Two year surgiversary---or, where did the time go?
Hi all,
Well, yesterday was my two year anniversary of my surgery. I don't often think of those first few weeks, but I do remember eating with a baby spoon, trying desperately to take 30 minutes to eat a tablespoon of food. I'd take my meager meal to work and sit to eat lunch in my car because I didn't want the lookie-loos watching every bite I ate.
As the weeks went on I enjoyed the comments from people about my weight loss. Cried over the comments about having "that surgery" and dealing with the mean spirited folks who declared that while I look good then, as soon as I could eat again I'd gain it all back.
Disaster struck 3 months after surgery when I had a partial tear of my Achilles tendon. No more exercise until it healed. Well, it did, back to water aerobics I went, only to blow it out completely. Five surgeries later, a week in the hospital for infection, two weeks in a wheelchair, then a walker, then four months in a brace up to my knee, I finally healed. I still lost weight despite not being able to exercise. My Ortho doc said I'd never walk normally or without the brace, no cute shoes in store for me, only ugly "old people" shoes that the brace could fit into.
Well, I've proved them all wrong. I can walk normally, have lots of cute shoes, and all because I lost 114 lbs. If I hadn't had this surgery I wouldn't be sleeping without the help of a CPAP, still be taking blood pressure medication and would probably be in a wheelchair due to the ankle situation.
I wear a size 4 and love shopping. Most of the people I know now have never seen me heavy and don't know me any other way than the way they see me today. I still struggle with body image, but it's getting better. Each day I see myself this small I wonder if it's really me in the mirror. I know more about diet and nutrition than anyone I know, with the exception of course of the dietitians out there. People have started asking me to help them with diet and nutrition plans for themselves. My husband has lost 75 pounds by living my healthy lifestyle, and I'm sure he's much healthier now than he was two years ago.
Do I still have food issues? You bet I do!!! But.....when I make a decision to eat something, I try to stop and think if it is a sensible choice that will be a beneficial food. Does that food do anything good for my body or my health? Sure, I'll occasionally have "empty" calories, but I haven't gone through life changing surgery to screw it up by eating a bunch of crap. Do I like taking a handful of vitamins and supplements throughout the day....heck no, but my body and my health depend on it now, so it's just gotta be done.
I hope that over the last two years my postings here have been beneficial to some of you. I try very hard not to judge, after all, I've walked in all of your shoes. If I ever come across as harsh, I apologize, but golly, sometimes we all need a good shake to wake us up to what we're doing.
Thanks to all who have been here for me through all the good and bad times. You have become like family to me. I appreciate you more than you will ever know. We might not always agree, but what family does??
All of you please take care and remember I'm here for what ever I might be able to do for you.
Hugs
Well, yesterday was my two year anniversary of my surgery. I don't often think of those first few weeks, but I do remember eating with a baby spoon, trying desperately to take 30 minutes to eat a tablespoon of food. I'd take my meager meal to work and sit to eat lunch in my car because I didn't want the lookie-loos watching every bite I ate.
As the weeks went on I enjoyed the comments from people about my weight loss. Cried over the comments about having "that surgery" and dealing with the mean spirited folks who declared that while I look good then, as soon as I could eat again I'd gain it all back.
Disaster struck 3 months after surgery when I had a partial tear of my Achilles tendon. No more exercise until it healed. Well, it did, back to water aerobics I went, only to blow it out completely. Five surgeries later, a week in the hospital for infection, two weeks in a wheelchair, then a walker, then four months in a brace up to my knee, I finally healed. I still lost weight despite not being able to exercise. My Ortho doc said I'd never walk normally or without the brace, no cute shoes in store for me, only ugly "old people" shoes that the brace could fit into.
Well, I've proved them all wrong. I can walk normally, have lots of cute shoes, and all because I lost 114 lbs. If I hadn't had this surgery I wouldn't be sleeping without the help of a CPAP, still be taking blood pressure medication and would probably be in a wheelchair due to the ankle situation.
I wear a size 4 and love shopping. Most of the people I know now have never seen me heavy and don't know me any other way than the way they see me today. I still struggle with body image, but it's getting better. Each day I see myself this small I wonder if it's really me in the mirror. I know more about diet and nutrition than anyone I know, with the exception of course of the dietitians out there. People have started asking me to help them with diet and nutrition plans for themselves. My husband has lost 75 pounds by living my healthy lifestyle, and I'm sure he's much healthier now than he was two years ago.
