On Wednesday I had my 1 year post op visit with the PA (Todd), Dietician (Kristen) and Behaviorist (Scott). I am still sitting here in shock that it has been a year already. I find myself lost in what I can only describe as a surreal state. My physical life is so different today than it was a year ago. I feel better in ways that I never could have imagined. I had a conversation with Todd today about needing to be aware of getting ill (extended flu as an example) because at my current body fat %, I could run a real risk, with such an extended illness, of my body fat get too LOW….TOO LOW….are you kidding me? Does Todd not realize he’s talking to a lifelong super morbidly obese person? How can I even conceive of my body fat getting too low? Surely he is talking about someone else; he cannot be talking about ME. Wow! I guess my life has changed.

The meetings with both Scott and Kristen were nice reminders of what I need to focus on and continue to focus on as this journey continues. The first reality is that it will be continuing. I may be at a much lower weight than I was at the beginning, but this is nowhere near the end of the process. I will need to continue to be deliberate and diligent in order to be successful long term. This is a life journey and I can only strive more towards conquering those demons that are still there and need to be actively battled. Complacency and disregard for what I have been taught will only allow those demons to reappear.

I feel so fortunate for the things I have learned and the people I have gotten to know over this year.

Jan. 10, 2011 (Surgery Day) / Jan. 4, 2012 (1 Year post op checkup)

Weight: 456 / 200

BMI: 65.4 / 28.7

Body Fat %: Approx. 44 / 12.9

Health Required Meds: 3 / 0

Neck Measurement: 24” / 15 ½”

Chest Measurement: 70” / 44”

Waist Measurement: 72” / 40”

Hip Measurement: 51” / 40”