CONGRATS on your one year and the great weight loss...!!!..I am one year as well, and i agree, it can only get better from here. As far as the self esteem issues, I am like you. I still see 300 lbs when I look in the mirror..and dont notice the change like I should sometimes. All I can tell you is what I tell myself, keep your chin up..YOU are beautiful!! And looking at your picture, you are. This is going to be new for all of us..and to realize that we arent the same person on the outside, just the inside..If you ever need anything, feel free to emai me.......Big Hugs.....Michelle Chapman Open RNY 01-10-2003 295/179/150

I'm celebrating my one year anniversary today and what a difference in a year. It hasn't been all easy as everyone knows. I was one of the lucky ones that have had no complications. Was on 11 prescription medications daily and now am on 3. I'm down 107 pounds and hope to take off 15 more. Cannot remember ever only having 15 pounds to take off. I started off at a size 3X and am now easing into a size 12. My year has gone by quickly and besides losing half of me I also lost my mother. She was my best friend and biggest supporter and I'm thankful that she did see me after I had lost most of the weight, but am struggling daily with her loss. Some of the things I so enjoy doing now are crossing my legs for one. That had been a goal of mine. I love clothes and shopping but I'm almost overwhelmed now when I go into a store and I can actually choose from all of the clothes rather than a few racks. I didn't anticipate losing in my feet but have gone down 1/2 shoe size. One of my greatest joys is being able to have my grandchildren pile up on my lap and actually have a nice roomy one for them to fit on. I'm thinking about a TT. Wish I could have a body lift (I look alittle droopy!!!!) but I guess at 56 I'm not looking for perfection just improvement. I'm still very strict with my diet and count calories and protein still. I'm so afraid of falling back into old practices. I don't eat hardly any sugar and actually it does make me nauseated if I eat even alittle sugar or fat. My weight loss is very slow now. I go for weeks without a loss and then maybe one week I'll drop 3 pounds. I go back for my year checkup with my surgeon (Dr. Poplawski of Ypsilanti) in a couple weeks. He has been just wonderful. I can't thank him enough for the job that he does. For all of you that I'm sharing this journey with I hope yours has been as amazing as mine. For those who are just beginning, I wish you luck. If you get past the first week after surgery things improve daily from there. My advice would be to follow your regimen to the letter and jus****ch the pounds disappear. I've kept a food diary all through this, and for me, that has been a tremendous help. After reading the first issue of ObesityHelp.Com I began counting calories and trying to keep them around 1000 a day. This website is also a tremendous help to find information. I wouldn't go out and tell people to have the surgery because it has got many risks to it, but for me I would do it again in a second to reach the rewards I'm now experiencing. Happy Anniversary to all!

I'm one year post-op and have recently reentered the dating scene since my surgery. For the ladies out there, how do you deal with eating out on a date? I'm worried about my date commenting about how little I eat, etc. Especially if I'm not comfortable enough with him to tell him about my surgery. I'm also feeling insecure with my body with the loose skin, etc. Any comments or sharing of experiences would be much appreciated. Thanks! Janice

It has been one year and a day for me and 135lbs along with 20yrs off my appearance and added to my lifetime. I have pretty much stopped losing weight at this point and now I am beginning to worry about putting some back on. I have talked to too many others who have done just that. I am so happy that I had the surgery done and wish I had done it sooner. I am off of all the medications I was taking a year ago for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc, 9 pills a day, and even my glaucoma is gone and I don't have to use the eye drops anymore. I bought a new (used) 2004 convertible as an extra reward for myself and it feels great! I went from a 54 waist to size 38 and 3X to a comfortable Large. Even wearing medium underwear for the first time in over 30 years. I am able to eat more now and really enjoy a meal out, usually still sharing a meal with my wife. Bread and rice is still a problem, but I don't miss them much. I had my first drink at New Year's, (half shot) and another one at a party recently while in a hot tub in zero degree weather. Didn't really miss drinking much either. Now that we are through the holidays, I hope to lose a few more pounds and exercise more than I have lately. Hope everyone out there is having a Happy New Year, I'm Happy to be having one at all. Terry Mella

hi, its been a year, lost 85#'s..doing well.......