Xpost: 5 year surgiversary!

 Hi! 

I honestly have no idea what size my sleeve is. I went in for an RNY and came out with a sleeve because of complications on the the operating table. I was in Argentina, I had never heard of the Sleeve and really had no idea what kind of questions I should have been  asking. I was really confused at the time and my recovery was terrible. My surgeon saved my life, but I just had no idea what was happening.

It was only after I came home and found OH that I even began to understand what had been done to my body. 
And obviously all the research that came after. But I was definitely an accidental recipient. 

But I really believe that the universe had my back and gave me the best surgery for me.

Sorry I can't answer your question. :(

It's go good to see you again Abby!   I've always loved reading your thoughtful and eloquent  posts, my dear.  Your comments about item #4 are just what I wish I would have said. 
" You'll wake up in a body you didn't even know was hiding beneath."
"If you are lucky, you'll learn how to love it."
"Something in you will change, and it will be beautiful."

So true, so true.

Ev

 I have so missed you! I had no idea you were hiding around here! I hope you've been really well and that Life is being kind to you! 

I just started lurking again.  I had a tumultuous couple of years.  

My relationship ended.  My sister died after four months in the hospital and two months at our family home - then her husband died after a year of assistive living and home care. My sister and I inherited their motorcycle business.  (We learned FAST)  I had to take a year off my real job for hand surgery and extensive rehab.....  

I learned a lot about myself, my family,  the fragility of life, the magic of loving and being loved and how strong I really am.  So yes, I'm seeing the good things in my life and I'm appreciating each day.

Hope Life is kind to you too!

Ev 

 That has definitely been a tumultuous couple of years, Ev.

I learned a lot about myself, my family,  the fragility of life, the magic of loving and being loved and how strong I really am.

I think it's amazing and beautiful that you can stand on the other side of everything that happened and say that. It's a testement to who you are as a woman and as a human being. 

Life has been pretty kind. I have nothing more than a couple of bruises. 

I'm glad you're around, and I'm glad your lurking!

HI ABBY!!!

It's good to see your post.  Yup, things sure change as time goes on and we have to learn how to live with it.  I love your way with words-- your posts are always so eloquent and encouraging.

I'm glad to hear that you are in a good place with yourself!

Blessings,
Rana

 Hi Rana!!

Hahaha, I definitely got a crash course in How to Live with It. I'm hoping to do better now. 
But hey, we live and we learn, and we start trying to make positive changes!

I hope you're doing really well! Last I remember your were storming Disney! How is everything?!


Abby

Yeah, things here are pretty good.  Just very, very busy with my kids (but in a good way).  I'm experiencing a bit of weight gain and I'm still trying to get motivated about getting it to stop.  So far its not been real bad, but it just keeps creeping up and up.  Mostly I just need to exercise more.

Hope to see you around these parts more!

~Rana

Hello,
My name is Sara and I am having my surgery Monday the 18th. I have been on this site constantly taking in everything you wonderful folks have to say. I like your positive thoughts about yourself for this is truly the gift we are looking for. I must admit regaining is a huge fear I have. Hoping I lose it to begin with. Can you share where you think you started gaining and what you were not doing that you should? I don't mean to pry, but I bet it could enlighten me. I too originally wanted the RNY but because of a previous hiatal hernia operation I cannot have it,and the sleeve is my only option. I find this scary because of the regain. It is more prevelant with the sleeve. It's amazing that you lost 250 lbs. I only hope I can do this. Thank you again for your post, and I hope to read more of what you have to share. Thanks Sara

 Hi Sara!

You're not prying--I think honesty is important, especially with life changing decisions, so I'm not offended or upset about being asked about the regain. I'm not even upset about the regain itself. 

I think I became complacent, especially after my plastics were done. More and more carb filled "no-no" food found it's way in to my regular diet, and then about a year and a half ago I went through a REALLY tough few months. It was brutal, and chocolate and fried food become my friends again.
 
They say emotional eating is a slippery slope, and I just downright snowballed. I got a grip after a while, and stopped gaining, but really didn't take any steps to start losing.
I just wasn't emotionally 'there' yet.
As more time went by, my focus was on other parts of my life, my body was just in the background. I wasn't unhappy with myself, so since my weight stabilized more pressing things were getting my attention.


About a month or so ago I did start feeling ready, and I've started being much more conscious about what I put into my body. 

I don't have a goal in mind. I became hardcore anti-scale after my first year, so I never weigh myself. I just go by how I feel, and by how my clothes fit. I'd like to be a size 16 again (I felt the best at that point), but I'll be happy wherever my body settles. 

If I can quell some of your fears about regain, let me just say that most of the people I know have kept most of the weight of, averaging just small regain amounts. 
There are exceptions, and I was one of them. But I am also *entirely* responsible for it. I made mistakes, but that doesn't mean YOU will. 
You will probably be like many, many, many other successful people. 
It's about our choices.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery, I hope you heal fast! And if I can help with anything else, don't hesitate to ask!


Abby