Today is my 5 year Surg-iversary...forgive the ramble...
Today is my 5 year Surg-iversary.
And I’m looking forward to the next 5.
(I’ll be brief and to the point-)
I had a rough start with rare complications,
Several subsequent surgeries to get me back together,
And a slow start from “unable to walk”
To running in a 5K by year 2.
I reached a Normal BMI by end of year one,
I lost to my personal goal by year and a half, a bit below that
in the next few months, and have
Maintained a Normal BMI for 4 years.
After that first couple of years,
It’s been unremarkable.
I did have a panniculectomy in July 05,
And a hernia repair as well.
As much as people get in an uproar at the phrase-
“The Easy Way Out.”
For me, even with the complications,
It has been.
First time in my life I have lost my excess weight,
And the only time I have maintained those losses
For even 6 months.
This loss seems to be “For Life.”
(“For Life,” is used intentionally as double entendre)
My Goal prior to surgery was “I Want To Lose Weight.”
My Complications quickly changed that goal to be-
“I Want To Live.”
And that’s what I’ve been able to do with the help of this surgery.
For those just beginning their own Life Changing adventure?
What worked for me?
Following the Docs Recommendations.
I eat protein First, get my water, take my Vitamins.
I get my blood checked regularly.
(and have perfect labs for the whole 5 years)
I, like many RNY Post-ops, take NSAIDs when needed
as prescribed by my doc, not “on my own.”
I, like the majority of RNY Post-ops,
don’t have incidents of “Foamies”
Because I don’t swallow big chunks of un-chewed food.
I swallow big “Horse-pill” sized Vitamins with no problem.
I, like the majority of RNY Post-ops, Don’t have problems
With Dumping Syndrome.
(I would if I ate a big bowl of Ice Cream,
But then, I didn’t have surgery so I could do that,
I had surgery to lose weight, and Live.)
So much of the stuff that is dogmatically shouted on Message Boards
Ended up being a Non-issue in the long run.
Chew Gum? Yep. From week one. Not a Problem for me.
Drink with a straw? From the moment I opened my eyes in ICU.
Take NSAIDs? Yep. Dr.’s Orders. For over 2 years on and off.
Ulcers? Never had one.
Plateau Buster? I think it is a gimmick Diet.
I had 47 years of failing with Gimmick Diets,
and finally chose not to Diet with my RNY instead.
5Day Pouch Test Plan?
I think it’s the New improved version of the Plateau Buster.
It re-enforces Diet Mentality. It works for some, not me.
Some of the stuff that is preached on “The Boards”
Does have much merit….
Exercise? You Bet. I get all of it you can.
I still walk at least 12 miles a week (Minimum)
Some jogging/running. If I had more time, I’d do more.
Work out with weights? Yes! I have a torn rotator cuff
That keeps me from doing much at all,
But when able, I’d Go for it!!
“Be Careful with Alcohol?” Yep!
I had about 4 months where it became more than habitual.
I’ve seen Many on the Boards
who totally screwed up their lives with it.
Support Groups? Yep. For me, staying connected with others
Who “Get it,” has been very helpful.
I have kept momentum and focus on Living
By meeting with face to face support groups,
As well as my “Peeps” on-line.
Checking in with the Guys here has been a way of
Keeping me on track and reminding me that
My weight-loss, challenges and accomplishments are unremarkable,
Just usual and typical.
Some how it makes Life a little easier,
Knowing that others are following the same path.
As for On-line support and Message Boards?
I’m a “Multi-Boarder.”
OH is a very large site, with a lot of Commercial Funding
Which allows it to have a lot of bells and whistles.
Unfortunately size comes with a lot of “loose info” and
Sometimes (((Hugs))) and glitter graphics take the place
Of actual support.
Starting the Men’s Forum back in June of ‘05
Was one of the best advances they made.
This is a great place to check how others are dealing
With similar issues, without the shallow Drama
That can plague The Main Board.
But- for info and support?
For Pre-ops looking for direct interaction with Doctors online
I like –
ThinnerTimes, at-
http://www.thinnertimes.com/
Doctors and Nutritionist driven Board
That is very good at explaining basics to Pre-ops and newly Post-ops.
Dr. Callery, and his staff are just as likely to post answers
As other peers. It is very RNY and LAP-Band specific,
little info or participation from other procedures.
Also for Those still adjusting to Life after WLS?
I like- RenewedReflections, at-
http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/
Founder Craig Thompson is a great guy and Dr. Sanae
Is the primary moderator, so the info is sound.
