Friends-

Today, I Celebrate one of my biggest moments of bravery. I celebrate agreeing to be wheeled into surgery despite a healthy dose of fear of both complications and the unknown. I had no idea how I'd cope in life without the crutch of food and failure. I wasn't excited about surgery and possibilities. I was simply scared and resolved. Now, I live a life I truly wasn't sure I'd ever get to enjoy. Life is good. So good.

I have been incredibly blessed on this journey. My approval process was relatively painless. It only involved four months of supervised diet. I didn't even have to do a liquid diet leading up to surgery. My only real complication was a very minor infection on one of my incisions. A round of antibiotics and I was fine.

My biggest memories of life following surgery were trying to figure out how to live without food as a focus and exhaustion. I wasn't hungry but still felt a need to eat but couldn't. I worked hard in therapy to be ready for this yet I wasn't. On top of that, I remember being absolutely exhausted until week 5. My other biggest memory is when I lost about 50 lbs. and realized that I no longer hurt. I had been overweight so long that I simply accepted pain as a part of life. To wake up one day and comprehend than general life no longer hurt left me giddy.

Since surgery, I have dropped 112 pounds, 12 inches (literally a foot!) off my waist, and 6 dress sizes (from 24/26 to 12/14). I have found a passion for running that culminated in running a half-marathon in January. I found the confidence to apply for a dream job that came with a crazy raise and got the job! I've found pride in myself and my appearance. I've become more than what I eat and how I look.

I haven't been the most well-behaved sleever. I feel I should share that in the interest of honesty. When I got the crazy, awesome promotion I started making some poor choices. I have yet to gain weight but I am in the world's longest stall due to poor food choices and a lack of focus on diet. I haven't lost a pound since December. I recognize that I haven't lost the last thirty pounds because of my less than ideal food choices but I am okay with this for now. I know that I will soon be ready to lose the last thirty and I will focus and finish what I started. My goal is to be at or under 175 by 18 months. I feel this is very doable. However, I recognize that this is my journey and I will finish it when it is right for me. Right now, I am enjoying the ride and life in general.

I would like to take a moment to thank all of you for your constant support, opinions and advice. I've found this forum and the people it consists of a lifeline on more than one occasion. Bless you all!

Of course, a surgiversary post isn't complete without photos!

PS- I swear I am not a big drinker... it just happens that pics normally occur when I'm drinking.

Thanks for your awesome post. I am very excited about my surgery but I am so afraid of failure too. I'm afraid that I'll be one of those who lose a bunch of weight but learns nothing and gains it all back. I don't want to be that person. But I have to face the fact that I LOVE to eat. I can't imagine myself stopping eating just because my stomach says I'm full, I haven't done that in YEARS. I always over eat and I love all the worst things to eat. I love anything fried, anything smothered with gravy. I don't know how I will stop myself or even how this surgery will stop me from doing these things. Reading your story does help me though as I realize that I will have stalls and even set backs but the important thing is to just keep going.

Thanks!

Faddisc-

I often post that the only way I have been successful is through counseling to come to terms with my over eating and emotional eating. If counseling is within you means, I highly recommend it. I found a great therapist that my insurance covered and saw her for about a year. With her help, I finally feel free if food. Feel free to pm me if you're interested in this approach or have more questions.

Amanda

Beautiful job! So very proud for youyay

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Congratulations on your success! Your story is so inspiring to me. I am having sleeve surgery on April 11 and my current weight is 317. Your weight loss goal is the same as mine (175 lbs). It is so encouraging to see someone who has already accomplished what I desire to do. It lets me know it is possible for me to lose that amount of weight (100+).

Congratulations on your one year anniversary! You did a beautiful job putting your thoughts to words. I love how honest you are and also how you keep a healthy attitude about it. It's not a race and you are being kind to yourself by giving yourself permission to finish your journey when you are ready. You look amazing. We're all celebrating with you!

Happy surgiversary , it’s amazing what a difference a year can make congratulations and what an inspiration you are to all of us under a year!

Congratulations, thank you for sharing with all of us. Very inspirational story!