It's pretty amazing to me how this surgery has changed my life. My one-year anniversary is coming up and I can't believe the number of ways my life and health have changed.

Obviously, the main one, is how I look. People who have not seen me in awhile are simply blown away. I am half the person I used to be. Original size was 28 and now I am a 12. My wardrobe that was very carefully collected and cultivated over the years is completely gone. Ask me if I care. Shopping today is a THRILL!

I have not told people how I lost my weight and the only ones who actually know the truth are my family. Works for me .. I know people around me are very critical of this surgery and I don't feel like fighting the fight, you know? It's my business and my success .. I am very happy.

I was on a plane recently, too. Can you say 'snap me in' without tightness or asking for an extension? Freedom, baby .. it's incredible. I can even cross my legs in the seat. And not feeling like I am squishing the person next to me is an amazing success. Paint me happy!

I eat quite a bit more than I did perhaps 6 months ago but I have never gained any weight back. I exercise (very easily, I may add) about 5-6 days a week and I can actually run for the first time in over 20 years. My foods remain healthy choices with high Protein and veggies being the main options. I have zero cravings for chocolate which I found weird. My pre-op tastes were sweet and post-op are definitely savory.

Wearing high heels now is sooooo easy and comfortable, too .. that rocks!

I did experience the hair-loss factor quite heavily in the 8-9 month post-op period. Nothing you can really do and I didn't subscribe to special shampoos or Vitamins .. it's a body/system thing and you have to roll with it. I have a lot of hair and very long hair, too. My bathroom floor was quite a mess every day for a number of weeks but then it suddenly stops falling out. You will survive this .. I can promise you that.

I will need follow-up tummy surgery. My weight fell off so fast that I wasn't able to even try to exercise my way through it so I do have that apron that needs to be removed. I have gone for two consultations and I have to wait another 6-8 months before anyone will consider this since my WLS is still considered quite new and I am expected to continue to lose weight over the next year. I am not at target weight yet but I suspect I won't really get there as I always felt I was too thin by those standards. Regardless, should it stop today, I am fine, happy and healthy.

Thanks for reading and best of luck to you!

Congrats! You are an inspiration to us all.

Congratulations! Your story gives me the spriit life that I needed. I am just over a month out now and just starting to feel normal.

Congratulations! You have done very well. I did not use him, but I've heard great things about Dr. Billings. Keep us updated on your progress and TT options.

Thanks for your comments

I think it's important also for those who have had successes to also share the difficulties, too. For me, I dealt with extreme exhaustion for about 4 months post-op when I heard so many times that I will be up 'n running in no time. I found this pretty difficult and let myself nap when my body told me it was time to rest. However, it does pass.

And, you will stall and everyone's schedule for stalling varies. However, the weight will come off. Follow the rules and you can't go wrong. My weight dropped very steadily for at least 6 months before my first stall and that one lasted about a month. And of course, the closer you are to goal, the slower the scale moves. That is where you rev things into gear with exercise as it's so exhilarating to move without those same pains you may have had post-op!

That's amazing! You are such an inspiration to us that are just starting out! Enjoy the new you!

Such a great story. Congratulations on your anniversary AND your loss!

Wow 140 pounds lost, that is so great. I never thought about high heels how much easier it would be when your thin, I haven't wore heels in years because they hurt my feet so much.

Thank you for sharing I needed that today.

wow this is all so great to hear, I too felt the energy drain and i'm feeling it again guess my bloodwork came back and I may be anemic now. I have to go see a specialist at the end of the month.

I exercise like crazy and love it.

Thanks for posting this it's great to hear from others further down the road.

Congratulations on all your success!

Congrats on a great success story ... it is brill to hear!

I am sooooo getting the heels now! I can wear them all day in work without any problems and it feels GREAT!!

Sounds like you will/are heading into maintaince mode with no probs... good luck! =]

It's pretty amazing to me how this surgery has changed my life. My one-year anniversary is coming up and I can't believe the number of ways my life and health have changed.

Obviously, the main one, is how I look. People who have not seen me in awhile are simply blown away. I am half the person I used to be. Original size was 28 and now I am a 12. My wardrobe that was very carefully collected and cultivated over the years is completely gone. Ask me if I care. Shopping today is a THRILL!

I have not told people how I lost my weight and the only ones who actually know the truth are my family. Works for me .. I know people around me are very critical of this surgery and I don't feel like fighting the fight, you know? It's my business and my success .. I am very happy.

I was on a plane recently, too. Can you say 'snap me in' without tightness or asking for an extension? Freedom, baby .. it's incredible. I can even cross my legs in the seat. And not feeling like I am squishing the person next to me is an amazing success. Paint me happy!

