Tuesday, May 25

6 months ago today...

...I was starving. And nervous. And getting cold feet.

I was starving because I'd eaten nothing but protein shakes for two weeks, nothing but clear liquids for 24 hours, and NOTHING the day of surgery. My surgery ended up not being until almost 3 pm, and while food would have been nice, I probably would have traded my first born for a drink by about 1 pm. Oh, I was so thirsty. And then when I woke up, I thought they'd sent me on a year-long hike through the desert without water rather than giving me a band - I couldn't even speak, my mouth was so dry.

But they didn't send me on a hike, I really did get banded. It's been a wild ride - waiting for restriction, fills that swell so tight and then relax to basically nothing, tears, smiles, frustrations, celebrations, and more. However, it's been more than all the frustrations and tears, because the band has given me my life back. It's given me hope. It's made me a better mother, wife, daughter, friend, and human being. I know that sounds dramatic, but it is true. I had resigned myself to being fat forever, and with that resignation went my dreams and aspirations, my self-confidence and motivation, my desire to really live. Being fat had robbed my kids of a mother who was happy, my husband of a wife who felt beautiful, my parents of the self-confident daughter they'd so lovingly raised, and my friends of the friend who could inspire them to do great things.

The band is bringing back the person I was. And while it's not all good (I'm far from perfect!), the good far outweighs the bad (no pun intended).

In the last 182 days, I've lost:
  • 70.6 lbs total.
  • 6 oz per day, on average (yes, I am a stats geek).
  • 50+ inches.
  • 2 clothing sizes, from what was probably a 30W (I don't really know as I stuck to LB size 8) to mostly 26W on the bottom, and a tight 3x to 2x (some 1x) on top.
  • Swollen ankles.
  • My fear of gaining weight back.
  • My resignation of being fat forever.

In the last 182 days, I've gained:

  • A wonderfully supportive blogging community of true friends.
  • New, smaller, sassy clothes (thank you, sisterhood).
  • Confidence in being able to lose ALL my excess weight.

And as the pounds have melted away, they've unburied:

  • My self-confidence.
  • My happiness.
  • My sparkling smile.
  • My ankle bones.
  • The ability to dream about the future.
  • The amazing person I was meant to be.

I am looking forward to the next six months and beyond. There's so much more in store for me as I continue to lose and become the new me.

Thanks so much for all your support along the way. I read each and every comment, often 3 or 4 times, because they mean so much to me. I love you all!

35 comments:

  1. What a fantastic post, you look amazing and you've done wonderfully well.
    I really like your hair blonder.

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  2. You are awesome! This was a wonderful breakdown of what the last six months has meant to you, and I'm so proud of your journey! I keep thinking how odd it's going to be when I'm a year out!

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  3. You are a superstar! What a difference 6 months has made. I'm so proud of you, I'm so happy I get to watch all of your successes, I've learned so much from your blog. Thanks for being you!

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  4. Amy, that is so great!!! 70 pounds in 6 months?! Your face looks so much thinner - there is such a big difference. Everything is coming up Amy!
    {love the the blonde, BTW - I usually go for brunettes, but you are so hot as a blonde I think I'll have to make an exception}

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  5. Your before picture is pretty darn pretty, but you look much happier now. Great post. I'm so excited for your journey. I love your attitude and am truly rooting for you.

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  6. P.S. I think you'll need to do a vlog when you hit the 200's!

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  7. Bloody well done Amy! I'm soo pleased for you. What a beautiful face.
    Caroline

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  8. Wow, Amy, what an amazing six months. Your face looks so much thinner, and I love your list of what's been unearthed as the pounds have melted away. Congratulations!

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  9. You are phenomenal! I loved this blog and am so proud of all you've accomplished so far! Love the new hair color too!!! You look fantastic and sooo happy!!!

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  10. THIS is the reason we got this surgery! Success stories like yours. I know you aren't at your goal yet but your progress is so motivating! I love to see what people have accomplished. I love your photos.

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  11. I love your hair blonde! You look great! And sound even better!

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  12. You have done so well - the proof is in the pictures! Congrats on all of those gains/losses! Awesome! <3

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  13. Your confidence is just oozing from your post. So happy for you. You are such an inspiration. We all have our reasons for getting the band but yours are pretty great!

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  14. Lovely! I also am a fan of the blonde. How is the upkeep on that, as a brunette who often dreams of going blonde?

    I think thin makes you look younger.

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  15. You are amazing and beautiful at ANY size! I love that your hair is getting blonder as you lose weight.

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  16. I love the pictures. You are looking hot..

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  17. Love this post. You've come a long way, baby!

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  18. Love this post, you are SO rocking this band. Check you out in those pics! You look absolutely stunning. How does it feel to already be such a great success story?

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  19. Happy Six-Month Bandiversary! What a great blog and a great inspiration!!! You are looking amazing, too!

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  20. Inspirational! I am going to banded sometime this summer. I've got my an appt. tomorrow to have an EGD done (scope my stomach) and then I'll be booking a surgery date. I've been jumping through insurance hoops for 14 months now! I'm finally approved and ready to go! Although, sometimes the realization hits me and I'm like "Whoa, this is finally really happening". Reading your success and happiness as well as what seems to be a satisfying and new relationship you have with foods that you love, gives me a even more positive outlook on this. Makes me feel like this is going to happen without me feeling crazy or miserable! Thank you for sharing :)

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  21. What a 6 months! You're doing so great. You look so happy in that last shot. I have to say I love the blonde too!
    You should be so proud of what you've accomplished.

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  22. You've done so great. As someone soon to be banded, your post assures me that I've made the right decision. Thank you.

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  23. Duuuuudddeeeee - could you get any cuter? I just want to wrap you up and stick you in my pocket for when I need a smile cuz any pic of you makes me smile - with pride, excitement and happiness for you. Love this post - for realz. You amaze me...every day you grow in spirit and you shrink in pounds. LOL

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  24. Happy six months! You look great.

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  25. OK then: read this 10 times--
    You are a total and complete rock star! You look amazing and I am so glad to read every acknowledgment of all of the 'gains' with the losses. You earned every single one of the gains and should be SO PROUD of yourself.
    I am proud of you.
    You are a total inspiration!

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  26. Amy, you look beautful! Reading this was like a breath of fresh air. You are a wonderful person and you are coming into your own now. It is like watching a flower unfold it's petals in the morning sun. I am so proud of you BandSister. Happy Anniversary!

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  27. Oh my freaking God.. I almost missed this post and I hope you see my comment. What a star you are - look at your beautiful face? What a difference.. and girl, you should always stay a blonde. That colour is amazing on you. Congrats on your fantastic first 6 months - you are almost like a new girl. xxx

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  28. Amy, you so look pretty! You have changed the shape of your face! What a great post-

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  29. WOW! You look GREAT! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Seriously.

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  30. you have done so well!!!! 70 lbs in 6 months is AMAZING!!

    I can relate to being so thirsty on the day of surgery! My surgeon was running behind and my surgery didn't end up being until 6pm!!! I waited all day with nothing to eat or drink...torture!!

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  31. Hey Amy...what amazing results!!! You are so pretty by the way...you look awesome blonde!!

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