3 years Ago Today

I was already one day post-op, and lying in the hospital bed wishing the nurse would turn off the alarm that kept going off, as my heart rate would not sit below 100 bpm.

100 beat per minute....just lying there. Amazing. I have gone from that to a resting heart rate of 45 bpm, which the medical professionals call a Runner's Heart rate. 

I no longer have diabetes, high blood pressure (although I do still get high blood pressure under stress), high cholesterol, sleep apnea, depression and i'm down 105 pounds since surgery and 115 pounds from my highest recorded to my lowest recorded (I never know what to count, so I stick with the 105).

Highs and lows of surgery by date (ish)

March 23/2011 - RNY surgery - started walking, then more vigorous exercise one month after that
July/2011 = separation from my 15 year marriage/in onederland on the scale
December/2011 hit my first stall. Struggled with food issue, sought therapy. 10 pounds from goal

April/2012 - hit goal (iron infusions started somewhere around this time)
August/2012 started running semi-regularly
September/2012 finished 10k
October/2012 100 pounds lost

January/2013 - panniculectomy surgery
May/2013 - first 1/2 marathon completed
June/2013 - turned 40 - 105 pounds lost (7 pounds under goal)
July/2013 - gallbladder removed
October/2013 - full marathon completed
November/2013 - bowel obstruction

January/2014 - fix on dog ears from panni surgery. Did not react well, will have a fix later this year
March/2014 training for first 1/2 iron begins.

Although i've given up the scale for Lent (and that is super-hard to do), I know that i'm probably 133-135 right now. Goal was 135, so i'm ok with that. I like the way I look, and generally speaking, I like the way I feel. I do have issues with iron and i've had 14 infusions to try to get my levels up. I go for another round next week. I also get low sugars and it can be tricky. I have to eat every two hours. When I don't, confusion sets in, I get tired and flaky then cranky. I have to plan, and when I don't things get a wee bit nutty. 

All in all, I am super-pleased with my decision to have WLS. I don't have enough time to upload photos this morning. But if you click on my facebook page link in my signature below, it takes you to my public page and the pics are posted there. 

I hope everyone is doing well in your journey, wherever you are!

You are an inspiration. I hope I can do as well as you at 3 years.

I should also say that maintaining is a constant struggle. I feel (or fear) that it always will be. As my therapist always said, "You have a good 25 years of this kind of eating behaviour. RNY is not going to suddenly change your mind!"

So maybe in another 22 years I will have this down pat...Pat :-)

That is so true. I have been maintaining for only a year and find it impossible at times. But like most things it is one day at a time

WOW, how inspiring. I'm almost 5 months out, just under 60 pounds down, my size 18 jeans are getting too big....time for 16 's .....I feel like a supermodel!!! Haha I am on the other hand not very good at planned exercise, your post has given me an eye opener.

Congratulations on your amazing work!

Terri

I exercised on and off before surgery. I did a few small triathlons even. I think I just hoped that exercising would let me eat what I want. 

Not true then, still not true now!

Haha....my status says "goal reacherd" not true....I went back in and it had filed me at 23 pounds!!!!! LOL

Great update, wonderful success story!

Its  the health and fitness level i am working on now that weight loss goal reached.   I see your hard work and know it can be done!

Health and fitness will help keep you in maintenance. :-)

Proud of you girl. You have become such a strong person be proud of yourself. i wish you were running with me this Sunday. Hope for nice weather