Two year- Update
Two years? Really seems like forever and not that long ago; all in one. The first four months of this journey were the worst. I almost died and was on TPN 24/7. My body shut down to accept this upgrade. What my family calls the “reboot". So what have I done to celebrate this anniversary? Yesterday, I powered walked a 5K with my mother. Next weekend I am running a 10K. I use these events to keep me on track but I do not enjoy running. I enjoy being able to run.
I just had my blood work completed again (every six months). I have some tweeks that I would like to make but overall not bad. I am pretty good about taking my vitamins and drinking my protein shakes for added support. So newbies usually ask what is life like.
Well, I am still “new" at maintenance. Only been here for one year but I do live a “normal" life. I can eat and do eat. I have found that for me it is just easier to graze all day long. It works for me. But it is not really a lot. If I was to get my typical restaurant high protein breakfast that I would have eaten in the restaurant within half an hour before, it will last me all day. An hour after leaving the restaurant, I will be eating something again. I also drink all day long including with my meals. My day starts with a protein drink usually a double. (No longer coffee protein, I like my coffee “natural".) I exercise and eat well because it makes me feel good. I am not an athlete or a carb nazi but I balance things out. I have days where I am not hungry and other days I eat everything I see.
How much weight did you lose? 141 pounds but maintain a 135 pound lost. I look better with those “extra" five pounds. I am 5’8". I am a normal BMI (21.3) but look much smaller and I think that is because I have really good muscle tone. I absolutely love when people say there is no way that I weigh as much as I do. I typically wear a 2 to 6 unless from Walmart and then I can fit a 0.
What do you eat? Normal foods. Rich in protein. I do eat fruit. Almost every day. A no sugar added fruit cup (6 to 9 carbs). I am not sensitive to sugar alcohols, except for gas. So, I eat them when I know I will be home or in a gas “safeâÂ? location (camping). I have taken flagyl. Not a carb counter but know when I need to control the intake.
Do you have sagging skin? Yep. I have wrinkles, saggy arms etc. My butt was huge and all that skin is still there. However, in this last year the redistribution of weight has been kind and I can live with most of it. I have not had any plastic surgery for a few reasons; (1) After all the issues I had after this surgery, it scares me that I might not make it through another one, (2) My skin is livable. There is nothing hanging causing other issues. I do have to “tape" up my loose butt skin when running. In clothes, I look great. (I can even do sexy), (3) I used the money I had, to buy me a nice new red vehicle. I can fit in a little sporty thing now.
Did you lose your hair? I actually was one of the people who had extreme hair loss and I didn’t have much to start with. I think it was because of all the issues that I had the first few months. It has grown back healthier and thicker. Not exactly where I want it but not an issue.
How are your bathroom habitats? Well, I pee all the time. Cause I never go without something to drink. Except for a self induced, I have to clean myself out extra extra butter movie popcorn I am never doing that again incident, I have normal stool, just like before. I lean on the side of constipation so I have to take stool softeners, probotics and once in a while something to get me going. Too much crap extends my stomach and can be painful. I usually go ever other day an hour before I am supposed to get up (that is fun) or an hour to an hour and half after I have gotten up. Done for the rest of the day. (There are days where is this not true but they are rare.)
Would you do it again? Although those first few months were tough and it took me a good year to finally feel normal, yes yes yes. Absolutely. I am “normal". The best thing is I am healthy. Now, I do get sick (haven’t had a cold since surgery), I do have bad days, I do have days I still “feel" fat, days where food is still comforting…but life is so much better when you don’t have to worry about where you are going to sit, will you fit, are there a lot of stairs, etc. I fill so lucky to have had the chance to have the life I now have. It isn’t perfect but it is so much better. I did not know it could be like this. Of course, I wish I had done this when I was younger but I don’t know that I would have appreciated it as much.
This surgery is not for everyone, my journey has not always been easy but I choice the surgery that worked with the lifestyle I had and I wanted and that has made all the difference.
I just had my blood work completed again (every six months). I have some tweeks that I would like to make but overall not bad. I am pretty good about taking my vitamins and drinking my protein shakes for added support. So newbies usually ask what is life like.
Well, I am still “new" at maintenance. Only been here for one year but I do live a “normal" life. I can eat and do eat. I have found that for me it is just easier to graze all day long. It works for me. But it is not really a lot. If I was to get my typical restaurant high protein breakfast that I would have eaten in the restaurant within half an hour before, it will last me all day. An hour after leaving the restaurant, I will be eating something again. I also drink all day long including with my meals. My day starts with a protein drink usually a double. (No longer coffee protein, I like my coffee “natural".) I exercise and eat well because it makes me feel good. I am not an athlete or a carb nazi but I balance things out. I have days where I am not hungry and other days I eat everything I see.
