Last year at this time I was about 2 weeks post-op. Some of my family didn't know I had weight loss surgery, so I pretended to be sick and stayed at home. I was cleared for a tiny bit of mashed potato and a little (well chewed) turkey. I remember thinking "What did I do to myself?" I felt sorry for myself.

The following 12 months was a whirlwind of emotion, hard work, giggles, tears, frustration, etc. If there was an emotion, I felt it.

Today, I ran a 5K to support our local food bank. A year ago, I would have never imagined I would run a 5K - OK, full disclosure, I ran and walked. A year ago I would have never imagined I would be addicted to hot yoga and I love to hike. I love being active.

So, for all you guys that are newly post-op or soon to be post-op - there is light at the end of the tunnel. You're going to struggle, you're going to feel high highs and low lows. But you will get thru this and you'll find out you're so much stronger than you thought you were. I finally realized I am so much more than a number on the scale.

Today I am thankful for this forum - it has helped me greatly over the past 15 months. I am thankful for the surgery that saved my life. I am thankful for my body that didn't give in even though I've abused it for decades.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, you guys! Take good care of yourselves.

Thank you for sharing! I am two weeks post-op today. I look forward to being where you are a year from now.

Thanks for sharing..i am set for 12-2-14...nerves are driving me mad!!

Thanks I needed this. Home today and now so happpy

Very inspirational thanks for sharing!

Thank you. I'm two weeks post op. I needed this.

Last year Thanksgiving I was two days post op and treated myself to diet cranberry juice watered down and some chicken broth. I was so happy this year that I could enjoy a normal Thanksgiving dinner...even if it was just 1 Tablespoon of every dish!

Your progress is amazing...keep it up!

I'm looking forward to next year. Lol.

What a difference a year makes...gobble, gobble.

@@McButterpants

hey bud

always wonderful to see your cutie self

you are doing so well, terrific

down 72 lbs and counting

keep up the good work

you said a mouthful above (get it? gobble, gobble, gobble mouthful (LOL)

Mc - you said " full disclosure, I ran and walked."

love it

your conscious has gone "up"?

while your weight continues to go down

nice of you to tell other possible sleevers et al how great this surgery is

then reminding newbies et al why they did this WLS, and it WILL be worth it at the end

even if they are experiencing one of those damnnnn stalls

i always thought it sounded so weird when people expressed their thankfulness for people on this board

but its true

having this board around has been great, invaluable for me

its great to hear peoples experience, their words of wisdom for all

but no one of you get a swollen head

thats another thing (your head) that will get "bigger" and you'll have to work on "loosing" it

i am soooo very thankful for the help with my weight loss and maintenance by my sleeve

it has stood by me through thick and thin

work with it, and it will work for/with you

as far as a year, and time in general

people don't be discourage if the weight doesn't melt off as quickly as you would like

as many say.... you didn't go to bed one night thin - and wake up being heavy

its not gonna happen the other way either

"God Grant Me Patience, Just Hurry Up About It "

kathy

Edited November 28, 201411 yr by proudgrammy

Great post, McButterpants. It's a lot of things, isn't it?

I am one week post-op today. Thanksgiving wasn't too too bad. I was surprised. I found that I just really enjoyed the experience of being with my family (and watching the Eagles win!) rather than focusing so much on the food or the drink. Interesting. I was fine on food but probably a little too active as I am sore today. This post was incredibly inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing.

Thanks. I will keep thinking about that light at the end of the tunnel ????