One-Year Surgeversary!!

Today I’m celebrating my 1-year surgeversay. Can’t believe how much has changed since my RNY. Here are my current stats:

Highest Weight: 310 lbs
Surgery Weight: 300 lbs (on 08 Oct 10)
Doctor’s Goal Weight: 200 lbs
My Goal Weight: 190 lbs
Current Weight: 178 lbs

Total Loss: 132 lbs (from highest weight)
Total Post-Surgery Loss: 122 lbs

So far I’ve lost the combined equivalent of a new-born giraffe and a rack of baby back ribs. 

Prior to surgery I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, neuropathy (hadn’t felt my feet for 6+ months) and had all the symptoms of diabetes (although my blood sugar level was “normal"). All those problems are now history and my physical and mental health is better than it’s been in many years.

I remember how difficult it was to travel and get around. It was very hard to get myself in my cars because my belly was always rubbing against the steering wheel. And, the shocks on the car would always fail first on “my" side and the vehicle was always skewed / leaning.

It was very difficult getting myself into an airplane seat and I always carried a seat belt extender (too embarrassed to ask the flight crew for one). I lived in fear that the airlines would start requiring me to purchase 2 seats. And, there was the additional hassle of having to get my CPAP machine through TSA security. It was always a hassle and embarrassment to have to take the machine out of the case for the TSA inspection.

Then there were the travel restrictions when I went on cruises. I remember wanting to do helicopter rides while visiting Hawaii, Alaska, or the Caribbean. But, there were always weight restrictions and I was usually too fat to ride. And, when I did find a side trip that would allow someone of my weight, I can to pay an extra fee for being overweight. Plus, there was the embarrassment of having to be weighed before the helicopter rides so they could evenly distribute the weight.

There were also other excursions I couldn’t do because it required hiking or mobility that wasn’t possible for me with my weight. In short, my ability to live a “normal" life was being restricted by my weight.

Now, after losing the weight, flying is a breeze. I can easily fit in the seats and no longer carry the seat belt extension. I don’t miss packing around the CPAP machine and can easily fit into smaller / inexpensive rental cars.

I really appreciate my WLS clinic and their wonderful program. Granted, it was a hassle and emotional stress trying to get insurance approval. I was lucky enough to get approved on the first submittal but the waiting and uncertainty was horrible.

I also have found this forum and my local support groups to be an essential part of my post-op life. Thanks so much for those who post here and have provided help, support, and encouragement.

For those just starting this journey, I can tell you that it’s one of the best things to ever happened to me. It’s well worth the investment of your time and money.

A great post. Congratulations on all you have accomplished in the past year! And, enjoy your new life.

Ken, thanks so much for your kind words and support. I remember how helpful your posts were when I first joined this site.

I appreciate all the things I've learned from you and your journey.

 Congrats on a great postop year!  You've done great!  Keep up the excellent work.  You're certainly an inspiration!!

Thanks so much. I don't think I could have done it without the support of this site and contributors like you.

You have done great!!  So do carbs tempt you??  That was (is) one of my biggest downfalls.  So many avenues open up with the weightloss...From new activities to different sports (or exercise programs) to projects around the house...The sky is the limit.  Enjoy the ride...

Thanks so much. BTW, I'm not sure if you realize how much your contributions have helped with my weight loss. You've always provided great insight and responses to questions and issues. I especially appreciate of your ability to repost past converstations from 2-3 years ago. They always seem to say something that helps me and it's always a motiviation.

As for carbs, I've been lucky not to have a lot of problems or cravings for them. My WLS clinic has a very strict post-op diet plan and I followed that religiously. (I figured WLS was a one-shot deal and I was going to make the most of one-time investment.)

The clinic's "blue blinder" spelled out week-by-week what I should be eating until I reached my goal. That didn't include carbs. So, I've learned to do without them and it's not really been a problem. Now that I'm in maintenance mode I've started adding a few carbs once in a while. But, it's not something I eat on a daily basis. Maybe once a week or every 2 weeks. I don't think I've eaten an entire potato or loaf of bread in the past year. I think I've had lasagna once for a special family dinner.

I'm still doing mainly salads for lunch and protein / vegetables for dinner. I continue tracking my food intake using myfitnesspal.com and try to take in 60-80 g of protein a day plus my 64+ oz of water.

You're absolutely correct about the sky being the limit. I'm doing so much more and enjoying life.

 Great Post.   You have done awesome and it is so amazing what the surgery and all of your hard work has done to improve your quality of life.  Now those are some FARTs worth trumpeting about!!  Keep up the amazing job you've done!

Michael, I'm not sure I've done awesome but I'm grinning from ear-to-ear with my new freedom.

Your posts have sure been a help for me. You seem to be a lot more active than me and you're inspired me to get much more involved in life. I'm no longer a bystander but much more of a participant.

I also remember several of your posts where you talked about being in party / social situations where you had to maintain your weight loss lifestyle while surrounded by "forbidden" foods. Those posts have helped me in similar situations. It's encouraging to read how others handle things and it's been very helpful.

Best of luck on your journey. You're doing amazing.

Way to go digit!  Okay now whose got the defunko spray?