Ramblings of an 8 Year Post Op...

I've been thinking about this for several days now...about what I should or should not say...and I'm coming up with...nadda...no great advice..no pearls of wisdom...no great warnings...so let me just speak from the heart...errrr..umm...keyboard...

April 22, 2010 marks my 8 year RNY "Surgiversary"..unfreakin' believeable that 8 years ago I did not know ANY of you people, and now I cannot BEGIN to imagine my life WITHOUT y'all. THAT is what I GAINED, while having LOST 150 lbs.

There have been obvious physical changes, but I think I have more MENTAL changes. I'm still the same person, but I'm a happier, more content person. "Regular" stuff just doesn't seem to get me down like it does alot of other people. I just blow things off, shake my head at idiots, and go on about my business. I didn't do that so much, pre-op. I wanted to "fix" everyone and everything. Now I KNOW I can only "fix" me, myself and I. The idiots I can only love, pray for, or ignore.

Am I a poster child for WLS? OF COURSE NOT! Did I intend to be 8 years ago? OF COURSE I DID! I have done so many stupid things I can never take back-I can only go forward. My surgery is a tool-not a miracle. A hammer cannot drive a nail if you leave the hammer in the toolbox-you have to USE that hammer.

Would I do it all again? The hernia surgery at 10 months post RNY? The dumping? The foamies? The pork allergy? The hanging skin? The baggie full of vitamins I take every day? The 2 protein shakes I drink every day? YOU BETCHA!!!

It's all been worth it-every ache, pain, and fart. I went from insulin 4 times a day to NO MEDS for Diabetes. My recent labs showed "The blood of a 16 year old"-to quote my doctor.

The BEST part of my WLS journey? Go look in YOUR mirror-the answer will be looking back at YOU!!

Gina AKA Nurse Diva

Looks like you are showing off  some big pearls my friend....Conratz on the success and way to GO!!!

Congratulations !  Isn't it wonderful to live life to its fullest!

As a pre-op patient who will be undergoing this life changing event your post was great to read.  Thanks for listing the good and the bad.  I can't wait until I am posting my success story.

To my dear friend and love Gina,
I'm sorry I am so late.  I have been sick and basically sleeping for a week and look what I missed.  I will never forget the beautiful post you wrote to me on my 7th surgiversary.  It was such a special post that I keep a copy.  When I was given the opportunity to do the WLS Journeys Show I said GINA!!  I wanted you because you can talk about regain and because you're my friend.  And for those that haven't seen it yet, here's the interview I did with Gina.
http://www.weightlosssurgerychannel.com/programs/wls-journey s/wls-journeys-guest-gina-robinson.html/

Not only does she know what she's talking about, she makes me laugh out loud.  Thank you Gina for being my friend and my support.  You're the one that comes looking for me when I isolate and you've always come to my talks no matter what.  Thank you for taking time to stop by here and participate because there are so few of us this far out and everyone needs to know we exist.  So even though I'm late....happy HAPPY 8 year surgiversary. 
I love you my friend, Y