2nd Anniversay Thoughts (re-post from Main MB)

Today is Jan. 25, 2007, the 2nd anniversary of my Lap RNY Gastric Bypass surgery. I weigh 139.5 lbs., up 1 lb. from last year. I am happy, healthy and have no regrets about having wls. It was by far the best thing I could have done for my health!! I saw my surgeon yesterday for my check-up and he is very pleased with my progress. I am slightly below my goal weight (100% loss of excess weight) and well below his goal weight (80% loss of excess weight). I am off 8 of the 10 meds I was on before my wls and of the 2 meds I still take, one is for my fibromyalgia which I chose to continue and the other is potassium which I was off of for a while but my labs were a bit low so my pcp put me back on it once a day as a precaution. My sleep apnea has resloved and I no longer use a C-Pap machine. My low back pain is much, much better - in fact, gone most days. I can't tell you how much better I feel overall - the change is amazing! In the past year I've had 3 rounds of plastic surgery to remove excess skin and try to correct some of the ravages that Morbid Obesity left on my body. The health benefits from getting rid of that extra skin has been wonderful. I tell people I traded skin for scars and in spite of a few complications, I would do it again without hesitation! Do I still struggle with food choices? You betcha! Do I still want to eat everytime I'm upset or happy or sad or angry or wanting to celebrate something? Yes indeed! Do I eat during my emotional moments? Yes, sometimes I do. Do I hate myself for it? No, because I'm only human and we all make mistakes. The real question is, do I make the right choice MOST of the time? YES! I work very hard to try to follow the guidelines. I don't always succeed, but I'm still trying. Just like every "normal" thin person I know. In a post today discussing body image & adjusting to being thin, Sharon G. said, "I think the acceptance of ourselves comes in stages. I keep telling myself to enjoy the 'wow' moments because they will eventually become normal. I have okay days and I have 'fat head' days. It is just all part of the adjustment process." Those are my thoughts exactly! Retraining our way of thinking, of how we see ourselves & our bodies, is as much of an adjustment as adapting to our new way of eating was to us after our wls. Some days I think retraining our way of thinking is harder than relearning how to eat post-op. But I think that "mental image" change is essential to our success as wls post-ops. If we don't change the way we "see" ourselves, and appreciate those changes, I'm afraid we are in danger of cheating ourselves out of many of the benefits of this drastic step we took to become healthy. Although my mind's eye still doesn't truly "see" myself the way I physcially appear, I am getting closer to reality. And I will continue to work on it until my mind & heart "see" what my mirror reflects. I wish you success, both physical and mental, in your journey. Vickie J. "Most dreams are lost by giving up what we want most for what we want at the moment."

Wow Vickie, Very Well Said!!! You are such an inspiration! Congratulations on all of your success and happiness! You should be so very proud of yourself and all that you've accomplished!!!!! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

Tracy, Thank you for your kind words! I'm just trying to keep it together, one day at a time. Hugs! Vickie J.

Hi Vickie, Today is my anniversary too! I eat during my emotional moments as well. Although I do eat the "right" things. I can't eat high-sugar, even in small tastes; I get sick or very sleepy. We do have to change the way we see ourselves. I still struggle every day to get rid of the bad energy in my life - but with a new body, new job, new man & a new life, things are looking for 2007 ~Amy

Amy, Sounds like your life is moving along as it should these days! That is wonderful I wish sweets did make me sick but they don't. However, too many carbs or fats will make me so sleepy I can't stay awake so I seem to dump on them but not sugar. Oh well, I'm just having to learn where to draw the line and if it is one of my "trigger"foods, the line is at "0"!! Happy re-birthday to you! Vickie J.

Congratulations to you Vickie, WOW, you have accomplished alot. I am so very impressed in all you have said in this post. I too am two years out since December and I feel very fortunate. I am so very glad I had the surgery too. I thank god every day. Right now I am stuck at my weight, I cant seem to get past this certain number right now. I have not reached my goal yet and its alittle discouraging, but I know after seeing how successful everyone here is and how some of us get stuck I know I will get there eventually. I hope to have the TT surgery next year to get rid of all the excess skin too, alot of my friends have had it and they look amazing. Well thanks again for this great post. God bless you. Hugs KimC 325/213/150 was/is/want to be

Kim, You should be proud of yourself! 112 lbs is great!! Keep at it and you will eventually get to where you want to be. But even if don't, if your body decides it doesn't need to hit that "magic" number, you have a lot to be thankful for. If you're like most of us you're probably healthier than you've been in years and that makes life so much better and more fun! So enjoy the journey and don't worry about the final destination! Good luck with the plastic surgery! It is amazing how much of a difference it can make. Several folks I know said the ps jump-started their weight loss again so maybe it will help you, too. Hugs! Vickie J.

Happy Anniversary Vickie, it's still hard to believe that it's almost 2 years for all of us, I remember first coming to OH and communicating and sharing with each of you. You've done well, kuddos to you and may you continue to experience all the success you've had these past 2 years. I too deal with emotional eating and body issues so I can definitely relate. I haven't had any plastic surgery yet....going for consults next week to see what exactly is recommended and what the cost will be. I do hope to start the process in the next couple of months. Dana

Dana, Thank you for your sweet comments! It is hard to believe how far we've come in just 2 years, isn't it! Good luck with your ps consults. As with our wls - doing your research helps you make wiser choices. I interviewed 9 surgeons before I decided on my ps and it was well worth the extra time it took. Finding a doc you are comfortable with and have confidence in makes a big difference in how happy you'll be with your results. Hugs! Vickie J.

Congrats Vickie. Very good post. You are such an inspiration. Thank you. LisaMarie