hi everyone!

i know how important these types of posts were for me pre op, and to be honest, still are.

Today is my one year surgiversary. I cannot begin to explain or express the impact this surgery and this forum has had on me.

Much of the mental burden of being SMO has been lifted. Making my way through the world is so much easier.

No more fears of restaurants, theatres, sports venues, people with antique furniture!

Knowing ive cut the risk of an early death, or obesity related diseases. And should I become ill, knowing I will receive a higher quality of care, and not deal with as much fat bias.

Being able to join in with friends and family and not worrying im holding them back, or that I won't have the energy.

i could go on and on. But seriously, just all of it.

Keep in mind, I'm one of the luckies, no complications other than supplement tweaking and some light headedness on occasion.

A few things I've learned:

listen.to.the.vets

treat this like a job. Build it into your day, and give it all the effort and energy you can.

make small goals. Eating off plan once or twice when you're trying to lose 200 pounds might not seem like it has a big impact. But if you're trying to get to that next 5 pound goal, it has a major impact.

make a list of reasons for having surgery. You'll need it.

Will power isn't a thing you can rely on. Change your environment. Can't resist ice cream? Then your home needs to be ice cream free. You don't go to ice cream parlours, or wherever. Give yourself a chance to succeed.

Its all about behaviour change. Surgery is the tool that made it possible for me to focus on the head stuff.

Anywhoo, I could go on and on, but as they say, a picture is worth a 1000 words.

on the left is a camping trip from 2015. My highest recorded weight was 378, but I know it was higher as I spent a few weeks dieting before even getting on the scale...

the right is from this past weekend at my in laws. I'm wearing a pair of size 12 jeans. I can safely say they are the first pair of non plus size jeans I've ever owned.

I am so excited for you! Congrats on your surgiversary! You have done so well and I love what you shared. This is like a job and when people don't take the need for life changes seriously, it saddens me. You are not one of those people though.

YAY!!!!! You look amazing!!! Such good advice for everyone! You Rock!

Erin you have worked so hard! Congratulations!

I'm an Erin too! You've had fantastic results and you look so happy and fit now. I'm 6 weeks out, and this gives me such hope. Thank you for posting!!

Happy for You.

You look fabulous- such an inspiration! Congratulations on your amazing achievements and thank you so much for your thoughtful insights!

Well done!

That's a lot of hard work. You've done a fantastic job. I'm so happy for you.

I am so happy for you! You've done so beautifully and you look so good! You are an inspiration to me!