Thoughts on 4 years- cross post
Wow! The 4th anniversary of my new life flew past amost without my remembering!
This new way of life is so engrained in me now. I'm forever thankful to the kind physician friend who suggested I re-frame my thinking regarding WLS to think of it as 'another tool, and some people need more, or different tools than others'. From the day she said that, it was a few short weeks to an informational seminar at the University of Minnesota with Dr. Ikramuddin, and from there, three more months to my surgery date.
I've hit a few bumps along the way: converted to an open RNY due to intra operative complications, a 6 day hospital stay, a seroma requiring packing about 1month out, and two bouts of diverticulitis (which could be unrelated).
I lost a total of 157 lbs from my seminar weight, and have gained about 7 lbs back. My weight seems very stable at this point, and my doctors and I are happy with where I am. In fact, at my last visit with Dr. Ikramuddin, he wanted to figure out what I do, so he can tell his other patients. They have also approached me to speak at patient and physician seminars and clinic outreach visits, and I will be happy to do so.
I can eat nearly anything- which of course, has its downside-- I *can* eat nearly anything-- doesn't mean that I should! The surgery is a tool, but I need to work it, and continue to make good choices for food, exercise and balance.
I'm enjoying life a whole lot more these days: I practice yoga and Pilates regularly, and take a variety of exercise classes. This past weekend, I paricipated in a build for Habitat for Humanity, and realized that prior to RNY, I would not have been able to climb scaffolding, and to fit between narrow spaces like I can now.
The support and encouragement from everyone here on OH has been immeasurable. I was off the boards for a while, but am checking back in periodically, to help provide input from a longer term RNY patient. Many, many thanks to those of you who answered my newbie questions, and my best wished to those of you who are newbies now!
This new way of life is so engrained in me now. I'm forever thankful to the kind physician friend who suggested I re-frame my thinking regarding WLS to think of it as 'another tool, and some people need more, or different tools than others'. From the day she said that, it was a few short weeks to an informational seminar at the University of Minnesota with Dr. Ikramuddin, and from there, three more months to my surgery date.
I've hit a few bumps along the way: converted to an open RNY due to intra operative complications, a 6 day hospital stay, a seroma requiring packing about 1month out, and two bouts of diverticulitis (which could be unrelated).
I lost a total of 157 lbs from my seminar weight, and have gained about 7 lbs back. My weight seems very stable at this point, and my doctors and I are happy with where I am. In fact, at my last visit with Dr. Ikramuddin, he wanted to figure out what I do, so he can tell his other patients. They have also approached me to speak at patient and physician seminars and clinic outreach visits, and I will be happy to do so.
I can eat nearly anything- which of course, has its downside-- I *can* eat nearly anything-- doesn't mean that I should! The surgery is a tool, but I need to work it, and continue to make good choices for food, exercise and balance.
I'm enjoying life a whole lot more these days: I practice yoga and Pilates regularly, and take a variety of exercise classes. This past weekend, I paricipated in a build for Habitat for Humanity, and realized that prior to RNY, I would not have been able to climb scaffolding, and to fit between narrow spaces like I can now.
The support and encouragement from everyone here on OH has been immeasurable. I was off the boards for a while, but am checking back in periodically, to help provide input from a longer term RNY patient. Many, many thanks to those of you who answered my newbie questions, and my best wished to those of you who are newbies now!
Congratulations! Your story is very similar to mine minus the whole twin pregnancy thing! Isn't it so cool! We took control of our lives and our health....It's been the best thing I have ever done for myself. Thank you for posting, I'm trying to regain control right now after having stable weight for 4 1/2 years through a twin pregnancy and all. You are right, it's a tool and I still have it!!!! Just need to use it like it's supposed to be used now.
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