This year was An awesome YEAR ...8 months post op. I went from a full ugly cry at the counter because chicken would not go down right after surgery ?? and grieving all the unhealthy food that I loved, to actually learning how to eat, loving my new body, eating with Intention and loving the the things I actually can eat. I have learned to cook foods that I enjoy and make it bariatric friendly. Who knew our food could taste that good! I had no idea I could continue to enjoy all the foods in a new way! Movement is an activity that I enjoy and aided in my rapid weight loss. I hope to continue to move, I hope to add new movement skills (hot yoga, rucking, boxing). What is your year ends review? What did you learn? Any setbacks? Anything you are looking forward to in the new year?

Edited December 31, 20241 yr by Mspretty86

Even though my surgery was in July 2023, due to all the complications I suffered, I only consider that my journey started in January 2024 and even then it was a struggle most days to just breath and get out of bed but I have been doing and feeling much better since around May/June this year after (what was hopefully) my final WLS related procedure. I now feel comfortable in myself and enjoy the lighter side of life.

Since the surgery I have lost almost as much weight as I now weigh (62kg/136lb/9.7st vs 58kg/127lb/9.1st lost) which amazes me, I didn't actually think it was possible to be this 'light'.

I didn't grieve food as I was just too exhausted most of the time to give it much thought so in a way I take that as a positive. I am trying my best to respect my new stomach in that I give it small yet good/nourishing food choices and allow myself the occasional treat and glasses of wine. I have enjoyed finding and trying out new recipes.

I took up aqua aerobics and pilates in February and used that to help build up my strength and then in October joined the gym which I love. I find it funny now how my body and brain tells me I need to get up and walk, and I obey, whereas in previous years I would have just ignored the notion and stayed on the sofa. I love the feeling of wanting to move and then being able to move, not restricted by the weight.

I also see in myself how I am changing, pre-op if I had a set-back or upsetting day I would usually sit on the sofa for hours/days and drink and eat on repeat but now I think it out, do an activity etc to get through - for example a couple of weeks ago my beloved cat of 16yrs had to go to sleep and it was so upsetting for me (and still is) and in times gone by I would have stayed in bed or on the sofa with a bottle (or three) of wine, popcorn, chocolate etc but this time I scrubbed clean the apartment one day, sorted somethings out for donations another day, went to the gym and just focused on the movements, went for walks. I just hope that I can keep up this sensible me for the years to come!

In the last year I have learned to listen to myself, take care of myself and not take sh*t from anybody and I intend to keep that up for 2025. Also for 2025 I look forward to continuing as I am doing now; mindful eating, exercise and enjoying life.

Happy New Year everyone ?

36 minutes ago, FifiLux said:

Even though my surgery was in July 2023, due to all the complications I suffered, I only consider that my journey started in January 2024 and even then it was a struggle most days to just breath and get out of bed but I have been doing and feeling much better since around May/June this year after (what was hopefully) my final WLS related procedure. I now feel comfortable in myself and enjoy the lighter side of life.

Since the surgery I have lost almost as much weight as I now weigh (62kg/136lb/9.7st vs 58kg/127lb/9.1st lost) which amazes me, I didn't actually think it was possible to be this 'light'.

I didn't grieve food as I was just too exhausted most of the time to give it much thought so in a way I take that as a positive. I am trying my best to respect my new stomach in that I give it small yet good/nourishing food choices and allow myself the occasional treat and glasses of wine. I have enjoyed finding and trying out new recipes.

I took up aqua aerobics and pilates in February and used that to help build up my strength and then in October joined the gym which I love. I find it funny now how my body and brain tells me I need to get up and walk, and I obey, whereas in previous years I would have just ignored the notion and stayed on the sofa. I love the feeling of wanting to move and then being able to move, not restricted by the weight.

I also see in myself how I am changing, pre-op if I had a set-back or upsetting day I would usually sit on the sofa for hours/days and drink and eat on repeat but now I think it out, do an activity etc to get through - for example a couple of weeks ago my beloved cat of 16yrs had to go to sleep and it was so upsetting for me (and still is) and in times gone by I would have stayed in bed or on the sofa with a bottle (or three) of wine, popcorn, chocolate etc but this time I scrubbed clean the apartment one day, sorted somethings out for donations another day, went to the gym and just focused on the movements, went for walks. I just hope that I can keep up this sensible me for the years to come!

In the last year I have learned to listen to myself, take care of myself and not take sh*t from anybody and I intend to keep that up for 2025. Also for 2025 I look forward to continuing as I am doing now; mindful eating, exercise and enjoying life.

Happy New Year everyone ?

I am so happy to here that you are doing so much better now. You really did have a tough start. You sound as if you have happiness and joy coming out of your words. So happy for you x Happy new year x

@FifiLux I got teary eyed during this read! I love it, it's such a Joy! I hope we both continue to be active in the bariatric community and would love to hear your new adventures in the upcoming new year and years to come. The disease of obesity is lifelong so many ups and downs. We got this!

20 minutes ago, Mspretty86 said:

@FifiLux I got teary eyed during this read! I love it, it's such a Joy! I hope we both continue to be active in the bariatric community and would love to hear your new adventures in the upcoming new year and years to come. The disease of obesity is lifelong so many ups and downs. We got this!

