3 year surgiversary - some reflections
I was going to wait until Sunday, but since that's a pretty idle day on the boards I figured I may as well do this today. Anway, this Sunday will be the three year anniversary of my gastric bypass surgery and I thought I would share some of my thoughts and experiences and how my life has changed.
Like everybody else that has had gastric bypass surgery my life has changed so much over the last three years. Gone are the days of making up excuses for not being able to play with my kids, getting light headed when tying my shoes, running out of breath going up one flight of stairs and sweating while just standing still. Gone are the days of shopping in the mens big and tall stores. Gone are the days of wearing sweats most days because they were comfortable.
I've exchanged these things with spending more time playing with my children these last three years than I did in the rest of their lives - combined. I remember when I first realized I wanted children and when my then-wife was pregnant with our son how I dreamed of the days when I'd be able to take him in the backyard and play catch with him. My weight led to lack of energy which led to countless excuses as to why daddy couldn't come outside to have that catched I had dreamed of. MY son wanted to play catch and I continually said I can't. Looking back at it makes me want to cry. I exchanged my days of shopping at the big and tall mens store with days of shopping at Tommy Hilfiger, Old Navy and other designer stores. Obviously I no longer run out of breath going up steps or get light headed tying my shoes. And the only sweats I wear these days are at the gym.
That's a whole other story, the gym. I instantly became a gym rat and eventually took up running. In my wildest imagination I would have never envisioned myself running a 5K race, which I've done a few times. To top that off I ran in the 10 mile Broad Street Run in Philadelphia last May. I enjoy looking at my before and after photos, but I enjoy even more running through my mind my before and after life. My before life consisted of size 50 pants, 4XL shirts, poor health and no energy. My after life consists of size 34 pants, large shirt, great health and energy to burn.
Now, don't get me wrong. I know that being three years out doesn't guarantee anything. I've had my struggles. I'm probably struggling more right now as I type this as I have anytime during my journey. But I will survive. I am too strong not to. My motto throughout all this has always been "Quitting is not an option". My personal life has also been filled with a lot of road bumps. In 2007 my wife left and took my son with her to her moms. Eventually I began dating again. I found a beautiful, very caring and giving woman with a great family that lived in my general area. I met her when I was running a local support group and we hit it off pretty good. Unfortunately things didn't work out through no fault of hers. After being with my wife for so long I just wasn't good at the whole relationship thing and didn't give her what she deserved. I wound up dating another fantastic woman after that and eventually moved in with her down here in your state of Maryland. She, too, was everything a man could ask for. She was beautiful, caring, supportive and just a GREAT human being. Naturally, I screwed that up too. For most of my life I had a grip on things. But when I lost my job things just went downhill. Really, both of these relationships were just a case of bad timing. If I were able to have a relationship with either one of them several years back I am positive things would have turned out differently.
Anyway, I've learned a lot these last three years. I've learned that no matter how bad things may be, you can always do something to make it better. I learned that you and ONLY you can make this happen. I learned that life definitely is too short and you have to live every day as though it's your last. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. I learned just how precious your children are. They truly are a gift and should never be taken for granted. And I learned that this world we live in is HUGE. There are so many opportunities out there, it's up to you to decide what you want to do with your life.
Thanks for letting me share my journey with you and take care.
Like everybody else that has had gastric bypass surgery my life has changed so much over the last three years. Gone are the days of making up excuses for not being able to play with my kids, getting light headed when tying my shoes, running out of breath going up one flight of stairs and sweating while just standing still. Gone are the days of shopping in the mens big and tall stores. Gone are the days of wearing sweats most days because they were comfortable.
I've exchanged these things with spending more time playing with my children these last three years than I did in the rest of their lives - combined. I remember when I first realized I wanted children and when my then-wife was pregnant with our son how I dreamed of the days when I'd be able to take him in the backyard and play catch with him. My weight led to lack of energy which led to countless excuses as to why daddy couldn't come outside to have that catched I had dreamed of. MY son wanted to play catch and I continually said I can't. Looking back at it makes me want to cry. I exchanged my days of shopping at the big and tall mens store with days of shopping at Tommy Hilfiger, Old Navy and other designer stores. Obviously I no longer run out of breath going up steps or get light headed tying my shoes. And the only sweats I wear these days are at the gym.
