4 yr WLS Anniversary

Hi everyone... it's been four years and I thought I would post an update. I've gained 10 #s from where I stopped losing and 5 #'s from where I leveled out for over two years. I had emergency bowel obstruction abdominal surgery in September of 2007 and I've healed well but at the first of the year I was still having lots of unexplained abdominal pain. CT scans showed nothing but I was scared to eat because everything caused pain. I flew off on my vacation to Hawaii thinking I might have to get them to turn the plane around midflight... gulped a bunch of liquid codeine just to survive the flight... started eating papayas in Hawaii... they were 5 for $1 at the Hilo farmers market... and was pretty much healed... lost about 5 #'s there too... it was great... stayed for seven weeks and felt so healthy when we went home. So, what's different now after four years? Well, I can eat more... especially soft things like carbs... bread, pasta, yams, beans... and I can graze... just a little of this and a little of that... ALL DAY LONG!! lol. But I find that if I eat dense protein, I still have to take little bites and chew slowly and I get full on a few ounces.... and IF I make good choices like fruit, salad, protein I can reverse the gain and make a bit of progress. In other words... I still have all the same tools and they still work. At this point, it's all about relying on the behavioral changes I made when I first had my surgery... some days are better than others... lol Good habits: no soda, no carbonation, no sugar, no liquids with meals, still drink protein shakes with fruit and yogurt, still take vitamins, still excercise but not enough... still use little dishes, still eat many meals mostly of protein and veggies. Bad habits: chips, sugar free chocolate, grazing, fixing carbs because they are quick and easy, sitting too much, eating when bored or stressed or just eating when not REALLY hungry... just to eat. Today I ate: protein SF hot chocolate with low carb "milk" 3 oz ahi tuna 2 stick pretzels 1/4 slice whole grain bread with artichoke/goats cheese spread 1/2 cup pinto beans with 2 oz cheese 1 corn tortilla crystal light and later I'll have a banana with 2 Tbsp peanut butter So, I'm happy overall. So grateful for four years of mostly healthy living... and for hiking and swimming and great sex and horseback riding and snorkeling and chasing goats on the farm. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I'm 57 now. Yesterday, my son and I were loading free firewood in my 1 ton old 67 ford flatbed truck. It was in town and an old maple had been cut down and they said we could have the wood. As we threw chunks of wood into the truck, a woman walked by and said, "I can't believe you are doing that!" I thought she was talking to my son. No, she meant me... "Me?" She said, "you look like you are my age and you are throwing that wood around..." I said, "Are you telling me I look old??", in a mock offended voice... she got flustered and said again, "but you look like you are my age..." I thought about explaining that 4 years ago I had weight loss surgery and before that I could hardly stand and now I do everything without thinking about it... but I stopped... didn't give her ANY insight... just said... I'm 57. Why is this significant? Well, the first year... I told EVERYBODY!!! The second year... I told alot of people. The third year, I told some people. Now, I never think about it. let alone think to tell someone. lol maybe next year I'll deny it altogether. {{{{{hugs}}}}} to my friends who are still around and best wishes to those starting out on your own journeys. Nancy

******* W O W ******** Thank you for sharing.... it helps to know people out there have succeeded and done very well. Millie

awww Nancy my missing friend, you are singing my song.......all 3 verses and the chorus...... Happy Anniversary to you......sure do miss you around here........keep in touch, even by email......

Nancy,
So good to hear from you. Happy Surgiversary! And your post is so educational for those of us not as far out as you, and struggling, and those just starting your journey. Your wisdom is needed!!!

Thank you and congratulations Nancy!!! It is a huge accomplishment to get on with living after WLS. We never forget we had the surgery but I am so pleased to hear it doesn't have to consume us either.  Annette

Its so nice to hear from a long-timer! I know when I first considered this journey I tried so hard to find folks who were 4, 5, 6, 10 years out and I couldn't because as you said you now have a LIFE and don't much think of why.  Continued good health and success to you, Lou

Sorry you didn't find me, I've been here for almost 8 years on this site.....

Well I know where to find you now

Nancy it's so good to see you and hear you're doing well.  I'll be 56 in July and celebrate my 4 year surgiversary in August.  I too went through shouting "I had wls" to anyone and everyone, down to telling only a few people.  Don't know that I'll ever deny it. LOL  I'll take one of those hugs as I consider myself a friend.  You and so many of the other "old timers" were so very supportive when I was a "newbie".  I miss you, Windy Pat, Patti D. Ruth, Mary D. Tea Lady, Pat Louise...  Wish they'd stop by once in a while. Debbie

And don't forget Vince, Joyce, Rusty, Pat/Louise, Liz and Jeannie G!! Yes, we were a crew.... weren't we? We ROCKED this joint! Survived Katrina with you. LOAO off when Darlene served the soap to her guests on toothpicks.... well, time does go on... do you remember the old camp song? "Make new friends and keep the old... one is silver and the other gold..."