One year later....

Hello all, Today is my 1 year anniversary of my surgery. It is hard to believe that one year ago today, I was in my hospital bed after surgery, throwing up blood and was very sick. I was just getting the news that Dr. Schirmer was going to have do a second surgery to fix a blockage that had developed. My family was besides theirselves with worry. I was way to sick to worry, I just knew that Dr. Schirmer and God would take care of me. I was right. I did fine after my second time in the OR. My pouch is plumbed a little different from most, but I dont notice... Anyway, what a difference a year makes. I went from a size 24 to a size 10. My back, hips, ankles, and knees feel like new again. I can run, jump, climb and dance. I feel like a whole new person and I am told that I look like a whole new person, although, I have trouble seeing it. People ask me all the time, would I do it all over again?????? IN A HEARTBEAT!!!! WLS is NOT the easy way out as some may think that it is. It is not a easy fix for obesity. It wont fix your life long bad eating habbits. It wont cure your emotional problems. It wont fix your marriage. It is a new way of life. A way to become healthier, to have more engery and to break the chains of obesit ty. I thank God everyday for this oppertunity to start over, for this new chance at life. I plan on giving it all I got, and keep up the new healthier me. I am worth it!!!!! God bless ya' al!! Cathy

Congratulations Cathy .. you have done awesome ! No one knows how good this feels unless they experience it . And you definatley have the right attitude ! Keep up the great job .. and that positive attitude .. you inspire so many . Take care , Natalie

Cathy, congratulations on a successful year!! . I am one year out at the end of next month...... and it has been an incredible ride for me so I know how you are feeling! Your year started rough but it has ended well. And I agree wholeheartedly that this surgery does not fix all your issues so you have to do your part. I am full of admiration for you! You have done very well! Congratulations once again! Jackie

Looking great there, Cathy. It is hard to believe it has been a year for some of us. Like you, I don't regret one day of it. Hugs, Betsy

Congrats to you my dear friend you have come a long way girlfriend. Im proud of you. Hope you can make it on the 24th.

Hi Cathy, Thank you so much for posting this! I am glad to hear that you are doing so well after your initial ordeal. Your very sage words could not have come at a better time for me since I just got approved yesterday. I will definitely keep all of this in mind as I begin this journey. Again congratulations to you and keep up the good work! You (along with so many others on this board) are an inspiration! Hugs, Robin

Hi Cathy - time flies! I can't believe it's been a year for you, too! You said it, you are worth it, we all are. I know what you mean about this not being the easy way, although sometimes I have to say, I look back on my 15 months and I think it really was easy. Oh yeah, I have to watch things that I eat and exercise every day and take tons of vitamins and water and protein -- but I lose weight. I remember the 'old days' I used to do stuff like that and NOT lose weight, so I guess I have mixed feelings, sometimes I think yeah, this is hard, and sometimes I don't. But in any event - I would do it all over again in a New York minute!! Congratulations - you've done an awesome job!! love donna

Cathy - I'm so happy that you're enjoying your first-year anniversary, and the trip down memory lane! You have done so........ great!!!!! You have come so far! You are beautiful - inside and out, and I know you didn't need the surgery to be beautiful. Your goodness just shines from your eyes, you have a glow - hard to explain, but there it is! You just "feel" better now. What a blessing! Crystal