Woohoo! One Year! Lots of Pics & Advice (Long)

You know, there are so many things that I could say right now.  My head is filled with deep thoughts of my journey this year and wanting to express how happy I am with all of you who are going through the same things.  I am overwhelmed with all of the new things that I am enjoying and all the things that I can do now that I have never been able to do before.  But being overweight my entire life and never have been thin, there are just so many things; I could never possibly list them all.  So, all I’m going to say is that my VSG surgery saved my life, it has also given me the life that I never thought I could have.  It has given me mental highs and lows and let me experience things like never before.  I wish I could put everyone who has doubts or fears in my shoes before my surgery and after, so that you can see what happiness feels like.  If you are on the fence, do it, but make sure that you are ready both mentally and physically.  Now I will give you some pointers and tips and lots of pictures of my journey.  Thank again to all my OH family for being with me throughout this journey and like I say all the time, I could not have done it without all your kind words and supports.

 

Starting weight-308lbs 

Surgery Weight- 298lbs

Current Weight- 163lbs

Goal Weight- 160

Total Weight Loss 145lbs

 

Fears of Surgery and never being able to eat again!

Fears before surgery are normal, everyone has them.  Look at my favorite quote that I attach to my signature at every post, it’s the truth.  You are going through a major operation so of course you are going to be afraid but if you have done your research and have chosen a reputable doctor, then you should not afraid.  Before my surgery, I came on here and looked at tons of before and afters, that helped me a lot.  It kept me motivated and that is why I still post them for people just starting out.  I also read all of the positive post and all of the NSV’s that people were experiencing.  I read a lot about how people are afraid to die on the operating table or that they have children and don’t want to lose them.  Well, sorry to be frank but if you have come this far and surgery is now your last resort, guess what, if you don’t do it, you probably wont be around much longer anyways.  Do it for your children or a special loved one but most of all, do it for yourself.  Also, I read about how people have a “last meal", this makes me laugh because I know now at a year out that there is nothing that I can’t eat.  That is a positive and a negative and honestly I have tried it all.  There is nothing that has given me issues to eat. Now, I don’t just eat whatever I want but on special occasions, I may have a bite of cake or a cookie or some popcorn at the movies but guess what, the next day or even the next meal, it’s back to plan.  I still go out with friends to dinner and have a nice meal, a small mean but now it’s nice because I enjoy their conversation more than the food.  You will have a life, you will eat again! Oh, and get through the first month and you will be fine, it’s the worse part and also the pre op diet, lol!

 

Eating and Exercise

I am a creature of habit and I have been pretty much been eating the same things for the past year.  I eat between 600-800 calories a day, 72+oz. of water, 80+g of protein and never more than 45 carbs a day and never exceeding 15 at each meal. I have found that getting my water in is the most important thing.  If I don’t get the water in, I won’t lose.  I go to the gym three to four times a week but rarely on weekends.  I do arm and leg machines and at least 30 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical.

 

Hair loss

I started losing my hair around three months out with the largest amounts being around six months.  There is really nothing you can do to avoid it, no pills or magic potions are going to help but you can help it come back fuller and thicker.  I do take Biotin every morning, I also keep up with my protein which is the most important thing and I also use Bosley shampoo and conditioner that I get from my hair dresser that has helped my hair come back fuller and thicker.  Don’t freak out, you will not be completely bald, I have never seen an after picture on here with someone and they have no hair.  It’s just one of those things you have to go through to reap the rewards, a small price to pay in my opinion.  I would rather but skinny and bald, then fat and have great hair. LOL!

 

Stalls

I must read at least 15 times a week about stalls on here.  You will have stalls; it is a part of the process.  I also read a lot that people really know what’s causing their stall but they just don’t want to admit it.  I hear, “I’ve followed my plan, except this one time I ate this and one time that".  LOL! My advice to everyone, stick to your plan which your doctor has given you.  If you are following your plan and not cheating then the weight will come off, sometimes not as fast as we would like but it will come off.  Trust in your sleeve.  Also, during a stall, stop weighing yourself every day and move to once a week. Your body has been through a lot, give it time to catch up and take a break once in a while.

 

Excess Skin

This is another topic that makes me shake my head when I see posts like, I don’t want to have the surgery and have all the extra skin.  I’m going to give it to you straight up, don’t expect your body to be perfect when you’ve treated it like crap for so long.  Trust me, none of us will be the next sports illustrated model or playgirl of the month.  We have put our bodies through hell for years and just hate when people expect our body to reward us for finally deciding to do something good for it.  Yes, I have loose skin but you know what, I feel amazing.  Yes, the skin is annoying but that is why there are Spanx out there.  Put some on and roll with the flow and be thankful for your second chance at life.