I eat quite a bit more than I did perhaps 6 months ago but I have never gained any weight back. I exercise (very easily, I may add) about 5-6 days a week and I can actually run for the first time in over 20 years. My foods remain healthy choices with high Protein and veggies being the main options. I have zero cravings for chocolate which I found weird. My pre-op tastes were sweet and post-op are definitely savory.

Wearing high heels now is sooooo easy and comfortable, too .. that rocks!

I did experience the hair-loss factor quite heavily in the 8-9 month post-op period. Nothing you can really do and I didn't subscribe to special shampoos or Vitamins .. it's a body/system thing and you have to roll with it. I have a lot of hair and very long hair, too. My bathroom floor was quite a mess every day for a number of weeks but then it suddenly stops falling out. You will survive this .. I can promise you that.

I will need follow-up tummy surgery. My weight fell off so fast that I wasn't able to even try to exercise my way through it so I do have that apron that needs to be removed. I have gone for two consultations and I have to wait another 6-8 months before anyone will consider this since my WLS is still considered quite new and I am expected to continue to lose weight over the next year. I am not at target weight yet but I suspect I won't really get there as I always felt I was too thin by those standards. Regardless, should it stop today, I am fine, happy and healthy.

Thanks for reading and best of luck to you!

Congrats,, and OH by the way could you get the damn tray down on the plane????

Laughing here .. good call on the tray!! Yes, not only was it down but I had at least 8" to spare. Talk about another mini success!!

Congrats,, and OH by the way could you get the damn tray down on the plane????

Thanks for posting I feel so completely different in heels. I used to feel like I was jamming my foot into the shoe (I probably was) and thought it looked great but in reality, it only promoted swelling. Not attractive. I have lost about a size and a half (plus a width) since my weight loss, too. Another unexpected perk!

Congrats on a great success story ... it is brill to hear!

I am sooooo getting the heels now! I can wear them all day in work without any problems and it feels GREAT!!

Sounds like you will/are heading into maintaince mode with no probs... good luck! =]

Wow .. look at your success! Very inspiring, too!

wow this is all so great to hear, I too felt the energy drain and i'm feeling it again guess my bloodwork came back and I may be anemic now. I have to go see a specialist at the end of the month.

I exercise like crazy and love it.

Thanks for posting this it's great to hear from others further down the road.

Congratulations on all your success!

Amazing! Would love to see some pics if you have time to post.

It's pretty amazing to me how this surgery has changed my life. My one-year anniversary is coming up and I can't believe the number of ways my life and health have changed.

Obviously, the main one, is how I look. People who have not seen me in awhile are simply blown away. I am half the person I used to be. Original size was 28 and now I am a 12. My wardrobe that was very carefully collected and cultivated over the years is completely gone. Ask me if I care. Shopping today is a THRILL!

I have not told people how I lost my weight and the only ones who actually know the truth are my family. Works for me .. I know people around me are very critical of this surgery and I don't feel like fighting the fight, you know? It's my business and my success .. I am very happy.

I was on a plane recently, too. Can you say 'snap me in' without tightness or asking for an extension? Freedom, baby .. it's incredible. I can even cross my legs in the seat. And not feeling like I am squishing the person next to me is an amazing success. Paint me happy!

I eat quite a bit more than I did perhaps 6 months ago but I have never gained any weight back. I exercise (very easily, I may add) about 5-6 days a week and I can actually run for the first time in over 20 years. My foods remain healthy choices with high Protein and veggies being the main options. I have zero cravings for chocolate which I found weird. My pre-op tastes were sweet and post-op are definitely savory.

Wearing high heels now is sooooo easy and comfortable, too .. that rocks!

I did experience the hair-loss factor quite heavily in the 8-9 month post-op period. Nothing you can really do and I didn't subscribe to special shampoos or Vitamins .. it's a body/system thing and you have to roll with it. I have a lot of hair and very long hair, too. My bathroom floor was quite a mess every day for a number of weeks but then it suddenly stops falling out. You will survive this .. I can promise you that.

I will need follow-up tummy surgery. My weight fell off so fast that I wasn't able to even try to exercise my way through it so I do have that apron that needs to be removed. I have gone for two consultations and I have to wait another 6-8 months before anyone will consider this since my WLS is still considered quite new and I am expected to continue to lose weight over the next year. I am not at target weight yet but I suspect I won't really get there as I always felt I was too thin by those standards. Regardless, should it stop today, I am fine, happy and healthy.

Thanks for reading and best of luck to you!

The pics always tell the strongest visual story but no, I have no plans to post. I wish to keep my identity private.

Amazing! Would love to see some pics if you have time to post.