4 year anniversay (x-post - long!)

This is the 4 year anniversary of my gastric bypass surgery. It has been an amazing ride. Here is the today's entry from my blog:

What an amazing journey the last 4 years has been. My weight has been basically stable for over 2 years I never imagined I would be successful at losing weight, and however hard that was to conceive I never thought I would be able to keep the weight off. Now my struggle is with worrying about regaining weight. It is a constant battle.

I am still amazed by the difference in my life. Losing weight has given me back my health and made doing things so much easier. The journey of the last four 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. One of my life-long dreams was to run in the NYC Marathon. I fulfilled this dream in 10/07. I have developed a love of running!
*Instead of making plans to meet friends for food, I make plans with them to workout together.
*I don't have to worry about fitting into plane seats. It still is striking to me how much easier traveling is now. It is great not to have to worry about sitting in the middle seat, or having the stamina to walk through the airport.
*I can have a jar of chocolates on my desk for people who come to my office and not be tempted to have any. In fact I don't even notice they are there most of the time. In the past I would have eaten them all myself.
*I don't worry about presenting in front of a group of people because I'm concerned they will be focused on my weight instead of what I am saying.

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.

I am so grateful for my surgery and the tool it gave me to fight the battle with obesity. This past year has been difficult and I know if I didn't have the surgery I would have gained 50 pounds over the last few months! The surgery and years of new habits have given me the ability to get through this without gaining weight. It is still difficult not to have food to turn to sometimes, but the benefits out weigh the struggle by far.

There are so many people to thank for their support thoughout this journey, but I have to give special mention my amazingly supportive husband, Rodney.

Wow, Mary!! Congratulations on all of your success and your return to good health. Thanks for sharing your experience and insights with those of us who are still making our way through.
Hugs,
Maria

Thanks Maria!

Hi Mary. I have followed your journey since I first joined this OH site. You are one determined woman and I wish you all the best for your continued success.
I read your blogs and thank you for your honesty. I notice how much you use the word "grateful". I think that might be the key to keep you going. That word is the only thing that drives me to get going everyday, too. ( Grateful for two good legs - no excuse not to use them.)
It's not all about the weight loss, but a much larger and more complicated picture than we were ever to imagine.
YOU CAN DO THIS.
Congratulations.

Thanks! You are right, it is not all about the weight loss, it is a complicated process with lots of intertwined pieces and gratitude does play a big part of the process. I am thankful everyday for the opportunites I've been given and the fact that I was able to have the surgery.

WOW Mary, you are such an inspiration to not only the newbies but to the veterans as well.  Congrats on the great job!

Maryellen,

Thanks! You are my inspiration as well. I am going to get some pics posted on your before and after post as soon as I get some time!

Mary

Your story is soooo inspirational! Congratulations on your surgiversary!!!!
Hugs,

Thanks! As I wrote on your post keep up the great work. I am so happy to hear that you are doing well.

Congratulations Mary! You are such a fantastic inspiration! 
Happy Surgiversary & may you continue to enjoy your new life!