 

Shopping

I can say this has been my weakness.  The second that I could not fit into my clothes that I started with around surgery time, I started shopping.  Warnings to all of you out there, don’t buy a lot until you are at your goal weight or close to it.  I must have bought at least three new wardrobes this year.  It’s exciting to be able to go into any store and fit in things but it gets really expensive. My tips, always have pants that fit.  If you insist of buying something, buy pants.  There is nothing more annoying then seeing people with pants on that are falling to there knees.  Go to a thrift store, buy a pair for 5.00, anything but always have pants that fit.  It not only makes you look better which makes others notice, but then they compliment you and make you feel better.  Pants are the #1 thing to always keep up with.  Another tip, if you’re going to buy new clothes, buy them tight while you are losing, they will eventually fit, lol! Also, shop at thrift stores, they have amazing deals on shirts that are inexpensive.  Shopping too is also a mental thing I thought I would never have an issue with.  I still feel weird going in, like I still don’t belong in there and that the sales person is staring at me not to help me but to say, hey what is that fat girl doing in here.  Guess it’s a mental thing I still have to work out. 

 

Great NSV’s I’ve had

Crossing my legs ( My new #1 obsession)

Fitting in a booth at the restaurants

My dog being able to sit in my lap in the car while I’m driving

Energy Energy Energy

Being able to walk up a flight of stairs without breathing like I’m running a marathon

Guys holding the door open for me

Ziplining for the first time and not being to fat to do it!

Buckling a seatbelt in an airplane

Walking around Vegas with my mom all day shopping and not have to take a break!

Shopping wherever I want

My husband being jealous of guys looking at me, lol

Being able to sit on the floor and get up

Many many more!

 

Ok, enough rambling, here are a lot of pics of my journey along the way!

Before at 308lbs.


One year out! 163lbs.


Another one year out!


Side before at 308lbs


Side after at 163



It has been a great journey, one that has just began so I don't want to forget my other great pics along the way!

Buckling my seatbelt for the first time heading to vegas!


When I hit under 200lbs


When I went ziplining for the first time!!!


When I biked down a volcano! And survived! LOL!


When I got to enjoy Hawaii with my husband and take lots of pics because I wasn't ashamed to be in photos anymore!






And I'll never forget being happy to take professional pics while we were there!


This year has truly been the ride of my life and I'm ready to finally enjoy the rest of it.  It has not always been easy but in the end, it has been worth every struggle.  I again thank all of you for being there throughout my journey and look foward to helping all of you, newbies and vets continue to your own journey of success.  I will continue to post pics because I know it helped me and i want to help all that I can.  Hugs to you all and thanks again!

You are just amazing, that about sums up how I feel when I read your updates ! ! !

This means alot as your pics and post were ones that got me through my nervousness before my own surgery.  Thanks for your kind words and good luck on baby#2, I enjoyed seeing your updates on Tatum and hope you stick around through the new arrival and keep us posted!

 
Wow !!!

Congrats to you !!!

Congrats to your hubs for getting a better you !!!!!

frisco

Thanks Frisco! Now, I just need him to be able to cook like you do! LOL!

Congrats to you on your awesome year! Just wanted to say thank you very much for telling us about your journey. Ziplining, hiking in Hawaii, professional pics, etc. are all on my goals list and reading about your experience made me realize I'll BE there in a year, too! So exciting! Thanks again :)

You're year will be just as exciting and I can't wait to see your pics along the way!

Your post brought tears to my eyes and I had to get my husband to come over to the computer to look at your before and after pictures.  You are one amazing lady and you have rocked your journey and your sleeve.  You are truly beautiful, and healthy and joyful.  Thank you so very much for sharing your success with us.  I tell all of my new VSG friends to hold on, this is quite a ride, and you show that better than just about anyone else. What a great story, what a great success!

Thanks Elina! Your post have inspired me as well since before my surgery and I enjoy seeing your pics in all of your cute outfits! I'm glad that you decided to stick around when the facebook controversy came around.  It would be sad to lose such great inspriational and knowlegeable people as yourself!

Congratulations that's awesome!  You look amazing and I love this post.  Can you give me some advice? How do you get all your protein in? what would the typical day's menu look like?