Dear Friends,

I am 13 years post-op RNY, and despite many ups and downs medically, I have maintained more than a 165 pound weight loss since my surgery.  I worked very closely with my bariatric team throughout the entire process.  I regularly follow-up with my surgeon, as he wants to stay in contact with his patients, not only to know how they are doing, but to also medically monitor very important blood levels.  If it were not for one of my regularly scheduled appointments and blood tests, I would not have been diagnosed with Iron Defiency Anemia.  This became a disabling condition until diagnosed.  I am followed by a Hematologist and get iron infusions as indicated (usually an annual basis).  When I had surgery, this phenomenon was a rare occurence because so few people had the surgery back in the day.  Since my diagnosis, it has become widely accepted that one's ferretin must be checked on a regular basis to make sure you have adequate iron stores.  My iron levels indicated they were fine, but I could barely walk to the mailbox, not function.

My life is 100% better and improved than life before surgery.  Opportunities have opened for me that would never have been possible as a morbidly obese person.  Never had I heard compliments from any man about my appearance.  Just a few days ago a male friend and I that went to my 30th college reunion said to me,  "Theresa, you are drop dead gorgeous! You looked stunning in that dress!", referring to a simple black dress with white polka dots I wore to dinner. 

Am I 100% there with the confidence level? No, not really.  I'm not sure I ever will be. 38 years of morbid obesity took a major toll on my self-esteem. However, I am 98%-99% there, which I think is pretty darn awesome.  I feel good about myself.  I see myself as a thin person, that was a long time in coming.  I love the attention I get from other people that I missed out on during my teens, twenties and thirties.  What I regret most is that this surgery wasn't available to me years earlier.  I always wanted to have children.  They never blessed my life.  I guess I have been blessed in other ways, with a job that I love, a lovely home that I bought at 31 years old, and the companionship of my beloved Bichon Frise for 13.5 years.

This surgery revolutionized my life. I have my surgery team and myself to thank for that, as I never gave up on myself even when I was gravely ill with complications.  I kept putting one foot in front of the order and following my team's recommendations.  Good luck!

I would deeply appreciate hearing how our "senior" RNY patients have done since their surgeries. I am mid-way through the preparation for RNY and am somewhat surprised at the weight gains that follow the initial few months of weight loss. Please share your wisdom--would you do it again? CANDO

I think we all get discouraged when we gain weight back, especially after what we've gone through. I know, it took me 5 years to put back on 25lbs., and you stop and think how did that happen, well, I know. I stopped drinking my water, would GRAZE all day, since we can eat so little at times, we think it will NOT catch up with us. I also like carbs, so eating that instead of protein, it will catch up to you. Well, just go back to the basic, drink your water, eat protein first before anything else and you'll get back on track, I did. Hope this helps, also remember if you fall off 1 meal, pick yourself back up and eat better the next. Do NOT beat yourself up, it only sets you up to fail. Have a great one. ROBIN

Shirley, I had forgotten I posted this. I went through hoops and still cannot get a revision from my insurance (BS) They say you have to meet the original criteria to have surgery. I am holding here, but am unhappy. I was in the hospital for 2 days with my liver way out of wack due to the surgery and just found out last week from my dentist, that due to the surgery and increased gerd, my teeth are getting cavities up near the gum line which is very hard to control. The worst part is living with all the problems, but not having the weight loss. Jill

I went from 315 to a low of 179 within the first year after surgery. This past summer I was up to 219 and lost down to about 195 with healthy eating and going to Curves. I am sure I am now back to 210. I truly want to achieve my goal of 150 and want to try once again. For me, it's giving up the sugar and eating three meals and two snacks. I know this along with being back at Curves will do it but it's still so difficult. I almost died right after my WLS so boggles the mind why I have done this to myself now. One day at a time. One hour at at ime and sometimes one minute at at time. Email me privately if you'd like to share and do this together.