ME TWO YEARS OUT
Two years ago today I was in the QEII hospital after having my surgery weighing approx. 555 lbs. suffering from low oxygen due to not having my C-Pac machine. After it was located, I proceeded to sleep through the night. I awoke the next morning wanting to walk since I was told walking would eliminate getting blood clots. I was hounding the nurses continually to help me walk in the hall as I needed help getting out of bed. The nurses told my mother I was being a nuisance (those who know me know this sounds like me).
After 2 years of living as a normal sized person (225 ish), I have come to realize that the mental part of this is much harder than the eating part as being a 2X since Grade 11 (1983), I am now below that....wearing large and xl. I no longer have to shop at the Big and Tall shops.
I actually enjoy exercise now. It's no longer a chore. I don't get out of breath anymore or sweat profusely. I never thought I would see that. At 555, you would have thought I had run a marathon when I had just crossed the street.
I have definitely been given a new lease on life. I would never want to go back to where I was.
I have also come to realize that my upbringing helped make me bigger and I have taken steps to help with that problem by working a 12 step program that has made me realize it is most important to love myself before anyone else can love me. This is something I came to realize after watching, above all things, an Oprah show where she had 3 individuals who had gastric bypass surgery ...one who turned to alcohol to replace the food, another that turned to sex to replace food and the 3rd being Carnie Wilson who also turned to alcohol. I have read all of her books and I look at her as an idol in this weight loss journey. Thank God for Oprah's show!
I realize that this surgery is not the be all and end all...food is something I'm going to have to deal with the rest of my life and I also know that it can backfire if I allow it.
To anyone that is waiting for this surgery or has recently had it, please do not look at this as something you do and not work at it......it will not work if you do. It is not a magic pill....you have to work at it. The old saying no pain-no gain certainly comes into play here.
Doug
If we're treading on thin ice we might as well dance.--Jesse Winchester
on 6/25/07 7:13 am - MO
Dear Winner, Whoo Hoo for you my friend! I take what you say seriously, I preop, have completed all my tests and have been approved by my insurance. I reflect upon all I read from this forum and hear from friends who share. I realize this will be the most difficult and yet fulfilling step I have ever attempted to take in my life. Food for me has always had a bonding experience with me to others, bonding first to my dad, then my adult brothers, now my members and colleagues, I am readying myself to make a serious step. It is a tool which can be sabotaged by me. In my preop stage, I believe I will not even taste sweets or high fat foods again because why would I? I don't want to test my dumping syndrome, just having an opportunity to dump is well enough for me. I'm a very good patient and have saved every one of the men's experience in here to reflect back upon as I journey. The one thing I look forward to more than anything else is being about to play with my children and be there for my wife in a way I promised when we were married. I look forward to all the farts that await me. Your letter as well as all the rest I've read is a God-send for me as I prepare myself to undertake a monumental step of faith like I've never taken. I'm ready. Keep posting, there are people like me who glean every ounce of help we can off your experiences. Thank you. Bob M.
Well done Winner.
Keep fighting the fight. I am learning that this is a non-stop, rest of my life proposition. I thank you and all the vets out there who have helped me create the path that has worked for me so far and helps me realize I need to keep focused each day. Congratulations and thank you.
Chris
