1 year

[Guest guest]

Wow!!!! That is all I have to say. Ok, so you guys don't know it yet,

but you will...I always have more to say!...LOL

Well, 1 year ago tonight I was preparing to go to the hospital the

next day. 1 year ago tomorrow morning I was heading to the hospital

for wls. 1 year ago I hurt so bad I could barely move and didn't

even realize how bad it really was. 1 year ago I was scared to death

that I was changing my life forever, but excited that I was changing

my life forever. 1 year ago my best friend was praying with me

before I was wheeled into surgery - she said it was like the Lord was

giving me a special gift and that I would not be the same person

anymore.

Well, today I have gained much more than I have lost. In the past

year I have lost 120 pds, but that's not the best part. The best

part is that I have gained new friends, new experiences, a new life.

Am I still the same person?? Well the answer is yes and no.

Basically I am, but I don't think in the same ways and I don't react

in the same ways. I don't look at food as the be all/end all of my

life. I am trying things that 1 year ago I would NOT have even

thought about. I am taking Salsa dance lessons, I am planning on

walking in a 6.7 mile race sponsored by 104.1 KRBE, I am meeting new

people and learning to hang on to the things (God, church, family)

that are still the most important things to me as I branch out. I am

going shopping all day w/out getting tired, wearing shoes other than

tennis shoes and shoes w/ " support " and loving it. I bought my first

pair of 3 inch heels to go dancing in. I am wearing things that a

year ago I would have not only not been able to put on my big toe,

but would have never dreamed I could actually look cute in (me??? no

way!).

The list goes on and on, but I am reflecting on how many changes have

happened in the past year. There are so many changes that have

nothing to do with wls itself, but are a direct reaction to the

benefits of becoming more confident and self assured. I think the

major one is that I am working a 2nd job in order to get out of debt,

have $$ in the savings account and buy a new car. A year ago, that

would not have even crossed my mind, nor would I be able to sustain 2

jobs and not kill myself. As I said before, I have gained new

friendships in and out of the wls circle. I am able to go get dinner

and not feel embarrased or self consious thinking everyone is

watching me eat. Has this past year been easy???? NOPE!!!! There

are parts of it that have stunk, but you take the good with the bad.

In any situation you can get bitter or better, it's your choice. WLS

does not make everything better, it just gives us a running chance.

April