Gastric Sleeve Journey – One Year Update

Wow. it is genuinely hard to believe that my surgery was over a year ago now. Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday and other days it feels like a lifetime ago. I am such a different person in so many ways and I have so many thoughts to share with you all.

Total Pounds Lost: 96lbs Total Inches Lost: 42 in

a side by side photo of woman (the author) before and after 96 pound weight loss

Lately I have been processing with my family and close friends about what this past year has meant to me. There have been a lot of ups and downs and I am still very much in the midst of this journey. In fact, this is lifelong for me. It will change and evolve, but I still have goals that I would like to achieve before I settle into the maintenance phase.

blonde woman standing in front of a restaurant holding a to-go box of food
My sister took this picture of me. It is a big deal to like a picture that someone else takes of you 🙂

The past few months have actually been hard for me because my weight loss has stalled and I have only lost a few pounds (a little over 5lbs) since my 9 month update. This can be common and I know that it’s okay but it has taken its toll on me for sure. I really thought I would hit my goal of 100 lbs down before my 1 year mark. Even though I didn’t hit that goal, I have still lost 96lbs and I am so very proud of that.

I have talked a lot with my husband about why I feel so let down by not hitting that goal and about what kind of mindset I want to have as I walk into the next phases of this journey. I feel incredible, I am more confident, have so much more energy, can play with my kids, keep up with cleaning my house and have even discovered a new love for cute clothes. But, I don’t feel like I am done with my weight loss yet.

It’s not that I want to be ‘skinny’ or even be a certain size, I just can feel that I am not where I want to be yet. I think this is so so personal and individual. I am not going off of a BMI chart or dr recommendation, because those don’t feel right either. It’s hard to explain, but I believe that my body will know when I am ready to maintain.

photo of legs crossed in an airplane seat
Huge non-scale victory! I not only did not have to use a seatbelt extender on the plane but I could even cross my legs.

I do not want to move forward with feelings of failure or fear, I know that will only lead me to make unhealthy decisions. I have already had to battle through thoughts of returning to habits that were a part of my past with disordered eating. For example, I really wanted to hit that 100 lb goal so my mind went to thoughts of ‘cleanses’ or fad diets to get there. I am proud of myself for working through that and sticking to my new healthier habits.

Weight loss surgery has truly been the tool that I needed to help me get my health back, but I still have to put in so much work. A lot of it being mental work. I still battle with food addiction and old coping mechanisms. Those don’t just disappear after surgery. It takes effort and consistency with missteps along the way. I am not perfect, I don’t stick my my diet 100% of the time and I am okay with that. I want to be able to maintain this lifestyle forever.

woman standing in front of a mirror wearing all black workout outfit

What’s Next?

My original goal weight was 180 lbs and I still feel like that might be a good place for me but my first step is to get below 200lbs. I am currently 213, so that is an achievable next goal for me. The past month has been a little crazy for our family, so I need to get back into some routine. Here are some things I will be focusing on as I work toward my next goal….

  • Hitting my protein everyday – at least 100g but ideally closer to 120g. This also means that I will need to be consistent with tracking again. I use the Baritastic app to track and calculate my macros
  • Hydration – this has been hard for me lately so I need to be more purposeful. I’m aiming for 64oz to 80oz daily
  • Supplements – I am usually pretty good with all my supplements but I have been a little off track lately. I take my bariatric vitamins and have also been including hair growth supplements as well
  • Morning Bible reading – this might not seem relevant to some, but my relationship with Christ greatly factors into my health. I have been reading the Bible everyday for most of the year, but I have fallen behind and need to get back on track
  • Workouts – I was getting back into weight lifting at the gym and was using my treadmill regularly before our family got hit with weeks of illness. I need to get back to it, I feel so much better when I move my body purposefully everyday
  • Meal Prepping – this is something that I want to start. I don’t need to have full meals ready but I would like to have some proteins grilled ahead of time, hard boiled eggs, fruits and veggies washed and chopped etc. I think this will help so much, especially as a busy mother of 3.

Helpful Products:

  • Built Bars – these protein bars (I love the puffs version) are something I look forward to everyday. They are a treat that helps me reach my protein goals. My favorite flavors are Snickerdoodle Puffs, Mint Brownie Puffs, Birthday Cake Puff, Cookie Dough and Peanut Butter Puffs. Lol, its too hard to narrow it down more than that. I truly love them all. Use code TBB10 to save money at checkout
  • Motiv-8 – I take Motiv-8 Burn before all my workouts and I have been LOVING the vanilla protein powder. I also use the greens and detox to help with regularity (IYKYK). Use code TBB15 to save money
  • Seed – I recently started taking Seed daily synbiotic for my gut health. It is a prebiotic/probiotic combination that aids in digestion and eases bloating. It is so important to maintain a healthy gut, it affects our whole body! Use code TBB for 15% off your first months supply

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