One Year Surgiversary! (With picture link)

I can’t believe that, a year ago, I had this amazing surgery.  It seems like it was years ago and, at the same time, just days ago.  While life around me isn’t so great right now, I’m doing better than ever.  I’ve taken great strides to improve my physical health and even greater strides to improve my mental health.  Because I care more about me, I feel like my relationships with everyone else have improved too. 

I’ve had some milestones in the last three months.  I’m wearing shirts from XL to XS depending on the make and model.  My choir dress for April is a size 10.  My newest pair of jeans are a size 12.  I ran my second 5k in February and beat my October time by almost 4 minutes. I'm learning more about fashion and how I want to dress, since I don't really know how I want to look anymore.  I'm expecting my second Stitch Fix box tomorrow, in fact! 

I think the biggest milestone for me is that I’ve been able to keep up with taking care of myself despite all the things that life has thrown at me.  Even during the week I spent with my dad in the hospital I kept up with my running and yoga.  I’m fairly proud of myself for that.  

And here are the numbers and how they’ve changed.  Current numbers are in bold, starting numbers are on the left.  As I get closer to goal, the numbers do move more slowly!

Bust 49.5 to 46.5 to 42 to 41 to 40
Chest ~43 to 40.25 to 36 to 35.25 to34
Waist 50 to 44 to 41 to 38.25 to37
Hips 59.5 to 54.5 to 51 to 47 to45
T-shirts tight men’s XXL to baggy men’s XL to tight men’s M to loose men’s M tomen’s S
Jeans tight 28 to baggy 26 to no idea - switched to skirts to 16! to12
Weight (actual) 292.4 to 253.1 to 219.4 to 197.6 to185.0
Weight (trend) 295.5 to 256.6 to 222.4 to 199.1 to185.1
Fat % (trend) 54.5 to 48.6 to 42.9 to 40.0 to37.3
Fat Mass (trend) 161 to 124.7 to 95.5 to 79.7 to68.6
Lean Mass (trend) 134.5 to 131.9 to 126.9 to 119.4 to115.9
Percent excess weight loss 13% to 33% to 50% to 61% to67%

I’m pretty pleased with all of these numbers!  My weight has been as low as 183, but that week in the hospital was challenging and my weight showed it.  No big deal, since it’s already coming off and I know that I’m not going to erase a year of amazing success with one bad week. 

A year post op and I feel pretty confident that I’ve created a new lifestyle for myself.  I truly enjoy exercising in the morning – I’m running my third 5k this weekend in fact.  I feel satisfied with my portions and I still have a solid enjoyment of food.  I started meditating a few weeks ago and that has already had a noticeable impact on my mental health.  In addition I see my mental therapist weekly when I’m home and she’s still wonderful. 

I have zero regrets that I chose the VSG.  I don’t even regret that I didn’t do it sooner because I know that I wouldn’t have been ready to make all these life changes sooner.  But I’m doing it now, and that’s what matters most. I've still got a long ways to go, but I'm closer than I've ever been and I know that I'll reach my goals.  

I’ll share some pictures too, but you'll need to click through to my blog to see them.  (Warning: bra and panties)

Amazing job!  You look transformed :)

I love your posts and positivity.  I hope things are going as well as possible for your father!

Thank you!

Congratulations!  You look amazing.  Its great to hear how life has improved for you in big and small ways over the year. That you feel like a better, stronger version of yourself.

I'm constantly surprised by little things in my life as well.

Cheers.

Thank you!  Yes, "strong" is the best word to describe how I feel most of the time.  It's amazing. 

Gwen! Happy Surgiversary!! You look fantastic & you keep on having fantastic results! Keep up the good work! I enjoy all your posts, advice and support!! Keep up all the posts too!

PS - I get my second stitch fix box next week! I can't wait! I love the anticipation!

Thanks!  

I got my second stitch fix on Saturday and it was fun.  I kept a t-shirt and really liked some of the other pieces too.  

Amazing!  Great job!

Thanks!

Wow! You are doing great. Thanks for sharing. I especially love the part about not erasing a year of amazing success with one bad week. I can't wait to read about your continued success.