107 Pounds down in 18 weeks!

This is my first post as an actual thread and I must confess I'm a bit nervous. But, here goes.

My name is Courtney, and as of Jan 1 2016, I have officially lost 100 pounds! As of 8/28/2015 I made the scariest decision of my life: I had weight loss surgery. I opted for the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. For years, I've been yo-yoing back and forth losing 35-45 pounds and then gaining back 40-50. As of this past summer, I sat at 5'9, 299 pounds wearing a size 24. I had recently gained (yet again) all the weight I had lost through MFP and was incredibly disheartened. Add to this that my somewhat well controlled high blood pressure was climbing and my meds had been doubled, I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, and I was less than a year out from facing the hardest thing I had ever faced- stage 3 uterine cancer and treatment. I was desperate for a healthy body and a new lease on life- desperate enough to be willing to risk my own life and seek medical intervention for my obesity and subsequent health issues.

The first 5 weeks after my weight loss surgery are the hardest I can remember. They made my cancer treatment seem like a walk in the park. I now realize I was going through extreme withdrawals from a very serious food and alcohol addiction. In these 18 weeks I have continued with the therapy necessary for me to break my addiction to food and alcohol, I have remained 100% sober (!!!), and I have lost 107 pounds. I've found a love and passion for running, and I compete a 5k 3-4 times per week as part of my normal routine. I'm regularly in the gym for circuit training, and have developed a borderline obsession with Pilates- and attend three sessions per week which are the most physically challenging thing I've ever done- and I love it. I eat a healthful whole foods diet of lean meats, green veggies, some fruit and minimal dairy. I've ended hurtful relationships, told people NO, and finally learned that taking care of myself first is ok. I've developed confidence in more than just my job...and I have an active and real social life (outside of th internet) for the first time in most of my adult life.

I know some may look at weight loss surgery as the "easy way out." I can tell from you from first hand personal experience, it isn't. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. I have about 12 food items in total I can consume day-to-day that sit comfortably and provide me the energy, protein and nutrition I need to function. I spend a minimum of an hour a day in the gym, and I spend an hour or two per week working on the "head stuff" that led me to 300 pounds and addictions. My life is no longer controlled or focused on food- instead, I've learned to enjoy my time with friend and family in other ways that are turning out to be WAY more fun. I feel good. I feel HOT. I can truly say that...and as weird and awkward as it is to say that...it's something I'm rather enjoying experiencing for the first time ever in almost 30 years.

To those of you considering weight loss surgery as a tool to help you reach a healthy weight and mental status...there is hope. This can be the best thing you'll ever do for yourself if you approach it knowing you will have to put in the work 100% just like anyone else- you just have an amazing tool to help provide you with the control that is desperately needed, and to give you a fighting chance to save your own life before it's too late.







[Edited by MFP Mods]