THE THREE YEAR MARK

Here we are. Just a few days away from three years post-surgery. I'm reflecting on how each of these past three years has evolved, one into the other, with milestones unique to themselves. The first year was fraught with concerns - not losing enough, not losing fast enough, trying to navigate food and behaviors in a manner that would propel us toward success. For me that first year was all about doubt - I truly doubted that I would be able to lose the weight because I had never been able to before. The second year was about total surprise at how the weight had melted off my body-and what it all meant. I was left with profound redundant skin that was every bit as devestating as the weight had always been. Underneath those mounds and folds of skin was a slim body that I couldn't enjoy. I had one surgery after another - the tummy, the boobs, the arms, and finally the lower body lift. I am scarred from neck to knee and it wasn't the best work. And my face is terribly saggy and wrinkled. Significant weight that is lost much too fast can leave one looking remarkably old and tired. Still, my second year was about the magic of movement. I remember the day I discovered I could jump up and down, literally, with my feet clearing the ground - I was like a little kid, I was so excited about my accomplishment. This past year has simply been about learning to live life in a normal sized body. And learning to live without the tool of my pouch any longer, because I truly can eat anything in any amount without any consequences. So I continue to move my butt, hard and often - it remains my greatest joy. I slip on the food intake pretty regularly these days and sometimes I feel just awful about it - but mostly I try to move on and get right back on track. I'm sure I will end up doing something with this face sooner than later but for now I just make it smile - a lot - my face gets its own workout as much as possible. So there you have it. WHAT ABOUT YOU? I really and sincerely need to hear from you, my family of virtual friends who have been with me every single step - frontwards and backwards - of my journey. PLEASE POST YOUR UPDATE ON THE ANNIVERSARY DATE OF YOUR SURGERY - or sooner. It doesn't matter where you're at with this! It only matters that you know we're all here for you, now and for as long as we can keep this Board active and helpful. With much love and respect - Your Reenie

Thanks Reenie for your support always. It's so nice that you still keep us up with your postings. God bless you always.

Reenie, I'll post again on my anniversary, but I just wanted to tell you that tonight, I danced. I danced long and hard. I danced from 9:00 until 1:30, every single dance. I would still be dancing except the band went home. My girlfriend's children are both home from Baghdad and we went out to celebrate. These are two young people are in prime fighting shape and I kept up with them at 46 years of age. OK, grated they were drinking pitchers of beer and I was drinking water, but I kept up with them, step for step. When thy jumped up and down for a whole ZZ Top song, I jumped with them. When they sat down to rest, I kept dancing. When the band took a break, I danced to the juke box. OK, I wasn't a fruitcake on the dance floor by myself, I had partners. One of the people in our party was a big girl who never got up from the table. My heart ached for her because I remember those days. No one asked her to dance and when I tried to drag her out with us, she steadfastly refused. I remember three years ago when I sat at the table embarrassed that no one asked me to dance and mortified at the thought that someone might. On the rare occassion that I got the nerve to get out on the dance floor, sweat would pour off me as I panted and huffed. I looked across the dance floor at this poor girl and saw how far I've come. I'm with you, Reenie. I revel in my ability to move. I rejoice at the gift I've been given. Love, Connie

Reenie - My dear, what would we do without you? You are one constant here that keeps us glued together! I know I can always come back and see your smiling face cheering us along, making us think about things and not take this for granted! I love the idea of updates. In fact, I have been thinking about this the last couple of weeks - thinking about how our lives have changed in the last 3 years. I have to get going soon as I am the Overtime Queen lately, but will be coming back to post my 3 year thoughts soon. Dina

Hey Maureen; Thanks as always for making me think and for your encouraging words. You are a very important part of this board and of all of our post-op success. I must, however take issue with one statement you have made here. I don't believe that you have lost the "Tool" of your pouch. I'll bet that if you really think about it, you will discover that while you may be able to eat "anything", you really can't do the "any amount" part of the equation. It may seem like you can eat large quantities......but stop and consider what now fills you to "bursting" and compare it to what you ate in the "Bad Old Days". I'll bet that you find that there's a big difference!! It's all a matter of viewpoint. Like you, I can pretty much eat anything and in fairly large quantities (large compared to my first year post-op, not the pre-op days!). On the other hand, when I go out to dinner, I always bring home a sizeable "doggy bag" no matter how much I stuff myself!! There is simply no way that I can eat a full-sized restaurant dinner. It's physically impossible. I'll bet that if you think about it and do a mental comparison to what you once ate, you'll find that your pouch tool is still working, but at a different pace!! Take care, my friend and I'll be posting an anniversary update soon. Mike