One Year Later... Already!

Thinking back on the first few weeks after surgery, those weeks of recovery that were the hardest, I am reminded that all of the people involved in the surgical procedure would tell me to, "wait until you're a year-out! You won't even remember these first weeks." Well, I certainly can remember the recovery, but it's absolutely incredible how fast this last year has flown by.


It sounds cliché, I know.


Honestly though, it seems like yesterday that I was having internal struggles with myself about the idea of actually voluntarily undergoing a surgery that would permanently change my innards. It was fucking scary! And here I am, a whole 365 days after the actual procedure.


Insane.


And you know what? I can say with full confidence that I am better off for it.


I visited CBSI at Pres/St. Luke's on the third of this month for my one-year follow-up appointment. As with all of the visits thus far I met with the surgeons, the dietitian, and the social worker. They checked up on the usual stuff; blood work, diet, mental state... all the usual stuff that need to be monitored after a life-changing procedure. My blood levels were all perfect. My diet is on track. My supplement intake is okay (a constant work-in-progress). My mental state is normal (or so they say - got 'em fooled). That's all great news, but the best part of the visit was all of the positive reaction I got from my accomplishments. These people helped kick-start my new lifestyle with the surgery and I got to sit and tell them about all of the things I am doing to really make it work for me.


I'm very proud of that.


I'm proud of myself for what I have done and what I will continue to do.


I am proud to be a healthier person.


So, the cold numbers? One-year after surgery I am 148 pounds lighter. Currently I come in around 304 pounds. I am very close to being under 300 pounds for the first time since I was around 13 years old.


That's very exciting!


So, what's next? Well, I continue to work out five days a week. I am coming to the half-way point of the 12-week body challenge at my gym, so I'll have some new details to write about regarding that soon.


I continue to play flag football which has been absolutely amazing and fun! Three games left for the season - and again, I hope to write in more detail about my venture back into football soon.


I have discovered that I am voluntarily starting to jog - yeah!? Fucking weird. A good friend of mine has passed a long a running program that is supposed to prepare the average couch potato for a 5k in a just a few weeks. I am thinking about starting that up in the next week or two.


I am also eagerly looking forward to the weather warming up again, as there has been talk of hiking and swimming - overall just enjoying the beautiful Colorado Spring/Summer with my (continuously) smaller and more agile body.


As a matter of fact, I may celebrate my one-year anniversary with a new pair of running shoes.


I push on...