Fair warning – This was a lot longer than I thought it would be. You might want to have your Water bottle with you before starting!

Today (plus one day that I've confessed to above) makes one year out for me. WOW! What an incredible year. In some ways it seems like forever and in other ways, just like it was yesterday. As my signature states, I’ve gone from an 18W to size 4/6. My BMI changed from 32.8 to drum roll please .... 20.1. Hard to believe!!! My surgeon was Dr. Thomas Umbach in Las Vegas, NV. I found him through Medical Tourism and am very thankful that together we’ve made sure I have a nice long, healthy life.

The typical question – would you do it again? YES, YES, YES! I was known as a “lightweight” since my BMI was “only” 32.8. Was I fat? Definitely! Did I have risk factors? Definitely! I’ve often said that I was the smallest obese person in my family, but I had to personally realize that I was still obese. I really considered this surgery due to my father. I lost him in March 2009 due to complications from his obesity – congestive heart failure and uncontrolled diabetes. He was only 64 years old. It broke my heart to lose my dad at such a young age. I want to be around for my kids (currently 20, 17, and 9) and their kids!

Not only do I look better, I feel better. I can run up and down our stairs all day! No more having to sit down because I’m tired after one trip up. I can go to costco, shop, put the food away & still have energy for more chores/tasks. INCREDIBLE!!! With that being said, I still have not been good about regular, planned exercise. My stomach may look better if I had (but part of me thinks not – skin just isn’t going to bounce back but so much). I am thinking breast augmentation, but I probably won’t. Just invest in more push up/padded bras.

Do I want to punch out people that say I took the “easy way”? Yep! Is it hard? Yes. Do people who say I’ll gain it all back annoy me? Yep! Does my new tummy give me a tool that can make me successful? Heck yeah! Am I already successful? YES I AM! Am I concerned about maintenance and gaining again? Yes, but with continued dedication & support groups like this one, I can make it!

The next question – how much can you eat now? Slider foods – more than I thought I could/should. I can pack down close to pre-surgery amounts of Cookies, ice cream, popcorn, etc. I have been testing a bit with “normal” foods … the other day, I was able to eat almost all of a McDonald’s hamburger with just the top bun & all but 3 slices of the Apple Dippers (no caramel sauce). I had one or two more bites left of the top bun, but knew I was done. I can eat about 3 ounces of steak with a bite or two of salad & maybe 1/4 of a baked potato. My biggest battles right now are (1) head hunger at night and (2) not counting foods as “bad” or “good”. I am trying to change my thinking to “good for me” or “tastes good, but not very nutritious”.

I met with a nutritionist last week to talk about my eating plan for life. While she questioned if I still needed to track every bite I eat, I told her that it helped me be accountable. I am now tracking to 60g Protein, 64+ ounces of water, 100+ grams carbohydrates, and somewhere between 1500-2000 calories a day. I will add a confession here – I track Monday to Friday, but rarely on Saturday & Sunday. I just kind of eye ball/mentally track on the weekends.

OK – enough rambling … Just want to leave with 2 more things. (1) If you are on the fence about this surgery, I want to strongly encourage you to investigate further. This surgery has truly saved my life & given me a new future and (2) At one year out, I thought it would be fun to go back and read some of my old posts – my worries, fears, doubts and successes. I don’t know if it will help anyone or not, but I’ve listed a few here:

Surgery & Post-Op:

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3255-on-my-way-to-the-airport/page__p__29783__fromsearch__1#entry29783

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3363-weird/page__p__30519__fromsearch__1#entry30519

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3403-surgery-recovery-sucks/page__p__30905__fromsearch__1#entry30905

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3471-im-gagging-over-here/page__p__31374__fromsearch__1#entry31374

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3538-concerned-should-i-be/page__p__32047__fromsearch__1#entry32047

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3602-finding-the-time-to-stop/page__p__32545__fromsearch__1#entry32545

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3687-advice-for-road-trip/page__p__33232__fromsearch__1#entry33232

Losing:

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3884-took-measurements-today/page__p__35215__fromsearch__1#entry35215

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3944-time-to-increase-the-portions/page__p__35826__fromsearch__1#entry35826

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/4565-need-some-support/page__p__40607__fromsearch__1#entry40607

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/4263-wanting-to-eat-more/page__p__38113__fromsearch__1#entry38113

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/4778-size-12s-and-medium-tops/page__p__42293__fromsearch__1#entry42293

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/4827-gotta-get-serious-about-exercise/page__p__42772__fromsearch__1#entry42772

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3769-am-i-the-only-one-wanting-sweet-liquids/page__p__34103__fromsearch__1#entry34103

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/5217-its-a-fat-day/page__p__46024__fromsearch__1#entry46024

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/5065-post-op-when-did-you-have-your-first-carbonated-drink/page__p__44749__fromsearch__1#entry44749

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/6305-my-funny-nsv/page__p__55830__fromsearch__1#entry55830

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/5869-normal/page__p__51835__fromsearch__1#entry51835

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/7060-why-cant-they-just-say-congratulations/page__p__62386__fromsearch__1#entry62386

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/7964-irritated-with-people/page__p__69470__fromsearch__1#entry69470

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/7376-i-cried-tonight/page__p__64804__fromsearch__1#entry64804

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/8064-need-to-be-accountable/page__p__70372__fromsearch__1#entry70372

