TWO YEARS OUT

Two years ago today I was in the QEII hospital after having my surgery weighing approx. 555 lbs. suffering from low oxygen due to not having my C-Pac machine.  After it was located, I proceeded to sleep through the night.  I awoke the next morning wanting to walk since I was told walking would eliminate getting blood clots.  I was hounding the nurses continually to help me walk in the hall as I needed help getting out of bed.  The nurses told my mother I was being a nuisance (those who know me know this sounds like me).  

After 2 years of living as a normal sized person (225 ish), I have come to realize that the mental part of this is much harder than the eating part as being a 2X since Grade 11 (1983), I am now below that....wearing large and xl.   I no longer have to shop at the Big and Tall shops.  

I actually enjoy exercise now.  It's no longer a chore.  I don't get out of breath anymore or sweat profusely.  I never thought I would see that.   At 555, you would have thought I had run a marathon when I had just crossed the street.

I have definitely been given a new lease on life.  I would never want to go back to where I was.  

I have also come to realize that my upbringing helped make me bigger and I have taken steps to help with that problem by working a 12 step program that has made me realize it is most important to love myself before anyone else can love me.  This is something I came to realize after watching, above all things, an Oprah show where she had 3 individuals who had gastric bypass surgery ...one who turned to alcohol to replace the food, another that turned to sex to replace food and the 3rd being Carnie Wilson who also turned to alcohol.   I have read all of her books and I look at her as an idol in this weight loss journey.    Thank God for Oprah's show!

I realize that this surgery is not the be all and end all...food is something I'm going to have to deal with the rest of my life and I also know that it can backfire if I allow it.  

To anyone that is waiting for this surgery or has recently had it, please do not look at this as something you do and not work at it......it will not work if you do.   It is not a magic pill....you have to work at it.    The old saying no pain-no gain certainly comes into play here.

What an inspiration you are!  Congratulations on your weight loss!  And thank goodness for Oprah's show!  I watched the same show you did and I came to the realization that I, too, am an addict and have to watch out 24/7.  Having had WLS in 12/05, I am down to 122 lbs., a little below my goal weight.  I weigh myself every day and I use this a gauge as to how I'm doing.  I have heard that a lot of WLS patients lose more than anticipated, only to gain it back and then some.  I know I have to be forever vigilant.  I walk 4 miles every day -- have not missed a day since the night of my operation.  I was a couch potato and I now have a different lifestyle.  I am now back to work after not working for 10 years due to my weight issues.  WLS is not the answer to everything, it's a tool for us to use wisely in our recovery.  Good luck to you!  Keep up the great work!   Janet

CONGRATULATIONS.Two years does fly by.I can not belive that it will be 2 years for me too.I am sure just like you the many changes our bodies have gone through. bob

Congrats!! That is an awesome story. I will be 8 years out in December and I don't think long term post ops can stress enough what you said. THIS IS STILL WORK. We do have an advantage with our smaller stomach but it takes work. I did not believe this myself and learned the hard way. I am back on track, losing again and healthy but I am working my booty off EVERY day to get it. I am so happy for you and your success!! All the best,

How inspiring your message is, and true as well.  I am 18 months out and am so glad I took the chance and changed my life as well.  The struggle is worth the results.

Happy two years, your weight loss is amazing! Enjoy!

Mazel tov! 

Congratulations on your 2nd anniversary as a post op WLS patient and for your amazing success. Your message is an important one that all people either planning WLS or ones that are post ops need to be aware of and not forget.

All the best for your continued success.

 

Sher

next week is my two year anniversary.  And I so agree with your post.  It is very inspiring.  I work on eating right everyday and making sure there is some type of activity done, even if it's just walking the kids to the park and playing with them. 

I was one of the ladies that had the fertility issues before my WLS and low and behold my one year anniversary I became pregnant.  I was watched very closely on what I ate and how much I gained.  I did not gain enough for the OB/GYN doctor.  I had issues with dehydration which caused me to be in and out of the hospital for IV hook up and a couple of the times it cause contractions and having to be put on oxygen.  My son came out very healthy and I lost all the weight I did gain within a week of coming home.  I have been able to maintain that weight after three and half months since having him.  It was not a planned pregnancy so I do say to those, please don't think it won't happen to you and you will be alright if you miss a pill or two.  Be careful until you are sure you want to have kids and then eat carefully when you do get pregnant as the baby will take first and you get what is left, so to say.

Congratulations to all of us that are post op and keep up the great work.  And yes it is work.

 

Danielle