One Year Surgiversary and NSV (with photos)

Today is my one year mark since RNY.  I find that as I hit this date I am reflecting on how much has changed in the last year.  It has been challenging and miserable at times but overall wonderful and joyful. 

I started at 265.  This morning I weigh 133. I am 5'5 so my BMI when I started was an "Obese" 44, currently it is a "Normal" 22. I was wearing a size 20 in jeans, XXL in tops. Currently I wear a size 4 in jeans and XS in tops. I can wear knee high boots. I can walk for hours without any knee or foot pain. I sleep like a rock. I smile tons. I eat about 800 calories a day and count my intake with My Fitness Pal.  I watch to try to keep my protein at a minimum of 60g/day. I don't think I would have been able to do all of this without the support of OH and the "Menu Gang".  The comfort of having friends who are walking with me is invaluable.  Thank you to all of them for being there with me.

All of that is great but last night something happened that is my most amazing NSV to date. I was laying on the edge of our bed in our bedroom talking with my Guy as he changed out of work clothes. We were about to head out to go fix dinner in the kitchen and he suddenly leaned down and SCOOPED ME UP into his arms.  A la a Groom carrying a Bride across a threshold in an old time romance story.

He just held me there cradled in his arms and we stared at each other.

Time sort of froze for me.  I started crying a little and all of the memories of growing up the heaviest kids in every class and on every playground flooded my mind.  I have always been terribly afraid of anyone trying to pick me up.  I knew that they would hurt themselves or not be able to lift that much weight and I would be so humiliated.  I would pretty much rather have died than suffer that embarrassment.  Always.  Since I was little I knew this was a terrifying thing.  

Yet there I was...floating in his arms. 

He smiled down at me and said, "Ya know, I never did carry over the threshold when we got married. Now I have."

It was a real turning point in my world.  My understanding that I actually am smaller now, that I am not the fat girl in the back of the room cracking jokes, that I am safe and small and that he loves me.  All of that. So much joy fills my heart.

All the suffering through this process has been 1000% WORTH IT.  Every minute spent in the bathroom heaving and having terrible diarrhea when something didn't settle in my new pouch; every cupcake I wished I could have that I passed on; every complication including gallbladder surgery, internal hernia with surgical repair, and iron infusion therapy; every time I have to log my food and count my protein and pack my lunch; all of it....worth every second.

So here I am...nearly half the person I was living the best life I have ever known.

Here's to working toward success throughout the coming decades of maintenance!

Current 133, 1 year since surgery

7 months after surgery

Surgery Day Oct 6, 2015 265 pounds

Before surgery (265 or more...lost count)

Health and joy to you all!

~Elizabeth

Congratulations! So inspiring! I love this post!

I can't like this enough!! You're an inspiration.

Also, what does NSV stand for? Rookie question, i know, i know.

Non-Scale-Victory

Non scale victory :) 

Non-Scale Victory

you, my friend, are a Rock Star. so happy for you! Happy and healthy! Love it!

you look so beautiful and happy congratulations on all your hard work and success:)

You look gorgeous, but more importantly, you look happy and healthy!  I am so thrilled for you.  Maintenance is a daily battle for many of us, but remembering why it's worth it can help!  This post gives me a huge smile :)  Congrats!