The journey continues ....

I've been trying for days to figure out what I wanted to say for my 2nd anniversary. As I am typing this, it is Tuesday night, March 21, 2006. Two years ago it was a Sunday night and I was preparing myself to go to Pennisula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury MD. The last two years have been an amazing journey. Never before have I lost weight and been able to say a year later that every pound is still gone. I am not a WLS poster child. I've not reached a 'goal', but I have lost 100 pounds since I first walked into Delmarva Bariatric Center and probably more than 115 pounds from my all time high weight. I had not weighed less than 200 pounds for more than a few months at a time since the mid 70's. Each time I lost weight I always managed to regain it with 'interest'. My decision to pursue WLS was a 2 1/2 year process of thinking, researching, giving up, then reaching a bottom where I realized that WLS might be the only option I had left. Once I decided that yes I wanted to go through with it, I wanted it NOW !!!! I walked into DBC on January 29, 2004 and was scheduled for surgery March 22, 2004. Everything fell into place and I have never doubted my decision. Unless you count waking up in the hospital deliriously asking my husband WHY he let me do this. By the time I was home, I was never sorry though it did take a few months before I could say that I would do it again in a heartbeat. For the first year post op I traveled the 85 miles to Salisbury once a month to see Dr Sofronski. This second year has been every 3 months. I still to this day use Flintstone vitamins and Tums. I read all the posts/debates about citrate vs carbonate but I trust Dr S and I am following his instructions. I've never had a B-12 shot, though I did start taking B-12 supplements on my own last fall 'just in case'. My labs have been perfect each time, but I am going to be extra vigilant in watching for elevated liver functions because I have a history of elevated liver functions even before I was diagnosed with a fatty liver. I have always had to be careful about any drug that metabolizes through the liver and even more so now. I could easily take Tylenol every day to ease the discomfort of my osteoarthritis, but choose to only take it when I am in more pain than usual. I started taking glucosamine/chondroitin last September and have found that it does indeed help and if I skip a few days I feel the difference in my joints. I didn't do this to be thin but rather to have the quality of life that I deserved. I honestly do not know if WLS will give me a longer life, but I do know that it will allow me to live the life I do have left to the fullest. I would like to lose another 30 pounds, but if I never lose another pound, I will remember where I came from, and how far I have come and be thankful that I had this chance. There were a lot of other thoughts running around in my head, but they don't seem to want to come out in any coherent fashion, so I will leave them there. Hugs, Mo

My fellow Mo -- thanks for this incredibly thoughtful and sensitive post. It is so easy these days to get caught up in the every day living and to forget that "old" painful existence. You have been a steadfast presence on our board for as long as I can remember and I am so thankful for your insight and humor and for always bringing us back to where we need to be, no matter the topic. Thanks for always being there, Mo. Here's to another year of wonderful living, loving, and learning. Take care. Maureen

Thank you Reenie. I don't post much but I am always here. I don't post my struggles, but I gain strength from those who do. Hugs, Mo

It's so good to see you here posting - and MY you look so pretty! I think your story sums it up for many of us. Going back and forth thinking about surgery - then feeling like it's either too drastic or the cheater's way out. Then we come to the realization that our pride is getting the best of us, and the logical thing is to get it done. I too am so happy I had this done. I also have aches and pains but only take the occasional tylenol - still I wouldn't trade being able to take all the NSAID's or aspirin for this - no way no how. I may not be able to take these things when I hurt, but how OFTEN I hurt is so less frequent than before. That alone is worth it! Dina

Thank you Dina! I don't ache nearly as much as I did pre-WLS and now my aches are often brought on by over doing it. Who would have EVER thought I would be capable of over doing activity. Hugs, Mo

Hi Mo; Great post!! It's good to remind ourselves of whence we came. It's all too easy to lose sight of our past when we are confronted with today's problems, but we need to remind ourselves of how much better things are now!! Thanks for the reminder.....I really needed it today. Mike

I hope I can always remember that is what keeps me grounded. Hugs, Mo

Hi Mo, Thanks for your post. I also never got below 200 lbs. & some days it does bother me, but, on most days I feel great enough to look past that & say Wow I have come a long way. Since I have been back to work & away from the Ex-boyrfriend I have lost 7 lbs, So It is going down again & I don't get on those scales more than once aweek as they tend to drive me crazy. I no when I have gone overboard on the grazing & stop But I feel so much better than I did 2 years ago. I am happy where I am at, even If I don't get below that 200 pounds. Have a great year & we like having you post when you feel like it.!! Happy Anniversary Marilyn, the Bearlady

Thanks Marilyn. I'm well below 200 for longer than a few months for the first time in almost 30 years. I think if I see 200 again, I may throw myself out a window (j/k). Hugs, Mo