Just Thought I Would Like to Share My Story and Maybe Offer Some Inspiration

Hello Everyone,

I thought that it was about time that I come on here and tell everyone about myself and my journey so far. I've been reading all of the discussion posts now for about 3-4  years. Next month on the 18th will make 7 years since I had RNY in November 2009. I started at a pre-op weight of 255 pounds, which may be a lower starting weight than some people that have the surgery. The only problem is that I'm only 5'0 tall. So 255 pounds on a short person is a lot of weight. I have lived most of my life overweight. Before I decided to have the RNY I was unhappy with myself, my life and turned to food as an emotional as I called it "Band-Aid." We all know it's true. We eat and we feel good eating the food and then not so good about ourselves after we eat it. So I decided that I needed to do something about my life and I needed to start taking care of myself by loving me. So at that time in 2009 I was having a lot of health problems due to my weight and I was only contributing to it. I knew that if I had the RNY I was going to have to not only change the way I ate for a lifetime. I was also going to have to change the way I felt about myself. So I had the RNY in November 2009 at a starting surgery weight of 241 pounds. By having the RNY it helped me reclaim my life back. I also learned a very important lesson in that whole process from the day my real journey began after surgery. I learned that you have to learn to love yourself and not turn to food as comfort for your emotions. I know it is easier said than done. I can honestly speak from experience of having to cope with some difficult emotions by living with bipolar depression that it is not easy to say no to food.

Now we can fast forward to the lowest weight that I got down to was 162 pounds. So I didn't make the 100 pound mark, but to me I had achieved so much I was happy where I was anyway. I stayed at 162 pounds for about 1 year and then started to feel like I was starting to slip into my old ways again. I wasn't turning to food again as I call a "Band-Aid", but I was starting to feel not so positive about myself again. This is just my own personal thought I had for myself, it isn't directed at anyone. I made a promise to myself that if I had RNY, I was never going to regain my weight back again. So I embarked on a journey again to start loving myself and having a different relationship with food. I can honestly say today I weigh 150 pounds. 

So my whole point after all of this rambling, you are all probably bored by now. I just want to say that I may have started at a lower weight, but I know what it feels like to feel disappointed and down on yourselves. I have lived a life of dealing with bipolar depression type II, which means I have depression most of the time. So I have had my struggles just like everyone else even though I didn't gain any weight back.

If you have faith in yourself and believe that you can lose the weight again or lose what you never did, you will. I'm still trying to lose about 10 more pounds but if never happens. I'm happy with my current weight and proud of my success after 7 years. 

If anyone would be interested I would like to help them continue on their journey. If anyone wants to be support buddies I can give you my email address. Sorry this was so long.

Malinda

Thank you for sharing your story. My surgery is Oct 26, so I will remember your story. I too am short 5'2 and 230lbs. 

I wish you the best of luck on your surgery day. ?

Thanks for sharing your story Malinda! Your inspiration is helpful.

Lori - I am waiting for my surgery date but it's likely to be within a couple weeks of yours. The insurance has approved and I'm just waiting for the drs office to call to set up my date. They said it should happen before Thanksgiving 2016. I'm 52 yrs old, 5' 2.5" and I'm starting at about 229lbs. I'd like to stay in touch as we go through this journey. 

Joy

Thank you for sharing your story.  Not boring at all:  I love reading people's stories.  I appreciated reading how you saw your slip into old ways, then addressed that by addressing your relationship with food.  I need to hear that, and I suspect many of us here do.  I have not yet had a period of regaining weight, but I can see myself flirting with old habits, and I have been thinking about "regain" being as much "regain of old habits."  Thanks for your post.

Hi Malinda, thank you so much for sharing your story.  It was exactly what I needed to read today.  After over 2 years of pre-surgery stuff, I finally got a phone call saying I will be meeting with a surgeon next week, via teleconference.  I'll know by next Thursday (Oct. 13th) if I can get the surgery or not.  I was told that the surgeon usually gives the OK to go ahead for surgery, so hopefully all will be well.

I'm new to this site and would love to have you as a support buddy, if the offer still stands.

Thanks,

Kathy

Hi Kathy,

I'm more than willing to help in any way that I can. If you have any questions before or after you have surgery just let me know. It's been a great 7 years so far. Good luck on getting your surgery approved.

Take Care,

Malinda