The journey continues .. 2 years post op

I've been trying for days to figure out what I wanted to say for my 2nd anniversary. As I am typing this, it is Tuesday night, March 21, 2006. Two years ago it was a Sunday night and I was preparing myself to go to Pennisula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury MD. The last two years have been an amazing journey. Never before have I lost weight and been able to say a year later that every pound is still gone. I am not a WLS poster child. I've not reached a 'goal', but I have lost 100 pounds since I first walked into Delmarva Bariatric Center and probably more than 115 pounds from my all time high weight. I had not weighed less than 200 pounds for more than a few months at a time since the mid 70's. Each time I lost weight I always managed to regain it with 'interest'. My decision to pursue WLS was a 2 1/2 year process of thinking, researching, giving up, then reaching a bottom where I realized that WLS might be the only option I had left. Once I decided that yes I wanted to go through with it, I wanted it NOW !!!! I walked into DBC on January 29, 2004 and was scheduled for surgery March 22, 2004. Everything fell into place and I have never doubted my decision. Unless you count waking up in the hospital deliriously asking my husband WHY he let me do this. By the time I was home, I was never sorry though it did take a few months before I could say that I would do it again in a heartbeat. For the first year post op I traveled the 85 miles to Salisbury once a month to see Dr Sofronski. This second year has been every 3 months. I still to this day use Flintstone vitamins and Tums. I read all the posts/debates about citrate vs carbonate but I trust Dr S and I am following his instructions. I've never had a B-12 shot, though I did start taking B-12 supplements on my own last fall 'just in case'. My labs have been perfect each time, but I am going to be extra vigilant in watching for elevated liver functions because I have a history of elevated liver functions even before I was diagnosed with a fatty liver. I have always had to be careful about any drug that metabolizes through the liver and even more so now. I could easily take Tylenol every day to ease the discomfort of my osteoarthritis, but choose to only take it when I am in more pain than usual. I started taking glucosamine/chondroitin last September and have found that it does indeed help and if I skip a few days I feel the difference in my joints. I didn't do this to be thin but rather to have the quality of life that I deserved. I honestly do not know if WLS will give me a longer life, but I do know that it will allow me to live the life I do have left to the fullest. I would like to lose another 30 pounds, but if I never lose another pound, I will remember where I came from, and how far I have come and be thankful that I had this chance. There were a lot of other thoughts running around in my head, but they don't seem to want to come out in any coherent fashion, so I will leave them there. Hugs, Mo

Maureen, Congatulations on your success! I'm always moved by anniversary postings... I think we're all WLS poster children.... and you certainly sound like you have a healthy perspective... you are healthy and are taking the necessary steps to continue to lead a healthy lifestyle. We can't strive for much more than that! Best wishes on continued journey! /Lisa

Thanks Lisa! Hugs, Mo

Congrats Mo....I love your new pics...you are really looking good and just because you haven't reached a goal set by others or yourself for that matter doesn't mean you can't be happy with what you've done..Kim

Hey Kim!!! Thank you for the thoughts. I am going to start walking after work at Broadneck Park soon if you want to join me !! Hugs, Mo

Hey Mo !!! Let me know when you start walking at the park, I'm in the Cape and would like to join you depending on what time? Thanks! -BJ

Hey BJ, When I get started it will probably be about 5:15 or so. That assumes that I get home, run into the house, change and run right back out. I am a bit flexible on the time. My g/f who lives in Harting Farms wants to walk too, and I know she is home by 4 or 4:30, and goes to bed early, so I don't want to make it too late. I'll let you know when I get started though. Soon as it is a tiny bit warmer, though today probably would have been fine! Hugs, Mo

Mo I love your honesty. Sometimes stuff gets sugar coated here. You are looking fabulous and if your labs are good you cant complain can you? I am still struggling to get 19 pounds to rerach my personal goal but when I was at the docs yesterday he showed me all my weigh in for the last 3 years....I am 11 pound lighter than March 2005 79 pounds lighter than march 2004 and a heck of alot lighter than ever before. So for the first time in my life when my birthday rolls around I will be able to actually say I am lighter than I was last year....its a good feeling Keep up the struggle...Im with you!!! Hugs Diana

Diana, Thank you! You have the courage to post about the 'demons' when you are struggling. I tend to keep them to myself and fight them off. But through you and the others who put them out there on the boards, I get strength for my own struggles. Hugs, Mo P.S. You look fabulous too !!!