A year post op, with numbers and lots of images

I am officially 1 year sleeved today and thought I'd report in.

Here are my numbers as of this morning - 99.2 pounds down, 50 inches lost, 14.6 points down in BMI. I'd say that is a win despite being 1.5 pounds away from my doc's revised goal of 158. His original goal for me was 160, and I have met that, but I'm struggling with saying that I have truly met goal since it was revised downward. I have my 12 month followup next week and will ask them. I still want to hit - 100 pounds just because.

All in all, I am happy with where I am. Labs are normal, energy is up, feeling great, migraines are gone, and looking great. I LOVE being able to walk into a store and pick up anything off the rack and have confidence that it will fit. Exercise is generally fun - I just started a tennis class last night and look forward to learning how to play well enough to join a league this fall. I have gone from a size 22 to a size 10-12. I'm 5'9" and will be 46 next week. As you can see from my graph, I have functionally been maintaining for a few months now, even if the scale doesn't have the exact numbers I am looking for. I am able to control various knobs and dials like calorie intake and exercise and have my body respond. It is rewarding and powerful.

I'm typically working out 2 days per week in some form or fashion. My calories range from 800-1000 at present, down from 1200 which put me into maintenance. I will likely go back up to 1000-1200 calories once I get to my numeric goal.

Was/is photos:

My weight loss over time:

Side effects of weight loss that a lot of newbies ask about:

Loose skin:

I have good tone but still some flab/batwings on my arms. I have reached the point of peace with this on my arms and wear sleeveless shirts regularly.

Thigh flab is troublesome but I can cover it with my "in public" bathing suit (this photo was taken in my "private" bathing suit, btw). Again, it is what it is. I look ok in shorts and above-the-knee skirts.

Finally, here is the excess flab on my belly:

My thoughts at the moment on plastics are "probably". I can cover up my jiggles with some shapewear or control top hose, but most days I don't have to wear any. I never wear shapewear with jeans, and I'm to the point of not wearing it with some dresses if the fabric is heavy enough. I do despair my now-flat chest (see the side photo?) and would love to get the excess on my belly to disappear. Plastics will probably be a 2015 project since I would be self-pay. But, if plastics don't happen, I can still manage where I am because even with the jiggles and deflated boobs, I am SO much better off than I was a year ago.

I don't regret a single thing.

Simply, wow!  So well done.   Love that you showed your weight graph--OUTSTANDING, STEADY PROGRESS--That's how to make it to goal!  Looking so good.  Congratulations!

Looking great Laurie!!! I am (now) a great advocate of plastics. It does get addictive though!! Do the belly and the boobs. The arms and thighs really look fine based on your pictures! Great job!!!!

GREAT job and than you for sharing!   

Amazing!! I wish I had biceps like yours! You really do look fantastic.

Fabulous job - thank you for sharing!

Laurie, thank you for sharing your jounrey and your photos.  Seeing your pics and reading your post made me smile.  You truly look beautiful and happy.  You are right, we are so much better off than we were before.  Congrats on all your success!!!

You are amazing.  Your progress is so inspirational and fantastic and I love your attitude about your body.  I want to be you when I am at the same point!  

Look at those arm muscles!!!!!     You GO GIRL!!!!! 

Nice arms - when I saw the pic I thought "look at those guns!"   Your thighs look great too :-)  My extra skin is a lot like yours.  The tummy is the worst but it will take a year or longer for me to save enough money to even contemplate it.  

You have done a terrific job, Laurie, and look so beautiful!  So very proud of your success