Happy 4th Surgiversary!

3 Year Surgiversary!

3 Years Post-Op! So hard to believe, and yet still feels like yesterday.
I still feel so blessed to be able to live life at a healthy weight!

I know that I will always struggle with my weight.  However, my weight does not define me.  Food is not my reason for living.  In an effort to be honest and transparent - after my 2nd year post-op, I did gain about 25 pounds.  It came after a miscarriage, and I turned to food to cope.  I had to take a hard look at what I was going back to, and had a 'come to Jesus' meeting about what I was doing.  In about 6 months, I've lost almost 20 pounds.  Those have been the hardest 20 pounds I've ever lost.  My goal is to lose about 10 more to be at a comfortable weight.  It's a lifelong journey, not a sprint and I don't see that the goal is ever attained, because the goal is to stay healthy each day.  To live happy, healthy and full of joy... to know that I am created and loved by the Maker of the Universe... to know that He is always making goodness out of every circumstance in my life...

Happy 2 Year Surgiversary!

Yep! Hard to believe... it's my 2 year Surgiversary! TWO years ago today, I had my LIFE CHANGING Gastric Bypass Surgery.


I have lost a total of about 120 pounds, but I have gained so much more!
Leading up to January 12th, 2011 -- I had much excitement and fear. Fear not only of the surgery itself but of my life after surgery. Yes, there were times when I was nauseous, craved food I could not have, had dumping syndrome after being served 'not so diet' lemonade, and thrown up my fair share of chicken. The weeks right after surgery were no cake walk (pun intended). Surgery hurts, the gas pain hurts. But then it starts to wear off, and so does the memory of it as you begin to see the amazing results of your commitment.

However, there have been many more times when I have looked in the mirror and been shocked at what I saw -- 1 chin! Size LARGE shirts! Size 10/12 jeans! I would never give up the time that I completed a 5k race on my 30th Birthday with Richard and my Dad last year. I love that I can now shop in the regular stores. I even love that now I wear Spanx so that my extra skin doesn't jiggle so much, instead of it just compressing my size 24 belly. It's ok that ice cream makes me sick, and I've learned that rice and pasta do not have to be staples in the Southern Diet. They DO serve UN-sweet tea in North Carolina :o) and I'm the Splenda Queen -- always have a baggie of it in my pocketbook. I love the new confidence I have in myself. I knew I always had it, but my weight was hindering it. I amin control of my own health. I have squashed that old BMI of 49.7 and gotten it to "overweight." I am determined to get to "NORMAL". My LDL and Triglycerides are even in the lower side of normal now! I don't fear the scale now. Don't get me wrong, I don't like the scale - but we have a love/hate relationship and it does not rule me.

I will always be a food addict. The last 6 months have beeen trying, and I have realized even more that WLS is a tool -- I still have to work at being healthy. Exercise - yeah, I still don't like it BUT we bought a treadmill and I am working on getting my HDL Cholesterol higher. I am now working on losing these "last" 20 pounds. I am happy with my size right now, but I would like to lose 20 more in order to be a more optimal weight for my health. As much as 2011 was a life-changing year, we all have the capability of making the most of each and every day in order to achieve the best health possible.

I can't wait to see what Year 3 POST OP has for me!

I love these pictures

 

 

 

This is one of my most favorite pictures... of two of my most favorite people. February 2012 - Baby Dedication Sunday for Miss Carly Kate.

May I please see your ID?

.... and then next comes the puzzled look as they look back and forth between my drivers license photo and the girl standing in front of them :o)

What do you think?

March 2012 (Left) & November 2006 (Right)

It's me in both, I promise! Just got my new license in the mail... to start my new and best decade yet!

Happy 1 Year SURGIVERSARY!!

ONE YEAR LATER....

Wow. It's hard to believe that my WLS was 1 year ago today. I remember it like it was yesterday, and yet it seems like decades ago.

As of today, I have lost 98 pounds since the day of my surgery! My total weight loss since the beginning of my gastric bypass journey is -120 pounds!

I don't even know where to start to tell you how much better I feel... physically, emotionally & even spiritually ~~

PHYSICALLY...

• No longer a pre-diabetic
• No more high blood pressure
• No more high cholesterol
  
• I wear a size 10/12 & Large tops (Down from a 22/24 & 3x tops where I looked like a busted can of biscuits)
• My shoe size has gone from a 10 to 9 1/2
• I take the stairs at work, and don't feel like I'm going to pass out when I reach the top
• Char-dog has become my *running* partner
• I'm training for a 5k on March 31st .... why not run my way into my 30s?! ;o)
  
• We eat high protein meals
• I stay away from rice, pasta & bread
• I don't crave fast food
• I still have no grace ;o)
• I eat every 2-3 hours
• I don't recognize myself in the mirror sometimes
• I have clavicles! 2 of 'em
  
• I enjoy shopping FOR MYSELF! (but I'm still in and out, no browsing needed)
  

EMOTIONALLY & SPIRITUALLY...

• I feel good about myself
• I finally accomplished a New Years Resolution in 2011
• I'm still a food addict. I always will be. WLS was the tool to help me jumpstart my rehab.
• I feel more comfortable meeting new people and reconnected with old friends
• I went through about 6 weeks of depression right after surgery ~ it was like my best friend (named Food) had been ripped away from me. I'm thankful for how God got me through that, and how much I learned about my dependence on food during that time.
  
• I am so proud of Richard! He's so hott ;o)
  

BEST DECISION I could have made! Gastric bypass surgery has transformed my life, and given me back confidence that I didn't even know I could have. I believe I'm more of an optimist now, seeing more potential in people and situations that they see in themselves. I've been given the opportunity to live my life to the fullest, and I plan on taking full advantage of it!

I believe fully that God's not done with any of us yet...
"There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears."
Philippians 1:6

Happy Thinner Anniversary!

Happy 5th Anniversary!
11/11/11 and we're down -232 combined pounds!!
(Rich -115 & Jenn -117).... and we've never felt better :o)

We celebrated with a weekend getaway to Granny & Poppy's mountain house, and went to Chateau Morrisett for lunch on Nov 12th. We brought home 4 boxes of leftovers to enjoy for the next two days. Last year this time we ate everything on our plate (appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert.)

last year's anniversary lunch 11/11/2010...

Richard -- 11/11/2011 .... goodness he's handsome!

Richard -- 11/11/2010



Jennifer -- 11/11/2011


Jennifer -- 11/11/2010