Before & After RNY with Mary J., losing 140 pounds!
May 22, 2018Why I decided to have WLS
On January 17, 2005, I embarked upon a life-changing journey. As I reflect on the years leading up to this date, I was always chubby (a polite way to tell a child they are fat).
I was a large teenager and a fat adult. Truth was, I was always fat. I still carry that baggage in my head. I remember the insults, being made fun of (we now call this bullying or fat-shaming), not invited to parties, dances or prom. I am not looking for sympathy. I just feel the need to get a few things off my chest.
The teen years were so cruel. I thought adulthood would lessen the mean things said and done by others. At times, they did seem better, then WHAM someone would make a rude remark. Self-esteem was non-existent most of my life. I discovered how to act. I smiled and laughed it off, pretended not to hear and force myself to act confident, in control and happy. There were many dark days.
I married young and had two beautiful children, then divorced (not my choice). My sons are the best highlights of my life and are the sole reason I survived that period of my life. I made many mistakes but they loved me so unconditionally. They made me keep going. Working harder. Trying diet after diet all of my life I could never keep the weight off. I met a wonderful man in 1994 (my husband, Bob) and we were married in 2001. He truly made me feel loved and I felt something for a man I truly felt I had become unable to feel, TRUST and LOVE.
I had a heart stent put in my over-worked heart in 2004. It was a wakeup call of the necessity that if I did not lose weight I would never see my sons marry and have families. I owed Bob and the boys more than that. I had already failed at every diet and gym program and was grasping at straws.
I heard of Gastric Bypass Surgery. I started researching it and discussed it with Bob. He said NO, it was too dangerous. I sought out a well-known surgeon who specialized in several various types of this surgery. He was having a seminar and I begged Bob to go with me to hear more, learn more, with the opportunity to ask questions. He reluctantly agreed to go with me.
We listened and learned information, and there was a whole auditorium full of people. When we left, I asked Bob what he thought. He told me, "you are not nearly as big as most in that room, and assured me that I was fine as I was."
I persisted and made an appointment to see if I was a good candidate for the surgery. The surgeon said I was but he had very strict guidelines and rules that must be met for him to do the surgery. One of them was to attend weekly support group meetings that were run by a nutritionist that specializes in pre and post-op patients.
Yes, Bob went with me to every meeting. As we got to see more and more people with their successes and no harm, Bob started to get more on board.
Before & After RNY with Mary J.
OH Username: Mary J
Total Weight Loss: 140 pounds
Surgery Type: RNY
Date of Surgery: 12/17/2005
Surgeon's Name: T. Paul Singh
My Surgery and Post-Op Life
I had my surgery, I also had several complications so my 2-3 day hospitalization lasted 19 days. Mostly in ICU and some days in a coma. I came through it. Within 12 months, I lost more than 1/2 of my body weight. Over the years I have gone up and down 20ish pounds.
I was bleeding internally. A second emergency open surgery was done. I guess, from what I remember, I had a clot at the Y and it opened things up. They repaired that and put in an IV filter. Unfortunately, I had a pulmonary embolism and could not breathe. I was put on life support and was in and out for a while. I feel so blessed that I survived this.
Today, 13 years later, I am maintaining 120-125 pounds and trying to get back up to my comfortable weight of 130 pounds. So the next time you go to laugh at someone, criticize, laugh, joke, humiliate etc...look in a mirror and remember what you do can stay with that person the rest of their life. NO ONE is perfect. I am still not happy when I look in a mirror. I still see all of my flaws.
A Special Milestone
I'm 13 years post-op and at 123-125 pounds and maintaining. I'm still very careful of volume and what I eat. I do eat almost anything in limited amounts. I now know one bite of cake is ok. I sometimes still get sick if I eat junk or fried foods. It truly has to be a lifetime commitment.
I know so many who have not been successful. Years ago, I tried to get a support group near me started and only had a few intermittent attendees. I wish that had worked out better. I had gone through the ObesityHelp program to help pre and post-ops.
I also took up golf and play several times a week.
I'm retired and moved to Florida and the lifestyle here is so much more active.
Share Your Before & After Success!
Celebrate your own Before & After WLS Success, milestones, non-scale victories, and inspire others! The OH team wants to hear from you to share your weight loss surgery journey. Visit our Before & After Submission page for details.
