Good Morning Folks! Vacation and 5 year post Combo

Back from my vacation.  I know I hadn't posted a whole lot for the past bit, but I've always been on reading, and at least getting into Roz' Menu and Miles.

I just wanted to give a quick update for those of you that don't know me.  I had RNY a little over 5 years ago, so I'm going to do a combo post about my vacation and my 5 years out.  And I'll bounce around with them both.

My vacation.  I lost 2 pounds!  Go figure - I was on a cruise, but I ate well.  The lady I traveled with was very impressed with how I shunned sugar and white carbs.  Yes, I overate a few times and paid for it... Seems like our "tools" keep us focused.  I get more exercise on vacation than at home.. and I need to change that.  Don't get me wrong, I allowed myself a few bites of mashed potatoes, but always ordered the sugar free desserts (and only a few times and didn't eat it all).  She was amused by the noises that came from my pouch and intestines.... Oh, and she tolerated my "burps".  She snored so I figured we were even ;)

Another reason I shun white carbs and sugar (besides keeping weight down) is I have Reactive Hypoglycemia.  When I first discovered I had it, I was about 2.5 years out.  It was an experience (passing out) I don't want to have happen again.  I also felt that it was the absolute worse thing that could happen to someone and I didn't wi**** on anyone.  Well... I've learned what my triggers are and what I need to do to control it.  But, I've got to say - I KNOW it's what has kept me from gaining weight back.  Yes, I can tell when my sugar is dropping (I get real thirsty and start shaking a bit) and know what to do to get to back up (drink a glass of milk or orange juice, both I shun normally).

Now - 5 years out and I live/eat normally.  I take my vitamins daily but have dropped my protein drinks (bad me).  I'm also behind in getting my labs done and NEED to do this... it's on my list to do this week.  This may kick me in the rear to get my protein drinks back in.  I've had so many NSV's that I can't list them all.  I'm just going to say it's been one of the best decisions in my life.  One I'll list though, is I no longer get the "oh crap, you're not sitting next to ME in the airplane look". 

I started at 218 and my lowest was 121.  I maintained 123 for about 1.5 years and slowly started creeping back up. My goal was 125 and I hit that 9 months out.  I'm now sitting at 138, which I'm not happy with.  127-132 was my sweet spot, I think. So, I'm striving for 132.  Yes, I like my beer, and that has been a major contributor to my gain.  (empty calories/carbs).

I've had plastic surgery - my insurance paid for my tummy tuck, I paid for the "upgrade" to an extended (where you get the vertical cut with muscle tightening).  Ask me on different days if I'm happy with that, and you may get different answers.  I'm totally happy with the panni gone, but not sure I really needed the extended.  I don't heal well and my scar isn't great.  Almost a year to the day after my TT I had a breast lift and implants.  Now - ask me any day - and I'll tell you I'm very happy with that decision! 

Now - when I had lost my weight I had the saggy thighs.  Since I've put some weight back on - guess where it went?  Yep - to my thighs/butt.  So before I looked awesome in clothes, now "notsomuch".  I'm critical of myself.  There's times I wish I had done something about them, but now realize that weight does continue to redistribute over the years and what you thought was horrible once, may fill in a bit.  Once I looked gaunt, but it evened out.  I'll admit at 123 I was a bit too skinny. 

Vacation - yes, at 54 years old I rocked a bikini.  I decided if folks didn't like it they didn't have to look.  I've come to terms with my scar and it will be there forever.  My tummy is still nice and flat, why not?  But I also realized I wasn't the biggest person on the ship with a bikini on... I got some nice comments from folks we met on the ship.  Helps the ego!

The cruise was a "Wine, Dine and Music Cruise".  Every day we got a bottle of wine delivered to our room.  We came home with some... it wasn't really the kind we liked, so we tended to not drink it.  I left it in FL at my friends' place. The food was typical cruise food - best meal was lobster.  And yes, I got the butter!  You may see that I don't do "low-fat".  Now for the music - and for you classic rockers...

It was advertised 3 Dog Night, Kenny Loggins and a band called the World Classic Rockers.  Kenny Loggins had a great show and what was great about him, is you saw him all over the ship talking to people.  3 Dog Night was good, but the lead singer was sick and his voice wasn't all there, but it was still a good concert.

WCR's - They played about 4 times.  Twice out by the pool and the last night of our cruise we saw them in the theater.  The band consisted of:  The lead singers from Boston, Steppenwolf, Lynard Skynard, and Santana.  They had the original drummer from Journey and a guitarist from Steppenwolf.  They also had a Steve Perry sound alike singing Journey songs.  Can you guess they were my absolute favorite on this trip?  Awesome concerts. 

My credit card took at hit at Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Costa Maya, but I expected that.  Got me a few nice pieces of jewelry.

Got back to FL and got some stuff hitting my lungs - at least it waited until I got back.  Got back to my place in VA at 10pm - exhausted, Nyquilled up and back to work and the grind today.

I did catch up on everyone's posts last night - you folks have been busy - and welcome to the new folks!  Glad to see you here.

 

 

Jody, so glad you are home, safe and sound and it sounds like you had a great trip.  You have been one of my inspirations from the beginning.  Thanks for hanging around for us who followed in your footsteps, also showing me how important it is to having vets on the board, both for them and the newbees.  So glad we got to meet when you were here.

Thanks Price!  It was great meeting you too!

 

Congratulations on your surgiversary. I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise - it sounds like a lot of fun ;-)

Congrats on your surgiversary...and sounds like you had a great time on your vacation!

Happy surgiversary, babeeeee!    

--gina

Wow Jody, sounds like you had a great trip.  I would have loved the music part of that cruise.

Congratulations on your 5 years.  I think you have done an amazing job.  I really appreciate all the help you give to all of us on this board.  Thanks for staying here with us!!

Linda

Wow a great vacation and a 2 pound lost! Awesome!

Congrats on your surgiversary!

Thanks for being here and sharing your journey and being an inspiration to me!

You Rock!

 

Well since you're such a wealth of info, I have a BIG question: How in the world did you get your insurance to pay for your tummy tuck??? Do tell please!

My insurance paid for my TT also.  I had documented rashes and prescriptions for the rashes ( from my PCP over many months) where the skin hangs down.