The site has the feature of daily updates of articles
and info on Obesity, weight-loss, and WLS as it hits the news.
For a simple collection of much info and articles?
I like- Kaye Bailey’s site, LivingAfterWLS, at-
http://www.livingafterwls.com/
The Gal has some recipes, and her library of articles
Range the whole gamut of WLS related issues.
For some folks who’ve been “WLS-Message-Boarders”
Since before there was an OH? And particularly if I had a LAP-Band?
I’d visit- Fatblog, at- http://fatblog.org/index.php
Founded by a guy named Sean who very open and candid
About his struggles and victories with his BAND.
A funny, sweet, sometimes snarky bunch with a lot of experience to share.
My Favorite? Quixotic WLS Surgery Education Foundation,
at- http://quixoticwls.org/forums/
Sort of the “Deep Space 9” of WLS Message Boards.
No advertisers, and a collection of people who have
Been Post-op from 3years to 22years.
A sort of “All-Stars” collection from all of the other Boards.
Moderators from ReNewedReflections, Forum Leaders from OH,
Long-termers from Fatblog, etc…
DSers, RNYers, LAP-Banders, VSGers, Fobi-Pouchers,
Non-Ops, those who have had revisions, etc…
An ever growing group of friends that have met-up across the country
through a series of “Non-Conventions.” Nutritionists, Pharmacists,
Nurses a plenty, Teachers, Authors, etc…
Plenty of folks on hand to call “BS!” when Myths are presented as facts.
Founded by one of the original Men’s Forum Guys here,
‘Tek,’ back in October ’06, with the aim of
Supporting, Informing, and Discussing WLS in order to clarify
And explore some of those conflicting “Facts” or “Myths,”
That people throw around on WLS Message Boards.
“It’s not all black and white….There’s a lot of color too…”
So,
My first 5 years are in the record books….
On to the next 5 maintaining at goal!
If I can do it? Anyone can.
Most DO.
The majority of people having WLS end up with
the long-term loss of their excess weight.
It’s typical. Not Unusual.
For my next few years, I’m going to work on Brevity.
Best Wishes-
Dx
I had a rough start with rare complications,
Several subsequent surgeries to get me back together,
And a slow start from “unable to walk”
To running in a 5K by year 2.
I reached a Normal BMI by end of year one,
I lost to my personal goal by year and a half, a bit below that
in the next few months, and have
Maintained a Normal BMI for 4 years.
After that first couple of years,
It’s been unremarkable.
I did have a panniculectomy in July 05,
And a hernia repair as well.
As much as people get in an uproar at the phrase-
“The Easy Way Out.”
For me, even with the complications,
It has been.
First time in my life I have lost my excess weight,
And the only time I have maintained those losses
For even 6 months.
This loss seems to be “For Life.”
(“For Life,” is used intentionally as double entendre)
My Goal prior to surgery was “I Want To Lose Weight.”
My Complications quickly changed that goal to be-
“I Want To Live.”
And that’s what I’ve been able to do with the help of this surgery.
For those just beginning their own Life Changing adventure?
What worked for me?
Following the Docs Recommendations.
I eat protein First, get my water, take my Vitamins.
I get my blood checked regularly.
(and have perfect labs for the whole 5 years)
I, like many RNY Post-ops, take NSAIDs when needed
as prescribed by my doc, not “on my own.”
I, like the majority of RNY Post-ops,
don’t have incidents of “Foamies”
Because I don’t swallow big chunks of un-chewed food.
I swallow big “Horse-pill” sized Vitamins with no problem.
I, like the majority of RNY Post-ops, Don’t have problems
With Dumping Syndrome.
(I would if I ate a big bowl of Ice Cream,
But then, I didn’t have surgery so I could do that,
I had surgery to lose weight, and Live.)
So much of the stuff that is dogmatically shouted on Message Boards
Ended up being a Non-issue in the long run.
Chew Gum? Yep. From week one. Not a Problem for me.
Drink with a straw? From the moment I opened my eyes in ICU.
Take NSAIDs? Yep. Dr.’s Orders. For over 2 years on and off.
Ulcers? Never had one.
Plateau Buster? I think it is a gimmick Diet.
I had 47 years of failing with Gimmick Diets,
and finally chose not to Diet with my RNY instead.
5Day Pouch Test Plan?
I think it’s the New improved version of the Plateau Buster.
It re-enforces Diet Mentality. It works for some, not me.
Some of the stuff that is preached on “The Boards”
Does have much merit….
Exercise? You Bet. I get all of it you can.
