WOW...Has it really been two years ?
Post Date: 11/2/09 6:55 pm
Wow, exactly two years ago right now I was laying in a hospital bed wondering "what the hell did I just do to my body??" I actually knew I had made the best decision for my health that I could but was still thinking about when the next percocet was due!
These past two years have been a wonderful journey for me! I steadily lost weight although not as rapidly as most people (including myself) desire. I started this journey at 254 lbs. I had high blood pressure, daily back, knee and foot pain and no energy to speak of. Well, I left the hospital 2 years ago with orders to stop my blood pressure medication, I lost 19 pounds the first 6 weeks and then settled into a steady but slow pace while my weight loss slowly grew to 82 pounds by this past Spring. My energy levels have increased. My joint pain is still there but fairly minimal and can be maintained with a single pill each morning. I no longer take darvocet to sleep each night nor do I eat motrin like candy during the day!
Along the journey I have GAINED so much!! I have the BEST group of friends I could ever hope for as a result of this surgery. There are a group of about 12 of us locally that have had WLS that get together every chance we get to shop, have lunch and simply hang out and gossip. This is something I didn't have in high school or college. I have gained the ability to run and play with my daughter too. I have become the role model I wanted to be for her. We go to the gym regularly, and although I am still apt to make poor food choices at times I have taught my daughter that fruits and vegetables are good! She loves chocolate but dislikes Twinkies. She even asks for WATER to drink!! My husband and I are best friends. He is banded too and we are each others main cheerleader. We are also each others cohort in crime when we choose to veer off the healthy path but THAT is another topic all together!
Fast forward to today and I am up a tad on the scale as I broke back into the 180's this morning (I've been hovering around 175 for a few months now) but it's TOM and we recently returned from a 7-day cruise so I am not beating myself up over it. My band will continue to do it's part and once I get back on track that weight will come off pretty quickly! My lowest was 172 which I bet lasted all of about a day! My body and my mindset seem to be content in the 170's. My goal was to reach 160 and then pursue plastics. It's still possible but if it doesn't happen I am fine with that too. Plastics will still happen regardless once I decide I'm truly done with the weight loss. Perhaps after the first of the year, perhaps in the Spring.
My life if so much richer for the choices I made two years ago. I just got back from a Caribbean cruise and did things I would NEVER have been able to do 80 pounds ago. I zip-lined through a tropical rain forest. I took a VERY off-road jeep tour in the deserts of Aruba. I snorkeled (not that much of a stretch since fat floats very well anyway) and scuba-dived in St. Thomas and river tubed down a pristine river in a rain forest in Dominica. I also took the steps EVERYWHERE while on that ship and was even asked a few times to slow down!
Life is good! I apologize for not being on OH more frequently but like they say, I'm out living life! I do play on here every once in a while and am a bit more active on facebook if anyone wants to look me up over there please do!
Just wanted to say hello and let those that have just had their surgery or are getting ready to have it that the journey is wonderful!! Don't wait to live life once you lose the weight though....live it now and lose the weight along the way!
NOW:
THEN:
Wow, exactly two years ago right now I was laying in a hospital bed wondering "what the hell did I just do to my body??" I actually knew I had made the best decision for my health that I could but was still thinking about when the next percocet was due!
These past two years have been a wonderful journey for me! I steadily lost weight although not as rapidly as most people (including myself) desire. I started this journey at 254 lbs. I had high blood pressure, daily back, knee and foot pain and no energy to speak of. Well, I left the hospital 2 years ago with orders to stop my blood pressure medication, I lost 19 pounds the first 6 weeks and then settled into a steady but slow pace while my weight loss slowly grew to 82 pounds by this past Spring. My energy levels have increased. My joint pain is still there but fairly minimal and can be maintained with a single pill each morning. I no longer take darvocet to sleep each night nor do I eat motrin like candy during the day!
Along the journey I have GAINED so much!! I have the BEST group of friends I could ever hope for as a result of this surgery. There are a group of about 12 of us locally that have had WLS that get together every chance we get to shop, have lunch and simply hang out and gossip. This is something I didn't have in high school or college. I have gained the ability to run and play with my daughter too. I have become the role model I wanted to be for her. We go to the gym regularly, and although I am still apt to make poor food choices at times I have taught my daughter that fruits and vegetables are good! She loves chocolate but dislikes Twinkies. She even asks for WATER to drink!! My husband and I are best friends. He is banded too and we are each others main cheerleader. We are also each others cohort in crime when we choose to veer off the healthy path but THAT is another topic all together!
