One Year Surgiversary...or is it 8 years?

One year ago today I had my lap band removed and revised to VSG.  So I had a big head start; I already knew the mantra of "protein first, veggies next, and no drinking with your meals".  

And what a great ride it has been.  I had lost about 40 pounds with the band, then gained 10 back, then 15 back...well, you know the story.  My band was never my friend - I vomited at least once a week, and eating was a real chore in the best of cir****tances.  In the end, my band caused a hernia and massive acid reflux, so it had to go.

I was still obese, out of shape, and still had high cholesterol and sleep apnea.  

VSG felt like starting all over again, but this time I could actually eat without the food getting stuck in my esophagus.  I've been a member of this forum for 8 years, but had dropped off for a couple of years during the worst of my banded life.  I knew that I needed to walk, walk, and walk some more after surgery, and that's what I did.  Six weeks after surgery I entered my first 5K.  I walked it, but what a feeling of success to walk 3.1 miles without stopping!  I've done several 5Ks after that, and my next one is Friday night.  

This winter I totally slacked off on the exercise.  Winter blue**** me hard every year in spite of upping my Vitamin D and using a light box every day.  But now I'm back walking most days, and have started running again in small spurts. 

I'm here to tell you that this ain't easy folks.  I have discovered some of my trigger foods, and it's like going off on a 3 week bender if I have them!  My weight has stabilized between 143 and 150 pounds...I want to go lower and intend to this summer.  I'm wearing a size 6 or 8 pants, and a medium top.  And many times I still see a grossly overweight person in the mirror.  But I have noticed that I no longer hold a pillow in front of me when I'm sitting with others (hides the tummy, LOL), and I no longer hold my hands in front of me during pictures (same reason).  

I am where I am today not because I had weight loss surgery.  It helped, certainly, but this is all me.  Hard work, sweat, and determination got me here, and I'm enjoying the view.  So today I will celebrate my accomplishments quietly.  Tomorrow night I will celebrate with about 7,000 others at the Fargo Marathon 5K!

Yay! Great job! I grew up in ND and went to school in Fargo! 

I 

m aiming for 155 and we are the same height so it is great to see you in an 8! I'm just about in a 16 and dreaming of an 8!

The tool helps but it is a lot of work one way or another! You are beautiful and determined!

Thanks Julia! I grew up in Casselton.  I moved to Fort Worth, TX 30 years ago, but for the last 7 or 8 years I've been living in DL during the summer months.  The best of all possible worlds.

You'll get there before you know it!

You look amazing & you have inspired me today.  So happy for your great success. 

Thank you Steph!

Congrats.  You look awesome!!  You rocked your sleeve with your hard work, sweat and determination.  Simply amazing!!

Thanks!

Sandy - you look FANTASTIC!  So glad the revision worked out for you and you are able to enjoy and participate in life 

You go girl!! What an inspiration :)

Thank you Chrissy!