We all have done great this year and by being on this forum and the conversations in the topics we all do such great work supporting and motivating each other, I would have been lost without it and everyone

I hope everyone is kinder to themselves in 2025 and recognises that WLS is a lifelong journey and a tool to help us and that even when we make a misstep, such as panicking that we ate too much or didn't exercise enough, we need to see it for what it is, a blip, and we are still even with the blip most likely in a better place than pre-op.

Well done to all of us, as you say @Mspretty86 we got this!

I'm almost 3 months post op and gone from a UK24 to size UK16. I haven't been that weight in years. This time last year, I never would have even thought it was possible. This time 6 months ago when I was approved for surgery, I never even thought any of this would be possible! My knees hurt less when walking, although my butt hurts because I have less padding, so sometimes I actually prefer to stand. Never thought I would do that.

I do sometimes still grieve food but not for the reasons I thought. I grieve the way I used to be in some ways because my best friend and I would get together and eat and we don't really have that anymore. We are still trying to find other things we can do together. But also, sometimes I grieved I can't order a pizza or other takeaway anymore because I live alone and don't have anyone to share it with so to avoid wastage, I actually need to cook even if I'm too tired.

This year, I'm going to get my health on track and finally move out of London. I can't afford to live here anymore and I want a new start. Now that I know goals that seemed impossible are now achievable, I want to start new goals.

40 minutes ago, NeonRaven8919 said:

I'm almost 3 months post op and gone from a UK24 to size UK16. I haven't been that weight in years. This time last year, I never would have even thought it was possible. This time 6 months ago when I was approved for surgery, I never even thought any of this would be possible! My knees hurt less when walking, although my butt hurts because I have less padding, so sometimes I actually prefer to stand. Never thought I would do that.

I do sometimes still grieve food but not for the reasons I thought. I grieve the way I used to be in some ways because my best friend and I would get together and eat and we don't really have that anymore. We are still trying to find other things we can do together. But also, sometimes I grieved I can't order a pizza or other takeaway anymore because I live alone and don't have anyone to share it with so to avoid wastage, I actually need to cook even if I'm too tired.

This year, I'm going to get my health on track and finally move out of London. I can't afford to live here anymore and I want a new start. Now that I know goals that seemed impossible are now achievable, I want to start new goals.

Isn't it wonderful how loosing a ton of weight can give a person so much confidence. I love that about me too.

I promise the butt ache will dissipate eventually and fade away. Happy new year

Tomorrow will be a year since surgery, I've lost 62 lbs since the surgery, a total of 100 lbs since the beginning of the journey. This started for me with gastroparesis, hiatal hernia, and bile acid reflux with normal GERD. All of that is now better and other than a slight hiccup (hernia repair in November) I've done very well. Overall the first few weeks are still a blur, and life just got easier as the months passed. I continued to walk and work out, and the difference is amazing. My feet feel better, my back feels better. I have plantar fasciitis, and have had spinal fusion at 2 levels, so that is an incredible relief, the pain is much more manageable now. I used to get relief only from NSAIDs, now tylenol works well. My prediabetic situation is now gone, my A1C went from a 6 to a 5.2.

I've recently discovered I can have a bit of chocolate or regular cookies, any more than a bit and I'll have sweating, nausea, etc. It's not that bad for me, but not pleasant which is actually helpful. I can eat anything I want to, but I don't feel driven to eat the things I know I shouldn't eat. Head hunger is a thing but I deal with it by eating protein and if it doesn't taste good, I'm not physically hungry. Not to say I haven't had a few slippery slope moments, I have, but it's much easier to get back into the good habits now that I've been doing it for a year.

I just feel like myself again, physically I feel normal again, and that is life altering. I wear stupid cute clothes, mostly thrifted because I didn't know where I would land, but I think I'm there now. I loved trying different styles and colors from what I've been wearing, and now I'm back to my style, just different sizes. I wear softer colors, loose and comfortable styles, and I just feel good.

I have to say that this site, and the people on here that take the time to answer questions and discuss the experience has been extremely helpful, so thank you!!!!

Happy New Year everyone!

I reached my goal weight in 2024 and I'm almost 2 years post surgery. While I still enjoy food, I'm happy that my life does not fully revolve around food. I'm happy to move more and make better food choices because it makes me FEEL better. My health was on the decline due to my obesity. Now I'm healthy and living my best life.

22 hours ago, NeonRaven8919 said:

I'm almost 3 months post op and gone from a UK24 to size UK16. I haven't been that weight in years. This time last year, I never would have even thought it was possible. This time 6 months ago when I was approved for surgery, I never even thought any of this would be possible! My knees hurt less when walking, although my butt hurts because I have less padding, so sometimes I actually prefer to stand. Never thought I would do that.

I do sometimes still grieve food but not for the reasons I thought. I grieve the way I used to be in some ways because my best friend and I would get together and eat and we don't really have that anymore. We are still trying to find other things we can do together. But also, sometimes I grieved I can't order a pizza or other takeaway anymore because I live alone and don't have anyone to share it with so to avoid wastage, I actually need to cook even if I'm too tired.

This year, I'm going to get my health on track and finally move out of London. I can't afford to live here anymore and I want a new start. Now that I know goals that seemed impossible are now achievable, I want to start new goals.

Major Win! Feels good to be on the lighter side! So glade you are enjoying and embracing the new you. Happy For your new beginnings hope you find a place to live that you enjoy!