Four years gone by and RNY is still the best gift I ever gave myself!

It was four years ago that I joined OH, as I searched the interwebs for any and all information that I could find on weight loss surgery. I was 36 years old and 351 lbs. While I didn't have health problems (YET), I was tired. Tired of waking up and feeling my knees ache. Tired of being nervous about going to a new restaurant in case the booths were too small. Tired of fearing who would be stuck next to me on an airplane. Tired of being fat.

In the past four years, I have made plenty of posts. I started off with the usual, "Help - I can easily eat a 5 oz yogurt, did I stretch my pouch?" posts, and over time, I was able to actually give advice rather than only ask for it. I can atttribute my success 100% to the folks on this site who have answered all of my questions and given me support. The friendships I have made here are invaluable. I didn't know anyone who had RNY when I got my surgery (though since then, I have inspired 3 people to have WLS!) and my surgeon's program is crap at aftercare, so this has become my only support system. I can't say thank you enough to the people here who have inspired me and continue to inspire me.

If you're pre-op and on the fence about having weight loss surgery, I can only tell you that in my case, it's been the greatest thing I have ever done in my life. I could list out a thousand NSVs (non scale victories) like: I can cross my legs. I can easily walk 10 miles in a day. I can fit in an airplace seat with room to spare. I can wrap a gym towel fully around my body. But all of that can be summed up by saying: I move through the world so much more easily. I honestly didn't realize how much my weight had held me back because I was actually moderately active for an SMO (super morbidly obese) person. Now, being "normal" sized, I have so much energy. I look at old pictures and I don't even recognize myself.

I won't go on and on, since I have already done that in previous posts (links below). But I will say, if you ask me for ONE piece of advice, it's this. Capitalize on your honeymoon period because maintanence is HARD. Have the surgery, commit yourself to your plan, eat high protein and low carb, and get to your goal weight. Because that's the EASY part. The hard part is when you're at your goal, your pouch is a bit bigger, the motivation is a bit lower, and life happens. Why do you think so many people post that they're "getting back on track"? Because keeping the weight off is where the work comes in!

Like many people, I have had some regain and I (mostly) work on losing it. My goal was 160 lbs, I hit 155 lbs for a hot minute, and then spent a long time in the 160s, where I felt most comfortable. Now I am in the 170s, and have to decide day by day (meal by meal, really) how hard I want to work to lose 12 lbs. Some days I want to work really hard, some days not so much. This is what I mean by HARD.

Everyone's experience is different, but mine has been the greatest thing I have ever done in my life. I wish all of you success!

100 lbs: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/5250347/Century-Club-i n-4-months-and-4-days-my-story/

200 lbs: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/5275149/Down-201-lbs-b efore-and-after-pic/

Goal: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/5278769/I-made-goal-An d-now-the-hard-part-begins/

Plastics: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/plasticsurgery/5309071/X-p ost-Everything-I-wished-I-had-known-and-everything-I/

Two year surgiversary: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/5445401/My-two-year-su rgiversary-with-a-before-and-after-picture/

Three year surgiversary: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/6014459/Three-year-sur giversary-before-and-after-pics-included/#50165149

Two years post LBL:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/plasticsurgery/6022374/Pic s-2-years-post-op-lower-body-lift-breast-lift-and-1-5/

First picture: One month before surgery; Second picture: two weeks before my 4 year surgiversary. I don't even recognize the person in the first picture.

You, my friend are a rock star! Thank you for being here.

You are so inspirational!!! You've done, and continue to do, a fabulous job!

Congratulations on your success! You're an inspiration and your posts are very informative & well written; thank you!

You showing taht with hard work, dedications and with ability to listen - you can be successful. Not only losing and maintaining.

Plus - you know that the longer post op we are - the more work and dedication is required to maintain.

Sometimes you make it look so easy: just eat right, be active and enjoy life.

Congratulations !!!

What an inspiration! I'm pre-op and am carefully logging in my brain, all of the pitfalls. I'm also listening to each of you cheer each other on to new victories and only pray I can be as successful.

Thanks for taking the time to post.

Em you inspired me from the get go. I was four years out in October. I remember reading your posts daily on the menu thread. You made me in the beginning not be afraid of food.

Meaning you tried new things and shared about them.

You have done a great job. I am so glad you still are around.

You have the most beautiful eyes. You can see them in both pictures.

Congrats on all that you have accomplished. You are an inspiration!

Awesome post! I am 2 weeks out tomorrow. I got for my first post op appointment on Thursday. I had all of the same feelings as you! I have always been very active for my size. Even people comment on how active I am but I sure can't wait to get to where you are in the more active moving thru life easier stage! I'm glad I hopped on and read this just now!

You are a freaking rockstar. I'm so grateful for everything you've shared here and with me personally.