5 year anniversary

Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of my rny.  What a journey it has been.  I am down 115 pounds since I started this journey - most of that lost in the first year.  I had an open rny - no real issues with healing.  I bounced back relatively quickly even though it was open.  As most folks say, I would do it again in a heartbeat, I just wish that I did it sooner.  Although, I don't know that if I did do it sooner, that I would have been so committed to making this work.  At the time that I did this, it was my last resort having tried every diet known to man.  No complications from the surgery except a hernia about 2 years out.  I had actually started my plastics journey when the hernia was found.  The good news is that I was trying to get the bariatric scar revised since it was long and ugly when the plastic surgeon told me there was a large hernia.  So while the correction was more complicated, it was covered by my insurance.  I went further down the plastic surgery path that I ever thought I would.  But I found a wonderful surgeon and I worked on each of the areas that bothered me.  My health is so much better although I am still on low doses of most of my meds.  I am so much more active that I was prior to surgery.  I had really bad sleep apnea - actually got the cpap machine months before surgery - was able to give up the cpap several months after the surgery.  After having the plastics done, I look so much better.  I scar badly but I would much rather have them than the saggy skin.  It is a way of reminding me of the work that I have done and how much I don't want to go back there.  I am able to maintain my weight - at least so far.  Sometimes carbs do creep back in but luckily I manage to get them under control again.  Carbs are the devil - constant battle to keep them out of my life.  I am hoping that the next 5 years are as consistent as the last 5 - if so, I will be a happy girl.  I wish everyone luck on your journey - it is not an easy one - but it can be a joyous one when you get to a point where you are happy with your progress.

 

JoAnn

You've done fantastic work so far. I look forward to reading about how well your ten year anniversary goes.

Congratulations - you've done a great job and are now considered a VET!!!!

Congrats. 5 years is along time and it's good to know long term weight maintenance is possible. I've been in maintenance since May but not doing well. I've allowed carbs back into my diet and even tho I promise myself I'm getting back on plan, I blow it every day. How do you get those carbs out of your system once they've been introduced and now crave them? Unfortunately, other than sugar I tolerate everything and also can eat large quantities of food. UGH

Just like you, sugar is the only thing that I can't tolerate.  Every now and then, I just have to re-evaluate every thing that I want to eat.  I question why I am eating it - am I really hungry or is it really head hunger.  It makes for a very tough week when I have to do this but usually after the first couple of days, it gets easier.  As you get further out, your focus switches to other things in life rather than what you have to do to stay on plan.  But every now and then, you just have to dial in that focus again and say that you are the important thing and get yourself back on track.  It isn't easy but its what I have to do to be 5 years out and still maintaining at 115 pounds down.  As you move through the approval process, you think that the surgery is the end game but the reality is that the surgery is really the beginning.  The surgery helped me lose the weight, but it is my job to keep it off.

Thank you for the advice. I haven't been able to make it 1 day lately. GRRH. But I wake up every day with the attitude that I must get back n plan. I'll keep trying every day, every meal. The cabs have got me out of control tho.

If its really that bad then try and eliminate them one snack at a time.  Examine what causes you to go after them - boredom, stress?  Try and tackle each condition on its own.  I can control the day time ones relatively easily by getting involved in something but the nighttime ones were a real challenge.  When I try and relax at the end of the evening and get ready for bed - ugh - that is when they are the worst.  Keeping myself under control at that point also keeps me awake so I am just fighting with myself.  Most nights I win, but some nights I give in.  A couple of days of this and I usually am good but then it seems a month or two later, those bad habits are back.  Try substituting something good - a bit of protein or some flavored water - see if that can turn it off.  Good luck.

I'll try this. Thank you!!