How much weight did you lose? 141 pounds but maintain a 135 pound lost. I look better with those “extra" five pounds. I am 5’8". I am a normal BMI (21.3) but look much smaller and I think that is because I have really good muscle tone. I absolutely love when people say there is no way that I weigh as much as I do. I typically wear a 2 to 6 unless from Walmart and then I can fit a 0.
What do you eat? Normal foods. Rich in protein. I do eat fruit. Almost every day. A no sugar added fruit cup (6 to 9 carbs). I am not sensitive to sugar alcohols, except for gas. So, I eat them when I know I will be home or in a gas “safeâÂ? location (camping). I have taken flagyl. Not a carb counter but know when I need to control the intake.
Do you have sagging skin? Yep. I have wrinkles, saggy arms etc. My butt was huge and all that skin is still there. However, in this last year the redistribution of weight has been kind and I can live with most of it. I have not had any plastic surgery for a few reasons; (1) After all the issues I had after this surgery, it scares me that I might not make it through another one, (2) My skin is livable. There is nothing hanging causing other issues. I do have to “tape" up my loose butt skin when running. In clothes, I look great. (I can even do sexy), (3) I used the money I had, to buy me a nice new red vehicle. I can fit in a little sporty thing now.
Did you lose your hair? I actually was one of the people who had extreme hair loss and I didn’t have much to start with. I think it was because of all the issues that I had the first few months. It has grown back healthier and thicker. Not exactly where I want it but not an issue.
How are your bathroom habitats? Well, I pee all the time. Cause I never go without something to drink. Except for a self induced, I have to clean myself out extra extra butter movie popcorn I am never doing that again incident, I have normal stool, just like before. I lean on the side of constipation so I have to take stool softeners, probotics and once in a while something to get me going. Too much crap extends my stomach and can be painful. I usually go ever other day an hour before I am supposed to get up (that is fun) or an hour to an hour and half after I have gotten up. Done for the rest of the day. (There are days where is this not true but they are rare.)
Would you do it again? Although those first few months were tough and it took me a good year to finally feel normal, yes yes yes. Absolutely. I am “normal". The best thing is I am healthy. Now, I do get sick (haven’t had a cold since surgery), I do have bad days, I do have days I still “feel" fat, days where food is still comforting…but life is so much better when you don’t have to worry about where you are going to sit, will you fit, are there a lot of stairs, etc. I fill so lucky to have had the chance to have the life I now have. It isn’t perfect but it is so much better. I did not know it could be like this. Of course, I wish I had done this when I was younger but I don’t know that I would have appreciated it as much.
This surgery is not for everyone, my journey has not always been easy but I choice the surgery that worked with the lifestyle I had and I wanted and that has made all the difference.
I'm so glad you're doing so well. Happy surgiversary! 
--gina
--gina
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
**Like** 
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
Hello,
Thanks you for such a detailed update. I was one who had a very tough recovery. I am only 6 months out and the complications are still very close and real. I struggle and I know I am eating too many carbs and really have to work on that.
Thanks again... it was very nice to read your post. Terri
Thanks you for such a detailed update. I was one who had a very tough recovery. I am only 6 months out and the complications are still very close and real. I struggle and I know I am eating too many carbs and really have to work on that.
Thanks again... it was very nice to read your post. Terri
Howdy Terri,
Hang in there. It is a journey that takes one step at a time. Try to work on that carb issue now.
I am also a carb addict. I have to reign it in sometimes. I think it gets harder the further out you get not only because you can eat more but because you fall back into your old habitats. I had to learn that I cannot do just a little like others can. I have to just stay away.
It is sometimes a struggle to figure it out but it is so worth it.
Good luck. I look forwarded to reading your one year update.
Hang in there. It is a journey that takes one step at a time. Try to work on that carb issue now.
I am also a carb addict. I have to reign it in sometimes. I think it gets harder the further out you get not only because you can eat more but because you fall back into your old habitats. I had to learn that I cannot do just a little like others can. I have to just stay away.
It is sometimes a struggle to figure it out but it is so worth it.
Good luck. I look forwarded to reading your one year update.
What an informative post!!!!! I love the true outlook you shared!!!!!
RNY 2/26/2002 DS 12/29/2011
HW 317 SW 263 BMI 45.1
SW 298 CW 192 BMI 32.9~60% EWL
LW 151 in 2003
TT 4/9/2003
Normal BMI 24.8 is my GOAL!!!
GBP (RNY) 2/26/02 298 lbs, TT 4/9/03 151 lbs, DS 12/29/11
HW 317 SW 263 BMI 45.1/CW 192 BMI 32.9/GW 145 ~ Normal BMI 24.8
**Revision Journey started 3/2009 Approved 12/12/11**
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