Three Year Survigersary (one day late)
Yesterday was my third surgiversary! I had planned on posting yesterday, but time ran away from me.
I'm not going to bother to post about the weight I've lost. 1) you can read this in my signature and 2) the numbers are really the least important part about what this surgery has done for me.
Three years ago I gave myself the ultimate kindness and had VSG. I've never regretted this for a single day.
People ask me, "couldn't you have lost weight without the surgery?" I might have been able to, sure, but what matters is that I didn't.
People ask me, "you say you're happier now, couldn't you have found that happiness without losing weight/surgery?" I might have been able to, sure, but what matters is I didn't.
People ask me, "has losing weight/surgery let you pursue your dreams?" The answer here is no, since I WAS pursuing my dreams prior to VSG. The difference now is that I'm dreaming dreams I never even considered I could dream. I have dreams now that I never wanted. I'm pursuing THOSE dreams. Pre-WLS, it never crossed my mind to go back to college, to run a half marathon (or to run at all), to foster a well developed yoga practice, etc, etc, etc. These are all dreams that weight loss inspired me to dream. I've gone rock climbing (indoor) and hiking and to trampoline parks and I love it all.
WLS and weight loss is not a cure all. My dad still died in April, there's still stupid drama in my life with people who create stupid drama, I still feel unprepared for exams, there are still ice storms, I still argue with my partners, Trump was still elected president, I still had to help my mom sell her home and get settled into a CCRC. But getting my weight going in the right direction gave me the breathing space I needed to shore up my mental/emotional foundations. I started seeing a therapist on a regular basis, I got diagnosed with an eating disorder and started medication for it, I sought out a bereavement group when my dad died, I spend more time on myself and I try to invest more time in the relationships that matter to me. These are all things I wouldn't have done pre-op. The changes I've made post-op have allowed me to weather the crap that life has thrown in my path.
I still want to lose more weight. I have my first two rounds of plastic surgeries scheduled and I'll be able to schedule the third once the fall class schedule posts. I'm graduating with my AA (Exercise and Sport Science, wtf?!) in May and then will begin work on TWO BS degrees in July (Gerontology and Aging Services AND Health Management Services). I'll be running my SECOND half marathon shortly after my 4th surgiversary.
Life is good. More importantly, I'm living dreams I had never even thought to dream.
Thanks to all of you for being a part of this for me.
VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)
Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170
TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)
Gwen,
Your thoughtful post, and incredible insight of your accomplishments are inspiring. Congratulations of all the wonderful things you have done for yourself!
"...This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away, to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. What he was doing..."
Rachel, PMHNP-BC
HW-271 SW-260 LW(2009)-144 ~ Retread: HW-241 CW-190 GW-150
Congratulations, Gwen! Thanks for sharing this thoughtful post.
Lanie; Age: 43; Surgery Date (VSG): 8/12/14 w/complications resulting in RNY next day;
Height: 5' 6" SW: 249 Comfort Zone: 135-140 CW: 138 (10/13/17)
M1: -25 lbs M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -7 M5: -11 M6: -10 M7: -7 M8: -7 M9: -3 M10: -8 M11: -4 M12: -4
5K PR - 24:15 (4/23/16) First 10K - 53:30 (10/18/15)
