My holiday!

[DebDeb]

Hi All,
It's been quite some time since I've been here (just busy with work/life stuff I guess) but wanted to share a bit of exciting (for me at least ) news with you all.

I have just returned from my first 'abroad' holiday in nearly eight years!!! One of the reasons that it has been so long since the last one was my weight issue (I just couldn't bear the thought of showing my enormous body to the world!) However, it's been just over 12 months since my sleeve and although I'm not at my ideal weight yet, I felt happy enough in my own skin to be prepared to give it a go 😃

I've returned from a week away in Gran Canaria at an 'all-inclusive' resort and quite frankly there was food everywhere!! I had decided beforehand that I would stick to my small portion size and other than that, would just see how it went. I just relaxed, chilled out and enjoyed myself in all ways (including mealtimes!)

My exciting news is, two days after coming home, I was exactly half a pound lighter than when I left!!! My partner put on a few lbs but (even without being overly careful about what I ate) I lost half a pound!! I KNOW that pre-sleeve, I most certainly would have gained weight - probably somewhere between 5-7lbs in the one week, so for me not to, whilst still enjoying my food and having a wonderful time, feels like a minor miracle!!! 😃😃😃

For those of you considering a sleeve or who are newly post-op, I must tell you that, as I look back on the last 12 months, I feel SOOO incredibly grateful to have had mine! In the early post-op days, I couldn't have imagined ever feeling happy and confident enough in myself to put on a swimsuit and lie in the sun for a week, or that I could possibly return from holiday lighter (even if only by half a pound &#128521 than when I left!! I could easily do up my seatbelt on the plane (YAY!) and thoroughly enjoyed myself (so much so that we've already booked next years holiday!! &#128521 Has it been challenging at times? Of course - and continues to be on occasion! But do I have any regrets about having my sleeve??? NOT A ONE!! 😃😃😃

[Ann2]

DebDeb ... is that YOU!?

Helloooo! Girl, you have changed. You look fabulous, dahling!

Wonderful to hear from you. Thanks for chiming in. I'm done losing weight, too, and am now working on maintenance (doing fine so far). Just posted my first year anniversary hurrah: http://bit.ly/1JRyFcW

[cathbas]

Thanks for all the encouragement and stick around some..we need you all!!

[DebDeb]

WOW!!! Serious congratulations to you Ann!! I'm DELIGHTED for you!!! 😃😃😃 Gutted I missed your 'real' avatar but bet you're looking and feeling 'fabulous Dahling' &#128521 I've still got weight to lose but am feeling better both physically and mentally and will no doubt get there eventually 😃 Your first year anniversary story is FAB and will be an inspiration to many (myself included!)

P.S. Just updated my 'before and after' pics (the 'before' is a real shocker &#128521 x x

[Joe Poppa]

DebDeb,

Congratulations on the fantastic effort you have made; you look great.

[tomigyrl]

You *lost* weight on vacation? Way to go! That doesn't happen to anyone - nice work.

"Gutted"...ah...I work with a team in Dublin and they say that. Love the UK/Ireland contingent. (Hubby is coming with me on my next business trip, to Ireland, and we're staying an extra week. It'll be a challenge I'm sure staying away from all the yumminess - I love the hearty Irish foods and proper breakfast. Your vacation success is inspiration for me not to let stuff slip. Thank you!)

[Ann2]

DebDeb ... I know we say this all the time here, but truly ... I would not have recognized you from your before photo:

http://www.gastricsleeve.com/forum/member.php?u=31191

You have transformed yourself. So, so proud of you! So proud!

[Midas]

Just looked at your before/after pics. What a transformation! Congrats to you and your success!!

[missemily516]

You look great, and to lose weight on a vacation is truly a victory!

I had a week-long vacation where I stayed home, and I lost a couple of pounds.... the sleeve is truly a tool and we are rocking it!