1 year surgerversary!!!

I had surgery 2/15/2011. I was one month and ten days from my 31st bday. When I turned 30 I decided to lose the extra weight (and considering I'd been obese my entire life to me that meant 60 - 80 lbs I had gained at my most recent job.) and  started a workout regimen that eventually led to my developing sciatica. I was told I had to limit my physical activity, which hurt cause I love to dance. Alas, I work at the insurance company and my coworker (who might I add was much smaller than myself) encouraged me to check out weight loss surgery. "Just go to the seminar," she kept saying. I felt like I was cheating; like I couldn't do things the "right" way - but I eventually attended. This was the best move I ever could have made. I started out wanting gastric and after a discussion with the surgeon and some research, changed to the DS. I want to cry when I think of what I almost denied myself. As of 2/17/11, I went from 375.5lbs to 175lbs. I was always heavy and ALWAYS prideful; I was the fattest cheerleader, majorette. and flag captain in my middle and high school. I was the fattest receipient of the "Star Actress of the Year" award and was always the one fat girl guys would openly date. I always had to prove that I was worthy despite being big, so I wore my weight as a badge of honor. I relished every moment I could prove the skeptics wrong and show not ALL fat people were lazy, talentless, inflexible, etc. Now I walk in rooms and I am not an anomaly - I'm just a pretty girl - not the girl that's cute to be fat.  Its hard to reconcile that I am the same person - when I look in the mirror a stranger sometimes stares back - but I'm starting to like her:) It will take some time for me to get used to buying clothes that aren't sold in LaPetite (my nickname for Lane Bryant) and I have to forgive certain segments of people for trying to make it hard for me or hating me because I did things that should of been outside my scope when I was heavier. I am so grateful to my coworker and friend for not letting up and letting me know it was okay to do what was best for me. I get ready to celebrate my 32 b-day with the knowledge that the wish I have had forever, (" I will not be fat this time next year!) has finally come true
 before

after ( yeah I know - I was ALWAYS hot ;) )

You look fabulous!!!...Dr. Sudan will be doing my surgery too! I cant wait...you are an inspiration :) 

Thank you!!! Dr. Sudan is the best  - besides being the nicest guy in the world. Good luck on your journey!!

That is a really inspirational story,

Funny I said the same thing that year and plenty of years before that. Fortunately this year is my year, I am scheduled to have the DS on March 30, so now for my 35th birthday this year- I will be working through this dream that you have already accomplished. I love to see the stories of people who have been as big as I currently am achieving their goal with losing weight with this.

Hopefully I soon will have the same story. Are there any tips that you would give me to achieve the same type of success as you?

Congratulations!!!

Do what your doc tells you - especially taking your vitamins. Make sure to stay hydrated. Build up to working out how you used to (I was pretty active my whole life so this really side tracked me at first - going to the mailbox became an event - it was a month before I could walk my 80lb dog alone) prior to surgery. Don't force yourself to eat - if you are full just come back to it later.  That's about it - if I think of something else, I'll post it.

 
WOW, just wow!!!!!!!!!!  Thank you so much for sharing your story!!!!

Happy early BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!

Now that is a success story (and pictures)!  You look fabulous and I love your attitude and outlook on life.  Oh...and did I mention you look FABULOUS?!

My 35th birthday is in two days and the DS is my present to myself. I cannot tell you how much I relate to your story. The actress, singer, performer, funny girl...all me showing everyone that I could be awesome even at 347lbs. Now I just want to be awesome and healthy. DS is on April 26 and I am so excited to start the rest of my life as a thin awesome girl!

Aw! LOVE THIS!

And you're right you were gorgeous both ways but so healthy now! Wow 200lbs in a year! That's just amazing. No other surgery would do that.

Can't wait til I get closer to getting a date!
Brenda

 Wow! I hope I look half as hot as you when I hit my year surgiversary!