x-post 3 year anniversary

MaryS
on 12/9/07 8:20 am - Long Island, NY

What an amazing journey the last 3 years has been. I've lost 150 pounds and I've kept it off 16 months. For the last 16 months my weight has been fairly stable. I don't think I've ever maintained a weight for such a long period of time. I worried whether or not the surgery would work for me, I was sure I would be the one person who wouldn't lose weight. So, that wasn't true. Now my struggle is with worrying about regaining weight. It is a constant battle.

Now that I am three years out from surgery, it is so much easier to eat. I can understand how easy it is to gain weight. While I can't eat large quantities at one time, I could certainly graze my way through the day. This is why I would emphasize the importance of developing good habits in the early days after surgery.

The success of the last three years is not measured just in pounds. There are so many other measures such as:

my diabetes being under control. This is the number one, most important result of my weight loss!
I can move with ease
I can run. I ran in the NYC Marathon a month ago, fulfilling a dream I had for a long time.
I don't have to worry about fitting into plane seats. Just this week I traveled to Texas for a class. Coming home I had to sit in the middle seat. Now, I would still prefer not to sit in the middle, but I didn't have to worry about fitting or being able to get out of the row when the person on the inside needs to get up.
Taking dance lessons.
Taking the stairs, just because I can.

As important as all my successes and WOW moments are, it is also important to me that I remember the pain. I don't want to forget how miserable I was, as I believe it helps me not to allow myself to go back there. I know it could be all too easy to slip back into old habits. It is easier to eat now, and I can eat more than I've been able to. I have to watch that I don't allow myself to start picking up bad habits along the way. Here are some before and afters:

5'6" - 302/155-158

Check my success story on my surgeon's website: my story
Check my blog: LosingForLife.com
Ran NYC Marathon 11/4/07 5:27:06

Bearcat
on 12/9/07 8:32 am - Deer Park, NY

RNY on 03/12/07

Congrats on such an amazing accomplishment!!!! You are an inspiration.

Many Blessings
Barbara

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
I Corinthians 10:13

rosemary52
on 12/9/07 8:38 am - NY

RNY on 05/10/07

Well-deserved CONGRATULATIONS!!! You look just adorable and are a big inspirationn to me! Rosemary

Maryellen R.
on 12/9/07 8:55 am - Sayville, NY

RNY on 07/31/06

Hi Mary, Congratulations on maintaining your weight loss! It is wonderful to be able to have you here for us. YOu are an inspiration. Whenever I see your post, I think to myself, I'm going to dust off those running shoes I purchased and start running. I do exercise allmost daily, but for some reason, I can't get myself to start running. Anyway, it is a dream of mine as well to run a maraton. Maybe a little one this spring? I hope to one day meet you. Where on Long Island do you live?

Maryellen
To visit LIPO (Long Island Post Ops) bariatric support group website click here: www.liponation.org

"WLS is a journey, not a destination (don't get comfortable) ... it's a road that we must travel daily to succeed". Faith Thomas

visit my blog at theessenceofmaryellen.com/

Britt
on 12/9/07 11:24 pm - Long Island, NY

RNY on 11/06/06

Thanks for sharing Mary - c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s on your success :) YOU ARE INSPIRING! hugs, Britt

  Nothing - tastes as good as it feels -to be at my ideal weight :)
Lap RNY 11-6-06 at goal 10-6-07 - Attacking my regain 2013
                        Mommy to 3 princesses ~ Wife to Paul

     I'm a "before and after" in OH magazine (January / February 2008)

Amy C.
on 12/10/07 7:11 am - Old Chatham, NY

RNY on 05/02/06

You are outstanding Mary. I am inspired by your ability to maintain, to move and run competitively, to have such insight into your well being. I am 18 months out, still losing a bitty bit, but mostly working on being sane and stable. I never could have gotten to this point without surgery.

What a godsend.

You go girl. Keep up the marvelous work!

Amy

Open RNY 05/02/06 with Dr. Carl Rosati, Albany Medical Center
301/170/goal 160? Abdominoplasty on 8/21/07 with Dr. Jerome Chao, Albany Medical Center

jslotnick
on 12/11/07 8:15 am

Hi, Your story was inspiring, honest, and very true. The struggle you speak of which is not gaining the weight back/old eating habits, etc...is also connected to feelings and emotions that triggered the eating behavior. When you begin to think about "grazing" I would encourage you to ask yourself what you are feeling at that moment. If you can identify the feelings and find alternative ways to cope with them (journalling, walking, calling a friend) you may be able to put off or stop the eating behavior. The way we use food is so attached to our emotions and now that you have re-trained yourself with nutrition it is helpful to give yourself time to sit and process the feelings. Thank you for sharing your success.

Jessica Slotnick, LCSW-R, ACSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist, and a member of Obesity Help's Mental Health Advisory Board. By posting, she makes no promises, guarantees, representations or warantees expressed or implied and assumes no duty or liability with regard to the information contained herein. This post is not intended to diagnose or treat any physical or mental condition. No professional services are being rendered and nothing is intended to provide such services or advice of any kind. No website or informational post can take the place of seeking professional help. If you need professional help of any kind, please seek the services of a professional or dial 911. For more information please visit www.passagesgfw.com.

x-post 3 year anniversary

Our Mission

Follow us

Links

Select Photos

x-post 3 year anniversary