Three years and counting
Three years ago tonight, I was a nervous wreck. I was so scared of the surgery to come and of what my life would be like after. It seems like yesterday and forever ago at the same time.
I’m not the WLS poster child by any means. Day of surgery I weighed 315. I obeyed all my surgeon’s rules (except maybe for water, I’ve always had a hard time with that), joined a gym and got a Trainer. Other than getting my appendix removed, I had no complications. I’ve dumped once, when I ate too many pretzels too fast. It took me until 7/20/06 to get to 215.
I don’t really remember what happened the next year. My trainer quit the gym and so did I. I know I enjoyed my new life, spent a lot of money on clothes and developed a slight addiction to casinos. It’s a good thing I don’t live in Nevada or I’d have to say it was a major addiction!
On 6/30/07, I got back on the scales to discover I weighed 229. I came back to OH, started watching what I ate, joined Curves and I’ve bounced between 225 and 229 ever since.
Would I do it again? Definitely! Would I do it differently? Probably. I didn’t do any research ahead of time. I talked to a few people who knew someone who’d had WLS and read a little. I’d heard of lap band but had no idea that DS existed. I consulted my PCP, who immediately gave me a referral to my surgeon. I went to the surgeon’s intro session, got the insurance approval, had a psych evaluation, went to the nutrition class, had a one-on-one with the Surgeon and had my surgery. That was it! Amazing isn’t it?
I have to admit I didn’t understand how much my life would change. I thought I’d lose all my excess weight and then be able to eat normally, just in smaller quantities. I knew I’d have to take a few vitamins, but didn’t think that was any big deal.
Thanks to the amazing support from everyone I’ve met at OH, I’ve managed to survive the past 3 years. A HUGE THANK YOU to Michelle (Vitalady)! Because of her advice I get my labs done every six months, take a huge amount of pills and am healthy! Everyone on the Grad Board, you are my saviors! Without your advice, wisdom, wit and concern, I never would have learned to maintain and I certainly would have gained way more than 14 lbs!
I hope that in the next year I’ll manage to find the motivation to lose some more. But if all I do is maintain and stay healthy, I’ll be just as happy on my 4 year surgeriversary as I am on my 3rd! Michele
I’m not the WLS poster child by any means. Day of surgery I weighed 315. I obeyed all my surgeon’s rules (except maybe for water, I’ve always had a hard time with that), joined a gym and got a Trainer. Other than getting my appendix removed, I had no complications. I’ve dumped once, when I ate too many pretzels too fast. It took me until 7/20/06 to get to 215.
I don’t really remember what happened the next year. My trainer quit the gym and so did I. I know I enjoyed my new life, spent a lot of money on clothes and developed a slight addiction to casinos. It’s a good thing I don’t live in Nevada or I’d have to say it was a major addiction!
On 6/30/07, I got back on the scales to discover I weighed 229. I came back to OH, started watching what I ate, joined Curves and I’ve bounced between 225 and 229 ever since.
Would I do it again? Definitely! Would I do it differently? Probably. I didn’t do any research ahead of time. I talked to a few people who knew someone who’d had WLS and read a little. I’d heard of lap band but had no idea that DS existed. I consulted my PCP, who immediately gave me a referral to my surgeon. I went to the surgeon’s intro session, got the insurance approval, had a psych evaluation, went to the nutrition class, had a one-on-one with the Surgeon and had my surgery. That was it! Amazing isn’t it?
I have to admit I didn’t understand how much my life would change. I thought I’d lose all my excess weight and then be able to eat normally, just in smaller quantities. I knew I’d have to take a few vitamins, but didn’t think that was any big deal.
Thanks to the amazing support from everyone I’ve met at OH, I’ve managed to survive the past 3 years. A HUGE THANK YOU to Michelle (Vitalady)! Because of her advice I get my labs done every six months, take a huge amount of pills and am healthy! Everyone on the Grad Board, you are my saviors! Without your advice, wisdom, wit and concern, I never would have learned to maintain and I certainly would have gained way more than 14 lbs!
I hope that in the next year I’ll manage to find the motivation to lose some more. But if all I do is maintain and stay healthy, I’ll be just as happy on my 4 year surgeriversary as I am on my 3rd! Michele
Happy Anny! A lot of the lead into making the decision rings very like my own. I hit 3 years on the 1st - and I wouldn't change my overall decision either. The post-op life hasn't been all smooth, but I have to say I've been successful overall. I struggle with exercising and snacking, but overall, I'm maintaining - which I can definitely say I've never done that for 2 plus years after loosing weight, and I had never reached a weight loss goal before surgery either. :o)
Remember, the tool will work for you and it will always be there for you, just like this site.
