Whew ! ! ! Where has the time gone? ? ? It's hard to believe that this time last year I was still recovering from my revision, waiting for my husband's return from Afghanistan and gearing up for my son to start school.

Life is great, and I am just living. Y'all have probably noticed I'm really not around as much, and I have no excuse other than I am just living, and I kind of feel like I've put out enough information out here that can sifted through. BUT, I log on once or twice a day, check my messages, and check in with everyone.

For anyone that has questions, feel free to message me. Especially if you ask me a question in a topic started and I don't reply, it's because that topic gets lost and I don't see it.

Weight wise, I'm doing great with maintenance. I'm still clucking along at 120-125 on any given day. I do bloat up around my ovulation and period weeks. It's probably because I carb load those weeks, but I lose it and I'm not sweating a couple of pounds here and there.

I'm still eating about 6 times a day. Protein focused meals for 4-5 of those meals, and one meal of veggies usually. It's what is working for me. I feel amazing, and couldn't be happier.

For those of you freaking out about surgery, or wondering "hmm, should I do this?" just do it, stop freaking out, and let go ! ! ! I never miss huge portions, I am still never hungry, and I live a very social, active life. Nothing stops me and nothing holds me back. I only wish everyone that is considering this surgery could believe me when I tell them just how "normal" my life is day in and day out.

I get asked a lot "what do you eat, how much do you eat?"

This is lunch from yesterday.

Skirt steak fajita meat

rice, Beans, sauteed onions with a bunch of queso poured all over it, and I ate a total of 3 tortilla chips with salsa, guac and queso.

I did eat 6 more onions from the fajitas that I didn't picture here.

So, you can all see that I eat literally anything and everything I want. I was not stuffed, or over full, but satisfied. It took me 30 minutes to eat what is on the plate. I ate 2 chips with salsa and queso before my meal was served, and took a few sips of Water because the salsa was spicy and salty.

For those not on my friend's list, here is the before and afters.

Me and the mister pre-op 270lbs, size 22/24W

After, Today at 121lbs, size 3/4

It's a beautiful ride, get in, hang on tight, and start living the life we were meant to live ! ! !

Edited August 5, 201016 yr by Tiffykins

Tiffany,

You are truly an inspiration! Thank you so much for sharing not only the information on this post but what you contribute every day. I'm just over a week out from my surgery and your experience really helps me confirm that I am doing something really good for myself. I must say that the beef fajita picture looked really yummy since I'm on my pre-op shakes!:thumbup:

Thanks for the great posts! I like how u talk about living life. My weight has stopped me from doing so many things. I don't like to travel home & letting my family see that I have gained more weight. They love me & would be nothing but supportive, but it's all my insecurities in my head. I didn't go to my husband's welcome home ball & my high school reunion because of my weight! I'm so tired of this & I'm ready to live life!

Wow!!!! you look awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us!

Let me start by saying you look wonderful..the weight loss is amazing, but what is really spectacular is your giving spirit. You take the time to get on this board and share info that you have researched yourself, whether everyone agrees or not. It is apparent that you do this from your heart..im sure you dont get paid to share your experience and advise. When things are done totally from the heart, with no expections of return, that is truly beautiful and amazing. You seem to just want to sincerely share your experience and let everyone know that if you can do it they can too. How genuine, how wonderful, how devine! God bless you miss tiffykins...your generousity of time, information, love and compassion is incredible!

Thanks Tiffy for sharing yourself with all of us. I needed that! Congratulations on doing what you needed to do to be the best you can be. I cannot be scared to do that.

All the best!!!

Thank you all soooooooooooooooo very much. My internet at the house has been down for the last 5-6 days so I hadn't been able to log on and check in with everyone. If you sent me a message, I promise, I'm getting back with everyone, and thank you all again for your sweet comments, congrats, and encouragement.

This is an amazing site, and we all learn from one another.

You're looking fab Tiff - and have been such an inspiration on the board for all of us - thanks for all the information you've given - its invaluable.

I totally agree~! I've spent hours & hours just being fascinated by Tiff's posts! Thanks so much!

Thank you for posting. You look great and better yet I can tell you feel great and that is even better. Thanks for keeping it real for us newbies

OMGosh! WOW! Holly Molly! Incredible! Amazing! Phenominal! Yayyyy! Whoo hoo! GREAT JOB! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing as always :-)

P.s. WE (NEWBIES) NEED YOU :-)

WOW! You rock! They should archive and sticky your posts. I've learned a lot from them. Thanks and good luck on living your journey!:thumbup:

it is hard to know what normal will be,since i haven't been,with my eating! you look fantastic.i just got my date,sept 15th.now it is a reality.i will try not to freak out and hyperventilate .you are an inspiration!beautiful!congrats on your hubby coming home from Iraq.My son a marine was over there twice.I want him to stay here now and forever!! thank your hubby for me for being brave enough to go there,alice

You are looking good, and have been a big help to me in chat and in your posts. I feel like I am finally "in a groove" with my sleeve and I owe that to people like you and Oregondaisy who helped me with questions I had early out. Thanks again for inspiration.