One year ago today I started my new life. I underwent gastric bypass surgery and began my journey to where I am today. Life for me prior to surgery was not pretty.... -I weighed 292 pounds and wore a size 24 pants and XXL t-shirt. -My back hurt -(alot!!)- and all of the time. -I had constant heartburn. -By the end of the day, I could hardly walk from my car to my front door because my feet hurt so bad (plantar fasciitis). -I lived on Advil and Aleve. -I was always tired. -I was always sweating - even in the middle of the winter. -I had high blood pressure. -I had borderline diabetes. -I was sick all of the time. -I never wanted to go anywhere or do anything. -I was afraid of what people thought of me. -I was so unhappy with life in general. What a difference one year makes.... -I now weigh 167 pounds (7 to goal)and wear a size 10 or 12 pants and a medium or large t-shirt. -My back very rarely (if ever) hurts. -Heartburn was eliminated during surgery (they fixed my hiatal hernia). -My feet do not hurt anymore at all. -Very rarely do I ever take even Tylenol. -My energy is generally very good. I do not tire easily at all anymore. -I am cold all of the time - what a switch!! -Blood pressure is normal, and my sugar levels are perfect. -I have not been sick since one year ago in November. -You can't keep me at home now. -While peoples opinions of me do matter, my opinion of myself matters much more. -I am happier than I have been in years! To have this surgery was a blessing for me. I know that there are people out there that have had alot of problems, and I truly do feel so bad for them, but for me, this surgery has saved my life. I have gained so much that I did not even realize I was missing. I have gotten my quality of life back. For that, I will always be thankful, and I will always be grateful. Jessica P. LapRnY 12/08/03 (292/167/160)

Hi Candice, At this point in time, we can usually eat pretty much any variety of food. For me, it is a lot of veggies, a little fresh fruit, my protein, usually chicken or fish, very little beef, and some pork, if it's very lean. I eat only whole grain bread, and not much of that, Triscuits, and indulge, probably too much, in sugar free chocolate after lunch or dinner. I try to keep my calories around 1100, shooting for 1000 or less. I exercise mostly on the weekends, with some weight training and scrunches during the week. My weight is stable at around 198, making my loss about 101lbs, with 6 dress sizes gone, sometimes 7, depending on the cut. I eat 3 meals with one small pm snack and do ok. And I take a multi vitamin every day. Hope that helps. Nona

Especially for you, Diane. Keep good thoughts. My prayers are with you. Nona

Hi Jesi, Sorry to hear you have sickies in your house. My Joe brought home a cold and now I have the sniffles. As for lighting a candle? That might be explosive Nona

Happy One Year Nona!....you've done a great job this past year it has been quite a journey for all of us. Here's to the next year and the rest of your life feeling healthier and happier Diane