kathy S - WLS Journey - Reflections of a year of weight loss

Updated thoughts - I hope reading these old blog entries has inspired and helped you no matter where you are in your journey. It doesn't matter if you are just beginning or years out as I am, we are all the same. We face the same challenges, insecurities and hope. Knowing we are not alone gives us the strength to go on and face what is around the corner together

December 31, 2005

When I think of this time last year, all I can say is WOW! This time last year I was 4 months out from my WLS. My nightmare complications were just coming to an end. I never thought I would see the light at the end of the tunnel

I guess, as we look back we all can say it was a roller coaster ride and the lows can be soooo low and the highs? Well, we can soar like eagles can't we?

This year for me has been a life changing one.

**I went from my heaviest of 330 to 120 reaching below goal.
**Went from size 5x/32 to 4.
**Lost all my hair on the tops and sides, burned the cheap blond wig.
**Mourned the lost of my best friend, food.
**Weight stalled for 9 weeks, and I didn't jump off a cliff.
**Struggled to get my protein in. But I didn't give up.
**Ran a 5k, with my chicken legs and thought I was going to die, but survived!
**Had the guts to say no to my ugly teeth and got braces.
**Had the guts to go to the gym and say yes I can.
** Met some amazing friends and new family members here on the boards.
**Realized I am worthy of this feeling, new life and new body. I am not a bad person, as some will have us think about ourselves.
**Shocked at the medical implications of the excess skin from losing 200lbs.
**Turned down from insurance for PS.
**Approved for PS via some ugly pictures.
**Discovered for me the secret to keeping weight off...exercise.
**Discovered us older ladies can work out and build muscles.
**Shocked at family members and friends that turn on me since I am no longer their buffet buddy.

Wow Moments

You can shop anywhere.

Tie your shoes straight not on the side.

Ride in your car with the seat up, not laying down.

People saying you are too thin.

We can move without sweating like a you knot what.

Don't panic about fitting in the airplane seat, oh and the tray can come down YIPEE....

Fitting in any seat in an restaurant!

Having so much energy you feel you are making up for the lost years of being a couch potato.

All my health issues are GONE, no more meds!!!!

We think we are living, but we are not. We were just going through the motions of living when we were heavy and lied to ourselves we were happy!

If you are pre-op, kudos to you for having the guts to say NO and taking control. If you are on this journey, there will be speed bumps along the way. DON'T EVER GIVE UP! It will happen. Stay the course and you will be posting this next year. Come to the board for help, we are here for you. If you are at goal, thank you for being my guiding light through the dark. Thank you for being an example for me to live up to.

Take care,

Kathy