In the last 9 months.....

I just passed my nine month anniversary since I had surgery. I can't tell you how many things in my life have changed. First I want to comment on the weight loss. I can report that the weight is still coming off. As of this update I weighed in at 185. I have lost a total of 190 pounds starting out at 375 pounds. I started out in a 4X shirt, and now I am down to a Large now. My pants size started at a size 60. I am now down to a comfortable size 36.
My energy level is amazing. I am doing things that I imagined ever doing and I am going places that I would never imagined going to before surgery. I don't ever question going into stores, diners, and other places, thinking people are staring at me because of my weight. It's a good feeling to have.
Recently I took a vacation to Las Vegas. It was there that I had done a lot of walking. It just blew me away that after walking all day I still had a ton of energy at the end of the day. I felt great knowing that I could keep up with the rest of my family, which made my vacation a lot more enjoyable because I could enjoy more of it. On top of it, the coach airplane seats were so comfortable. I couldn't believe how much room I had left when I sat in that airplane seat.
Climbing stairs is a whole new experience too. I remember climbing three flights of stairs and having to sit down on a chair when I got inside my apartment. Now I can do stairs without even thinking twice. I have no problems whatsoever with losing my breath or having my knees hurt. I can even actually run the stairs. Feet, ankles, knees, hips, back, neck. All great!! NO ACHES OR PAINS. Finally!! It is so nice not to have to feel all these pains that I had when I was almost 400 pounds.
Buying clothes has been quite the eventful process now that I can basically buy anything off the rack without having it tailored or expanded, etc. The amount of money I save on buying clothes is mind-blowing. What I spent before surgery for one pair of pants and a nice shirt, I can now get 3 to 4 times that amount of clothing for the dollars spent. I never used to wear jeans mostly because I could never find any that fit decently. Now I wear jeans all the time. They are by far the most comfortable.
Also now, when I am spending time with my nephew Ryan, I am able to sit on floor and keep up with him. Before surgery I would sit on the couch and try to interact with him but I could only do so much. Today, I am able to be right down and be at his level with no problems keeping up with him. I have great energy, but I don't think any adults my age have the energy of a three-year-old.
I will say this however—I am still 110% glad I had this surgery. I would do it all over if I had to. Although this surgery is not for everyone, it certainly has opened new doors that were previously glued shut. If I wouldn't have had this surgery, I could probably guarantee that I would be well over 400 pounds and heading towards a heart attack or stroke. Only being 27, the thought of that is very heartbreaking. When I look back at the picture of me the night before surgery I get emotional. I remember that person I used to be at 375 pounds. I can remember how I felt. The night before surgery I cried like a little baby because I was so scared that I wasn't going to make it through the surgery. I realize completely now that it's the surgery that saved my life and that those emotions I felt before surgery were normal.
So in the nine short months since surgery, not only has my life changed, but so have the people around me. My confidence level is high now and I think that comes across in my personality and people notice that and react more positively towards me. I still fall back on the old insecurities but it has become less frequent. I feel better about myself more than I have ever in my life. I have learned that you have to put into life what life provides. It is definitely time for me to move forward now that I am able to—No looking back and no regrets. It's a second chance in life, and as corny as that sounds, I am really glad I have it!!
I will keep moving forward because I now have no excuse now to go back!!