Moving to Maintenance

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/8602-calling-those-on-maintenance/page__p__75039__fromsearch__1#entry75039

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/6171-weight-regain-with-vsg/page__p__54548__fromsearch__1#entry54548

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/8392-today-7-months-out-and-642-pounds-gone/page__p__73224__fromsearch__1#entry73224

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/9506-goal/page__p__83431__fromsearch__1#entry83431

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/9995-almost-9-months-out/page__p__87012__fromsearch__1#entry87012

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/10260-i-am-not-controlling-my-sweet-tooth/page__p__89285__fromsearch__1#entry89285

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/10135-holiday-strategies/page__p__88283__fromsearch__1#entry88283

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/10981-nsv-nsv-nsv-for-me/page__p__95104__fromsearch__1#entry95104

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/11548-so-discouraged/page__p__99499__fromsearch__1#entry99499

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/12379-this-is-why-journaling-food-is-so-important/page__p__106369__fromsearch__1#entry106369

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/12406-fruits-and-veggies/page__p__106553__fromsearch__1#entry106553

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/12769-not-quite-a-year-out/page__p__109462__fromsearch__1#entry109462

· http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/11607-i-have-a-question-about-alcohol/page__p__99986__hl__alcohol__fromsearch__1#entry99986

For newbies … this is a great place to start: http://www.obesityhe...or-New-Members/ (yes, I know this is another website, but many of us frequent there as well as VST.J)

Mini, don't forget to post next year too.....

I really needed this today. I'm in a frustrated place right now, lost enough weight to realize just how far I still have to go, lost enough weight to realize just how enormous I was and that I am still fat and frantic and frustrated. I need to hear these messages of hope right now. It is terrible to lose 77 pounds and genuinely feel like it's just a drop in the bucket.

Don't do that to yourself. If you never lost another pound, think of all the good you've done for your body! You've removed excess pressure on your joints, your heart doesn't have to work as hard, and you are getting around so much better. 77 pounds is AWESOME. Celebrate each step of the way!

And, the best news? We all KNOW you are going to continue down the path of weight loss. You are a winner & you will succeed!!!!!!

Right now, I want you to go get those "big girl pants" you wore the night before surgery. Strip down to just bra/panties and put them on. Look at how loose they are. Now, I want you to do that once a month. Measurements, weigh in, and try on those pants. It WILL keep you on track. Pin them up if you have to, but don't lose sight of how far you've come.

GOT IT? GOOD!

Mini, don't forget to post next year too.....

I most certainly will! This board is my support group & I will need each and every one of you on this new phase of my journey. Thanks for being there for me.

Great post mini-me thanks for sharing and for still being here for us

Wow... mini me... this is a great post and a great inspiration! I really enjoy success stories and I can feel your excitment and vigor! This has defo spurred me on... onwards and upwards!!

Thank you! =]

Mini...thanks for your posts and encouragement, and thanks most of all for not deserting us once you hit your goal. I appreciate each and every long term vet that has been here well past meeting their weight loss goals, because they give me so much HOPE.

So thank you for sharing your journey with us. :love:

Wow... mini me... this is a great post and a great inspiration! I really enjoy success stories and I can feel your excitment and vigor! This has defo spurred me on... onwards and upwards!!

Thank you! =]

Isn't it more like onwards and downwards?!?!?!?!?! LOL

I have complete faith that you are going to make your goal. You have such a great attitude and spirit about the process. By the way ... did I miss a post on your hair? What did you decide to do?

Isn't it more like onwards and downwards?!?!?!?!?! LOL

I have complete faith that you are going to make your goal. You have such a great attitude and spirit about the process. By the way ... did I miss a post on your hair? What did you decide to do?

Hey,

defo onwards and downwards...lol!

You have a good memory there Mini!! Yea, I put a colour on it tonight... it looks nice, not a huge change mind, but the greys have been banished!! Also had a good trim and edge, get some shape into it too!!

I am hoping for a loss tomorrow and then I will post some pics - hoping for a half way to goal style post...lol... fingers crossed!!

Hey,

defo onwards and downwards...lol!

You have a good memory there Mini!! Yea, I put a colour on it tonight... it looks nice, not a huge change mind, but the greys have been banished!! Also had a good trim and edge, get some shape into it too!!

I am hoping for a loss tomorrow and then I will post some pics - hoping for a half way to goal style post...lol... fingers crossed!!

I'll do better than that ... fingers and toes are crossed for you. Can't wait to see some pictures. I bet you look awesome!

I'll do better than that ... fingers and toes are crossed for you. Can't wait to see some pictures. I bet you look awesome!

Thank you... not sure I look awesome, but definately better... I soooo want to get into a size 12 pair of jeans for my Take That concert in June... Robbie-the love God- Williams won't recognise the 'new' me...lol!! We can but dream...

x

Congrats on a year Mini! Hard to believe isn't it? This past year was a trying one but one of the best I've ever had. And I, like you, would do it over in a heart beat. Best wishes to your second year.

Barb

Thank you for this post mini...you have encouraged me since I started here back in June 2010 and thru my journey, and I can't thank you enough. You are a blessing and an inspiration to me and I hope I will be able to help others like you have helped me ...love and hugs

Congratulations on your one year anniversary. You are such an inspiration.

How great! I am so happy for you, you look wonderful!

Mini-Me!!!!! Thank you so much for your post. I lurked on this web site for a while - and always loved your posts.

Congrats on your success. You inspire me!