Wow where as the year gone? I had my surgery on August 1, 2012 and I wouldn’t change anything for the world. It has been by far the best decision of my life. My starting weight was 232 and now I am at 152. I have a new lease on life entirely. I have picked up running as my new hobby and to date I have participated in 4 – 5Ks, 1 – 8K and I am signed up for a 15K this Sunday and a ½ Marathon on Sept. 8^th.

I was a size 18/20 when I started and now I am a size 8/10 depending on the designer/manufacturer. I never thought I would ever fit into a size 8 in my life! I can now shop in all of the stores I was embarrassed to walk into because of my weight and knowing I couldn’t fit into any of the clothes. My shoe size and hat size has gone down as well. I used to wear an 8 1/2 shoe and now I’m either an 8 or 7 1/2 depending on the shoe.

The response I get from people even strangers is night and day. It is a shame in some aspects because I get more attention and better customer service as a thin person than when I did as a heavy person. Men also treat me a lot differently which is a shame… Sorry guys I am married and have the best husband in the world. He loves me for me even when I was 232 pounds.

My hair has thinned a lot. I used to have VERY thick blond hair. I had a hard time wrapping a pony tail holder around it twice. Now I have a tiny little pony tail and I can wrap the pony tail holder around 4 or more times. I like to look at the positive, I used to pay my stylist to thin it for me and now I don’t have to worry about that. It’s much cooler in the summer and personally easier to style in general.

I have experienced all of these things within the first year. It’s kind of crazy and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Lara

PS: I have attached a photo from my first race 5K. Yeah that's my sign on the marquee at Wrigley Field! Go Cubs!

Way to go!! Congrats to you!

Awesome job nd happy anniversary!! You look gr8 nd sound likes its been a blast:D I'm still on the hoop side of surgery, so prayerfully one day, I'll be able to add my story to urs. Uve done it:). And yes, its a shame how people begin treating u once ur skinny, but its their insecurities, not ours, nd they'll have to give an account of it one-day! You take care nd keep up the great work. Dee Dee

Wow!! that is awesome... you look great! I can't wait to start my journey!

Congrats!

Awesome! Congrats!!

Good for you !!!

CONGRATULATIONS! You have made the most of your life-changing choice! So happy for you!

pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

Congrats. You look great. So proud of you and your accomplishments. Go Cubs. I am inspired. My family went to see the cubs one week after my surgery and I missed out. Next year I will not. I hope to be as successful as you. Good luck Sunday.

Congrats!! It's nice to read positive results of post-op's and look forward to getting mine done next month. The running has me very interested as well and have started jogging myself. Of course, it will be a lot easier following some weight loss,

That's fantastic! I too started at 230 and want to be around 150 lbs so very inspiring to see your pics. Thanks for sharing. How much extra skin are you having to deal with?