Ramblings of an 8 Year Post Op...

I've been thinking about this for several days now...about what I should or should not say...and I'm coming up with...nadda...no great advice..no pearls of wisdom...no great warnings...so let me just speak from the heart...errrr..umm...keyboard...

April 22, 2010 marks my 8 year RNY "Surgiversary"..unfreakin' believeable that 8 years ago I did not know ANY of you people, and now I cannot BEGIN to imagine my life WITHOUT y'all. THAT is what I GAINED, while having LOST 150 lbs.

There have been obvious physical changes, but I think I have more MENTAL changes. I'm still the same person, but I'm a happier, more content person. "Regular" stuff just doesn't seem to get me down like it does alot of other people. I just blow things off, shake my head at idiots, and go on about my business. I didn't do that so much, pre-op. I wanted to "fix" everyone and everything. Now I KNOW I can only "fix" me, myself and I. The idiots I can only love, pray for, or ignore.

Am I a poster child for WLS? OF COURSE NOT! Did I intend to be 8 years ago? OF COURSE I DID! I have done so many stupid things I can never take back-I can only go forward. My surgery is a tool-not a miracle. A hammer cannot drive a nail if you leave the hammer in the toolbox-you have to USE that hammer.

Would I do it all again? The hernia surgery at 10 months post RNY? The dumping? The foamies? The pork allergy? The hanging skin? The baggie full of vitamins I take every day? The 2 protein shakes I drink every day? YOU BETCHA!!!

It's all been worth it-every ache, pain, and fart. I went from insulin 4 times a day to NO MEDS for Diabetes. My recent labs showed "The blood of a 16 year old"-to quote my doctor.

The BEST part of my WLS journey? Go look in YOUR mirror-the answer will be looking back at YOU!!

Gina AKA Nurse Diva

  So very proud of you and feeling blessed that I can call you my friend!!!  Love ya!

PAIGE-I am soooooo ennjoying getting to know you better-Amazing how 2 people with DIFFERENT surgery types CAN get along-huh????

Love that comment, Gina!!  Most of my WLS friends are "sleeves" (since they are taking over the world ) and we get along fabulously.  It is amazing......lol!!

Congrats of 8 years of good health!!  Here's to many, many more!!

Laura

We, the TMB, have gained a friend in you.  Someone that we can honestly get help from, support, a swift kick in the butt, whatever it is that is needed at that time.  You are a TRUE inspiration and a WLS Sister I am SO happy to know, I cherish you as a friend I'll have for life.

Love you sweetie, congratulations on 8 years.

DANA-you and I just seeme to "click" right away-way back when, and it I who cherishes YOU-you motivate and inspire me in ways you cannot even begin to imagine.

what you came  up with is perfect.. fairy farts, rainbows and ALL..

love you so very much and I am more proud of you NOW then I have ever been.

BECK-you'll have to excuse my fairy farts and rainbows-I was feeling a bit mushy....I'll never forget when I first met you and Em, on the patio at Joe's Crab Shack in Arlington-it was like we had known each other forever.

WOW Gina - 8 years!  That's amazing!

You really are a great person! I'm so proud to know you and call you friend.  I know that if I ever need any of that advice, pearls or wisdom or just someone to kick my a$$. You'll be right there with any or all of it!

Congratulations on your Surgiversary!!!
Hugs, Mari 

MARI-not that YOU would ever need an ass kicking, but IF you need one, just hollar-I'll always listen and be honest-then maybe kick with my good leg!