One Month Surgerversary!

  Well one month ago today, I was sitting in the pre-op suite at Bayview a wee bit wound up.  Man there were so manythings I was afraid of.  The two big ones were will I survive anesthesia and can I do everything that needs to be done post-op.  I knew one thing that I was committed to following every rule to the tee.  My mantra then and even today was "I'm not letting them rearrange my guts to then not follow their rules."

  Flash forward one month and I am here today.  I have been really looking forward to this one month anniversary.  I even decided to bend my weigh in only on Monday rule to permit weigh ins on Surgerveraries.  I mean after all doesn't everyone want to know how well they've done from month to month.

  So the alarm went of this morning, and the importance of the day jumped immediately into my head.  I jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom that has the scale in it.  I stripped off the insane amount of clothes I now need to wear to bed because I am chronically cold, even the socks (come on now every ounce counts.)  And I weighed myself (more about that later.)

  After that, I went about my normal morning routine.  While making breakfast for my son this morning, I opened the refridgerator to get something and saw the vial of insulin sitting in there, untouched for a month.  It smacked me like a bolt of thunder - this new path I've choosen is about so much more than a number on a scale.  I began to inventory all of the things that have changed for the positive in the last month.  The list, to me, was nothing short of amazing.  I want to share some of it with you my friends on line who have been such an amazing support.

  - I had an amazing recovery from the surgery.  Very little pain and very little difficulty meeting my fluids and protein requirement almost from the begining.  I have a brother who had this surgery two years ago and he constantly reminds me how smoothly things are going for me.  I am thankful and (because I am who I am) constantly waiting for the "other shoe" to drop.

  - I am off all diabetes medicines and have been since leaving the hospital.  Amazing since I was giving myself 4 shots a day and taking two doses of metformin pre-op.  And I am constantly showing blood sugars that I never dreamed of pre-op.

  - One blood pressure med instead of 5

  - I am wearing pants now around my waist rather than under my gut

  - I can walk further and longer without having to stop to rest

  - I was able to cut my own toe nails (something that's almost embarrassing to admit I couldn't do before hand) and I realized I was doing it and its significance only mid-way through it

  - I have survived family parties and the holidays and trips to resteraunts.  No strike that - I thrived through them.  Food simply doesn't seem that important these days

  - My eyes - the other night I made salmon for my wife (I was still in purees) I put the piece of fish on her plate - one a month ago I would have eaten entirely and still wanted more and low and behold it looked HUGE.  It was the weirdest experience.

  - Oh and by the way - I've lost 39 pounds in a month and am under 300 pounds for the first time in 9 years.  (Ok I said there were other important thing besides weight loss, I never said weight loss wasn't an important thing

  - I know there's probably so much more that I am losing in the moment.  I am entirely blessed to have supportive friends and family.  I am entirely blessed to have found you all and thank you for your support.  If this is what one month feels like I can't wait to see how the rest of the journey plays out.

Russel,

I am delighted to read your post. 
Congrats on having such early success with your surgery.   It sounds like you really GET it.

May you continue on this journey and only have good days with it.

Thanks Nessa I don't know how it happened but some how this whole process has seemed to "click" for me.  I guess if you're not enthused now - then you're in big trouble. 

Russ -

That was one of the most profoundly heartfelt posts I've read in a long time.  You nailed every single benefit of wls squarely on the head, from the physical to the mental.

I am so glad for you and for your family that you made this decision.  And I'm happy that your decision brought you here to us.

Good luck with the rest of your journey!!!  Keep up the good work!!  I am so very proud of you!!!!

Hugs,

Tia

Thanks for your kind words Tia.  No one is happier about decisions I've made on this one than me.  Because it has brought me here, because it has brought me to health, and because the road going forward looks bright.

Russel That is AWESOME news on your meds. I was on BP meds (just 1) and a month after surgery was taken off them and my blood pressure has been normal since then :0)

Congrats on the 39 pounds also. That is Great in one month. You are working your tool great!!!

Here's to much more success and all you wow moments to come

I know about the Meds, Kelly, I can hardly believe it myself.  I was one of those skeptics - "oh yeah it cures diabetes for everyone but me."  But it's rocking out for me and I couldn't be happier.

 Russ,
              When I got to the part of the insulin untouched in the fridge I started to cry........THANK YOU for sharing  that. It is post like THIS ONE that reminds us all why we started this journey and what is most important through all of this. I am so BEYOND PROUD OF YOU and I know I tell you that often. You will be healthier and happier and your family will be blessed to have you around A LOT LONGER!!! That is a GREAT THING!!!!
                                               And THANK YOU again for such a SWEET email the other day. You made my DAY!!! I dont know if you got the response because my OH inbox has been acting goofy but THANK YOU! It meant a lot!!!! Your a really good guy. Keep doing what you do honey you are gonna inspire so many!!!! All the best! ((((Hugs))))))

So I touched you huh?  Oh not in THAT way   Thank you for all the support since I've been here.  You are a great cheerleader.  I did get your email - my thoughts on that are I only help myself by offering support to others and who better to offer a little support to than you.

Russel, This was a great post. It is so nice to see someone being honest. I congratulate you on your success and I wish you nothing but good luck on the rest of your journey. This was xtra special coming from a man. You do a great job expressing your feelings. I    you 100%

                                                                                                              Julie