10 Year Anniversary

I did not realize it until just now that 10 years ago today, I had WLS.  Was it easy...Oh, heck no.  I fortunately did not having dumping like some but after 10 years, I still can not eat ice cream without becoming nauseaus.  At year six, I had a bowel obstruction and of course the insurance company wants to blame WLS.  I started at 267 lbs and today, I weigh 160, and at 5'8, I guess that is not so bad.  My lowest weight was 136 for about a day, and I mainted 140 for about 3 years, then depression and stress kicked in... Somedays I still see the fat girl that ate me.  Would I do all of this again?  In a NY minute. WLS saved my life and gave me back my sanity.  Now I am struggling to take off 15 lbs where I feel most comfortable. For anyone that is newly post op or considering WLS, I just want to share, that this is a roller coaster ride, it is not easy but if you make the necessary life changes you will be as successful as I was and one of the best things you can do is to learn your body and how it reacts to your weightloss.  I learned early on that once a month I would plateau or think I wa****ting a stall then boom off came 7 lbs.  It took me two years to lose all the weight and there is nothing wrong with being a slow loser.  When people meet me for the first time, they never suspect that a long time ago in a land far away, I was morbidly obese.

What a great post, and so honest and real.  I had RNY WLS 6 years ago and although I have been blessed with perfect weight maintenace at 105 pounds, it came a high emotional price until I addressed and dealt with the underlying eating disorder.  It is indeed a roller coaster ride, especially for those who fail to address their emotional eating and other disorders.  By embracing honest lifestyle changes and effective therapy I have found a degree of physical and emotional well being that I never thought possible.  And as you stated so emphatically, I too would choose WLS again in a New York Minute.  I really enjoyed your post!  Stay well!  Suzanne M.

Hello,

I haven't been on these boards in almost 4 years! This December will be my 4 year anniversary! I LOVE my life and would do it 100 times over. It was the absolute BEST decision for me I have ever made. I do have a question for you seeing that you have been so successful so many years out. My beginning weight was 242 and I lost down to 134, for as you said, about a day!LOL I have maintained a weight of 150 for a couple years now but with life and stress have yo-yoed between 150 and 160. I want to get 15 pounds off and keep it off and just can't seem to get motivated. I teach school and LOVE my job but it drains me. I also have 2 boys active in sports and just can't seem to find the energy to exercise like I need to. I guess I'm just looking for some help. There are no support groups in my area where I live so I thought I'd come back to the boards so I could talk to people who know about my struggles:)