One year after RNY.
One year ago on September 21, 2009 Dr. Philip Schauer performed a Roux en Y (also known as gastric bypass) on me at the Cleveland Clinic.
This is what's known as my one year "surgiversary".
Here's the "before surgery" picture next to the "one year after" picture.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
"Before and After" photos can be inspiring. But they don't really tell the story of my weight loss journey.
For me, the day I went to the Clinic's weight loss surgery workshop is when my weight loss journey seriously began.
Before that day in April of 2009, I was like many other people. I yo-yo dieted... always gaining more than I would lose.
For years, I weighed more than 500 pounds. My size 72 slacks were becoming tight. I had sleep apnea, hypertension, wounds that wouldn't heal on my legs, a blood clot in one leg, and even a pulmonary embolism.
HOW I FINALLY COMMITTED TO WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
But even those health problems didn't motivate me to take my family doctor's suggestion to investigate weight loss surgery. I continued to sit in my living room watching TV, eating what I wanted, when I wanted, and how much I wanted.
A gall bladder attack started me on my journey. My primary care provider said I should have the gall bladder removed. But no surgeon in my home town wanted to operate on a 500 pound man. So I went to the Cleveland Clinic in hopes that a doctor would remove the organ. But even the surgeon I spoke with at the Cleveland Clinic told me he hadn't operated on someone my size. He suggested that I go the the Clinics bariatric center. Well, I felt like a dead man walking. I had pretty much given up hope of going on a diet that would keep the weight off. So I contacted the bariatric program and filled out a long questionnaire in late 2008.
I did start losing weight during that time, but in early 2009, I began putting the weight back on. By the time I had my WLS workshop in April of that year, I weighed 410 pounds.
I learned about eating protein and avoiding simple carbs. I also began scrupulously weighing or measuring my foods and putting those foods into an online journal. I would say that being honest with myself about my eating and believing that losing weight was the most important thing in my life helped me through this part of my journey.
By Father's day in June of that year.. just about three months after the workshop.. I weighed 370 pounds. I decided I would try to live and eat like someone who already had the surgery. In that way I would get used to it. But you really can't imagine life post op until you go through it.
WHY I LOST WEIGHT BEFORE SURGERY
I also knew that with my history of blood clots and my weight, I was considered a risky patient. The more weight I lost by surgery day, the chances of a better outcome would be improved. In addition, if I lost enough weight, Dr. Schauer could perform the surgery laproscopically instead of an open procedure, which would leave a large scar.
My wife and I would go for nightly walks with the dog during the spring and summer. It was tough for me at first. I had arthritis in my knees and it was also developing in my hips. But my wife was patient, and never complained that I slowed her down or when we had to make frequent stops to rest.
By the day of surgery, I weighed 330 pounds. I felt a lot better, but my friends would say that I am doing so well losing weight on my own, then why do I need the surgery? I told them I had lost weight in the past before, only to regain it, and I needed some help.
The only time I had doubts was three days before the operation. I wondered if I was being selfish by undertaking a risky procedure when I have responsibilities and a family at home. But I also knew that without the surgery, I would be headed toward a slow death anyway.
The surgery went fine. I experienced little pain. The drain coming out of my side was a bother, but the doc took it out a week later. In the month following surgery,I slowly regained strength. But there was a lot of gas pain and bloating. And if I ate anything with sugar in it, I would become tired and nauseous. Then I would usually lie down and doze off for a half hour.
I went back to work after about a month. I think working helped speed my recovery.
I continued measuring and logging my food. It's amazing how little you can eat and still survive. For months,I averaged only 660 calories a day. I kept the protein up above 100 grams per day and kept the carbs low.
One of my goals was to get back on my bicycle that had been rusting in the basement for three decades. In early February, my wife bought a bike on Craig's list, and I got on it. I didn't ride far and only averaged about six miles per hour.. but I rode.
HOW MY LIFE HAS CHANGED
Eventually, I fixed up my old bike and even bought another one... so I own three bicycles now. They have become a huge part of my life. I have doubled my average speed to more than 12 miles per hour. This past weekend I finished my 1,700 mile on my bike since I began riding in February. That's like riding from Youngstown, Ohio to Salt Lake City, Utah.
My life has changed in other ways too. Some are huge changes. Others are small but still wonderful gifts.
Being able to stand up.. no.. leap up from a sitting position without pain is huge. I used to be a grumpy person. I was not pleasant to be around. Pain can do that to you. I appreciate being able to walk around when I shop, or when my wife and I go to some special event. And if those special events require sitting.. I now fit into the seats, even if they have arms on them.
The biggest change has been on my marriage. I can now put on my wedding ring. In fact, I need to have it re-sized because it falls off my finger. My wife and I have seen tall ships and gone to many concerts, plays and productions. Crosby, Stills and Nash, Elton John, Carole King and James Taylor, Kenny Loggins, Gordon Lightfoot, Melissa Manchester, and Paul McCartney.
My wife and I bicycle together and go places together now. My children are grown, but seem pretty amazed how far I have come.
THE FUTURE?
It's not all a bed of roses. If I eat too much, too fast, or eat sugary foods.. I can feel terrible. Some foods get "stuck" in my chest and almost feel like I'm strangling until the food moves on. I get nauseous and have diarrhea if I eat sugary foods. And due to age or sinusitis (not my RNY) my ability to taste many foods has diminished. I have to admit that it is a bit disappointing that when I do eat, I can't taste some things. I am trying to accept that as something positive. Not being able to taste stuff makes eating less rewarding. That can be a good thing for someone like me who "over-rewarded" himself with food all his life.
The doctor says I still need to lose thirty more pounds to be as healthy as possible. I'll see someone about plastic surgery for all that loose skin when I lose more weight. Probably early next year. I would personally like to lose at least another twenty pounds to get below 200. And now that the nice weather and daylight are becoming scarce, I have to move into the gym and find some activities I enjoy. I have to admit that being able to do just about anything I want to now kind of removes some of the motivation I have for losing more weight. But every day I live of my new life I feel better and I have no reason to believe that trend will continue as I continue my weight loss journey.
Thanks to my friends here who have been so supportive. I don't think I could have done it without you.
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Of particular note to me is that you have been successful despite not being a young man. It's easy to say that success comes easier to younger men because their bodies will naturally burn calories quicker than older men. Hey, I still believe that but I also believe that older men can have success if they do follow a disciplined approach. Most of us had no chance of success without the WLS. Yeah, we know the old mantra of eat less and exercise more ad nauseum. We've heard it most of our lives. We get it already! But we needed help and that help came from our WLS.
Bike on brother Hercules....you look great and your wife don't look too shabby either. :-) She's obviously been a great source of support for you in your journey.
I should have remembered your surgery date - it was my hubbys 59th birthday!!
My surgery date was May 20, 2009 and my life has certainly changed for the better as well.
I now weigh about 150 lbs less than I did at my highest weight and can do so much more when I was overweight.
Another great side effect to my weight loss is that my husband celebrated his 60th birthday weighing 40 lbs less than last year and is below 200 for the first time in 20 years!
I certainly would recommend this to anyone with serious problems caused by obesity, not exactly a breeze but it has certainly been the answer for me as well.
Again congratulations, and keep posting, you really are an inspiration!!
