Megan Pigott Checks in a Year After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Megan had the sleeve gastrectomy a year ago. She permitted us to share her Facebook post commemorating her one year “Surgiversary.”
“This might not be the most flattering “after” photo, but it speaks volumes of where I was vs where I’m going!
A year ago I was walking the halls of Raritan Bay Medical Center with my best friend (aka my dad) trying to subside the pain of my VSG surgery.
As much as I studied and “prepared,” I had no idea what kind of ride I was about to begin–
I lost 130 pounds.
I lost dozens of inches across my body.
I dropped approximately 9 clothing sizes.
My BMI is on the border of “normal” for the first time in my entire adult life. I have actual muscles that hurt after a hard workout, not just after spending the day on my feet.
But what’s more important to me than the things that I lost, are the things that I gained–
I gained the confidence to be myself and love myself, unapologetically, in every sense of the word. I gained the ability to look people in the eyes and speak my truth – which sounds simple, but if you grew up as insecure as I did, you know what a triumph that is.
In the last year, I have taken on the world, which wouldn’t have happened without gastric sleeve bariatric surgery.
- I planned a wedding.
- I got a job in the career I’m pursuing.
- I planned our first family vacation.
- I graduated community college.
- I taught myself and my children about being healthy; what’s healthy to eat, what’s not healthy to eat.
- I learned the importance of exercise.
None of this would’ve happened if I didn’t have the support system I did. My fiancé was there every step of the way, even if it meant listening to me cry about food commercials (seriously, I cried) or complain about the gym. My mom was and still is my biggest cheerleader. My dad was always there to encourage me when all I wanted to do was chicken out and give up.
Despite what I’ve accomplished, every day is still a battle for me, and will always be. I have to fight the self doubt and criticism, I have to push myself harder today than I did yesterday, I have to say “no” more often than ever before…
I had to learn self control when it came to food, to friendships and to just about every aspect of my life.
This year has without a doubt simultaneously been both the hardest and the best year of my life.
I am dying to see what the next year brings!”
Megan Pigott, Monmouth County, NJ