ONE YEAR SURGIVERSARY!!!

HOly Crap, it's been a year already! I brought out my pics I took the night before surgery last year, and most people I showed them too couldn't even believe it was me! So much has happened, good, bad, and amazing in one year. The bad of course was the complications and second surgery, the death of my dog Angel, and the flooding of my home. The good was I no longer have IBS, depression, GERD, Hypertension, Prediabetes, or sleep apnea or joint pain. The amazing is: I went from 270 pounds to 145 I went from 24W pants and 3XL shirts to 4-6 pants, and S/M shirts I went from being invisible, to getting hit on, getting drinks bought, and having my husband brag about his hot wife.  I went from walking a few blocks and not being able to catch my breath, to walking 1 3/4 miles in 20 min and not even being winded.  I went from having very low self esteem, not feeling confident enough to speak up, and trying to hide behind my "fat" to feeling confident enough to speak up, showing off my "skinny" look, and being willing to try new things. MY DAUGHTER IS PROUD OF ME!!!!!! Possibly the best benefit of all. I went from being afraid of death, to realizing that there is something after this life, we do get to see our loved ones when we go, and feeling at peace about where my cousin is.  I got an amazing tattoo to commemorate my experience which I will post pics of soon!

WHAT AN AMAZING JOURNEY!! I would do this surgery all over again, even knowing that the bad parts would happen, because look at all the good things that have happened, plus I got to meet each and every one of you!!

Oh Nikki!!! I am crying my eyes out just reading your post!!! I am so blessed to have gotten to meet you and have you in my life!!! I am so very proud of you and all of your accomplishments!!! You are my role model, did you know that?

You are a gift in my life...

Can't wait to see you again, bowling tonight?

(((HUGS)))

CarolN

Carol,  Just pm'd you for directions, myself and a friend will be there tonight, can't wait!!!

Nicole, Congrat's on 1 year.......You have done so well......And have so much to be proud of...... The confidence we get is such a wonderful liberating feeling........... Congrat's on being Happy & Healthy...Here's to you. Make sure you do something for yourself as a reward for such an awesome job. Kelly

Thank you for the toast! I am actually going to go bowling with some surgery sisters tonight to celebrate, then out dancing in my new halter top tomorrow night with some girl friends! We all need to remember to celebrate the "losses" because we have all worked really hard to obtain them, and remember to encourage those who are preop and may be nervous about surgery, because it will be the best decision you ever make for your family and yourself.

Hello Nicole......

Congratulations and Happy 1 Year Surgiversary!! You are quite the little HOTTIE!!  Such a beautiful person inside and out. I hope to see you again sometime soon. I would love to chat and catch up on things. I miss you. I am so happy for you.....you have fought hard and won!! You are a shining example of that!! Love and hugs......connie d

Thank you so much for the compliment Connie, it was really hard at first to accept compliments after surgery. For so long, I felt like people were just saying things to be "nice" and it made me embarrassed. Now I realize that we all deserve the compliments and people really do mean them! You have done amazing even with your set back at the begining as well. Your one year is coming up as well, I can't wait to see your reflection back on the past year, it has been one heck of a ride!!

What a great year! Just goes to show it is all worth it!!

YOU have been on a roller coaster ride, girl.  Look how good you are doing now on the other side of it all?  Can you imagine going through all the non-surgery-related trials if you were still hauling your former bulk around?   Life changing, it is.  Can't wait to see your tat!!!

Wow that really put it into perspective Darla! I hadn't even thought about what a challenge it would have been to deal with the house and all the stress AND be heavy and have the physical ailments that went with it. Thank you for adding yet another reason to my list of why I love the benefits of this surgery, not to mention the wonderful insight the people on this board provide! Thank you!