Long Term Post Ops, Let's Have Some Fun!

Hi everyone. Recently, I celebrated my 1 year WLS anniversary. I wondered if all 1 year postops and beyond could tell everyone how you're doing?? When did you have WLS? How are you feeling today? What valuable tip can you offer to other long term postops with regards to maintaining weight loss? Do you still follow your doctor's orders? Do you take your vitamins like you should? What's one thing you've done since WLS that you would never have been able to do preop? Thanks for helping out! Cathy

I had Open Rny on Feb 7th 2002. I am feeling fine today. Watch out for the in between snacking/grazing yes yes Walk! and wear pretty shoes...sometimes both at the same time.

Hi Cathy; I had my RNY Nov 10th 2003. I am feeling great.. I keep thinking.. wow so this is what life is all about when i am walking.. justing thinking i would have never 3 walked miles.. never in my life. That part is hard.. i started out at 402 and now i am 238... i did gain about 10 pounds.. so back to counseling.. it's not what your eating but what's eating you... I have not been back to the doc's for a few months.. so i guess the answer is no.. No i don't take my vits like i should and i can feel it sometimes.. The one thing? gee there are so many.. I would have never moved out of an abusive home and taken my son with me... i have went down water slides.. never would have walked around in a bathing suit.. would have no reason to like myself.. There i guess i answered all your questions.. Mary from Anacortes washington

When did you have WLS? [February 2003) How are you feeling today? [Terrific!!!!!] What valuable tip can you offer to other long term postops with regards to maintaining weight loss? [Never forget what got you MO in the first place--eating too much of the wrong thing, and make the choice to do it right this time, even when it is hard.] Do you still follow your doctor's orders? [Yes, for the most part, because it's just part of how I live now.] Do you take your vitamins like you should? [Absolutely!!] What's one thing you've done since WLS that you would never have been able to do preop? [Not think twice about any type of physical exertion.] Ann

Hi Cathy, I'm almost 6 months out and I'd love to share how I'm doing When did you have WLS? {May 20, 2004} How are you feeling today? {Wonderful, but tired. (I work midnights) I feel like a completely different person, inside and out} What valuable tip can you offer to other long term postops with regards to maintaining weight loss? {Get in your protein and liquids!} Do you still follow your doctor's orders? {For the most part. I still follow the rule of not eating 30 minutes after drinking, and no drinking for 45 minutes after eating, almost religiously. I think this is very important for weight loss. I still eat primarily protein at meals, veggies or a starch if I have room. I do not count calories/fat, but I do check sugar content because I have a real strong reaction to sugars, still.} Do you take your vitamins like you should? {Unfortunately, no, but I'm trying} What's one thing you've done since WLS that you would never have been able to do preop? {Do you have time for this list? Can't list just one! Well, before surgery, I couldn't walk. Was using a walker and/or wheelchair. Now I walk and jog and sprint and skip and jump and dance. I especially love to dance. I've applied to the state police...they have a weight requirement and I finally meet it! Ok, those are the most important, two} You should answer your post! We'd like to know about you, too! Gisela

I had WLS on September 20, 2002. (3 yrs coming up soon!!) I am feeling great. Blood work I had done recently came back good. Valuable tip: Keep an eye on your weight, whether through your clothes being too tight or the scale. Take your vitamins and keep to what your surgeon advised you in the beginning. Yes, I still follow my doc's orders. Yes, I take my vitamins everyday! I went back to work postop and that is something I wouldn't have even looked into preop. (although not working now because we just moved) I also speak out more often now where before I didn't feel like anyone listened to me. Shel 317/175 5'10"

I had WLS in August of 2001 I feel great Refined carbs (white flour, white sugar) are evil incarnate. Yes, although I should exercise more. Yes, definitely, big handfuls. Took my kids to Disney and Universal and rode EVERYTHING. Linda

When did you have WLS? 1/20/04 How are you feeling today? Tired. I think I'm a bit depressed because I've reached goal and no longer have those wow moments. This too shall pass as soon as I stop long enough to deal with it. What valuable tip can you offer to other long term postops with regards to maintaining weight loss? We can go right back where we were so stay vigilant. Denial is our enemy. Do you still follow your doctor's orders? Yes Do you take your vitamins like you should? Yes, calcium too. I had this surgery to regain my health. What's one thing you've done since WLS that you would never have been able to do preop? Work out at the gym 45 minutes every day. Work in my flower gardens 2-3 hours without stopping. I could not stand up 5 minutes as a pre-op due to pain. Fasten my seat belt, airplane seat belt. So many wonderful experiences now days.

04/09/01 Great This a Life altering decision, not a "diet" yes yes--lots & lots Walk everywhere! & shop-shop-shop-shop! Bek

I had my Open RNY November 29, 2001 I feel wonderful The most valuable thing I can think of is to live by your early eating rules - protein first, then veggies and then fruit. Try to avoild chips, popcorn, and "sugar free" treats as they can backfire on you and cause you to gain. For the most part, I definitely follow my doctor's orders - I strayed for a while and gained 20 pounds. Now, I'm compliant again. Yes, I take my vitamins every day. There are so many things that I can do now that I couldn't do before surgery that it's difficult to single one out - but since i just returned from vacation with Val and her family in Maine, I'll say fitting in one seat on the air plane and buckling the seat belt - not to mention the marathon walk through several airports. Patty