One Year Surgiversary! Updates and outlooks at 1 year post op...

Wow! It doesn't feel like a year already...well maybe it does if I really think about it lol.

I started this journey at my highest of 280 lbs and 5'1" (super mobidly obese) - now 12 months later I'm 153 lbs and 5'2" (Yes I gained an inch! LOL who knew this was a thing!!) (now overweight) for a total weight loss so far of 127 lbs!!

I was wearing a size 4X top and size 24 pants. I'm now a medium/large top and 8/10 pant! I shop in any store I want am officially the smallest person in my immediate family! I do have to be careful as shopping just might be my new addiction

I feel like life is a new normal and I don't think about things as much. What I mean is all of the things I've spent so many months practicing just come naturally now such as be careful about how much I chew (I chew chew chew naturally now without really thinking of it), automatically read labels before I eat things, log each bite in MFP, etc.

I enjoy dinners out, living a more active lifestyle and I still love food but in a different way. I love fine higher quality food now. I don't miss fast food at all which I didn't think was possible.

I have not had pop, bread, rice, pasta or candy or candy bars in over a year now. Not even a bite. These things were basically my daily menu pre-op. I don't really miss it although there are times I am tempted to have "a bite of fresh bread" or something like that. I'm super lucky that my hubby is my number one fan and support person and is ok with me no longer buying that stuff. We don't have any bread in the house. He's lost 30 lbs too and is now at his ideal weight.

I can do all of the things we are supposed to do that perhaps others take for granted - putting on socks with ease, shaving my legs without a problem, can easily shower, fit comfortably in every seat and don't have to secretly size up the room or furniture first, I love my reflection and picture being taken, clothes fit properly, etc. I can also sit comfortably with my legs crossed, rarely get out of breath, don't snore, haven't been sick and I feel great.

The not so good but I'm not complaining - being thinner hurts sometimes! My hip bones (yes I have these now and often feel and touch them as they feel so weird! LOL) but anyway, my hip bones hurt if I sleep on my side, tailbone hurts if I sit too long, I feel all my bones and they hurt when touched! I have collarbones, cheekbones and armpits! I also have skin that no longer fits. You know how E.T. looks - honestly that's my body. It's odd how far I can pull it out (sorry TMI). I will have to get surgery for this.

I also feel hungry again and my weight loss has slowed significantly.

I like to be active now - I jump on the trampoline, have a home gym that I use and I can do a headstand which I hold for many minutes (my hubby and teenagers think it's so cool lol)

To the pre-ops - please hang in there and try not to worry too much - this will all be worth it. My only regret is not doing it sooner!

To the post-ops - please keep posting! You teach us so much!!

I have my one year follow up with HRRH on Monday :)

Thanks for reading!

Hugs,

Nikki

Congratulations on your 1 year surgiverary! You have done so well on your journey. Thank you for sharing your story it is so helpful for me and others who are Pre-op.

Thank you and good luck on your journey!

Thanks for sharing, this is very inspiring.

I Love hearing all the things you can easily do now.

I don't love reading that you feel hungry again. I'm not looking forward to that.

Keep up the great work!

Thanks so much! I'm hungry again but not ravenous and my tool helps me control it. It's very different than the hunger I felt pre-op. I've also tried to differentiate between head hunger and real hunger. That makes a huge difference!

Good luck on your journey!

Hey Nikki

Great to hear you had such an amazing year. So many happy changes and enjoying life.

Things do really slow down around that 1yr mark, maintenance is where the real fun begins. Stick with what you are doing, keep those "danger" foods out of reach, keep doing active things you enjoy....and you will be just fine.

All the best in year #2

Thanks so much! I'm nervous about maintenance. I've lost weight so many times in my life although never this much - it's keeping it off that I've never been able to do. I'm focused and dedicated. Thanks again :)

Congrats on your one year surgiversary Also thank you for sharing, your story is very inspiring and also helps soothe those fears. I'm still early in my journey, so as Im sure you've experienced it's a mixture of fear, Hope, excitment, impatience etc lol I have my first RN appointment and I'm bouncing off the walls excited and nervous lol

Thanks! Good luck on your journey - you'll be on the losers bench before you know it :)

Thank you for posting this.

I am you a year ago.

Everything you stated I do and feel. I gave up baseball tickets because I was afraid I wouldn't fit in the seat. I can't cross my legs. I hate travelling for business because I always have to ask for a seatbelt extender and jam myself into a seat. It's so embarrassing and humiliating. I weigh a little more than you did when you started and I am itching to get going.

You have given me hope and I can see my future.

Again, thank you so much for this.