XP: Time flies...pics, and a public service announcement...LONG

waitinggame
on 2/2/12 1:15 am - Bowie, MD

So tomorrow is my 3 year surgiversary from my gastric bypass. I can hardly believe it has been 3 years already. First for the good stuff. I have lost 150 pounds, from 335 to 185, and maintained that loss. I still have a good amount of restriction, which helps tremendously toward maintenance. I still take my vitamins regularly, although I do have my slack days. I still get in my protein—usually. I feel blessed I was able to pursue plastic surgery in September. At the risk of sounding conceited, I am looking better than I have in my life. I get compliments from strangers about my appearance, which is a far cry from wondering and worrying about when someone would call me a fat ***** or moo at me as I passed. I ran into a guy I had a super huge crush on in high school yesterday and he just about fell over when he saw me and gushed about how great I look. I will admit without guilt that it was a victory for someone who came from where I came from (sorry about the preposition at the end of a sentence!). My labs are awesome with the exception of my iron, which has to be handled with infusions despite my religiously supplementing with Proferrin. If I were just judging my life on how I look, I’d say it couldn’t get much better. Alas, we are so much more than our looks. Now for the not so good stuff. I had a really tough time emotionally last year. Oh to know then what I know now! I am completely convinced that there is nowhere near enough attention given to the mental health issues that can follow bariatric surgery. As someone who dealt with episodes of depression or anxiety through the years, I thought I was prepared for what was to come. I figured you lose your weight and possibly struggle with identity issues and something of a learning curve where your relationships are concerned as you learn to relate to the world around you in this new and foreign body. Um, no. Not even close. Not in my case anyway. You see, I was placed on Zoloft after surgery prophylactically to deal with any hormonal surges that so often happen with rapid weight loss. Stayed on that a couple years then started having stomach issues with it. Doc changed my meds to Cymbalta because “it’s better absorbed" by bypass patients. To make a very long story short, one of the side effects of that medication is that it can throw you into a manic episode—a bipolar state. The effect is heightened in bypass patients. It was one of the worst times in my life. It affected my marriage, my friendships, my children—everything. It almost ruined me. Thankfully I saw a psychiatrist *****cognized immediately what was happening and got me on the proper medication. I feel like a new person. I honestly believe that seeing her saved my life. Of course there are still lingering effects on some of the relationships that were damaged as a result of my acting out, but I’m blessed to have loving and forgiving people in my life that have stood by me and supported me. Never in a million years did I think I’d lose all this weight, get healthy, start knowing and loving me again just to have my world come crashing down around my ears. Please be aware that there can be significant changes coming and they can come when you least expect it. At 12 months, 24 months, 36 months—no one is immune. Hopefully you’re prepared for the challenges that will undoubtedly arise as a result of the tremendous transformation that happens, but don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel like you need it. And listen to those trusted people in your life if they tell you they think you are changing in a negative way. Post-bariatric surgery is a whole new world to navigate through, and protein, vitamins, and exercise are just part of the equation. You have to care for your mental self too. I pray none of you has to endure what I did to get to this place of clarity. The reality is that I will come out better and stronger for having lived through this situation, but I hope that someone can take something away from my story. I don’t know what the future will bring, but I am looking forward to seeing where I am at this same time next year. I have great hope that this year will be full of love, laughter, and good times. Sorry so long, but if I can save one person from the **** storm I endured, then it is very much worth it.

Thanks for reading!

Denise Here are some pics of me before and after surgery--most are post plastics:

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Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.

RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!

*6.5 lost preop

PBJ
on 2/2/12 1:24 am

VSG on 06/03/10

Denise,

You r really an inspiration for all of us....thank u so much for sharing! You look fabulous!,
I always love to read your posts.

Keep up the great work and u should be so proud of yourself

Hugs
Patty

My weight loss journey

waitinggame
on 2/2/12 1:48 am - Bowie, MD

Thanks Patty! And I always enjoy hearing from you as well. So nice to have such positive, friendly people on this board. I am proud. It's been a wild ride!!

Hugs to you!

Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.

RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!

*6.5 lost preop

sublimate
on 2/2/12 3:03 am - San Jose, CA

VSG on 07/27/10

I can relate to what you wrote a lot. My life went into turmoil too. Got separated from my husband, sold my house and moved to a condo. All this while working full time, working on my doctorate (almost flunked out of school last semester) and being a single mom, with all the drama that goes with a separation.

I ended up taking meds for depression and anxiety too. Fortunately my psychiatrist picked the right meds for me the first time around and I feel AMAZING.. better than I have in my whole life.

I'm struggling with the feeling of going from being invisible to being treated like a sex object at times, and it's hard for me to reconcile.

I hope you don't take this offensively, but your boobies are amazing! I hope I look as good as you after my plastics. May I ask what cup size you are?

Start weight: 388, Current Weight: 185, Goal Weight: 180, Weight Lost: 203 lbs
Certified Nutritionist ♥ VSG FAQ♥ sublimate: To elevate or uplift.
3/2012 Plastics: LBL, 3 Hernias Fixed, BL/BA, Rhinoplasty & Septum Fix. 6/2013 Plastics: Arm and thigh lift

waitinggame
on 2/2/12 5:03 am - Bowie, MD

Thank you for sharing. They say the divorce rate is 75% and I can completely see why now. Man, you went through some of the most stressful life events that there can be! You are lucky you got through all that in one piece! I'm with you--I think now that all of the pieces are falling into place and having overcome a lifetime of obesity, I'm hopeful I'm looking at the best years yet. I also struggle with the attention from men. It is just so opposite from what I experienced all my life. I remember a night out when I was heavy and a guy literally looked in my face and said, "You fat pig." My best friend threw a drink in his face and I just felt like crap, although I can't tell you how awesome it was that she did that for me. Now I'm having complete strangers tell me I have a nice ass or how they like my shirt but would like it better if it was off (nice cheesy line, jerk!) and even having guys 10 years my junior giving me their numbers while trying to tell me what they'd like to do to me (as I was saying la, la, la, la with my fingers in my ears!). I waiver back and forth between wanting to slap them and being in awe that they are actually thinking and saying these things about my body or my appearance in general. I no longer allow what others think of me to validate me, but it is a very big change from how I was treated all those pounds ago.

