Before & After RNY + Plastic Surgery with Dorothy, losing 180 lbs!
May 30, 2017Why I Decided to Have WLS
My weight has been a negative force in my life from my preteen years until I had weight loss surgery in 2011. It seems to me now that before my weight loss surgery, my thoughts were constantly consumed with my weight. When, 5’6’, and a weight of 135 pounds I was worried that I would gain five pounds (which I always seemed to do). Back and forth I would yo-yo diet, losing the same 15 pounds over and over again.
Over the years, as my weight crept upward I became at first panicked and then finally resigned. At my top weight of 336 pounds, I rationalized that even though I became winded very easily, I was still relatively active and since I was seeing a doctor for hypertension and asthma my life could go on a usual. Knowing, of course, that this wasn’t true and that I did, seriously, need to lose weight; there finally came the day when reality struck. I had been having terrible pain in my knees. After consulting an orthopedic surgeon, I discovered that I had very little cartilage in my knees, a condition that would only worsen (especially at my current weight) and eventually lead to my having two knee replacements.
At that very moment, I knew I had to stop rationalizing. I asked myself if I was going to have knee replacements in the future or if I was going to address that real issue and lose this terrible weight once and for all. That’s the day I began researching many doctors and the types of bariatric surgeries they performed, I found the perfect doctor with the right support systems for me. Little did I know that a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence hospital was less than five miles from my home. The chief of this center was the surgeon whom I eventually selected to perform the surgical procedure on me. Thank heavens that I made this tough, frightening, life-saving decision.
Before & After RNY and Plastic Surgery with Dorothy
Name: Dorothy
Total Weight Loss: 180 pounds
Surgery Type: Mini-Incision Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (June 2011)
Bariatric Surgeon: Dr. Osvaldo Anez
Plastic Surgery Procedures: Abdominoplasty Extended & Thigh Lift (June 2014); Arm Lift, Breast Lift, Eyelid Lifts, Facelift (January 2015); Liposuction & Scar Revision (March 2015); Breast Augmentation, Fat Grafting, & Lower Body Lift (November 2015)
Plastic Surgeon: Dr. George Bitar
Having Surgery and Life as a Post-Op
I still remember walking to the car the morning of my surgery. I was anxious, excited, a little frightened and very relieved that the nightmare of all this weight was finally going to be over. My surgery went very well and I was a good patient, following all the post op surgery rules. I have never looked back. This Godsend of a surgery has been nothing short of life-saving. It truly is a tool that, if used properly, will allow a person to finally lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Before surgery, I would be able to lose seventy on some diet or other only to gain it all back over the course of a year. It was so disheartening to lose that amount of weight, look in the mirror, and still be fat. This was totally different.
I consulted with a dietician (one of the support services my doctor provided) and carefully regained normal eating habits. At first, my meals were very small and food choices were restricted to aid the healing process. Gradually I returned to an almost non-restrictive, healthy eating plan. I know that if I were to eat sweets today I would have what is termed dumping syndrome. So, I don’t eat granulated sugar, a very small price to pay for the health and wellness I have today. After surgery, I knew it was time to begin exercising. I started walking little by little each day. I had problems, I as I mentioned before, with my knees so I got some knee braces at the drug store and wore them when I hiked. I also got some hiking poles to help me manage especially when hiking downhill. The point is, no excuses. If a problem gets in the way of exercising, fix it but keep moving!
The more I walked the more I could walk and the pounds began to come off at a fairly predictable rate. I began giving away clothes that were too large for me. My husband suggested that I save them just in case I regained the weight (as I always had before). I knew that was not going to happen this time around so I gave those large size clothes away with confidence. I could buy smaller clothes but I couldn’t buy smaller skin. As the fat left my body, the extra skin I had grown to contain it was still there. I had an apron of skin around my abdomen and my legs and arms were saggy and baggy.
About a year after reaching my current weight, I decided to have cosmetic surgery to rid my body of extra skin. After researching several plastic surgeons I had the very good fortune to discover the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute. I was immediately impressed with the caring, knowledgeable staff who have always been friendly and supportive. Dr. Bitar, my surgeon, is an amazingly gifted doctor. It didn't take me long to realize I was in the presence of genius. His professional yet enthusiastic bedside manner immediately put me at ease and I must add that throughout my many surgeries, Dr. Bitar has always been supportive and understanding.
I have come to view the institute and all its staff as an extended family rather than a medical institution. I am truly fortunate to be associated with them. Cosmetic surgery after weight loss is not for the meek though! It was painful and the recovery time was lengthy but I do not regret a single minute of it or one penny spent. Now I can exercise properly without saggy skin impeding my motion and movements. I am working out with a personal trainer two times per week going cardio, strength, and weight training. I have never felt healthier, stronger, or happier. This is what life should be like. I can support my husband, who is slightly handicapped due to an automobile accident, with his daily needs and I can perform tasks that I could never have done before my weight loss.
My Milestones and Non-Scale Victories
A very personal victory for me occurred last summer. There is a hiking spot in the state where I live called Seneca Rocks. It is a mountain trail that ascends one thousand vertical feet above the Potomac River. One summer several years before my weight loss, I attempted climbing the 1,000 feet to the observation deck of this trail. Sadly, I only made it to the half-way point. I was saddened and frustrated that I could not complete the task. Last summer I tried again, this time with my four-year-old granddaughter in tow. Up we climbed, without stopping and 45 minutes later we’re at the top of the observation deck looking down at the beautiful Potomac River. I felt proud, elated, and victorious. As I hugged my granddaughter I thought to myself, today I have sent you a silent message about courage, strength, and determination. This is a lesson I hope will stay with you for the rest of your life.
How ObesityHelp.com has been part of my journey
As I alluded to earlier, I only learned about ObesityHelp.com fairly recently. I am happy to know that this site exists. Resources are key when it comes to fighting this tough battle of weight loss.
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