Do I still have food issues? You bet I do!!! But.....when I make a decision to eat something, I try to stop and think if it is a sensible choice that will be a beneficial food. Does that food do anything good for my body or my health? Sure, I'll occasionally have "empty" calories, but I haven't gone through life changing surgery to screw it up by eating a bunch of crap. Do I like taking a handful of vitamins and supplements throughout the day....heck no, but my body and my health depend on it now, so it's just gotta be done.
I hope that over the last two years my postings here have been beneficial to some of you. I try very hard not to judge, after all, I've walked in all of your shoes. If I ever come across as harsh, I apologize, but golly, sometimes we all need a good shake to wake us up to what we're doing.
Thanks to all who have been here for me through all the good and bad times. You have become like family to me. I appreciate you more than you will ever know. We might not always agree, but what family does??
All of you please take care and remember I'm here for what ever I might be able to do for you.
Hugs
Susan
Happy 2 year surgiversary!!!!!
Susan, I appreciate your honest reflections of what you have been though the past 2 years! And that is horrible and wonderful about your Achilles!!! Wow!!! How painful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even imagine!!! But wonderful too that you didn't let it stop you toward your ultimate goal of buying cute shoes again!!! LOL!!! No, I mean the weight loss goals!!!! Your determination despite the pitfalls are a wonderful example of what we can accomplish with our tool!!! As I am 4 weeks away from my RNY-although still a little scared, I'm glad you shared your first weeks-at times I just get excited about the prospect of losing weight, but in reality at times it's gonna be hard and I need to accept that-because it is reality. But as you have proven-you can overcome it, and sharing with others will help us and I too will be soon sharing my 1 year surgiversary with you all as a stronger, healthier me!!!!!
Thanks for sharing yourself with us!!!
Hugs back to you!
fedupat44
Janet
Susan, I appreciate your honest reflections of what you have been though the past 2 years! And that is horrible and wonderful about your Achilles!!! Wow!!! How painful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even imagine!!! But wonderful too that you didn't let it stop you toward your ultimate goal of buying cute shoes again!!! LOL!!! No, I mean the weight loss goals!!!! Your determination despite the pitfalls are a wonderful example of what we can accomplish with our tool!!! As I am 4 weeks away from my RNY-although still a little scared, I'm glad you shared your first weeks-at times I just get excited about the prospect of losing weight, but in reality at times it's gonna be hard and I need to accept that-because it is reality. But as you have proven-you can overcome it, and sharing with others will help us and I too will be soon sharing my 1 year surgiversary with you all as a stronger, healthier me!!!!!
Thanks for sharing yourself with us!!!
Hugs back to you!
fedupat44
Janet
Congratulations Susan,
You have accomplished much in the face of very difficult cir****tances and you are always available to help all of us with whatever is on our minds. Thanks so much for all you do and for caring so much about others. You are an inspiration and great example for all of us.
Steve
You have accomplished much in the face of very difficult cir****tances and you are always available to help all of us with whatever is on our minds. Thanks so much for all you do and for caring so much about others. You are an inspiration and great example for all of us.
Steve
Steve
Steve,
I'm so glad we've gotten to know each other! I took your pens to the Walk meeting today and they were met with lots of WOW's!!! Thank you again for donating them. I will be order one from you for a gift for DH's Xmas.
Have a wonderful vacation. Let's do another Buck's evening when you get back. But the next time, maybe the spouses might like to come?
I'm so glad we've gotten to know each other! I took your pens to the Walk meeting today and they were met with lots of WOW's!!! Thank you again for donating them. I will be order one from you for a gift for DH's Xmas.
Have a wonderful vacation. Let's do another Buck's evening when you get back. But the next time, maybe the spouses might like to come?
Susan
Congratulations Susan,
You have been so much of an inspiration to me, I can't even begin to tell you. Your mental strength, getting through all that stuff with your heel, is beyond belief. I know you have helped many people on here, and everyone looks up to you for the help and the support they need. We would be lost without you. Keep on taking good care of yourself and I am so proud of you.
See ya Saturday!!!!
You have been so much of an inspiration to me, I can't even begin to tell you. Your mental strength, getting through all that stuff with your heel, is beyond belief. I know you have helped many people on here, and everyone looks up to you for the help and the support they need. We would be lost without you. Keep on taking good care of yourself and I am so proud of you.
See ya Saturday!!!!
Ann
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