Three Years!
I wrote this Thursday night and posted it to my Facebook!
So 3 years ago I was working my last couple days thinking about what a huge step I was about to take in my life. Wondering how my life was going to change, if it was going to change at all. 3 years ago, on July 10, 2007, I checked in at Barix Clinics in Langhorne PA. That morning I had instruments stuck through holes in my stomach and had my intestines cut and rerouted to create a smaller stomach. Three years ago I had Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery. I went into my surgery weighing 250 pounds. I came out weighing 261! 6 months later on Feb 13th 2008 I weighed 140 pounds. Yes 6 months later I weighed 110 pounds less.
Contrary to popular belief, this is NOT the easy way out. Yes, it was easier for me than for many others who have the surgery. However, it was not EASY at all. Testing out different foods to see what I could and couldn't eat, vomiting as a result of this, the period of time that I could not eat lettuce for anything, tastes of food changing for me, not being able to drink alcohol, shoot not being able to drink anything, but having to take sips of it for the longest time... wow these were just a few of the things I went through. Through trials I discovered that I can't eat artificial sweeteners. They make my stomach go crazy. On the flip side I can eat sugar, which is NOT a good thing as you would think it is. That really just leads to the possibility of gaining my weight back. Can I gain my weight back? Yes I can! Do I plan on it? Absolutely not!
Three days after I had my surgery I turned 28, and I went out line dancing to celebrate. That's right! I was discharged from the hospital on Thursday, I was out dancing on Friday night. I didn't STOP dancing until my doctors recommended against it over two years later because of my pregnancy. I was dancing 3-5 nights a week religiously! I didn't let the surgery stop me...I decided if I was doing it, I was doing it well. I contribute this to why my weight came off so quickly.
How has my life changed? Obviously the first way is the weight loss and the changes it brought in the way that I look at myself. I still have many days when I look in the mirror and see the former me. It's really tough at times. I was working at the Red Cross and miserable about it when I had the surgery. As the weight started coming off and my self confidence was boosted, I decided to apply for a full time National Guard job. And I got it! I went from being flagged and unpromotable because of weight and not passing a pt test, to being promoted to E4 and holding a FULL TIME E6 position in 7 months! Talk about Crazy!!!!
And then there is my miracle. Had I still be heavy I can guarantee you AJ would not be here today. I would not have met her father, I would not have had the resolve and health to successfully carry such a difficult pregnancy had I gotten pregnant, a lot of indicators point to my darling not being here.
To say my life has changed and wound up somewhere different than I ever thought it would, is an UNDERSTATEMENT!!!! Would I go back and change my decision to have the surgery? Absolutely not!!! I would do it again 10 times. Do I plan on EVER being heavy again? Absolutely not! Do I still have work to do both on the outside and the inside? Without a doubt! Would I ever say I, or anyone else, took the easy way out? No way!
So to anyone *****ads this who is considering the idea, weigh all your options. Talk to people who have had it done who had both good and bad experiences with it. Do NOT make the decision lightly. I researched for 3 years before I took the plunge. Above all make sure it is the right decision for you!
To anyone who wants to say I took the "easy way out" you can shove off. And yes I am talking to you. I don't appreciate it. There was nothing easy about this. I dieted, I exercised, I did everything I could to try and get this weight off prior to making this decision. This was my last resort. As I said before I made the decision and I would make it again 10 times over no matter what anyone else thinks.
Three years.... I never thought I would be here! I am extremely glad I am! Three years from now I want to look back and continue to feel the same way, if not better!
Congratulations on 3 years of successing! How is your beautiful daughter? OMG time sure flies I still remember when you announced your pregnancy. Your baby is 6 months already? BTW you are looking SMOKIN' HOT!!
-Shilpa
People comment on my over 100 pound weight loss and attribute it to my WILLpower, but it is my WANTpower: I WANT to be thin and healthy more than anything else!
