2nd Anniversay Thoughts (re-post from Main MB)

Today is Jan. 25, 2007, the 2nd anniversary of my Lap RNY Gastric Bypass surgery. I weigh 139.5 lbs., up 1 lb. from last year. I am happy, healthy and have no regrets about having wls. It was by far the best thing I could have done for my health!! I saw my surgeon yesterday for my check-up and he is very pleased with my progress. I am slightly below my goal weight (100% loss of excess weight) and well below his goal weight (80% loss of excess weight). I am off 8 of the 10 meds I was on before my wls and of the 2 meds I still take, one is for my fibromyalgia which I chose to continue and the other is potassium which I was off of for a while but my labs were a bit low so my pcp put me back on it once a day as a precaution. My sleep apnea has resloved and I no longer use a C-Pap machine. My low back pain is much, much better - in fact, gone most days. I can't tell you how much better I feel overall - the change is amazing! In the past year I've had 3 rounds of plastic surgery to remove excess skin and try to correct some of the ravages that Morbid Obesity left on my body. The health benefits from getting rid of that extra skin has been wonderful. I tell people I traded skin for scars and in spite of a few complications, I would do it again without hesitation! Do I still struggle with food choices? You betcha! Do I still want to eat everytime I'm upset or happy or sad or angry or wanting to celebrate something? Yes indeed! Do I eat during my emotional moments? Yes, sometimes I do. Do I hate myself for it? No, because I'm only human and we all make mistakes. The real question is, do I make the right choice MOST of the time? YES! I work very hard to try to follow the guidelines. I don't always succeed, but I'm still trying. Just like every "normal" thin person I know. In a post today discussing body image & adjusting to being thin, Sharon G. said, "I think the acceptance of ourselves comes in stages. I keep telling myself to enjoy the 'wow' moments because they will eventually become normal. I have okay days and I have 'fat head' days. It is just all part of the adjustment process." Those are my thoughts exactly! Retraining our way of thinking, of how we see ourselves & our bodies, is as much of an adjustment as adapting to our new way of eating was to us after our wls. Some days I think retraining our way of thinking is harder than relearning how to eat post-op. But I think that "mental image" change is essential to our success as wls post-ops. If we don't change the way we "see" ourselves, and appreciate those changes, I'm afraid we are in danger of cheating ourselves out of many of the benefits of this drastic step we took to become healthy. Although my mind's eye still doesn't truly "see" myself the way I physcially appear, I am getting closer to reality. And I will continue to work on it until my mind & heart "see" what my mirror reflects. I wish you success, both physical and mental, in your journey. Vickie J. "Most dreams are lost by giving up what we want most for what we want at the moment."

Well Congrats to you Vickie for a Job Well Done! I'm hoping as many I'm sure that we all do as well as you. I'm not sure if I'll attend the OH Conference. But as a OH Leader we do get to attend for free, so we'll see. No promises. But I do intend to go the OH National Conference in November in Va.Beach, VA. from which I grew up in. As in Orlando no dates, hotel or intinerary has been decided upon yet for either. Other OH member from other boards have expressed coming to Florida soon so I may be planning a few Meet & Greets in the future too. So as were all busy stay tuned in to the Florida OH Forum. Caring of others who will travel the Journey we continue to pursue. Mike.

Mike, Thank you for your kind comments. I hope to see you again soon! I don't know that I will be able to attend the National Conference but I do hope to go to the FL Conference. Take care and keep on truckin' down the weight loss road! Vickie J.

Vickie, you have had such awesome success in your journey! It is definitely an inspiration to me, that is for sure....I remember following your journey as I was still trying to make up my mind to have the surgery...and now I am 5 months postop. My weight loss is not as fast as most people I know, but it is steady so far so I am thankful! I can already tell I will need/want to have PS...especially in panni and arms, but I'm not sure I can go through all of that like you did! What a trooper you have been! You are looking fantastic! Take care...Happy 2nd Surgiversary!!! Betty

Thank you. I can't imagine being an inspiration to anyone, but I do try to keep it real & honest when people ask about my journey. And as for your weight loss not being as fast as some others, don't sweat it. Studies have shown that 2-5 years out it didn't matter if you lost it fast or slow everyone ended up at about the same place! So just keep following your surgeon's plan and you'll eventually get where you want to go! Vickie J.

Congrats Vickie! You have done such a great job on your journey...something to be so proud of. I hope to make it to a meet and greet or the conference when it is in Orlando, since I am so close We are done moving...just wanted to let you know. The light is coming at the end of my tunnel.

Tracey, Thank you for the compliment. I'm happy with my progress but I know the really hard work has just begun - maintaining my weight loss. I'm hoping to make the Orlando conference. I'd love to see you there! Congrats on the move! I know you're glad to see that light at the end of the tunnel!!! Vickie J.