It was this day exactly one year ago 8/31/15, that I laid on the table and woke up as a brand new me. I have no regrets whatsoever and I would choose this again without a doubt. The journey hasn't been easy regardless of what some people think. This journey is 90% mental and only the strong survive. WLS is a tool, not a miracle worker. You will get out of it what you put into it. My SW was 349, today I float around 225. I went from a 28 to a 14. I loved to travel before even though I was embarrassed about my appearance. But NOW!!!! I almost can't stay off the airplane. I no longer have to pretend that my seatbelt is fastened while I ask the attendant for an extender. I have achieved so many milestones that may not mean much to others, but everything to me. I just had an Abdominoplasty and Brachioplasty a week ago, and I'm excited about that. My advise to anyone new at this is to be true to yourself. Do this for you, and be willing to put the work in. Don't go back to your old habits and coping mechanisms. Food is not your friend. Discover new hobbies and new ways to celebrate without food being the main attraction. I discovered cycling and i have met a whole new group of like minded individuals that push me to exercise more and achieve my goals. I didn't even know that I enjoyed riding bikes because it had been over 30 years since I did it. Establish some deal breakers and stick to them. For instance, soda pop is one of mine. I view it as poison and I will never drink it again in life. Only you know your triggers. I have an addiction to chocolate and when I picked that old habit back up post surgery, I knew it was trouble. I now have to. work like a drug addict everyday not to want it. I really wish I would have never invited it back into my life. Now it's my cross that I have to bear. Live your best life today because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. Eat to live and don't live to eat. Blessings

Happy Birthday and congratulations for all of your successes! You look gorgeous. Keep up the great work.

Congrats! You look new, happy and GORGEOUS! Continue doing what you are doing, because it's working and shows.

Happy birthday and congratulation on your successful weight loss, improved life and great efforts you have made!

90% mental - WLS is a tool not miracle worker

@@cslove

happy surgiversary

124 lbs gone

(don't look at me, i didn't take them LOL)

new activity you enjoy (bicycle riding)

new friends with same common interests

flying is physically, mentally no more problems

seat belt extender out the window!!

looking, feeling great - doesn't get better than that

dealing with your triggers (addictions) with certain foods is half the battle

look at all those NSV's

you just had two major plastic surgeries!!! wonderful

since you didn't say otherwise - you must be feeling pretty well

normal side effects of some temporary pain, discomfort

your transformation pics are great

keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, longer life

i know you will

kathy

congrats