It's Official: I'm 1 year Post Op!

As of today - it's been a year and what a year it's been! I could not be happier with the decision I made, both to have the surgery and to have it with Dr. Roye at RIH. I won't go on and on about how happy I am and how great things are - cuz well - i don't have that much time! So, I'll just tell you my stats. Just about a year and 3 months ago, I weighed in at 327. I managed to get down to 318 by the day of surgery. Since then, I have lost... 152 pounds. Altogether, that is 161 pounds. I started in a tight tight tight 26/28. I'm now wearing a size 10 jeans, Large or XL shirts. I was also a size 9 shoe, and i'm now a 7.5. who knew i had such fat feet!?!? [surely not me, i couldn't ever see them! lol] Anyway, this surgery has been a blessing. i can RUN. I walk. I exercise. I take the long way - and dont care if i can't find a close parking spot [except for this past week in the colossal rain we've had!] I cross my legs like a lady, most of the time. I wear my seat belt! These were all my little goals that I wanted for myself, and I'm pretty sure I've crossed them all off by now - or am very, very close. The one thing, however, that this surgery has not done for me - is changed the way I think. I am always going to love food. LOVE it. I am always going to consumed by it. I have accepted this and learned to live with it. I am always going to want to reach for the chips when I'm bored. So - I keep healthy things around - not the chips. And if there are chips - I won't lie - I'll eat them. But I take 4 or 5, put them on a plate and walk away. I know I can't trust myself around a bag of them. So I try not to put myself in that position. I'm very, very interested to see how the BBQ season goes this summer. Last summer, I could barely choke down 1/10 of a hamburger. I didn't even WANT to eat - this summer, totally different story. Now is when the hard part rears it's head. I can eat about as much as a normal person can - and I'm hungry, just like a normal person, and I get head hunger, just like - well, like my fat-self did. So i can feel the battle of my will power is just heating up. For those of you who are just beginning on this journey - it's amazing. I truly, truly is. but when you hear people tell you that this surgery is NOT a cure - it is only a tool - they couldn't be more right. This surgery gave me a huge running start to losing weight, but keeping it off is going to be all me. So please, make sure that your head is in the right place when making the decision to alter your innards. You're going to need every bit of will power to make this surgery the success it can be! I wish you all the healthiest of years to come and can't wait to read about all of your journeys and successes!! bottom line is, ladies and gentleman, we rock for taking the initiative and making this drastic change for ourselves. go us! much love, kristen*

Congrats on all your seccess this year. You did wonderfully! Jamice

Congrats Kristen!!! Sounds like it has been a great year and you have made tremdous progress. Just remember how skinny people eat...they take a little of everything they like and if they go a little overboard one day they go very light the next. You can do this - because now you are a skinny person!!!!

Hi Kristen* Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary. I also want to thank you for you humor and honesty that you have given us in all your post. It makes it much easier to know that we are not in this all alone and there are mentors like you and the others on this board to help us through this journey. I wish you the best and hope you are able to check off everthing on your list. by the way you never told us how your date went on 4/7/07, inquiring minds want to know. Thanks, Paula

What a great story. Thanks for sharing it. Eileen

Kristen, Thank you for your honesty, you have so much to be proud of!! Keep up the good work. Patty

Hi Kristen, Everything you have said..is so true...and you said it so well. I had my surgery May 17th...and I just about making it to the 100 lb mark. Its a struggle to lose now but not like it was before the surgey. Like you said its not a cure......only a tool..... Thanks for putting it in such a great post!!! Carol b

Hey Kristen, Super big congrats girl!!!!!!! As always, I greatly enjoyed your humor and candor. Nice job! Size 10, wooo hooo! Pam