Urgent Question upcoming surgery

Hi everyone! I am scheduled to have my RNY surgery on May 8th.  I am so excited and have become totally obsessed with learning as much information as I can.  I swear I could teach a class at this point.  My question to all of you is...Where are all of the people who are more that 5 years out?!?!?!  It kind of freaks me out that you rarely, if ever, see post from people who are 10, 15  or 20 years out.  Have they gained all of their weight back?  Even my support group only has people who have had the surgery within the past 2-3 years.  My biggest fear right now is reagaining my weight that I will lose.  I know all of the things that I am suppose to do, but I have never found anyone who is able to do it.  Where are they?  Just freaking out a little.  Sandra

Hey Sandra -  I am almost 4 years post-op (in July) and have gained a little weight back from my lowest number on the scale - for no other reasons than letting a few old, die-hard habits back in to my routine in the last year.  The best piece of advice I can give you is to KNOW, BELIEVE, and UNDERSTAND that this surgery is a TOOL and that once the weight is off, you aren't "cured".  You will still battle the same head demons you have dealt with in the past, so be aware that old habits can and will hunt you down when they think you aren't looking!!   Be ready!! Good luck with your upcoming surgery!  I wish you a speedy recovery and an amazing journey! Hugs! Kristi

Probably part of the reason you don't find many posts from people real far out is that they don't know this board exists.  Think about it - they had their surgeries before it became "popular" and support sites like this one weren't even in existence yet.  There are a couple of pretty long-term posters here - Michelle Curran is one who posts pretty frequently.  I also just saw a post from a lady who is 16 years out from a VBG (vertical banded gastroplasty).

I understand where you are right now - mentally.  Right before your surgery, you start to freak out about a lot of things.  It will get better, and you'll relax too - but probably not for a while!  LOL  The first couple of years involving your research, then your surgery, then being a new post-op, are pretty intense.  Everything will eventually be normal again - whatever that is!

Another thing, too.  Sadly, a lot of people who do gain their weight back or a lot of it, probably don't feel like posting, maybe because they feel they've failed.  I hope that we can turn that around too.  If you've been reading this board, you know that many of us are struggling with regain and trying to learn how to manage this.  It's not easy, and WLS is not a magic pill.  But it has helped so many of us to get to a place we probably could not have gotten to without it.  Your fear of regain is a very valid one.  But if you arm yourself with the right tools, really focus on changing your eating habits, and do things the "right way" you can beat it. Best wishes on your upcoming surgery.  Please let us know how you're doing.

Carlita

 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG We're here.  This list started in 1999, so the founders were 1998 or older surgeries.  There's a HUGE archive of info of what happens to use as time goes on.  I'd highly recommend reading there, and bringing the info back here and to your local groups, as well. Michelle

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement.  I am under no illusions that I will have this done and magically no longer struggle with weight.  I know that I will be an "addict" for the rest of my life.  I just want to know that this is something that I can do.  I want to be able to look back in 10+ years and not regret having the surgery.  I think that part of my concern is because I am "only" 100-110 pounds overweight.  I think that it would be a no brainer if I was 200+ lbs over.  I have even warned the few family members that I have told about my decision that I will likely loose a lot and then have some regain after my body settles down and corrects itself.  I want them to know  that I will not likely stay at my lowest weight.  I don't know of anyone who doesn't have at least a slight regain.    I think that I am trying to prepare them and me that this is not a perfect magical thing.  I guess that I would just like to know that the mental anguish of being so big will be something of my past, but it sounds like I will probably always struggle with head issues.  I am looking into therapy after my surgery to help deal with these issues.  I know that I need to be prepared to put things into  perspective and be thankful that even if I am only able to keep 70% of my excess weight off long term that compared to traditional diets I will be a succcess.  I just don't want to spend the rest of my life agonizing over this constantly.    Sandra

had mine in 2001...doing fine. small weight re-gain but I never had a set goal weight. I went from 233 to 133 but stay at about 145 right now I am 155. have a good day, tammy

Thank you for posting and congratulations on your weight loss!   You give me hope.   Has it been a huge struggle for you to keep it off?  How careful do you have to be?  Thanks!

I'm 3.5 years out - up about 7 pounds from my lowest - I have to watch it just like any other normally thin person.  Too much junk - I get bloated, feel icky and gain; If I eat right, exercise and take care of myself, my weight drops back down to within 10 pounds of my lowest wieght.  Can't ask for much more than that.  I'm 48 years old; 5'4" and weigh 153 lbs. right now.  I can live with that and feel good!