One Year - Almost There

I've been thinking about what I would post on my one-year surgical anniversary for a week or so now - it's a big milestone, so it seems like it should be something profound. But honestly? I don't have anything that momentous to say.

I'm squarely in my surgeon's goal range for me; they said 166-190, and I'm at 178. I want to get down to about 150, so I still have a little ways to go. I'm getting close to where I wanted to be in clothing (single digit sizes), I'm in a 14 for pants/dresses, and a ladies large or medium for tops. The 14 for pants is primarily about the belly hang - I'm a bit baggy in the butt, so without it I'd be in at least a 12 if not a 10.

I'll definitely need the plastic surgery to be super comfortable about how I look - the arm droop is crazy, and the belly has to go. I'll probably have my thighs done, and definitely need the boobs put back into place. If I haven't gone broke after all of that, I'll probably get my chin done, and maybe the eyes (I have a slight bag underneath). Saying all that feels very vain, but the excess is very telling that I used to be fat, and honestly isn't attractive. The Man and I did discuss this pre-op, so we have been prepared to make the expense.

I haven't taken my standard monthly photos yet, but I do have some to share. The Man and I flew to New Orleans on Thanksgiving day and spent 5 nights there - a trip just for the two of us. We had an amazing time, ate some incredible meals, and did miles and miles of walking.

It was our first flight post-op, and I giggled like a schoolgirl every time we took our seats, because I no longer needed a seatbelt extender, and the tray table would come down and slide all the way toward me with room to spare - even on the regional jet!

Finally, I bought a pair of boots recently - still needed wide calf, I'm not sure I'll ever escape that - I built them up when I was younger, and they're still nice and defined. I bought a sweater dress to wear with them, and felt pretty darned confident in it. You can see the belly hang a bit, but I don't think it was super prominent. (Ignore the shirt on the floor in the hotel room picture).

I wore that to Emeril's, and we walked there and back from our hotel. A great evening!

There's been a lot that's happened this year, but the fact that I've lost an average sized person in the 160lb I no longer carry still rather boggles my mind. The never ending ass fistula has been a bummer, but I can't say it was directly caused by my WLS experience (a post later this weekend will give an update on that situation). I've definitely gained confidence, I feel far sexier, and it's starting to sink in that I'm the same size or smaller than a lot of other people out there in the world - not anywhere near being the biggest woman in the room any more, and that's still a brain boggle!

All said and done - this was the best thing I've done for myself, and I wish I'd done it 10 years ago or more. It's never too late to change, and the positive impact it's had will benefit me for the rest of my life.