Today is my one year surgiversary! One year of my new life. It has gone so fast, seemingly in the blink of an eye. I have gone from 245 pounds to 133 pounds - 112 pounds gone!

At my 6 week check-up at my surgeon's office, one of the women working there said when they see me for my one year check-up, they wouldn't be able to recognize me. I didn't really believe it, still harboring fears I would fail, like all my other weightloss attempts. I wanted to believe her, but I didn't. I do now!

I have come to some realizations about myself during this journey:

• While I always felt I had self-esteem, I now realize it was for my abilties rather than for really liking myself. I had actually rather loathed mysef and what I had become.
  
• As with any other addiction, you have to hit bottom before accepting help. I have often wished the sleeve had been available 20 years ago so I could have done this in my 30's instead of my 50's. But even if it had been available, I may not have done it, as I probably wasn't ready for it - hadn't gotten low enough yet.
  
• Setting goals is important to success. Whether is is those 5 lb increments, or exercise, or anything else in life. As we reach those goals and set new ones to reach for, we begin to feel like we are being successful and feel better about ourselves.
  
• i had forgotten just how much fun clothes shopping could be!!! As I got into regular sizes and the clothes got a whole lot cuter, I actually started caring about what I looked like. Started playing with make-up again too.
  
• I learned it was okay to shop at thrift stores. Actually, it was rather essential as I have had to replace my wardrobe twice.
  
• My kids and family have been behind me 200% of the time. Couldn't have done it without them. We were looking at my pictures from a year ago and from tonight, and one of my sons said he didn't think I was bad a year ago, until he looked at the pictures and saw the complete difference.
  
• I still have a hard time exercising due to nerve damage in my feet and a recent surgery that set me back. But I have learned to add activity to my every day life - taking the stairs, parking at the end of the parking lot, dancing to music while I fix dinner. I still aim to do more, but I don't beat myself up over it.
  

I am incredibly grateful that this surgery is now available. While it is only a tool in our weightloss, it is a mightly powerful tool!

I am looking forward to the rest of my life!!

WOOOHOOOO congrates, I cant wait to be were you are at. I had my surgery on 12/27/13 right now seems like a year is so far away but I know it will be here soon enough I cant wait to see were I am at by then,

Great Job

What a wonderful story! Congrats on all the hard work, it is amazing what you have accomplished in a year! I am six months out and know this is the best thing I have ever done!

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That's awesome! Thanks for posting this. I'm four months out and haven't lost anything in over a month. Sometimes I wonder if this will fail too. I especially like how you said to have goals. I'm going to start that and get my butt in gear! Congrats on your success and I can't wait to be where you are.

Congrats to you!

I look forward to a similar post in 51 weeks!

You are an inspiration!

Wow thank u for that! I'm one week out and really helped me!!!

That's awesome! Thanks for posting this. I'm four months out and haven't lost anything in over a month. Sometimes I wonder if this will fail too. I especially like how you said to have goals. I'm going to start that and get my butt in gear! Congrats on your success and I can't wait to be where you are.

Man a month its been a week for me of not losing and I am getting frustraded I hope I dont go a month. I am heading into my fourth month

Congratulations and thanks for sharing. I like the different things you have learned and I believe we all have a learning journey ahead of us, in many ways just like you. I am only two weeks out and it is very encouraging to see others progress. Continued success to you.

Man a month its been a week for me of not losing and I am getting frustraded I hope I dont go a month. I am heading into my fourth month

It is so frustrating! I have absolutely no desire to even step on the scale anymore! Haha. But I've lost 54 pounds in 4 months so I'm not complaining. I just need to step it up a notch!

Yeah same here people are telling me they can see a diff I am down 55 so I happy with that just would like more lol

Such a wonderful story, thanks for sharing.

Thank you for sharing! Your story is very inspirational! I'm 56 and was afraid I wouldn't be able to lose... I see now there is hope. Congratulations!