two years! Where does the time go?
Hi all,
Well, yesterday was my two year anniversary of my surgery. I don't often think of those first few weeks, but I do remember eating with a baby spoon, trying desperately to take 30 minutes to eat a tablespoon of food. I'd take my meager meal to work and sit to eat lunch in my car because I didn't want the lookie-loos watching every bite I ate.
As the weeks went on I enjoyed the comments from people about my weight loss. Cried over the comments about having "that surgery" and dealing with the mean spirited folks who declared that while I look good then, as soon as I could eat again I'd gain it all back.
Disaster struck 3 months after surgery when I had a partial tear of my Achilles tendon. No more exercise until it healed. Well, it did, back to water aerobics I went, only to blow it out completely. Five surgeries later, a week in the hospital for infection, two weeks in a wheelchair, then a walker, then four months in a brace up to my knee, I finally healed. I still lost weight despite not being able to exercise. My Ortho doc said I'd never walk normally or without the brace, no cute shoes in store for me, only ugly "old people" shoes that the brace could fit into.
Well, I've proved them all wrong. I can walk normally, have lots of cute shoes, and all because I lost 114 lbs. If I hadn't had this surgery I wouldn't be sleeping without the help of a CPAP, still be taking blood pressure medication and would probably be in a wheelchair due to the ankle situation.
I wear a size 4 and love shopping. Most of the people I know now have never seen me heavy and don't know me any other way than the way they see me today. I still struggle with body image, but it's getting better. Each day I see myself this small I wonder if it's really me in the mirror. I know more about diet and nutrition than anyone I know, with the exception of course of the dietitians out there. People have started asking me to help them with diet and nutrition plans for themselves. My husband has lost 75 pounds by living my healthy lifestyle, and I'm sure he's much healthier now than he was two years ago.
Do I still have food issues? You bet I do!!! But.....when I make a decision to eat something, I try to stop and think if it is a sensible choice that will be a beneficial food. Does that food do anything good for my body or my health? Sure, I'll occasionally have "empty" calories, but I haven't gone through life changing surgery to screw it up by eating a bunch of crap. Do I like taking a handful of vitamins and supplements throughout the day....heck no, but my body and my health depend on it now, so it's just gotta be done.
Thanks to all who have been here for me through all the good and bad times. You have become like family to me. I appreciate you more than you will ever know. We might not always agree, but what family does?? I love you all and I know I couldn't have done it without you!
Huge hugs
Well, yesterday was my two year anniversary of my surgery. I don't often think of those first few weeks, but I do remember eating with a baby spoon, trying desperately to take 30 minutes to eat a tablespoon of food. I'd take my meager meal to work and sit to eat lunch in my car because I didn't want the lookie-loos watching every bite I ate.
As the weeks went on I enjoyed the comments from people about my weight loss. Cried over the comments about having "that surgery" and dealing with the mean spirited folks who declared that while I look good then, as soon as I could eat again I'd gain it all back.
Disaster struck 3 months after surgery when I had a partial tear of my Achilles tendon. No more exercise until it healed. Well, it did, back to water aerobics I went, only to blow it out completely. Five surgeries later, a week in the hospital for infection, two weeks in a wheelchair, then a walker, then four months in a brace up to my knee, I finally healed. I still lost weight despite not being able to exercise. My Ortho doc said I'd never walk normally or without the brace, no cute shoes in store for me, only ugly "old people" shoes that the brace could fit into.
Well, I've proved them all wrong. I can walk normally, have lots of cute shoes, and all because I lost 114 lbs. If I hadn't had this surgery I wouldn't be sleeping without the help of a CPAP, still be taking blood pressure medication and would probably be in a wheelchair due to the ankle situation.
I wear a size 4 and love shopping. Most of the people I know now have never seen me heavy and don't know me any other way than the way they see me today. I still struggle with body image, but it's getting better. Each day I see myself this small I wonder if it's really me in the mirror. I know more about diet and nutrition than anyone I know, with the exception of course of the dietitians out there. People have started asking me to help them with diet and nutrition plans for themselves. My husband has lost 75 pounds by living my healthy lifestyle, and I'm sure he's much healthier now than he was two years ago.
Do I still have food issues? You bet I do!!! But.....when I make a decision to eat something, I try to stop and think if it is a sensible choice that will be a beneficial food. Does that food do anything good for my body or my health? Sure, I'll occasionally have "empty" calories, but I haven't gone through life changing surgery to screw it up by eating a bunch of crap. Do I like taking a handful of vitamins and supplements throughout the day....heck no, but my body and my health depend on it now, so it's just gotta be done.
Thanks to all who have been here for me through all the good and bad times. You have become like family to me. I appreciate you more than you will ever know. We might not always agree, but what family does?? I love you all and I know I couldn't have done it without you!
Huge hugs
Susan
Susan, I just want to thank you for being the inspiration that you are to others. We get so much strength and hope from you and your story.
Congratualtions on showing everyone that surgery is not the easier softer way and it takes a lot of work and determination to suceed with it. You have plenty of both. May life continue to be good to you and yours and may you never know anything but happiness.
We love you too and I am sending lots of love and big hugs to you. I am proud to call you sister.
Congratualtions on showing everyone that surgery is not the easier softer way and it takes a lot of work and determination to suceed with it. You have plenty of both. May life continue to be good to you and yours and may you never know anything but happiness.
We love you too and I am sending lots of love and big hugs to you. I am proud to call you sister.
It's not what you gather, but what you scatter
that tells what kind of life you have lived.
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