6 years out comig up... Nov 11...
Biggest decision of my life. I have learned a tremendous amount about myself. Lost 120 lbs and maintain - give or take a few. I'm just in the normal weight zone for my average height.
All comorbidities were resolved - diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure. I've been very healthy.
I do have a chronic pain issue with my back (since before surgery) and I still have it although continue to try various things. Main problems I NSAIDS are out... so low dose narcotic is best option as over the counter Tylenol, etc. is just not enough. So, I miss the NSAIDS.
I'd say for the first 4 - 5 years I was absolutely compulsive abou****ching everything I ate. I don't weigh because a good number or a bad number doesn't matter - either way - it causes an emotional reaction for days afterwards. So I go by my clothes and am into my 4th winter wearing size 10 pants and medium everything else.
I have disordered body image - because I still see myself as fat. and I still have days of anxiety thinking I'm fat and won't be able to get into my clothes. But voila - I do. No probs. It's all in my mind.
On the food front - I'm quite happy with repetitive diet. Big contributes are cottage cheese and greek yogurt, some fruit, protein choices at dinner and I don't do well with greens. So fingers crossed the supplements help. We make lots of soups in the winter in which tons of greens are used to make stocks. And the summer is for salads so I eat a fair amount of salad. I also am still into sugar and enjoy it most of the time - some little thing every day. I also eat 99% unsweeted chocolate to treat my depression. There is nothing else like it.
So - it is not a picnic... but the surgery did want I wanted it to do.... it put my body on MY SIDE by making a small tummy and putting an end to overeating
It has been interesting to watch if my "stomach gets stretched." I learned a pretty good habit which is "as soon as you feel full , STOP." I get into trouble if I eat too fast, and can then overstuff. So some old habits are wanting to reassert themselves.
I say all these things not to scare anyone. More to the point of everyone is different, and our issues are different... and so our path through recovery is likely to be different. No one way.
It is a relief and joy to be a normal size person. Good luck to everyone out there!
True North Friend
Congrats on your 6 year anniversary. 11 Years out, and I feel very similar in a lot of ways to you. I'm am scared to death to "go back" to where I was. I do get emotional if my weight is up :( but I do weigh myself or it will get out of control. This was the hardest but the BEST decision I ever made in my life!
JA
