I will be 1 year old in 12 hours! A few words about the past year and some pics
1 year ago, I crossed in to a new world, a new me, a new life, a new group of friends so yes, in many ways, I am only one year old and have a lot to learn.
I had my surgery with Doctor Pupkova on December 15th, 2009. I was back to work 6 days after the surgery and feel like I haven't stopped since! This year has flown by and I have a hard time believing it has been a year already.
One thing that I know everyone says, but it cannot be overplayed is that I am so amazed at the wonderful, wacky, committed, REAL people that I have met in the past year and I am so happy to call my friends. Many of you I have never met, but love you just the same! Thank you for the insight, counsel, support and redirects of the past year. And thank you in advance for the insight, counsel, support and redirects that I will need in the coming years. Thank you all for making me feel so welcomed and loved :)
When I think about how far I have come, I am amazed. I just had my 1 year checkup with Doctor P on Monday (love her, will miss her very, very much!!) - My levels are good and I have lost 93% of my excess weight. WOW! 93% - 114 lbs - sure, I would love to have a certificate that says 100%, but those damn BMI charts are just not realistic - the people that came up with that thing should be shot - it is just a tool to make you feel bad. I have to admit that there are times that I stare at myself in the mirror - still amazed at the person staring back at me - and even more amazed by the body that I see in the mirror - collar bones, a waist - really? WOW! Here are a few before and after pics :) - not sure what I was thinking with the hair helmet in the pics below..
dont' I look so freakin' happy in these before pics - what a bundle of joy - you never would have known thta I wasn't happy with myself, now would you??
In the pic below, this is the first night that I can honestly say that I truly felt beautiful since high school. I did not even feel beautiful on my wedding day.
I know that this is long - but hell, if you are still reading - Thank you.. it's not over yet :)
My biggest fear is shared with so many of you - the R word - regain. I know that some degree is inevitable no matter how diligent I am, even Doctor P told me to prepare for it (ugh!!). While the past year has been quite a journey, I know that this is where the hard work starts. I know that I need to keep my head in check - I can't get ****y. I can't let bad habits creep back in. Sugar free doesn't mean calorie free - absorption does increase - I can stretch my pouch if I overeat - I can get sick if I don't take my vitamins - I can regain and get myself back where I was if I don't keep in check, follow the rules and excercise. I never want to lose that fear.
Before surgery, I remember saying that I just wanted to be a "normal weight" and not think about my weight every day, not start each day obsessing over it but I am now "normal weight" and that has not changed. I still obsess every morning, just with a different angle. I am a scale watcher - and I always will be, because that is what will help keep me in line. I have to be honest that I feel that there are so many people waiting for me to fail (in addition to myself). It is easy to say "that won't be me", but it has to be more than words. I am committed and I need to refresh that commitment daily.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that I have the most wonderful husband and I cannot imagine the past year without his love and support. He has adapted to my new way of eating and takes 4 smaller meals with him to work each day. He eats whatever I make and is happy about the changes, for both of us, for what it means to our present and our future. I truly was given a gift the day we met. He is really looking forward to skiing this weekend *** yeah - I am too..... ?????)
I will be at the Barix Post op support group meeting to celebrate and am looking forward to sharing this with those of you that will be at the meeting - I'm bringing the big girl pants... 7 sizes larger than where I am now :)
Maura
p.s. - I am on facebook, but there are many that don't know that I had surgery - I don't hide it, but I also don't broadcast it - so I won't be posting anything there about a surgiversary. :)
I had my surgery with Doctor Pupkova on December 15th, 2009. I was back to work 6 days after the surgery and feel like I haven't stopped since! This year has flown by and I have a hard time believing it has been a year already.
One thing that I know everyone says, but it cannot be overplayed is that I am so amazed at the wonderful, wacky, committed, REAL people that I have met in the past year and I am so happy to call my friends. Many of you I have never met, but love you just the same! Thank you for the insight, counsel, support and redirects of the past year. And thank you in advance for the insight, counsel, support and redirects that I will need in the coming years. Thank you all for making me feel so welcomed and loved :)
When I think about how far I have come, I am amazed. I just had my 1 year checkup with Doctor P on Monday (love her, will miss her very, very much!!) - My levels are good and I have lost 93% of my excess weight. WOW! 93% - 114 lbs - sure, I would love to have a certificate that says 100%, but those damn BMI charts are just not realistic - the people that came up with that thing should be shot - it is just a tool to make you feel bad. I have to admit that there are times that I stare at myself in the mirror - still amazed at the person staring back at me - and even more amazed by the body that I see in the mirror - collar bones, a waist - really? WOW! Here are a few before and after pics :) - not sure what I was thinking with the hair helmet in the pics below..
I know that this is long - but hell, if you are still reading - Thank you.. it's not over yet :)
My biggest fear is shared with so many of you - the R word - regain. I know that some degree is inevitable no matter how diligent I am, even Doctor P told me to prepare for it (ugh!!). While the past year has been quite a journey, I know that this is where the hard work starts. I know that I need to keep my head in check - I can't get ****y. I can't let bad habits creep back in. Sugar free doesn't mean calorie free - absorption does increase - I can stretch my pouch if I overeat - I can get sick if I don't take my vitamins - I can regain and get myself back where I was if I don't keep in check, follow the rules and excercise. I never want to lose that fear.
Before surgery, I remember saying that I just wanted to be a "normal weight" and not think about my weight every day, not start each day obsessing over it but I am now "normal weight" and that has not changed. I still obsess every morning, just with a different angle. I am a scale watcher - and I always will be, because that is what will help keep me in line. I have to be honest that I feel that there are so many people waiting for me to fail (in addition to myself). It is easy to say "that won't be me", but it has to be more than words. I am committed and I need to refresh that commitment daily.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that I have the most wonderful husband and I cannot imagine the past year without his love and support. He has adapted to my new way of eating and takes 4 smaller meals with him to work each day. He eats whatever I make and is happy about the changes, for both of us, for what it means to our present and our future. I truly was given a gift the day we met. He is really looking forward to skiing this weekend *** yeah - I am too..... ?????)
I will be at the Barix Post op support group meeting to celebrate and am looking forward to sharing this with those of you that will be at the meeting - I'm bringing the big girl pants... 7 sizes larger than where I am now :)
Maura
p.s. - I am on facebook, but there are many that don't know that I had surgery - I don't hide it, but I also don't broadcast it - so I won't be posting anything there about a surgiversary. :)
Maura
Maura,
One of MY greatest joys of the past year has been getting to know YOU! You've been an inspiration to me and to many others in the way you've tackled this journey and its many surprises, challenges, and wow moments. Ziplining stands out for me as one of those moments when you tackled the things you thought you couldn't do, rose above them, and surprised yourself with how much delight the experience brought all of us. KUDOs to you, kid!
And you're right - Mark is really amazing...
See you tomorrow night!
Karen
One of MY greatest joys of the past year has been getting to know YOU! You've been an inspiration to me and to many others in the way you've tackled this journey and its many surprises, challenges, and wow moments. Ziplining stands out for me as one of those moments when you tackled the things you thought you couldn't do, rose above them, and surprised yourself with how much delight the experience brought all of us. KUDOs to you, kid!
And you're right - Mark is really amazing...
See you tomorrow night!
Karen
Maura,
Congratulations on the transformation that has occurred in your life, it is ongoing and it's been grea****ching you! Wishing you many years of successing and health!
Laureen
Congratulations on the transformation that has occurred in your life, it is ongoing and it's been grea****ching you! Wishing you many years of successing and health!
Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
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