5 year surgiversary
On February 5th I will be celebrating 5 years post op. Much has happened in that time so I'd like to take a moment to reflect and share--especially to those just starting the journey.
First off, I am very grateful to OH. At the time of my surgery there were no support groups and the forums here became my support group. I have made some remarkable friends all over the country because of OH.
I was 330 lbs at my heaviest. I lost down to 168 and am now about 175. I never QUITE got to that goal weight, but I also never put back on very much weight--fortunately.
We've heard it many times, this is only a tool, the real changes come in your head and heart. You MUST have the right frame of mind for this surgery or you will fail. I'm sorry to have to be the one to say this, but I've seen it over and over again.
At 5 years out, I FIGHT weight gain constantly. It is only through strict control and exercise that I maintain. I have had the plastic surgeries to rid myself of the excess skin, but there is one more I'd like to have in the future. Some people would say that "I've arrived", but the truth is this is a journey with no end until that day comes when we leave this earth. That's right, this is a forever battle with lines drawn in the sand.
Please understand that simple carbs will do you in! DO NOT GO THERE. If I had one wi**** would be that I had never eaten a cracker, noodle, cookie, etc. at some point after surgery. I think I made it to about 9 months before I did so, but I wish I NEVER had eaten even one.
Carbs turn to glucose which the body uses FIRST rather than fat stores which is the second source of fuel. Many of us have compromised metabolisms that are super efficient. The surgery TEMPORARILY changes that, but those changes are not permanent. I fight the good fight daily.
Losing weight has given me the opportunity to MOVE again, but it hasn't given me a better job, people falling all over themselves to like me, better relationships, etc. THOSE were all within your grasp BEFORE surgery and only by doing the hard internal work will those situations ever change.
Everyone's journey is different, and yet we are all the same in many respects. We all laugh, cry, have the same food issues, rejoice, and ultimately accept ourselves for not our idealized version, but for what the truth is. I am not and never will be a model! BUT what I am is a woman who smiles at the woman who stares back at me from the mirror with a knowing glance. A woman who has regained her health and has the knowledge and practice to maintain it all.
God bless you all in your journeys.
Trisha Schnatterly
First off, I am very grateful to OH. At the time of my surgery there were no support groups and the forums here became my support group. I have made some remarkable friends all over the country because of OH.
I was 330 lbs at my heaviest. I lost down to 168 and am now about 175. I never QUITE got to that goal weight, but I also never put back on very much weight--fortunately.
We've heard it many times, this is only a tool, the real changes come in your head and heart. You MUST have the right frame of mind for this surgery or you will fail. I'm sorry to have to be the one to say this, but I've seen it over and over again.
At 5 years out, I FIGHT weight gain constantly. It is only through strict control and exercise that I maintain. I have had the plastic surgeries to rid myself of the excess skin, but there is one more I'd like to have in the future. Some people would say that "I've arrived", but the truth is this is a journey with no end until that day comes when we leave this earth. That's right, this is a forever battle with lines drawn in the sand.
Please understand that simple carbs will do you in! DO NOT GO THERE. If I had one wi**** would be that I had never eaten a cracker, noodle, cookie, etc. at some point after surgery. I think I made it to about 9 months before I did so, but I wish I NEVER had eaten even one.
Carbs turn to glucose which the body uses FIRST rather than fat stores which is the second source of fuel. Many of us have compromised metabolisms that are super efficient. The surgery TEMPORARILY changes that, but those changes are not permanent. I fight the good fight daily.
Losing weight has given me the opportunity to MOVE again, but it hasn't given me a better job, people falling all over themselves to like me, better relationships, etc. THOSE were all within your grasp BEFORE surgery and only by doing the hard internal work will those situations ever change.
Everyone's journey is different, and yet we are all the same in many respects. We all laugh, cry, have the same food issues, rejoice, and ultimately accept ourselves for not our idealized version, but for what the truth is. I am not and never will be a model! BUT what I am is a woman who smiles at the woman who stares back at me from the mirror with a knowing glance. A woman who has regained her health and has the knowledge and practice to maintain it all.
God bless you all in your journeys.
Trisha Schnatterly
There are good things to be said about recouperation in the summer......
Thank you, Deb.
I really didn't have problems until the last 6 months. I haven't changed my routine at all, but it is very difficult now to keep from gaining. I must exercise daily and keep my calories around 1300 to MAINTAIN....Kind of the pits, but do-able.
Good luck with your journey as well.
Trisha
I really didn't have problems until the last 6 months. I haven't changed my routine at all, but it is very difficult now to keep from gaining. I must exercise daily and keep my calories around 1300 to MAINTAIN....Kind of the pits, but do-able.
Good luck with your journey as well.
Trisha
There are good things to be said about recouperation in the summer......
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