Celebrating my 6 Month Surgiversary!

I'm a little late, but the thoughts remain the same.  Last week was my 6 month surgiversary.  I can’t believe how fast these 6 months have gone!  Wow!  I really didn’t expect the changes to be this quick!  I have had so many improvements in my quality of life, but I have learned so much about myself as I’m changing too!  Here’s a short list of some of the changes:

• 90 pounds gone (92 pounds as of today.)  I’ve lost a teenager or petite adult!
• BMI went from morbidly obese at 41.4 to overweight at 26.5  (26.1 as of today)
• 55.9 inches lost (measuring neck, chest, upper arm, waist, hips, thigh and calf)
• Went from a size 22/24 to a 12 (even some 10’s.)  At my smallest in high school I was wearing a 13 – so I’m charting new territory!
• Lost 2 whole ring sizes:  Before - 8 ½.  After - 6 ½
• Shoe size went from 8 ½ or 9 wide to 8 normal. (a normal width makes shoe shopping so much easier, not to mention fun!)
• My confidence has returned
• My husband is in awe of my physical appearance (I love the looks he gets on his face from time to time.)  He’s been my biggest cheerleader
• I fit into things now! (plane seats, booths, those plastic outdoor chairs, etc)
• Clothes shopping is so much fun!
• I am comfortable whether I’m walking, standing or sitting
• I can cross my legs, and actually prefer to do so!
• I can polish my toes and breathe while doing it
• People look AT me now instead of through me
• I’ve met a whole new group of friends through my support groups (both at Womack and here on OH!)

 

I know there are a lot of things that can go wrong with this surgery, but I have been very lucky.  My side effects have been mild.  I don’t dump in the traditional sense.  If I eat too much, I get super tired, but that’s about it.  My life has done a 180.  I still enjoy food, it just takes a lot less before I’m done, and I now gravitate towards the protein rich foods instead of the high-sugar foods.  I can eat just about any meat that I’ve tried, and can enjoy one or two bites of those scrumptious looking desserts that my husband gets from time to time.  That’s rare though.  I look forward to my exercise (most days.)  J  I like going for walks and I love to swim.  I love being able to feel the muscles that I’ve developed.  I have followed my surgeon and NUT recommendations, and it has paid off.  Now I’m 10 pounds from Dr’s goal, and 25 from my personal goal.  I haven’t decided where I’m going to stop and work on maintaining…I’ll just keep re-assessing as I get further down that road.  I’m getting close to goal no matter how you look at it.  Bottom line…I think that even if I stop loosing today, I feel like I’ve succeeded.    

YAY Deb!  What an awesome list of accomplishments over the last few months!  I swear that it is great to wake up in the morning refreshed and knowing that you can beat the day because you are thinnier and more alive now!   You keep up that great work!  I am proud of you girl!!!

Thanks Jennifer! "More alive", I couldn't have said it better myself.  You've been an inspiration along the way for me, thank God for OH and the fabulous people on the NC board!

Hi Deb! LOVE the new avatar!  And congratulations on your huge success!  What a wonderfully inspiring list to those who are thinking about what this surgery can accomplish for them in so little time! Hope to see you again soon!

Thanks Suzanne!  I certainly didn't think I'd be this far along after 6 months, but I am not complaining.  It really is an individual journey...different for everyone.  But the bottom line is we all lose, we just do it in different ways! Hope to see you again soon too!

Congraduations...sounds wonderful...I can't wait....you sound so happy..~Mary~

It is wonderful!  :)  Good luck on your journey, it's quite a ride!

Congratulations on all of your accomplishments!  That is wonderful!  You are an inspiration!

Well thank you Stacy!  It's nice to hear that I'm an inspiration.  Funny how the circle of support on OH works.  I'm inspired by some and it's an honor to be able to inspire others!  :)   You're doing pretty incredible yourself!

All I can say is WOWWWWWW!!!!!

You have done such a fabulous job ... not 'just' with the weight loss, but with the life changes you have been making ... And in my humble opinion, it is those life changes that will make the real difference in the long run. Congratulations on your many accomplishments.

Wishing you continued success, my friend.

Love,

Barb