6 year Surgiversary with Pics

It's six years since my DS, Part 1.  It had taken me over 2 years of sueing BC/BS to get them to agree to cover the surgery, and my surgeon had warned me due to the existing co-morbidities and my weight   430+   it may be a 2 parter.  I agreed.  I wasn't going to let my sleep apnea, cardiac, respiratory, and mobility issues, as well as some auto immune weirdness hold me back!

I had my Part 1 on 11/14/06, the VSG, and Part 2 in 12/07, the switch.  My surgeon believed my goal should be to lose about 230 pounds, and reach 200.  I thought that would be a miracle.  Well, I surpassed that, and landed somewhere between 165-170.  I'm current;y 160, but I think it's due to some craziness lately, and am will to concede a 5 pound bounceback may again occur.  I wear a size 12, American sizes.  My life is still pretty damn good, with a lot of bonuses thrown in.  I always had a career I loved, and a good job, even at my heaviest.  I'm still there, but I have the energy to go back to school, and am within a year of finishing my dissertation and getting a doctorate.  I have a lot more confidence about public speaking, and do it more often.  I found out I am a clothes hoarder, and am amazed when I walk into a store and there are things on a clearance rack that fit me!

I can fit into any airline seat, concert seat, booth at a diner or seat belt.  I can walk, slow and steady, far distances.  I can use an elliptical for 40 minutes and not feel like a cardiac arrest is eminent.   I can tie my own shoelaces, put on socks standing up, and dance like no one is watching.    I am off all blood pressure, cardiac, and diabetes medications.  I feel I get taken seriously when I go to a doctor with a complaint, not always chalking it up to,   If you weighed less....     So many of these things were a challenge, if not impossible, at my original weight.

My love life exists.  Like many other women my age, sometimes it's great, and sometimes not....but my choices are greater at this weight than before. 

I spend a fortune on vitamins, I still drink protein shakes, I monitor what I eat closely...(low carb, very rare white flour products), my gas is brutal if I'm off probiotics or eat white flour products, so I time it carefully for my 'alone' times.   I like fish, I like meat, I have increased my intake of vegetables.  I drink a lot of water, and not so much alcohol.  I get drunk quickly, and I don't (usually) like that feeling.        I'm grateful every day for MY DS, and the changes it has helped me make.

BUT...there's always a BUT....  i love someone who has a DS, and has nothing but trouble.  She is scrupulous on supplements, vitamins, following best practices for DS'ers, and has had adhesions, tortions, loopsobstructions and malabsorptions.  She developed numerous food allergies, possible Crones Disease, autoimmune responses, etc.  She goes for iron infusions, B vitamin shots, etc.  She has followed every guideline to the letter, and nothing has worked for her.  

I included this because I don't want some newbie to read my happy 6 year post, and think...there aren't risks and possibilities outside my control for things to go wrong.  When a DS works, it can be a life affirming change for the person...but it can also go wrong.  and at no fault of the person involved.   Buyer beware.

To my OH friends, thanks for 6 years of support, friendship, recipes, dinners out together and information.  I hope I have been able to pay it forward!  Thanks,  Mary

Thanks!!!!   I saw you're still brand new...only a few months....  Wait until you do your one and two year posts!!!!!  I'm sure you'll do amazing well too!   Thanks,  Mary

Totally inspiring!!!  I am nearly 11 months out from my failed RNY to DS.  At times I feel like I should be further along with my weight loss, but I had complications, and I am OVER 50% EWL, so I just need to cool my jets and know I WILL get there, and it will be because of the DS!!!!!

Hi, Mary! Congrats on 6 years!

You look fantastic and healthy. Thanks for keeping it real and sharing the good, bad and ugly of a post-bariatric life.

Keep on rocking your DS!

Nicolle

woo hoo happy surgiversary