Dawn
Remember, the tool will work for you and it will always be there for you, just like this site.
Dawn
Dawn 
5'7" 258/142 
'What's important is not necessarily where you are, but in what direction you are going.' Oliver Wendel Holmes
Congrats Michelle!!
I to am a 8-05 RNY'er. Ive gained some this past year, but am overall very happy with my success. I to need to find the motivation to loose these extra lbs once and for all. As you know at 3 yrs out its very easy to fall back into some old habits, and im trying hard to take control of the head hunger.
All the best to you this next year!!
I to am a 8-05 RNY'er. Ive gained some this past year, but am overall very happy with my success. I to need to find the motivation to loose these extra lbs once and for all. As you know at 3 yrs out its very easy to fall back into some old habits, and im trying hard to take control of the head hunger.
All the best to you this next year!!
@----}-------
345/195/165
Anchor cut Tummy Tuck
with muscle tightening 6/20/07
Hi Michele,
Congratulations on your success and wonderful story.
Like you, I walked into the surgery thinking I was fully informed but was so focused on losing weight that some of the little details, such as malabsorption and weight regain possibility, escaped me.
I haven't had any complications either other than throwing up once because I ate too fast a few months after surgery.
I would have surgery all over again, even once a year if I had to in order to have the life I have today.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and success.
Cathy
Congratulations on your success and wonderful story.
Like you, I walked into the surgery thinking I was fully informed but was so focused on losing weight that some of the little details, such as malabsorption and weight regain possibility, escaped me.
I haven't had any complications either other than throwing up once because I ate too fast a few months after surgery.
I would have surgery all over again, even once a year if I had to in order to have the life I have today.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and success.
Cathy
Cathy
Want to get back on track or stay on track? Get Back On Track Together!
Happy Anniversary Michele! I agree with you on so many points on your surgery. I have been successful and maintaining within a 5 lb bounch, but it hasn't been easy. I didn't have to fight for surgery, it was an iron clad exclusion so I self-paid from consult to surgery went quick.
I worry about the newer post-ops today because although I feel we weren't always given the info necessary (especially pertaining to vitamin needs, I have to thank Vitalady too) I see so many that go into this blind-sided that they'll research goal, never eat XYZ again, etc. I tell you as a newbie I had some of those same thoughts, but believe me as time progresses there are definite changes in what and how much we can eat.......if people don't prepare for this it will smack them in the head soon.
Hope the next year brings you happiness!
I worry about the newer post-ops today because although I feel we weren't always given the info necessary (especially pertaining to vitamin needs, I have to thank Vitalady too) I see so many that go into this blind-sided that they'll research goal, never eat XYZ again, etc. I tell you as a newbie I had some of those same thoughts, but believe me as time progresses there are definite changes in what and how much we can eat.......if people don't prepare for this it will smack them in the head soon.
Hope the next year brings you happiness!
Proximal RNY Lap - 02/21/05
9 years committed ~ 100% EWL and Maintaining
www.dazzlinglashesandbeyond.com
Happy Anniversary and Congratulations on 3yrs of success!!!! I agree that I didn't really realize how life changing this would all be~mostly all for the good, but there's WAY more to all of this than I ever could have imagined! Wishing you continued success!!!!!
~*~Tracy B~*~
328/160 *** 5'9"
start/current
Let me join the others in saying Happy Surgiversary!! 
You've done an excellent job at staying very reasonably near your low weight! I think most of us would do a few things differently, but hey, I think that applies to almost every area of our lives! It doesn't necessarily mean we did things wrong; it just means we learn from everything we do.
You've done an excellent job at staying very reasonably near your low weight! I think most of us would do a few things differently, but hey, I think that applies to almost every area of our lives! It doesn't necessarily mean we did things wrong; it just means we learn from everything we do.Always,
Jo
Hi sweetie!
A belated happy 3 years anniversary! Been busy and almost missed this! You have done wonderful and should be proud of yourself! It's been a pleasure to have you here and share your own thoughts and comments and ideas etc. I know I appreciate the little nudges from you to take my vitamins! It's people like you whose concern and experience helps someone like me who was out of the support loop far too long...
Just wanted to take the time to say congrats and thanks for being you!
Hugs
Anita
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