My Journey So Far at 6 Years Out (Extremely Long and Wordy)

northernlight
on 7/18/12 5:13 am - Canada

VSG on 05/11/12

Thanks, Dawn, for that excellent post - it was very enlightening. It's funny - as a newbie who sees and listens to you in our support group meetings, I see a healthy, successful, accomplished woman with a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of WLS. Until the past few meetings, where you talked about your Hypoglycemia, I think that I just assumed that you had your surgery, lost your weight & life was a beach as far as your weight goes nowadays and your health. I just assumed that you didn't have to worry much about regain & cravings.

I hope that you don't misinterpret my words, but it's a bit reassuring to know that even veterans have to worry about these things too, and also that veterans experience "head hunger" too! For some reason, I thought that it was just newbies who had to deal with that, so thanks for opening my eyes and thanks also for showing me that we can stay on top of things with mindful eating and even counselling, if we feel we need to talk it over with someone. You are an amazing group leader and I appreciate all of the great documents you constantly post for us on our local support group website - I've learned a lot from you - thanks again, Dawn!

Deb

Diminishing Dawn
on 7/18/12 5:37 am - Windsor, Canada

RNY on 07/05/06

Hi Deb,

Thank you so much for your words. I appreciate your honesty.

I am really going back and forth about whether I should post this in our online group. I worry it may discourage the newbies by the honesty.

Every meeting I struggle about what to wear, worry about my hair...because those are things that I can control when I'm feeling like crap about the rest of my body. I'm far more self conscious than people know.

I never know if going into things about me too much makes me come across as too self absorbed or if it's a good thing to admit vunerability and share stuff like that to the group. Some people have made some assumptions about me without knowing me and it's hard to admit anymore vunerability than needed. So I struggle whether to post this to the group. What do you think?

Dawn

17+ years post op RNY. first year blog here or My LongTimer blog. Tummy Tuck Dr. Matic 2014 -Ohip funded panni Windsor WLS support group.message me anytime!
HW:290 LW:139 RW: 167 CW: 139

northernlight
on 7/18/12 5:53 am - Canada

VSG on 05/11/12

Dawn, I think that it would be helpful for others to see that life after WLS requires work - the surgery is not a free pass to a perfect world. I think most people, especially newbies, would appreciate the honesty of knowing that, as we often say, your surgery was merely a tool to be used wisely - we must be the ones to do the actual work when it comes to developing healthy eating plans and exercise routines. Our members are not kids and they should be able to handle some straight talk on what life is like after we've lost the initial weight. They need to know that they must be vigilant or the weight will creep back on.

I think that most of the group members enjoy it when you talk about personal struggles you've had since surgery - it makes them see that even veterans, who seem very mu*****ontrol, can have the same worries as newbies about gaining weight again. I don't think anyone in our group would ever think that you are self-absorbed in any way, Dawn. IMHO, I think that the group would get a lot out of this if you were to post it to the group, but don't do it if it makes you feel uncomfortable.

Deb

sam1am
on 7/18/12 4:36 am

VSG on 09/08/09

I replied on your blog, but I'm not sure it worked.

I wanted to thank you for sharing your journey and wish you much, health, happiness and success in the future. As someone else said, I always look to your posts, knowing they will be informative and thoughtful.

All the best to you!

Sandy
                "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody  else up"
                              Mark Twain          Animation One

Diminishing Dawn
on 7/18/12 4:43 am - Windsor, Canada

RNY on 07/05/06

Thanks lovely lady,
I don't think it worked. LOL But that's okay. :) Thanks for the kind words. It's so nice that we have a little community of us long timers around here. It's great that we aren't alone! :)

Dawn

17+ years post op RNY. first year blog here or My LongTimer blog. Tummy Tuck Dr. Matic 2014 -Ohip funded panni Windsor WLS support group.message me anytime!
HW:290 LW:139 RW: 167 CW: 139

TBIYTC
on 7/18/12 6:14 am - Ontario, Canada

VSG on 02/29/12

I'll second what Sandy said!

TBIYTC-The Best Is Yet To Come Referral-Mar 2011 Surgery Feb 29th, 2012

Diminishing Dawn
on 7/18/12 6:22 am - Windsor, Canada

RNY on 07/05/06

Thanks :)

Dawn

17+ years post op RNY. first year blog here or My LongTimer blog. Tummy Tuck Dr. Matic 2014 -Ohip funded panni Windsor WLS support group.message me anytime!
HW:290 LW:139 RW: 167 CW: 139

Julia P.
on 7/18/12 4:38 am - Canada

RNY on 10/16/12

That was great, Dawn. Thanks so much for posting this. As someone who's about to embark on this journey, your insights are so valuable.

Referral - December 2011 * Orientation TWH - March 13th, 2012 * Nurse Practitioner - April 17th, 2012 * Nutrition Class - April 17th, 2012 * Social Worker - April 24th, 2012 * Dietician - May 1st, 2012 * Psych - May 1st, 2012 * Surgeon - August 17th, 2012 * PATTS - Sept. 12th, 2012 * SURGERY TEGH, Dr. Cyriac - October 16th, 2012

Starting Weight - 320 lbs * Current Weight - 178 lbs * Goal Weight - 165 lbs

Diminishing Dawn
on 7/18/12 4:44 am - Windsor, Canada

RNY on 07/05/06

Thanks. Embrace learning all you can while on your journey :) Arm yourself with success! Rock your surgery! :) I'll look forward to following your journey.

Dawn

17+ years post op RNY. first year blog here or My LongTimer blog. Tummy Tuck Dr. Matic 2014 -Ohip funded panni Windsor WLS support group.message me anytime!
HW:290 LW:139 RW: 167 CW: 139

wants2Bfitagain
on 7/18/12 4:40 am

Great post as usual, I always read what you write and look for pointers on what to expect and so on being a newbie as well. I have read your blog not fully but 1/2 way done and can't wait to fini****
Thanks :)

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My Journey So Far at 6 Years Out (Extremely Long and Wordy)