I still walk at least 12 miles a week (Minimum)
Some jogging/running. If I had more time, I’d do more.
Work out with weights? Yes! I have a torn rotator cuff
That keeps me from doing much at all,
But when able, I’d Go for it!!
“Be Careful with Alcohol?” Yep!
I had about 4 months where it became more than habitual.
I’ve seen Many on the Boards
who totally screwed up their lives with it.
Support Groups? Yep. For me, staying connected with others
Who “Get it,” has been very helpful.
I have kept momentum and focus on Living
By meeting with face to face support groups,
As well as my “Peeps” on-line.
Checking in with the Guys here has been a way of
Keeping me on track and reminding me that
My weight-loss, challenges and accomplishments are unremarkable,
Just usual and typical.
Some how it makes Life a little easier,
Knowing that others are following the same path.
As for On-line support and Message Boards?
I’m a “Multi-Boarder.”
OH is a very large site, with a lot of Commercial Funding
Which allows it to have a lot of bells and whistles.
Unfortunately size comes with a lot of “loose info” and
Sometimes (((Hugs))) and glitter graphics take the place
Of actual support.
Starting the Men’s Forum back in June of ‘05
Was one of the best advances they made.
This is a great place to check how others are dealing
With similar issues, without the shallow Drama
That can plague The Main Board.
But- for info and support?
For Pre-ops looking for direct interaction with Doctors online
I like –
ThinnerTimes, at-
http://www.thinnertimes.com/
Doctors and Nutritionist driven Board
That is very good at explaining basics to Pre-ops and newly Post-ops.
Dr. Callery, and his staff are just as likely to post answers
As other peers. It is very RNY and LAP-Band specific,
little info or participation from other procedures.
Also for Those still adjusting to Life after WLS?
I like- RenewedReflections, at-
http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/
Founder Craig Thompson is a great guy and Dr. Sanae
Is the primary moderator, so the info is sound.
The site has the feature of daily updates of articles
and info on Obesity, weight-loss, and WLS as it hits the news.
For a simple collection of much info and articles?
I like- Kaye Bailey’s site, LivingAfterWLS, at-
http://www.livingafterwls.com/
The Gal has some recipes, and her library of articles
Range the whole gamut of WLS related issues.
For some folks who’ve been “WLS-Message-Boarders”
Since before there was an OH? And particularly if I had a LAP-Band?
I’d visit- Fatblog, at- http://fatblog.org/index.php
Founded by a guy named Sean who very open and candid
About his struggles and victories with his BAND.
A funny, sweet, sometimes snarky bunch with a lot of experience to share.
My Favorite? Quixotic WLS Surgery Education Foundation,
at- http://quixoticwls.org/forums/
Sort of the “Deep Space 9” of WLS Message Boards.
No advertisers, and a collection of people who have
Been Post-op from 3years to 22years.
A sort of “All-Stars” collection from all of the other Boards.
Moderators from ReNewedReflections, Forum Leaders from OH,
Long-termers from Fatblog, etc…
DSers, RNYers, LAP-Banders, VSGers, Fobi-Pouchers,
Non-Ops, those who have had revisions, etc…
An ever growing group of friends that have met-up across the country
through a series of “Non-Conventions.” Nutritionists, Pharmacists,
Nurses a plenty, Teachers, Authors, etc…
Plenty of folks on hand to call “BS!” when Myths are presented as facts.
Founded by one of the original Men’s Forum Guys here,
‘Tek,’ back in October ’06, with the aim of
Supporting, Informing, and Discussing WLS in order to clarify
And explore some of those conflicting “Facts” or “Myths,”
That people throw around on WLS Message Boards.
“It’s not all black and white….There’s a lot of color too…”
So,
My first 5 years are in the record books….
On to the next 5 maintaining at goal!
If I can do it? Anyone can.
Most DO.
The majority of people having WLS end up with
the long-term loss of their excess weight.
It’s typical. Not Unusual.
For my next few years, I’m going to work on Brevity.
Best Wishes-
Dx Capricious; Impulsive, Semi-Predictable 
congrats obi-wan. to say you've been an inspiration would be a gross understatement. i'm so lucky i chanced upon this forum when it was just starting with you and a few other regulars. some of whom are still here posting. not many though. all the more important we get to converse with someone who makes us accountable every sunday and always has the right answer. you're the beacon of this site and truly a poster boy for wls. keep up the good work and i expect to be reading posts from you for another 5 years and so on and so on......carbonblob
"THE" master of us WLS fellas and a great help to all of us who follow! Keep up the great work my man! 
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