change.

I've also experienced all of these. It was my wife who noticed my collar bones lol. I'm holding off getting a new suit until next year and super excited about it. I agree with the "guy thing" as well haha

I can relate somehow. My negative NSV is that I've lost the "padding" I used to have and now sitting for a long period of time hurts haha.

I know right. Things I never thought I'd say haha

I went cycling around the town yesterday and the day before after stopping for almost two months. It has been raining non-stop over here and we are finally having a dry spell. There was a hill on my usual track and previously I'd get off the bike and dragged it uphill. I didn't have to do that yesterday and I was able to just climb the hill without much effort. What a pleasant surprise! I need to buy new cycling shorts since the old one are very loose now.

Well done! You look great in the after photo. Keep up the good work. I've only started noticing the loose skin on my belly and arm and I try not to pay too much attention to it.

Another NSV is finally getting my wedding ring replaced. It kept sliding off my finger. I went down from US size 12 to Size 9 and still it is a bit loose. I got a "temporary" tungsten ring and planning to get a new silver / platinum one for our 10 years anniversary next year 😀

Thanks. It feels great to finally be able to do all the things that I wanted to do myself but couldn't. I've always enjoyed being the "handyman" around the house.

We recently moved to a new apartment. Guess who was up on the ladder all day installing curtain rails, hanging curtains, photos etc. I can't remember the last time I was on something that is more than 20 cm above the ground 😂. I can't use my weight as an excuse to tell my wife that I can't climb on the ladder and hang stuff anymore. Skipping meals and hard labor during the past week seems to have paid off. I lost 4 kgs and now down to 89 Kg (from 150 kg before WLS)

I finally got my wedding band replaced. I went down from size 12 to 9 and still it is a bit loose. I got a temporary tungsten ring for now and planning to get a silver or platinum one for our 10th wedding anniversary next year.