One year ago today, I took the plunge and revised from the band to the sleeve.

Everyone knows my story, and most of y'all have followed me for the last year. There really aren't enough words that can even remotely explain just how fabulous life is post-op, and just how amazing all the little victories make me feel day in and day out. As I've gotten further out, I noticed I started taking for granted the little things. Ya know, walking around the mall for hours without hurting or huffing and puffing, doing 4 hours of yardwork without a break and not having a coronary, sitting in the floor and not having to waddle my way up grasping for anything to support myself. All of these things are day in and day out activities that I found difficult, or completely avoided before surgery.

I've lost a total of 148 pounds since my journey began with the band, and with the sleeve alone I've dropped 141 pounds in less than a year.

Maintenance is now easier, and I'm assuming my body is content with 121-125 pounds. I'll not complain, and realize that this is where it needs to be.

This year, my focus is going to turn to toning up, getting in better shape, and making a baby with my fabulous husband.

I celebrated today by shopping (you didn't expect anything less did you?). I stopped by Ross with a girlfriend, and after she had to leave, I just kind of browsed. I ran across a pair of Calvin Klein crop pants, size 4. I thought to myself should I be brazen enough to even think I could squeeze into these. Should I even bother? I took them and a few other items into the fitting room. The shirts fit perfectly, and with slight trepidation I slid my pants off, and sucked in my everything with all my might in hopes of squeezing into them.

Well, low and behold, they fit, and I had room in the waist. Not having to suck anything in, not having to hold my breath, not feeling like I was being squeezed into a sausage casing.

The best part of the entire situation is that they are STARK WHITE! ! !

I can't count how many times I've wanted to wear white pants especially in the Spring/Summer, but didn't because light colors make us look bigger, and they aren't very forgiving.

I absolutely love this outfit, the little brown shirt/jacket thing is new as well size small ! ! ! I can't wait to see what the next year brings me.

If you are contemplating the sleeve, stop thinking about it, just do it. If you think for one minute that you won't succeed, please get rid of the negativity. All of the bad thoughts, and self-doubt are not going to give you the results you want in the end. Remember, the sleeve will give you exactly what you put into it. Work your sleeve, but do not beat yourself up if you decide to have an Oreo cookie. 1-2 Oreo Cookies didn't make us fat, the entire package of Oreos with a half gallon of milk made us fat.

And, the obligatory, side by side, before/after 1 year out pic ! ! !

Cheers to every single one of you regardless of where you are in the journey. Hang on tight, it's a wild ride, enjoy every minute, cherish the victories, move past the struggles, and come out on the other side BIG WINNERS ! ! !

You are AMAZING in every way!

Wow, Tiff! Thanks for posting those pictures! You look TINY!!! You _are_ an inspiration!

I really appreciate your comments, too. Informative, helpful, well-balanced. Thanks for being here.

THAT WAS SO MOTIVATING THANKS FOR YOUR STORY....YOU LOOK AMAZING:thumbup: OH AND THANKS FOR ALWAYS ANSWERING MY NEWBIE QUESTIONS I APPRECIATE IT!!

Way to go Tiff! You are an inspiration to us all!

You look great!

Tiff

You look FABULOUS!!! Congratulations on the amazing job you have done over the past year!!

Tiff

OH WOW!!!! I haven't been on the board for a while, but OMGOSH - YOU LOOK AMAZING....could you have ever imagined a year ago where you would be today? You are truly an inspiration thank you so much for sharing with all of us your story. Congrats - I can't wait until I can buy me a pair of white pants (size 6 or 8 would be ok with me)

Tiff you look great, you should do commercials for your doc, the results are so amazing!!! Thanks for all the information you give to those of us just starting our journey! Thanks!

I totally agree.. you are what we hope to accomplish and always so nice to answer posts from all us newbies! You definitely rocked your sleeve, here's hoping for your next year:001_rolleyes: to be filled with good health and maybe pitter patter of new baby!!

Congratulation, Tiffykins. You are indeed an inspiration to everyone on this board. And you look AMAZING!

Great Job Tiff!!!!

You hve done so amazing...... I'm sorry I havn't been around much, but I do "pop in" and peek sometimes........

You really do look amazing!! VERY Proud of you and all that you have acomplished this past year!!

((((((((HUGS)))))))))

Chancie

You look incredible! Not sure how I missed these pictures when you first posted them--but they are a wonderful inspiration! Thanks for taking the time to keep encouraging those of us who are not as far down the road in our weight loss journey!

Fantastic, fabulous job girl! you definately are an inspiration to all of us. . you always have the right thing to say especially when we're down or sad. . you totally can relate to things I say and I love you for it! I'm not on here much anymore but sure do pop in every now and then to say hi and share a thing or two. . .it's always so nice to "see" you! I'll post more pictures later on in the year as well. . . love ya bunches and keep up the fantastic work, and keep on being there for all of us. . we need your wisdom!

Tiff,

Congratulations girl! You look amazing! You are the poster child for VSG!

Your story is so inspiring and it comes at just the RIGHT time. I have my surgery on Tuesday, June 29th. Last night, I sat with my husband going over the site and telling him some of the stories that I read.

I ran into a couple that had leaks (including you) and have to tell you that made me hesitate for a minute. All I could think about were my two kids (they are 3 & 5).

I have read incredible stories about my dr -- but you mentioned that this was your dr's first leak -- so, now, I am just hopeful and praying that my surgery goes as well as some of the people on this board.

I know with every surgery there are complications but I guess you are never prepared for the worst and only expect the best. So, I am going to try and stay away from those stories with leaks and hope that next week will be the beginning of my new life.

Thank you for sharing the pics! You look awesome!

Cajun, thin, chancie, and katt, thank you all so very much. I love ya too thin, you've been right beside from the beginning, along with cajun and chancie. It's been a crazy year, but we're all doing it, and doing it BIG ! ! !

Your story is so inspiring and it comes at just the RIGHT time. I have my surgery on Tuesday, June 29th. Last night, I sat with my husband going over the site and telling him some of the stories that I read.

I ran into a couple that had leaks (including you) and have to tell you that made me hesitate for a minute. All I could think about were my two kids (they are 3 & 5).

I have read incredible stories about my dr -- but you mentioned that this was your dr's first leak -- so, now, I am just hopeful and praying that my surgery goes as well as some of the people on this board.

I know with every surgery there are complications but I guess you are never prepared for the worst and only expect the best. So, I am going to try and stay away from those stories with leaks and hope that next week will be the beginning of my new life.

Thank you for sharing the pics! You look awesome!

lillita, don't let my leak worry you. I was a revision, had tons and tons of scar tissue from the band slowly destroying my stomach tissue. I knew going in my risks were way higher. If you have faith in your surgeon, and he has positive stats for complications, please know you are doing something fabulous not only for yourself, but your family. My son(12 yrs old) has admitted that he loves that I'm not fat anymore. He loves that we go, go, go, go and I'm not sleeping all the time, hurting, and not being able to do certain things because I was too fat. Kids love us, but our obesity and inability to participate in certain activities affects them tremendously.

Thank you for the sweet compliments. Leaks are very rare. My surgeon is extremely skilled, and truly an amazing surgeon not only in the bariatric world, but as a combat surgeon as well. I mean, he puts troops back together overseas. I do not blame him for my leak. I knew that I was more likely to have complications. I wasn't shocked when I had a leak, honestly when I passed the first 2 leak tests, I was amazed. It was that stinkin' final leak test that got me LOL.

Go in positive, if you believe in a higher power, pray, talk to him/her, and ask for grace, peace, and for them to guide your surgeon.

You'll love the life that the sleeve affords you.