Thursday September 28, 2006

A year ago at this moment I was in a drug-induced haze and trying to comprehend the world around me.

I wasn’t high, I was still under the influence of anesthesia, morphine, antibiotics and a bunch of other medications I had been given during my gastric-bypass surgery.

Believe it or not, today is my one-year anniversary for my surgery. The anniversary is often called the surgeriversary (don’t even try to pronounce it) and for many it’s almost more important than their own birthday. It’s the day they got their life back, it’s the day they started a new life.

I’ve changed a lot over the last year—not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. I have so much more confidence than I had and such a stronger self esteem. I also have a wealth of new friends that share a common bond through this surgery. But it’s not just that — we all know what it’s like to live as a morbidly obese person. There is a huge (no pun intended) difference between being overweight and morbidly obese. It is truly society’s last socially acceptable reason to discriminate against a person and we all have endured that and overcame it.

There are so many more battles to be won. This battle, this life, is not a destination, it’s a journey. I look forward to that journey, despite the bumps and bruises I know are still in store for me.

But now, on my one-year anniversary, let me look back at how far I’ve come. I will never share my highest, lowest or actual weight. No one needs to know. I also don’t measure inches because measuring me in the chair is too hard. But here’s some numbers I will share (in a one-time moment of insanity):

My BMI started at 75 and is now a 48. Ironically I still qualify for the surgery but I know about 20 of those pounds is loose skin that will be surgically removed.

I’ve lost 35.8 percent of my total body weight.

I’ve lost 54.9 percent of the total amount I want to lose.

I’ve lost a total of 129 pounds and have about 80ish to go before the reconstructive surgery. When I’m done with everything I’m hoping my total weight loss will be 235 pounds.

For the ongoing visual pictorial of my weight-loss journey

2 comments / Add your comment below

  1. Looking GREAT!! Past my one year on the 8th of August! I am now in a 4/6 — don’t have enough lose skin to qualify for surgery — but definately need BOOBS!!! Congrats!!!!

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