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Well VST, here it is. I thought I would have so much more to write about when it came to and I probably do, but I want to go out and enjoy life its a beautiful day. My one year surgiversary is tomorrow. I couldn’t have imagined what life would be like a year from then and now that I am here today, I still can't believe where I was and where I am now. There are so many things that have changed for the good and a realization of so many things in my life that have come clear. The ride was fun, it wasn't always easy, it’s the best thing I have done for myself yet, it still takes work every day, and I wouldn't ever change my decision to have surgery. A of the simple things that have changed in my life:

*I can walk up a flight of stairs (and choose to now) without losing my breath

*I can jog nearly 3 miles

*I don't have a debate with myself whether I should get down on the floor to play with my niece because I can't get back up without some help of something to push off of (soon to have a nephew in just a few days!)

* I can shop in the regular section of all the clothing stores; Lost over 10 dress sizes and a shoe size

*I can see each side of a chair, noticed this in my car

*Seat belts fit without pulling them all the way out, haven't been on a plane since surgery, but I almost needed an extender on the flight I tightly squeezed it over my legs. Today I am sure that wouldn't be the case

*I have found a new love for cooking, gardening, and exercise

* I can see the pendant on my necklace that now hangs 2 or more inches lower

* I have lost 93 lbs AND counting, over 76 inches off my body (10 spots)

**I feel beautiful, healthy, and happy! I am ready for the future!

*** I feel normal; I have respect for myself and now so do others

This is a journey and this is only the beginning of the rest of my life. I still feel like I have more work to go to reach my own personal goals, but in my heart I felt (didn't believe) and in the eyes of my boyfriend and close friends I was always a winner. Now I can truthfully say I believe them and myself.

Thank you to my surgeon Dr. Ramos Kelly and to my wonderful coordinator Christi Beardon for making the process so simple. I want to also thank this site and the many of you that are a part of it that share your stories. I couldn't have done this without your support. Thank You!

Please feel free to check out my blog it has all my stats if you’re interested. Plus I have a gallery full of pictures from before all the way through to now. Here are a few. They are still shocking to me.

This was February 2011, 3 months before surgery

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Before in San Diego exactly one year from today

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Two days after surgery, shopping in Tijuana

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Now....

11 Months

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First ever swimsuit without boy shorts

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Two Dresses I would have never worn before; well I've never worn a lot now I have a dozen

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Congrats!!! Way to go!!!

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Awsome!! You look very happy.... Great job

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Fabulous!

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Nichelle, congratulations on your year surgiversary... you've done a great job and you look great! I bet you feel it too... =]

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Amazing! Great job working that sleeve!! :)

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SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! YOU LOOK AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would have never guessed that was you in the before picture! Wow! WAY TO GO! CELEBRATE!

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Congrats, you look fabulous!

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Congratulations! Truly inspiring!

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  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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