Todays my 1 year anniversary

Todays my 1 year anniversary Original Post by MeltingMelody D at 6:21 AM PST on 03/02/2006 Grove City, Ohio, OH - RNY (03/02/2005) - James P. Viglianco, M.D., F.A.C.S. Today I am 1 year post RNY. I have lost 164lbs in 1 year. I have 34 more lbs to lose. Things I have learned in 1 year include: 1. Surgery gives you a 6 month time frame in which weight comes off easily, appetite changes and this is the period to use to change your life and habits forever. 2. Losing weight doesn't suddenly make you happy. 3. It is not how much you weigh, but how you FEEL about how much you weigh that affects your life and self confidence. 4. THIS IS A LOT OF WORK! 5. If it's not the fat, it will be the wrinkles, excess skin or something else we focus on. 6. Body Image doesn't suddenly change. To me I am still fat. 7. You can buy things at the second hand store and look as good as those who bought the same thing brand new. This makes you feel smart too! 8. Sex is better when your thin. It's not a perception it really is. 9. There will always be someone to tell you how healthy you look and someone to tell you how sickly your looking. 10. Hair grows back. And sooooo much more Thanks for reading. melinda

Hi Melinda, welcome to the grads board, this board is my favorite. Congrats on a great year. Dana

Thnaks, I am glad to say i am a grad!!

Melinda, "Happy Anniversary"! I loved your list and say "amen" to all your points! My only difference is #6--I agree--my self-esteem & body image have been shot for many years, and I'm gradually working on those issues; however, unlike most MO (or formerly MO) people, I have no trouble seeing myself as looking thin--or relatively so! Maybe because I didn't gain weight until I was in my early 20's, rather than being fat as a child & teen, I think I always thought of my obese self as "not really me"--I always had the bizarre idea that it was somehow "temporary" and I'd be losing it just any minute and again become my "real self"--and I'm in my mid-50's! So, although part of me will always identify with being MO, I will NEVER get tired of looking in the mirror--or just looking at different parts of my body--and loving what I see. (Well, I'm not thrilled w/ the excess sagging skin, but for my age and former weight, it's not as bad as some.) Happy to welcome you to the Grads Board! You've done great; keep it up! Jo 295/150-155 (at goal)

Melinda--Happy anniversary! Congrats on your great success. Welcome to our grads world. good luck with the 34 and hope to see you around.

WAY TO GO MELINDA!!!!!!!! We're very proud of you and welcome you to our little club!! Climb aboard!! Have a super weekend....Cap'n K-Man

Thanks everyone for their support it is wonderful being here. Just Jo, I agree that probably the difference is that you had been thin and then got MO. I have always been heavy and have never seen myself any other way. My family ( Mom) thinks i look sickly, as i am just "too Thin" Uhhh Hello I am 5'2" and 162 lbs.... plenty of meat still left on the bones. LOL,