It's been a while since I posted anything so I thought I would send a quick update. Surgery was 12/13/12 and as of this morning I'm at 119 lbs. (I'm 4 '11 & 1/2 start weight was 246) I can't believe how fast this year has gone by and how much my life has changed. I am truly a participant in life and no longer a spectator. I am proud of how I look, I am confident and healthy. I jump on trampolines with my kids, dance like nobody is watching and run to the car when it's rainy. All things I would have never done a year ago. I've learned so much about who I am and, yes, I'm sorry to say I've learned a lot about who other people are too. In a lot of ways it makes me sad to come to the realization that how you look has such a big impact on how people treat you and even how you treat yourself but I'M HAPPY. Not that "overcompensating funny fat girl happy" but TRULY happy. Today is my 39th Birthday and I remember last year thinking it would be my last fat birthday and I'm happy it was. I am forever grateful for this past year, my incredible surgeon and team at Northwest Weightloss and the support of all of you. As I've heard thousands of times my only regret is I didn't do this sooner. As a wife and Mommy of 5 with a career I never took time to take care of me. THIS I DID FOR ME and I am so glad I did.

What great success! Congrats and thanks for sharing your story!

Meant to post this one.

Wow! You are absolutely gorgeous. And you sound absolutely fulfilled.

Thanks for sharing your pix and story.

Ann

Wow, Stephanie -- you, too.

Great job, you ladies.

Ann

Wow! So inspiring and you look absolutely beautiful. Congratulations!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So happy for you and your new life!!!!!!!

Great job!!

Congrats and a very Happy Birthday!

Stephannie, I teared up while reading this...CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I'm so happy for you and I can't to fee the same way:)

Congratulations, you look amazing, so happy for your success!

This really hit me: "Today is my 39th Birthday and I remember last year thinking it would be my last fat birthday."

Last June, when I turned 60 I thought to myself, this will hopefully be my last fat birthday. You have made me believe that I too will be skinny on my next birthday. Thank you for your inspiration.

Thanks for sharing and Happy Birthday!!! You look wonderful and I know feel so much better!!

Happy Birthday! You have accomplished your goal!

<p>This really hit me: "Today is my 39th Birthday and I remember last year thinking it would be my last fat birthday."</p> <p> </p> <p>Last June, when I turned 60 I thought to myself, this will hopefully be my last fat birthday. You have made me believe that I too will be skinny on my next birthday. Thank you for your inspiration.</p>

Hang in there, my friend. I surely would have never thought this would be me but ITS ME!! If I can do this so can you. Here's to YOU and your next skinny bday!!!! Xoxo

THANK YOU EVERYONE! What an amazing journey. We all deserve to feel like this.

Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for sharing your story. Today is my day to be sleeved. Less than 12 hours from now I should be on the loser's bench. Yay. Your story was very reassuring, and reinforced my decision to do this. Thank you again.