One year Surgiversary (pictures)

I'm posting my one year surgiversary a little early because a week from now I will be leaving for a Mediterranean cruise to visit Greece, Turkey and Israel.  This will be a wonderful way to celebrate my new health and energy!

This past year,  I have lost 197 pounds- more than half my body weight.  I am overweight - no longer obese.  I've surpassed my surgeons goal for my weight loss and I'm still going strong. My health and energy are so much better.  Its amazing.  If you told me this a year ago, I wouldn't have believed you.

If you are considering WLS, I just want you to know it really works.  After struggling all my adult life with obesity, I have finally conquered it.  I couldn't have done it without the surgery.  The surgery changes your physiology.  It doesn't make it easy, but it makes it possible. 

My words of advice for newbies is: 

1. For some of us, carbs cause cravings. If you are having trouble sticking to plan, try cutting carbs and see if it helps.  I keep my carbs under 25 g per day because I am very sensitive to them. 
2. Find an exercise you can tolerate, and then do it everyday, even if just a little.  I hated the idea of exercise but I found I could tolerate the recumbent bike.  Now I look forward to it.
3. Stick to your plan.  Eat dense proteins first.  Don't drink water around or during meals.  Under-eat your sleeve.  It can be painful if you don't!
4. Log your food.  Its easy to fool yourself and get more calories than you realize.  My NP told me at the first appointment that its the people who measure and log their food who do best.  You can bet I did!
5. Enjoy the process.  Don't be too concerned about how fast you lose. Stalls happen.  As long as you are losing, you'll get there.  I drove myself crazy with expectations, yet in the big picture, I was doing just fine.  In the long run, does it matter if you get to goal at 12 months or 18?  this is a marathon, not a sprint.

And most important, thank you to all my friends here at OH who have been such a wonderful support during this challenging process.  Thank you so much.

Carol

Damn, you look fantastic! Great going! And by the way, agree 100% with your advice. My dietician told me the same thing about logging food that yours did. I've accepted it as just a part of the rest of my life.

Great, great going -- so inspirational, thank you for posting!

Your are a true inspiration.  You look awesome!  I wish you were here, I would give you a hug, because you look so hug-able now!!  Enjoy your cruise!!!

Great advice and success!  I hope that your cruise is glorious.  

You look absolutely fabulous, Carol!!! Congratulations!!

Oh my goodness!  Congratulations. You are what success looks like. 

Carol, I've seen alot of before and after photos on this board and I have to say, your journey has been a pleasure to watch...you're such a positive, inspirational person--beautiful inside and out..congrats on your fabulous loss!!!

Carol - amazing, amazing, amazing!  I am giving you a standing ovation   You have worked your program, kept your head down and steadily progressed to success.  Whenever newbies hear that people who need to lose over 100 lbs. shouldn't get the sleeve, I think of you and Nikke.  You are an all-star  

And I am SO excited for you about the upcoming Mediterranean cruise.  Bon voyage, my friend, and post lots of pics when you get back!  

You look great!  Congratulations!  Have fun on your cruise!

Wow!  What an amazing transformation.  Congratulations :)  Enjoy your cruise!