xpost: Two YEARS today!

Hi Everyone!

I know I don't post often on here anymore.  Life is sure busy for me!  I am really enjoying my life now and loving every minute of being healthy!  I cannot believe it has been two years since my surgery as of today.  Where does the time go?  The journey is full of ups and downs but in the end I would do it again in a heartbeat to get the quality of life that I have. 

The upsides:  Being able to shop anywhere I want and fit into trendy clothes, no longer having diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, high cholesterol, stress inctoninence, low back pain, plantar fasciitis, being winded when I walk or not being able to breath when I laid flat in bed b/c of the weight pressing down on my chest, not worrying I won't wake up in the morning as I might just die in my sleep (not kidding, I had this fear).  Being able to run!  I love to run now.  I have done 2 5k races and plan to do more in the spring.  Being able to lead a local support group.  Being chosed to be the bariatric coordinator of my hospital (I had to step down due to wanting to start a family soon and too much time involved).  Having an almost 7 year postop at my side each and every day (my rock.. my husband - I love you!)

The downside: I dump like a truck on sugar, I have reactive hypoglycemia really pretty darn bad.  I crave carbs like big time when I get to in over my head with them and play a huge blood sugar roller coaster game and want more and more like a crack addict so I have to limit them and will always have to.  It keeps me in check so I am not so sure its really a "downside" as it is a blessing.

As far as any updates...my husband and I are in the process of looking into adoption for kids and me going forth with plastic surgery.  I am weighing anywhere from 140-145 most of the time.  I wear size 4 in jeans and 6 in dress slacks.  I am a medium top. My top weight was 328 preop and got down to 280 on surgery day.  I got to goal in 11 months at 140 lbs.  133 was my lowest and I realized that is too small b/c after I saw the plastic surgeon I was told I have 10-15 lbs of excess skin so my goal is to just maintain where I am at.  He wants me to have a LBL, breast implants and lift and arms done (im debating that one).  I needed more documentation before insurance would cover the pani portion so I will resubmit in January.  They will cover the panni portion and I will be responsible for the rest.  I just want to finish the process and keep moving forward with life.

I can't thank all of you enough for the support over the years.  I have been on this board a very long time and would not have been as successful as I am now. I do lurk some but for the most part I am just enjoying my life and do bop my head in from time to time.  This journey is very much a mental process more than it is a physical one.  I have struggled with family dynamics changing and even lost some friends along the way but gained others.  It hasn't been an easy ride mentally for me especially from 1 year to 18 months out.  The past 6 months have been a lot better but I have reached out and received help.  I encourage you to do this if you need it.  Our postop coping mechanisms come back into play a lot.  I was a binge eater preop and I continue to struggle with the desire to want to do this even as a postop.  We are now left to feel our feelings or transfer addict to something else.  I encourage you to explore your preop demons and understand why they continue to want to come into play postop because surgery did not fix our brains. Transfer addictions are real and happen to more people postop than even like to admit to it.  I know from being a support group leader. Being aware of its possibility and learning to cope with stress in more healthy ways is the hardest part for many. Just learning to live postop is the biggest change for me personally, not the pouch or the surgery itself.  If we can overcome that, we have no choice but to continue to be successful. 

Thanks again!

I caught you on the main board but I wanted to add:

I love your new Avie...gorgeous pic!

Thanks girlie!! :)  I appreciate it.  The hair in a choppy style is a lot of work and not sure I love dealing with it daily.  I see the old style wanting to creep back in again lol....

You look and are wonderful:)
My kids are both adopted so adoption has a special place in my heart!!!

Thanks Diana :)  I will keep you updated on the adoption stuff.  Right now we are focusing on PS.  One monumental money thing at a time. lol

What a wonderful, inspirational post Melissa.  Congratulations on your first two healthy years...may this just be the beginning of the rest of your healthy life too.  Can't wait to follow along with you as you start your ps journey too, I'm so hopeful for you and know you will be happy with your results.  We've all had enough of these reminders of our old selves hanging on and slowing us down in one way or another. 

For the next few weeks it will be exciting congratulating ourselves and cheering each other one...you, Melissa and I are sort of the month-openers and then it just becomes a whole month-long party of anniversaries.  We picked a wonderful month for the beginnings of our new lives!

Yay US! 

Molly

Thanks Molly!  Congrats on two years my friend! We have come so very far!! My new years resolution is to stay connected to this board.  Even if I cant fequent it as much as I once used to I do believe being active here makes a big difference and of course with live support groups! 

I wish you a great follow up with your doc, (mine is jan 9th) and to continue on this healthier journey.  I know I could not have done as well as I have without all of you!!! You really are my other "family".  Thanks for everything!!! Hope you had a great day yesterday!

Congrats on 2 years!  My anniversary is tomorrow - can't believe it's been 2 years!!

Doing wonderfully, Melissa.  My two year is on the 12th, and I'm sure the PA is going to be so tickled when I waddle in.  LOL  She knew one of the main reasons for the WLS was the stupid PCOS.  Well, that's resolved!

Isn't it lovely to resolve health issues?

 to a great anniversary!!!!

I sure hope you are enjoying life to the fullest now (as much as possible--)

Bea