My Nine Year Update

Congratulatons on 9 years!!  25 pounds in 9 years--that certainly isn't as bad as it probably could have been had you not had RNY.

I feel your pain about the surgical menopause.  I had a total hysterectomy due to fibroids so bad that they stopped counting and when my gyn went in, she discovered that not only were there the fibroids that were the size of fruit, they were also in my uterine lining and my ovaries were a mass of cysts.  Everything had to come out and the first week the hot flashes came on with a vengence.  I do think, however, that this was the point when things started to spiral out of control and my weight went a little over 400 pounds between January of 2004 and the time I had RNY which was in July of 2008.  Ironically, I had to go back on hormone therapy in January of this year because of the return of the hot flashes.  I can distinguish them from dumping.  I don't have the chest pain but I went off the patches in 2005 and didn't go back on until January of this year.  Hopefully, all of the resulting problems from the hysterectomy will resolve soon and you will feel better.

You are definitely right though--if you don't have your health, you don't have much.  I do appreciate your telling us your story because I do wonder about people further out than a few years.  People need to know that everything isn't sunshine and roses after the first year and that the struggle starts from day one. 
 

THANK YOU!  I thank you for your post, it is important to see what the future may offer.
I am looking at the verticle sleeve as I have had MANY surgeries (8 in two years) due to a physicians errors and I don't want to mess with my intestines again.

I also had a surgical hysterectomy and experienced immediate menopause at 38 years, my heart goes out to you....it is really difficult and the hot flashes are killers.
Like others have said though, it is impossible to know where you would be without the surgery nine years ago.  Type 2 diabetes, stroke?

You look great and I pray for your health, I actually died on an operating table so surgery again is a bit frightening......it makes you appreciate every day!!!