Fast forward to today and I am up a tad on the scale as I broke back into the 180's this morning (I've been hovering around 175 for a few months now) but it's TOM and we recently returned from a 7-day cruise so I am not beating myself up over it. My band will continue to do it's part and once I get back on track that weight will come off pretty quickly! My lowest was 172 which I bet lasted all of about a day! My body and my mindset seem to be content in the 170's. My goal was to reach 160 and then pursue plastics. It's still possible but if it doesn't happen I am fine with that too. Plastics will still happen regardless once I decide I'm truly done with the weight loss. Perhaps after the first of the year, perhaps in the Spring.
My life if so much richer for the choices I made two years ago. I just got back from a Caribbean cruise and did things I would NEVER have been able to do 80 pounds ago. I zip-lined through a tropical rain forest. I took a VERY off-road jeep tour in the deserts of Aruba. I snorkeled (not that much of a stretch since fat floats very well anyway) and scuba-dived in St. Thomas and river tubed down a pristine river in a rain forest in Dominica. I also took the steps EVERYWHERE while on that ship and was even asked a few times to slow down!
Life is good! I apologize for not being on OH more frequently but like they say, I'm out living life! I do play on here every once in a while and am a bit more active on facebook if anyone wants to look me up over there please do!
Just wanted to say hello and let those that have just had their surgery or are getting ready to have it that the journey is wonderful!! Don't wait to live life once you lose the weight though....live it now and lose the weight along the way!
NOW:
THEN:
~BECKA~ Start - 254 / Current - 172.6 / Goal - 160
Just another Bariatric Babe!!
Just another Bariatric Babe!! 
Becca, thanks for the post. I am so proud of you and your attitude. You are looking fabulous!! I remember scouring the boards for posts to make sure of my WLS decision. This is EXACTLY what WLS is about. Living your life the way you want without being hindered by the excess weight. Kudos to you as a woman, a wonderful Momma and now my Friend!! You are a wonderful Babe. Thank you for making me feel welcome and easing the frustration of the surgery and sharing the joy of the victories. You Rock!!
Becky in Kentucky
Becca .....you have come a long way baby!
Seriously...imagine back two years ago sitting across the room from each other listening to George and not having a clue that within a year our paths would start crossing over and over again! I still cannot believe its been that long! You are an amazing person and have given me so much inspiration and support and ENCOURAGEMENT!!!!!!!! You picked me up from my lowest point in this journey and helped me regain my drive, commitment and determination. You helped me also get my grove back! I am blessed to have you in my life as one of my besties! The Bari-babe clique stands and applauds your accomplishments and you!!!!!!
Seriously...imagine back two years ago sitting across the room from each other listening to George and not having a clue that within a year our paths would start crossing over and over again! I still cannot believe its been that long! You are an amazing person and have given me so much inspiration and support and ENCOURAGEMENT!!!!!!!! You picked me up from my lowest point in this journey and helped me regain my drive, commitment and determination. You helped me also get my grove back! I am blessed to have you in my life as one of my besties! The Bari-babe clique stands and applauds your accomplishments and you!!!!!!
Awe Jeeze!!
You two seriously just brought tears to my eyes!
Don't make me go all "Hallmark" on y'all but without a doubt.....what I have gained FAR outweighs what I have lost in this journey. I'd give back every pound before I'd give up one of my babes!
You two seriously just brought tears to my eyes!
Don't make me go all "Hallmark" on y'all but without a doubt.....what I have gained FAR outweighs what I have lost in this journey. I'd give back every pound before I'd give up one of my babes!
~BECKA~ Start - 254 / Current - 172.6 / Goal - 160
Just another Bariatric Babe!!
Just another Bariatric Babe!! 
Becka I hope to write a post like that at my anniversary. Granted with life being what it is right now I will not have just returned from a cruise, but hey you have had so many other triumphs I would love to share.
You have given sooo many of us inspiration and support through our difficulties and in doing so have been a role model.
I congradulate you and thank you at the same time.
Kudos to you Teach
You have given sooo many of us inspiration and support through our difficulties and in doing so have been a role model.
I congradulate you and thank you at the same time.
Kudos to you Teach
Congrats on your continued success. Z 
I will succeed.
Becca, sooooooooo happy for you! You look fabulous, dahling! You're one who has been so positive and determined on this journey- no wonder you've experienced such great success. As I continue to hover at 200-200.8, you're an inspiration. Hope to see you again soon. Continue to enjoy the journey! Jeanie B.
The Chorus Teacher with the Band
The Chorus Teacher with the Band
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