It has been a year today, December 11, 2014.

[Katcloudshepherd 630]

One year ago today, I had my VSG. I am feeling better than I have in over a decade.

There were challenges. It wasn't all fairy dust and unicorn farts

Lord Almighty it was worth it. This photo was taken at work today.

Blessings,

Kathleen

[fuzzyangelbear 15]

Amazing - congrats! My journey just started on 12.8.14 with the pre op diet and my surgery is 12.22.14.

[Elode 8,093]

Fabulous! Congratulations!

[cutiebbwncali 2]

Congratulations! You look amazing!!

~Kristen~

[Kathy812 794]

You look great! Congrats!

[Healthy_life2 8,322]

^{beautiful lady. Congratulations on you're one year anniversary. After accomplishing so much in 2014 what do you have planned for the new year?}

[Katcloudshepherd 630]

Thank you everyone,

jenn1,

I'm praying and hoping my husband can have the sleeve surgery. He had several surgeries on his abdomen and they kept cutting through the same area and he developed infections so the muscles and skin couldn't be sutured together. As a result, he has a layer of skin over his intestines instead of muscles. He is on oxygen and has a herniated disc in his low back and osteoarthritis in his knees. He has high blood pressure, type II diabetes and uses a power chair to get around because of all his joint problems. He actually has so many more co-morbidities than I did.

He has a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist on Wednesday of next week. I pray and hope that he'll be cleared to have the surgery. It's the last thing he has to get cleared before they apply to insurance for approval.

We've been married since September 5, 1992. We've gotten through military service together, my tour of Korea, when he mailed me an invitation to my own wedding . He said: "I wanted to make sure you would show up". I was stationed in Korea and he was at Fort Sam Houston, (San Antonio, TX). We had a "shotgun" wedding, not because I was pregnant but we wouldn't be stationed together if we weren't married. We survived his emergency surgery when his colon ruptured on September 11, 2001, my mother's death eleven days later when I brought him home from the hospital. So this is just another challenge we have to overcome.

I hope and pray that in 2015, he'll have the surgery and the surgeon will be able to do it. The surgeon has said if he cuts him open and he thinks it will kill him, he won't do the surgery.

So if he can have the surgery AND lose as much weight as I have and have as much an improvement in quality of life---THEN we can start living as a couple again. We can travel together again and enjoy it. We can dance. Oh how I want to be able to dance with my husband again.

I'm sorry to go on and on and on but communicating to people who have not struggled with morbid obesity isn't the same as communicating with people who understand just what a daily struggle being morbidly obese is.

Again, thank you all for your compliments. I wish all of you an easy journey if you are beginning this trip down the WLS highway.

Blessings,

Kathleen

[mz.newlife54 103]

Congratulations and thank you for sharing your journey.

[bellabill 253]

You look wonderful!! Congratulations ????

[Flygirl123 150]

Congrats on your progress! Hopefully your husband will be cleared for surgery so you two can start dancing again :-)

[Kathy812 794]

@@Katcloudshepherd I read your post about your husband. So sorry to hear about all of his ailments & struggles . Your commitment to him is clear in your writing.

I will pray the same for him and that you BOTH will be able to put on your dancing shoes and dance.

Congratulations again on your success.

[Healthy_life2 8,322]

@@Katcloudshepherd,

This post really touched my heart. You have so much love for you're husband.I hope you will find the strength to battle this challenge in life. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Wishing many good things to come you're way in the new year,

Jenn

[iamblessed1225 61]

How much did you loose altogether

[Katcloudshepherd 630]

How much did you loose altogether

I've lost about 117 pounds. I've haven't lost in a little over a month. I'm happy where i'm at. Size 28 woman's to a size 16 woman's. I was able to get down to a size 16 regular when I was in the Army--but I was in my 20's then. Don't see myself getting there again. At the age of 49 and going through menopause--That's OK. I was also a smoker when I got down to a regular size 16.

Thank you all for your compliments and your prayers. I GREATLY appreciate any prayers for my husband.

Blessings,

Kathleen