One year down. A year in a life amounts to about 1.3% of the average expectancy. In the last year since surgery 10/10/2011 I’ve lost 80% of my excess weight. 151 pounds gone. With the 51 I lost before surgery this puts me over the 200 lost line and 48% of my total body weight. I have to let that sink in sometimes. Half of me is gone. The last time I weighed this amount was in 1980 when I was 18. That’s 64% of my life ago. I’m well on my way to the weight I last saw when I was in junior high school on my way up. At this point, I see no reason I shouldn’t make it.

What do all these numbers really mean? Well, for one, I feel young. So much more life than I’ve had for so many years. For another for the first time one of the in a long time I feel like I’m just a regular guy. Overweight? Sure. Older? Sure. But more like a young 51 rather than an ancient 50. And I’m heading in the right weight direction and in control. Perhaps like never before in my entire life. Every aspect of my world is better; especially my relationship with my wife. She loves me and supports me and I feel like a better man for her.

How about health? Diabetes – Gone. Blood pressure - soon to be totally off drugs (already down to ¼ of my old dose. Gout – seems to be gone (I’ve gone off allopurinol). Endurance – way up.

Some more numbers since surgery: 5x shirts to medium/large. Size 62 pants to size 38 (even fit into a size 36 but too tight to claim it for a while); 9 SCUBA dives in the last six weeks for the first time since 1993.

Nothing comes free though right? I mean, I can’t eat unlimited quantities. I can’t sit comfortably for 16 hours a day. I have to be diligent about what I eat. I have a lot of excess skin. When I start to feel sorry for myself (and I sometimes do for fleeting moments) I just DO something, or review my progress, or plan for my next adventure. How freaking cool is that.

I have learned that being with my friends is not just about great food (although I still go out and enjoy great food within my self imposed parameters). My new normal almost always feels OK. I also have new friends that I’ve met here and at my support group. That’s cool. I’m also planning more activities like learning to sail, riding horses, and mountain hiking. Lots to do and I can do it now or very soon. So much more hope and so many more possibilities.

I can’t wait to see what year 2 brings. What a great journey this has been.

Incredible! You look amazing! Congratulations on all your hard work and what you have accomplished in 1 short year!!

Congratulations to you! You look amazing! Loved your story. What an awesome journey this is! I will be 10 months post op on the 28th of this month. I've gone from 309lbs to 168lbs and a size 26/28 to a size 10. It's amazing all the things we can do now. I did a 5k for the first time ever a couple weeks ago and I couldn't believe how easy it was. Now I'm going to do a half marathon in April and eventually I want to do a full marathon.

You look absolutely amazing! Those photos are such an inspiration! I know you want to lose more (as I do) but looking at you in the "current" pictures you look like a regular sized guy - would have never guessed you have lost 200#!!!

I also love how you look at your weight losses - 80% of your excess in the first year is outstanding for a person who started with a high BMI!

Thanks for sharing your story and you should frame your photo montage of progress - and hold that up to your face everytime you are feeling a little blue - you are already a tremendous success in my book.

Wow!!! You look great! How does your new body feel?

You are quite an inspiration! Your transformation is amazing!

Not to take away from the amazing achievement of your loss but your joy is infectious & motivating to all the rest of us. Thank you for your post!!

BTW, congratulations!

OUTSTANDING! FABULOUS!! INSPIRATIONAL!! indeed. God is truly Amazing.

Yes God is amazing it takes a lot of faith to even think about the idea of surgery.

Very very encouraging! You have done great!

How awesome!! I am so encouraged by this! Seems like so many that do the sleeve are not nearly as heavy as I am and that had had me scared but I need to lose as much as you have and I have a better feeling that I can now do this!! My surgery is on Oct. 30, 2012! The day that changed my life!!

Just stick to the program and look ahead to your goal. Don't let any single day or weigh in get in your head. You can do this!! Good luck.

Wow!!! You look great! How does your new body feel?

It feels great Monique. I really feel like a new man. Sometimes I just want to break out in a run just because I can. My wife likes it too.

Amazing!

So motivating thank u for sharing u look amazing

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You give great hope to so many others and myself. Great effort and work.

Wow! That s all I can say . You look great.