What has 365 days brought?

365 days ago I was on the last day of a 2 week fast and was looking forward to having surgery so I could get back to food.  Thinking only of eating see.  I was  morbidly obese with type two diabetes, asthma, and edema in both my lower legs. I could not walk more than several yards without pain. I could not reach very well to perform personal hygiene and was terrified that I would need to go to the bathroom while on an outing. This kept me house bound a lot. I wore size 3x large pants at Pennington's and 6x large tops at Pennington's, which was the biggest size Pennington's carried. I had chafed areas in all of the folds on my body all summer. Walking would set off an asthma attack on hot days. Climbing in and out of my van was a trial. I could not own a car because I could not climb out of a car. My sugars were always elevated and hard to control. The lower parts o both my legs resembled tree trunks with a purplish reddened colouring. Wearing socks would leave deep indention's in my legs. It was hard to breathe. Getting up from the couch was a trial in physics. The further you leaned back and rock the better chance you'd have of bouncing up from the couch. Sitting at the table meant I was about 2 feet from the edge of the table and when I would eat and food spills landed on the front of my blouse. To get on the floor on my knees was an impossible dream.

Then I had RNY gastric bypass.

The next three months were a complete nightmare, I had a bleed and lost nearly 2 liters of blood and had to have a second surgery the day after my first. I had a seep that lasted 6 days. I developed thrush in my mouth. I got a stenosis and had to have it dilatated. I had a very hard time trying to eat or drink. I don't even know how many times I wondered if I had ruined my life with this. I had buyers remorse big time. I was depresses and sad because my only solace  (food) was gone.

Then month 4 came.  Suddenly it was spring and food was starting to taste good. Well some food anyway. I could drink coffee again. I started to feel better. I still did not see a lot of weight loss but I could move better and could reach places. Summer came and no asthma attacks. I could easily get in and out of the van. Clothes were starting to get loose. I found I could eat a lot of good food. Gone were the sweets and chips and pop but I loved cottage cheese and fruit and actually liked yogurt. I craved hamburgers but when I bought one to eat it tasted gross. Pop tasted gross but I developed a liking for water and G2. This was the first summer in many years that I could really enjoy the summer.


1 year later and I LOVE MY RNY i don't miss the food I can't eat. I love how I feel. I can move, stretch, scratch, get up from the couch, kneel briefly on the floor, squat down near the floor to work. I can sit on regular chairs even ones with arms on them. I no longer have to sit in booths. I actually held a plate on my lap last week and ate my lunch. I can sit close to the table and lean forward so I no longer drip food on my blouses. I only wish I had done this surgery 10 years ago and saved myself years of misery.

Sorry this was so long, but I have been waiting a whole year to say it all. Let's see what the next 365 days bring. More of the same I hope. LOL

Iam very happy that you are doing good,Keep up all the good work.It is funny how we see little things that we could not do and now we can.

Me today I was able to tie my shoe with out putting it up on something.I was able to bend down and do it.

Congratulations Maggie!  I truly understand the life you had a year ago...I'm looking forward to te same changes.  Thanks for sharing

You certainly had a rough time of it for a long while. Contgrats on your achievements of the past year.
I look forward to doing the similar post in 10 days.

Anglia- how are you doing with the Meditrim? Are you weak  and tired? If you get discouraged, read Mary's story for inspiration.

WONDERFUL post Maggie. Spells out so clearly the changes this surgery has made in your life. If there ever was an inspirational post - this is one. I hope people who are waiting for WLS read this and get so excited. Because I also have experienced a lot of the same changes you have and get goose bunmps just reading about it and realizing it again. Thanks!

Wow wow that is all I can say to that. What an amazing inspiration to those of us waiting for our surgery and anyone beginning the journey. I am very excited to have the surgery and when I read your information I get even more impatient to begin as I can so relate to alot of what you posted. Thanks for being transparent even about the hard stuff. It makes us feel comfortable to ask questions and relate struggles. Again so inspiring, hope I have a similar success a year after my surgery. Trish

Thank you so much for sharing!  As someone just starting on the journey it is truly inspiring!