2 year Surgiversary thoughts
Hey everyone...
I've been more of a reader than a poster here lately, but today is my 2 year surgiversary. I am proud of my WLS journey and thought I'd share a little about it for anyone who is new or doesn't know about my journey. Someone said to me today that my journey is an inspiration to them. That is very flattering, but here's the thing. Anyone who makes a conscious effort to take a risk and better their life, leaving behind everything they once knew and start fresh after 20, 30, 40 or more years of a certain lifestyle, is an inspiration. Each and every one of you who have had the surgery or are considering the surgery are an inspiration. You have chosen to take control of your life. Mazel tov! (there, it's my Steffi shout out).
About me... I started my WLS journey in 2006. I looked into the program through Easton Hospital. I went through a very informal 6 month program and lost like 70 pounds. I felt great and thought I looked good (huh??) but was not sure this was for me. Fast forward to March 2008, I had regained all I lost and then some. I went to a free information night at Lehigh Valley Hospital and the next day I called for an appointment. My weight that day was 568lbs. That number still gets to me. I started their program and honestly didn't do all that great in the pre-surgery program. My weight on surgery day was 557 I think. I had my surgery, spent time in the ICU due to my sleep apnea and went home the following day about 8pm. The night of my surgery I was incredible pain, had second thoughts and was sure I was going to become a statistic. I went home and did well. I went back to work light duty in 2 weeks and a few weeks later began with some rectal bleeding. I was hospitalized and received 4 units of blood, multiple tests and they determined I had an area that didn't heal well. My goal was to be under 500 by the end of the year. On 12/30/08, I was 498.5. It was awesome. My first year was full of wow moments, it was amazing. My surgery truly was taking me for a ride and I was learning tons along the way. I also stumbled across a little place called OH.
Year 2 was all about choices. Food choices, lifestyle choices; some good, some bad, some great, some terrible. I chose to continue to follow the program, I chose to eat good foods, I chose to surround myself with an excellent support system. I chose to start exercising, I chose to take on new challenges; personally and professionally. I've also made bad choices, but it's part of learning my new lifestyle. Most importantly, I chose to succeed. I hit my goal, 250lbs. I've maintained my goal within a pound or two since June. I chose to make the most out of my new life. I'm so damn happy I made the choice I did 2 years ago.
Thanks to all of you for your support and friendship. I wouldn't have gotten this far without you.
Wow.
That is an amazingly powerful post.
Except - you didn't choose to succeed. You have chosen to continue successing. Because you have proven that nothing is ever "over" in this journey. And succeed implies being over. You, my friend, still have a lot you want to get accomplished (hello c25k???) and no doubt you will!
Thanks for sharing, Eric!
~P
Your weight loss is awesome! You must feel 150% better and I'm so happy for you that you chose to take this journey because now you will be around for those two beautiful little girls of yours and they'll have their daddy around to play with, run with and cuddle with. Just being able to do things with them has to mean the world to you.
Much continued success...Kathy
'One shoe can change your life'...Cinderella
