Woohoo! One year down and many more to come, thanks to WLS!

Well it is my one year surgiversary today. I've thought about this so much. My life has transformed. For my work, I've been reading "Managing At the Speed of Change." It is all about how to present change to organization. How we all have a certain number of assimilation points, so we can't take on too many changes at once. We are going through some tremendous changes at my job. I'm on the committees that come up with the changes, then I manage the programmers to make them happen. But, when I read the book, I can't help but think how all these same concepts apply to me and weight loss surgery! This has been relatively "easy" for me and so very hard for some patients. I think the reason is that I prepared so thoroughly for the worst. I didn't have the feeling that this was magic. I never felt like a victim. I'm slowly losing now, still have at least 40 lbs to get to my goal and fear I may not make it. But, if I don't it will be my own fault. I do believe my role my future success with this and my health is critical! I hope I'm not coming off as preachy...this has been quite the mental ride for me. I so appreciate you all. Everything I've learned from you and all the support you have given me! Here's my survey question answers: You can answer now or just cut and paste it and answer on your surgiversary, your choice. I'll try to post it once a week on Mondays. 1. Surgery date/type of surgery: May 23, 2005/Lap RNY 2. Highest weight/date:384/Feb 2005 3. Starting weight/BMI: 364/57.1 4. Starting clothing size/shoe size:30/32/11 WWW 5. Current weight/BMI:239/35.1 6. Current clothing size/shoe size:18/20/11 med 7. Pounds/inches lost: 145 lbs lost, not sure of total inches. 8. Goal weight/BMI: 199 9. Pounds to goal weight: 40 10. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery: GERD, high blood pressure, arthritic knees (not resolved, but so much better!) high cholesterol 11. First wow moment after surgery: Not sure, probably when I fit into my first airline seat. I've had to buy 2 seats for 15 years. 12. Best overall wow moment after surgery: Realizing I can actually walk 5 miles! 13. Most recent wow moment after surgery: Fitting into clothes that I never thought possible. 14. Things that you can do now that you couldn't a year ago: fit into one airline seat without a seat belt extender, sit in restaurant booths comfortably, and all the exercise I do...I continually amaze myself. 15. Things that you never thought you'd be doing that you are doing now: become addicted to exercise. 16. Things that you want to do in the future now that you are able: I hope to take alot of mountain hikes this summer. 17. What did you wish that you knew before surgery that you know now? I can't really think of anything, as I was super prepared. 18. What has surprised you the most since your surgery? That my appetite would come back like this. 19. Do you have any regrets since your surgery?I wish I would never have allowed myself any simple carbs. 20. Any things that you wish you would have done differently during your post-op journey? same answer as above. 21. Besides the change in size, what other changes have you seen in yourself? Are the changes for the good or bad? I walk around smiling. I have always been very outgoing and confident, but, this is even more so now. I don't worry that I might not be able to physically handle things ahead of time. 22. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? eating a diet of superfoods 23. What has been the hardest thing since surgery? not snacking on simple carbs 24. What remains a struggle for you? same as above 25. Do you drink with meals? a little 26. Do you drink carbonated beverages? not at all 27. Do you drink alcohol? not really. 28. Do you intake protein supplements? If so, how much per day. I eat 1/2 of a protein bar every morning before going to the gym. 29. How has the surgery effected your relationship with spouse or significant other? N/A, my 9 cats love me the same, there is just less of me to sit on now! 30. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your family? They are proud of me. 31. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your friends? I think everyone is proud of me. I'm much happier, so that always improves relationships. 32. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your coworkers? I feel much better so I act much better. 33. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? You must exercise and watch what you eat the rest of your life, so get used to that. "Weight Loss Surgery is not a get our of diet and exercise jail free card." 34. What is your favorite forum on OH? (Hint, hint) I love the Maysters. I also love the "BMI Over 50" board. We all started out as super morbidly obese. Some of our challenges have been different. 35. Who has inspired you in your journey the most? Is it someone who know who has had the surgery? Is it someone's profile that you track? Is it someone from your local support group? I'm very inspired by so many of you on this forum and on the other forum. I feel so fortunate to have you all in my life and on this journey! THANKS! Big Hugs, Lori 384/239/199

Congratulations Lori! You seemed to have always stayed positive and focused throughout this year. You have worked hard and it has, and will continue to pay off. Here's to you! Carol

Thanks Carol! It took me 5 years to "give into" having WLS. I didn't want to do it because I was too afraid I would fail even at this. My health deteriorated so much that it truly became a last resort. I constantly remind myself of why I did this to begin with and keep pressing on, even though it is hard at times! Lori

awesome job lori! keep up the good work! Many hugs! Marla

Thanks Marla!

Congratulations Lori, You are a consistant support and encouragement to all of us Mayers. Thankyou. Many times you lead by example putting one foot in front of the other doing the next right thing...it has more than once nudged me out of my inertia. You have lost such a huge amount of weight and are so faithfully pressing on. I admire your dedication and committment to exercise daily. So just by your presence, humble and quiet it has urged us to also press on to our goals and to the reality that this is for life...for the long haul. Day by day making wise choices. Picking ourselves up and dusting our fanny off when we fall down and climb back up into the saddle and ride again. One day at a time. Bless ya, Mary P.S. Sorry I'm late

Mary, Thanks so much! If I'm helping anyone else in anyway in this journey, it makes me very happy! This is tougher than folks think and we need to band together to do this! Keep on keeping on! Lori