One year ago tonight, I was in the recovery room at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan after having my VSG. Even though I was a little scared that night and concerned about how things were going to play out, I think in my heart I knew I was doing the right thing for myself and my kids.

Tonight, one year later, I am filled with gratitude to God for having been given the opportunity to have this surgery. I truly believe that it has been a miracle in my life and now I know with absolute certainty that it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

This is how my life has changed in the one year since my surgery:

1. I now weigh 179.4 lbs, down from 300 lbs.

2. My sleep apnea is gone.

3. My back pain has all but disappeared.

4. My blood pressure is under control with reduced medicine.

5. I am off my cholesterol medicine.

6. My pants size has gone from a 44 to a 34

7. My suit size has gone from a 54 to 42.

8. My shirt size has gone from an XXL to a L or M.

Perhaps even more important than the physical changes are the emotional changes. It has been four and a half years since my wife died and while I still miss her terribly, I feel like I am finally starting to make progress in moving forward with my life. I have been dating a very nice woman since November and for the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful that there are brighter days ahead for me (and in fact, I feel like I am living in brighter days). I've been honest with the new lady in my life from the beginning about my surgery and she has been very supportive and encouraging. The best part is that that my kids have noticed a change in my personality and they tell me that "Skinny Daddy" is a lot less grumpy than "Fat Daddy."

I still struggle a little bit with the feeling that I took the easy way out by having surgery. I know this is not logical because it wasn't easy and, in fact, it took a lot of courage and determination to take this step. Feelings are feelings, however, and I am working on them. From the beginning, I have been very selective about who I told about my surgery, but I am now trying to be more honest and up front about it with people. It's not that I feel that people are entitled to know every detail about my health decisions, but I have come to understand that secrets can be very powerful and destructive and by keeping it a secret, I have felt that it was, somehow, something of which I needed to be ashamed. Not so -- I'll say it again -- this was the one of the best decisions I've ever made and at this point, one year into this journey, I don't care who knows about it.

I am very grateful to the folks on this site who have been so helpful and encouraging along the way. The posts here have been a great source of inspiration and a constant source of comfort and encouragement over the last year plus that I have been here. My greatest hope is that there will be someone out there tonight who will read this post and find some encouragement and hope in my experience over the last year.

Thanks for being there for me over the last year. I wish each of you only success, peace and joy wherever you find yourself on this journey.

My daughter helped by create this side by side comparison shot. Again, what a difference a year makes?

God bless,

Brian

Brian, thank you for your beautiful and inspiring post. Congratulations on everything you have accomplished, clearly with a great deal of dedication and committment. You truly inspire. I wish you continued happiness and success. And by the way, you look GREAT!!!!!!!

Congrats!!! You have done EXCELLENT!!! The smile says it all.

Awesome story! Thank you so much for sharing it. You sound like an awesome & grounded man, and happy you found "life" again!

congratulations!!! what an inspiring post!!!

Amazing!! Congratulations!!

Well Done Brian... You're pics tell the physical story and you look happy, fit and healthy! You've done an amazing job and it is touching and inspiring to read. I can understand why your children are happy to see skinny daddy smile!

Good luck with going into maintance... which looks like it is just around the corner for you... and good luck with the rest of your life and new lady!

If there are any tips you would share... what would they be? =]

Thank you for posting. You've helped all of us see what we have to look forward to.

CONGRATS!!! You have done AMAZING!!! And what an inspiring post to read! I'm sure it will help many people at all different points in the process of weight loss surgery!

Brian, this is great!! Here's to the rest of your life!!!

WOW CONGRATS! THANKS FOR SHARING THIS WITH ME. IT REALLY DOES GIVE ME FAITH.

Brian,

Thank you for sharing your touching story. Isn't wonderful how changing one area of our lives can have a big impact on other areas?! I am so happy that you are so healthy and that you are finding happiness again after going through such a hard time. Thanks for sharing your inspiring story, and best of luck to you as you head into MAINTENANCE! :-)

Thank you for your inspiring post. Your journey has been incredible, and it gives me a renewed sense of motivation just when I needed it!!!! Wishing you continued success!

This is such an amazing post, Congratulations!!

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, what an inspiration!