That's a whole other story, the gym. I instantly became a gym rat and eventually took up running. In my wildest imagination I would have never envisioned myself running a 5K race, which I've done a few times. To top that off I ran in the 10 mile Broad Street Run in Philadelphia last May. I enjoy looking at my before and after photos, but I enjoy even more running through my mind my before and after life. My before life consisted of size 50 pants, 4XL shirts, poor health and no energy. My after life consists of size 34 pants, large shirt, great health and energy to burn.
Now, don't get me wrong. I know that being three years out doesn't guarantee anything. I've had my struggles. I'm probably struggling more right now as I type this as I have anytime during my journey. But I will survive. I am too strong not to. My motto throughout all this has always been "Quitting is not an option". My personal life has also been filled with a lot of road bumps. In 2007 my wife left and took my son with her to her moms. Eventually I began dating again. I found a beautiful, very caring and giving woman with a great family that lived in my general area. I met her when I was running a local support group and we hit it off pretty good. Unfortunately things didn't work out through no fault of hers. After being with my wife for so long I just wasn't good at the whole relationship thing and didn't give her what she deserved. I wound up dating another fantastic woman after that and eventually moved in with her down here in your state of Maryland. She, too, was everything a man could ask for. She was beautiful, caring, supportive and just a GREAT human being. Naturally, I screwed that up too. For most of my life I had a grip on things. But when I lost my job things just went downhill. Really, both of these relationships were just a case of bad timing. If I were able to have a relationship with either one of them several years back I am positive things would have turned out differently.
Anyway, I've learned a lot these last three years. I've learned that no matter how bad things may be, you can always do something to make it better. I learned that you and ONLY you can make this happen. I learned that life definitely is too short and you have to live every day as though it's your last. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. I learned just how precious your children are. They truly are a gift and should never be taken for granted. And I learned that this world we live in is HUGE. There are so many opportunities out there, it's up to you to decide what you want to do with your life.
Thanks for letting me share my journey with you and take care.
"No matter how hard life may get, no matter how many curveballs you are thrown, keep in mind, if you want to succeed - QUITTING IS NOT AN OPTION"!!!
Congratulations on your 3rd year surgiversary!
Thank you for sharing your story with us. You should be very proud of your self and your accomplishments.
Wishing you all the best that life has to offer you.
Hugs,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. You should be very proud of your self and your accomplishments.
Wishing you all the best that life has to offer you.
Hugs,
I am who I am and accept my feelings wholeheartedly.
Those that mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind.
Cira 249/144.0 current/goal 154/ 5'3" 10 lbs below my Dr's goal
Hey you!!! First off you cant live in the past! You make sure your sights are set on WHATS TO COME!!! You know what the saying is The BEST is yet to come!!!! Yes you have made mistakes but hey guess what Andy...WE ALL HAVE! WE ARE HUMAN!!!! And having new self esteem and a new lease on life can cause people to do things they never thought they would be capable of doing. Temptations are hard but most people DO learn from mistakes. But all of that you mentioned is in your past. Dust it off pick yourself up and carry on. You have no idea what is in store for you but it could be AMAZING!!! Take that wall down that you have up!!!
As for the weight loss you KICKED ASS!!!!! I mean to be able to endure a 10 mile run is ASTONISHING HONEY! Could you have seen yourself doing that 3 years ago? Hell 2 the NOO!!! So you need to smile when you think of how hard you have worked and how far you have come.
Keep your chin up!!!! Tomorrow is always a BETTER DAY!!!!
Good Luck to ya honey. (((((Hugs))))))))) ~Jilly~
As for the weight loss you KICKED ASS!!!!! I mean to be able to endure a 10 mile run is ASTONISHING HONEY! Could you have seen yourself doing that 3 years ago? Hell 2 the NOO!!! So you need to smile when you think of how hard you have worked and how far you have come.
Keep your chin up!!!! Tomorrow is always a BETTER DAY!!!!
Good Luck to ya honey. (((((Hugs))))))))) ~Jilly~
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