Girl, with all the money I paid for these boobs, I am not even a little offended by your comment (thus my conflict when guys say stuff--ha, ha!)! I am currently an F in most bras, but can fit into a DDD in my comfy cotton bras. They are larger than I'd wanted, but I am able to dress them up (or out as it were) or down depending on the bra and shirt. And a couple of those pics were taken before the swelling went down some!

Best to you!

Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.

RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!

*6.5 lost preop

Jmoore6911
on 2/2/12 8:07 am - York, PA

RNY on 10/28/05

I totally agree with sublimate your boobs do look amazing! I was going to comment earlier and state that as well but I didnt want to offend you either... I want your boobs! lol ... I see your not far from me ... who did your plastic surgeries?

waitinggame
on 2/2/12 9:06 am - Bowie, MD

He would actually be somewhat close to you--Dr. Larry Lickstein in Towson at The Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland. 410-296-0414--can you tell I've called there a time or 200! All my mom's side of the family is from York!! I used to visit there every Christmas and Thanksgiving. Small world. Be sure to tell Dr. L I sent you if you decide to see him. He won't give me squat, but at least he'll know I'm getting good feeback and spreading the word! :)

Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.

RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!

*6.5 lost preop

sublimate
on 2/2/12 9:41 am - San Jose, CA

VSG on 07/27/10

Thanks for your response! There were several other changes I went through like starting a new job, and my aunt dying and my friend committing suicide. I didn't quite make it through unscathed. Despite wanting to do everything I could to avoid medication, I felt I had no choice.. life became unmanageable.

I'm still dealing with the repercussions like ruining my previously high credit score, almost flunking out of school and doing a ton of things caused by low self esteem. I hate now that guys seem to see me for nothing more than my looks.

What a terrible thing to go through with the comments from men! I think you were lovely even in your before picture. Thanks for sharing about your cup size. I have a large frame, so I was thinking I'd go for a DD, but seeing you I might have to go for DDD. You look great!

Hugs..

Start weight: 388, Current Weight: 185, Goal Weight: 180, Weight Lost: 203 lbs
Certified Nutritionist ♥ VSG FAQ♥ sublimate: To elevate or uplift.
3/2012 Plastics: LBL, 3 Hernias Fixed, BL/BA, Rhinoplasty & Septum Fix. 6/2013 Plastics: Arm and thigh lift

waitinggame
on 2/2/12 10:28 am - Bowie, MD

Holy cow! Man that had to be seemingly insurmountable to go through all that. I recall my psychiatrist telling me I was lucky I didn't run my family into financial ruination or have multiple sexual partners because apparently those are two way people in a mania act out. I, like you, did do things as a function of my low self esteem that I am not proud of and that I regret deeply. I get upset thinking about being judged by my looks, but then I try to remember our entire society functions on the premise that beauty is something to be revered, despite the fact that looks are a God-given blessing. It aggravates the **** out of me that people like the Kim Kardashians of the world get rich and famous because God gave them their face, and in her case, her ass! But no amount of face and ass will counter the effects of obesity so I guess they get some credit for staying fit.

So about boobies--I am 5'7" and large framed too. When you go for your consult, try to find out what your breast width diameter and ribcage circumference is. The website justbreastimplants.com has a great chart that helps choose an implant based on your actual anatomical proportions vs. just a cup size, since bras can vary and docs may think very differently about a DD than you do. Take lots of pictures of what you'd like to look like.

Here's hoping 2012 is full of (mental) health and happiness!!

Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.

RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!

*6.5 lost preop

sublimate
on 2/2/12 11:12 am - San Jose, CA

VSG on 07/27/10

Yes.. it is a lot to go through, and there were a ton of other smaller things added in there for good measure.. just too many to list. I really got to see how strong I was through all of that, even though going on meds did make me feel weaker.

I needed them though and I was glad I took them. My best friend talked to me and supported me every day.. that helped too. I did act out in my mania and I don't want to share too much here due to privacy stuff, but one of the things I did was sell off a bunch of stocks and purchased a brand new Mustang convertible.

I call it my mid-life crisis car. Now driving is a joy and I have no regrets on that money spent. I enjoy driving it every day! I also think the Kardashians are ridiculous and it makes me mad too that they get all this attention for doing jack sh*t.

Thanks for the tips on picking out my implants! Hugs to you.. you are a sweetheart.

Start weight: 388, Current Weight: 185, Goal Weight: 180, Weight Lost: 203 lbs
Certified Nutritionist ♥ VSG FAQ♥ sublimate: To elevate or uplift.
3/2012 Plastics: LBL, 3 Hernias Fixed, BL/BA, Rhinoplasty & Septum Fix. 6/2013 Plastics: Arm and thigh lift

XP: Time flies...pics, and a public service announcement...LONG

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XP: Time flies...pics, and a public service announcement...LONG