WLS One Year Later - Long

One year ago today I was in and out of it as I started to recuperate from LAP RNY the day before. I remember really waking up for the first time that Friday morning and thinking "Terry, what the hell have you done to yourself?" I mean, I was having no complications, but I also had never had major abdominal surgery so I wasn't used to that. My recuperation progressed and I came home that Saturday after my surgery. I was (still am) religious/fanatical about getting all my protein and supplements in. At first it was a struggle to get the water in, but with time, I was easily getting over 100oz in each day. As for exercise...well I walked at the beginning because I didn't want any complications from the surgery. As time went on and life became more the "norm" I struggled to fit exercise in everyday. I'm not a total couch potato, but I have always struggled to fit exercise into my busy schedule. Almost immediately after getting home, my already thin hair started falling out at an alarming rate. My Dr's Nurse even noticed it at six months. Thanksfully, it has rebounded and is at least as plentiful as it was prior to WLS. So one year has gone by and I was sitting here thinking about what's different in my life: I've lost 129lbs!! Now - 201lbs, Then - 330lbs Now - Size 14-14W/16-16W, Then - Size 26W-28W/20-32W Now - Can easily move around and have lots of energy, Then - Struggled just to make it through the day Now - Can easily do an hour on the elliptical trainer, some exercise - going to concentrate on making exercise a priority this year, Then - No exercise, felt like I was going to pass out Now - Can fit anywhere I want to sit, Then - Couldn't fit into a booth in restaurants (how embarrassing that was!) Now - Legs aren't swollen, Then - Legs swollen Now - Normal Blood Pressure of 115/65 with no meds!, Then - Blood Pressure of 135-140/90 with medication Now - Normal Blood Sugar, with A1C of 4.9 with no meds!, Then - Blood Sugar that hovered around 150-260 with medication (with increasing dosage) Now - No asthma symptions, Then - On 3 inhalers an had to use them all daily. There are so many other things I could list. There are so many things that are different (better) in my life - I feel great and I'm no longer taking any medications at all! I didn't have the emotional struggle giving up food that others talk about. I was so ready to not be a slave to food anymore. My pouch pretty much rules my life and I can take or leave food and I LOVE IT! That's not to say that I don't struggle with emotional eating at times, but the pouchy rules and I can't (don't) stray too far off course. If I really want something I'll take 1 bite of it and move on. I still don't have a significant other in my life (sigh)...but at least I am willing to put myself out there (to look). Before losing weight I didn't like myself and figured if I didn't like myself why should I expect a man to like me. One year after WLS, I like myself. I'm still a work in progress (in all aspects), but I like me. My surgeon wants me to lose 10 more lbs. After my weight stabilizes, I plan to have plastic surgery for excess skin. For those of you out there that may read this and are thinking "should I have WLS?" I want you to know that over a year before my surgery, I had a good friend who underwent WLS. At the time I was dead set against WLS. I was fearful of the complications that could arise and that there would be no going back. Yes, it is serious...but after another year of struggling with losing weight, I decided that if I really wanted to live the kind of life I wanted to live, I was going to have to lose weight and my best shot at losing and keeping it off was WLS. I realize there are some who experience some bad complications and all manner of things could happen. I was so miserable that I decided I would rather take the risk (of a quick death) rather than the slow death I was experiencing by being morbidly obese. I would do this again in a heartbeat. That being said, it's a truly personal decision and everyone must do their homework prior to making a decision about both their surgeon and the type of surgery. Thanks for listening to me Have a great weekend! Take Care, Terry

Wooo-hooo Terry!!!! Good for you and Happy Anniversary!!!!! Keep up the terrific work!!!! Take care, Sue

Terry, Thanks so much for your inspiration! I am so looking forward to being able to post a letter like yours to the group. I identify with every one of the "then" experiences you listed...tight restuarant booths, how humiliating! It was a pleasure to read about your journey and I continue to look forward to sharing this part of the journey with you. CONGRATULATIONS! Julie

Dear Terry, You inspire us all you are a lovely gal, both inside and out. Thanks for sharing your story with us. Best Wishes, Bobbie

Thank you for your honest sharing. I am 8 weeks post-op with open rny. I am so scared about what I have done to myself. I am weak and and have difficulty with eating and drinking, getting my vitamins and proteins. I go back to work in 15 days at a place where my new boss already has told me "we would not have hired you if we knew you were going to be sick". Everyday is a major trial. I am fortunate - I have a wonderful spouse. But others just don't seem to understand my fear. I am afraid that I am going to be at work and pass out from lack of some major nutrient. Although I never was careful about what I ate before surgery. I feel so alone and scared. Hearing that you had doubts has made me feel a little better today. I guess I'll just keep on plugging along. Congratulations on your weight loss and take care. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Terry, You have had a wonderful first year and the journey will continue! I relate to many of your before and afters. I chose to believe that WLS has extended my life, but even if it has not, it's given me back the chance to live my life rather than have it pass me by. Hugs, Mo

Hey G/F - Hope you had a fantastic surgiversary! Even though we met after our journeys had already begin, I feel like we've done this together. I'm as proud of your successes as you are. I agree, you're beautiful inside and out, and I'm a much better person for having met you! Here's to a great 2nd year!!!! Love ya lots, Tia

Terry - it's posts like yours that are keeping me on an even keel. I'm 6 weeks out, and having lots of problems with nausea and getting in the protein. I'm even having trouble with water, which I drank by the gallons before the surgery. Knowing that there are others who also faced some of the same problems and have overcome them is such a motivator! Congratulations on your new life and your new outlook on life. I wish you the very best in all you seek to do and become. Take care. Mary

Great recap of a great first year Terry. Congrats on all of your success and here's to renewing your exercise for year two! -Daniel

Hey Terri Congradulations, I'm so happy for you!!! Nadine O.