One Year Update!

I am one year post op as of February 28th. It has truly been the most amazing year. My life has changed dramatically, not only how I look and how I eat, but my confidence is higher which has an impact on my relationships with my friends and my family. I had the courage to let go of an unhealthy relationship I should have left a year ago, and I have since found the most amazing man. We have been together for 5 months now, and he makes me feel loved in a way I have never let myself feel from anyone before. 

When I reached about 310 pounds I decided I needed to make a huge change in my life for my health. I was 300 pounds the day I went to my primary care for a referral and 291 pounds the day I met my surgeon. I had surgery at 288 pounds, and I currently weigh 175 pounds. My surgeon's goal for me was 180 so I have surpassed that! I would like to get down to 165 and maintain between 165-170, but these last two months my weight has just been bouncing between 172-176, it just doesn't want to seem to go lower right now. I am really happy with where I am though, and if I ended up maintaining here I would be happy. 

I started in a size 20/22 depending on what brand in pants, and XXL in shirts, a size 10 in shoes, a 40C bra and 2XL underwear

I currently am a size 10 pants, a medium in shirts, a size 8.5 in shoes, a 34B bra, and a medium in underwear. This means I have literally had to replace every single piece of clothing I had which has been an expensive journey, but well worth it!

I love to run now, over the summer I was running up to 6 miles outdoors. Now I am doing about 3 a couple of times a week but as soon as this Boston weather warms back up and the snow melts I'm going back to running outside so I will get my mileage back up again. 

I am happier, healthier, fitter, more confident, and more in love than I have ever been in my life. I turned 30 during this past year and I feel like maybe I waited long to really start living my life instead of living in the background because I was too uncomfortable with myself to just be myself. 

This past year hasn't been perfect, and I did realize that weight loss doesn't fix everything, but it can give you the confidence and courage to make the change you want in your life. 

I have some before and after photos, and two of them are a little more revealing because I know how much I wanted to see what my body could possibly look like after surgery. 

I have been fairly lucky with excess skin.  As you can see my belly button area is a huge problem are for me and the one area that may lead me to consider plastics, (that and maybe some implants :)

Wow you look amazing! Congrats on your success. I hope I get that lucky with the skin...did you do anything special that would contribute to having less?

Thanks for your kind words! The only thing I did was be blessed with a long torso and pretty evenly distrusted weight that helped keep excess skin minimal. I do have some that's not as noticeable to anyone else like around my back and ribs, I can pull at it but you can't really notice it. My arms are a little saggy too. I don't think there really is anything that a person Can do to prevent it. 

You look amazing!!  Congratulations on your success!!

Thanks for sharing!!  you story give me hope

You've done an incredible job Kellie. I'm glad everything is working out so well for you.

LOVE! Thanks for sharing & for your pictures.  You look great and are doing great things for yourself.  Congratulations

My gosh! What wonderful results you have achieved this past year! congrats on a job well done. Glad everything is going so well for you!

Keep up the great work. You can get to 165, if you want. You know what to do. Get out of maintenance and back into WL mode and you can do it.

Awesome work!

Your stories and pictures are so inspirational! I am so glad you are living and loving your life. 

~Shel

Wow, you have done phenomenal!

Congrats! You look amazing! You are a beautiful girl before and after, I'm glad your happy!