Question:
Questions about the lifestyle of a LONG TERM POST OP
When looking at the before and after pictures, or whenever you ask a post op how they feel about their weight loss, of course the answer is HAPPY or GREAT. What I want to know is how is everyday life two, three, or more years out. Do you still have to constantly think about what and how you eat, or does it come naturally now? Do you go to celebrations/parties/restaurants and long for what others are eating and wish you could eat what and how they eat? Do you still feel restricted/deprived? I know overall quality of life must have improved. After all, who wouldn't love to shop in the 'normal' section, or be able to fit in an airplane seat, and all the other things skinny people take for granted. But I just wanted to know if there is another side to how you feel day by day as a long term post op. Sorry so long winded. Thanks! — Jennifer H. (posted on April 15, 2003)
April 14, 2003
A great place to lurk for these type of questions is on the ossg-graduate
group at yahoo. It is a group for paople that are at least one year out,
and many are much more than that.
— Vicki L.
April 14, 2003
I'll be 2 years in June. I pay attention to what I eat. Part of it is
natural, part not. If anything, I pay attention to when I'm hungry and
why. Is it head hunger, will a protein drink satisfy me? Did I just have
carbs or do I need some water? I don't write anything down. I do get on
the scale everyday and it is now my friend. I know that if it begins to
creep up it is usually because of a break in my normal exercise routine (I
travel a lot and don't always fit it in like I should). But as soon as I'm
home and back on the routine, the scale goes back to it's 155. The only
time I feel deprived is when I let myself get hungry enough so that I'm not
thinking straight. There are those infrequent times when I wish I could
just eat like I used to but that passes mainly because I can still eat most
anything with no problems. Just not in the same quantity. Good luck and
God bless!
— Kimberly L.
April 14, 2003
For me, at almost 2 years post, food continues to be a big issue. I watch
what I eat and try to eat healthy/moderatly. It will always be a matter of
will power for me. I can eat a pretty good volume and I can and do eat
sweets without dumping (much). I will always fight the battle of the bulge
and be looking for the perfect answer...whether it be surgery, drugs, food
combinations, therapy, etc. I would like to say food is a non-issue, or
that I eat normally...but neither is true. Surgery has given me a fighting
chance, and I'm very grateful. I would never had been able to get this much
of a grip on the situation without it. It is truly just a tool, and
learning to fight obesity will coninutally take devotion. Just my take on
things. Hope this is helpful. -Kim open RNY 7/17/01 -150
— KimBo36
April 14, 2003
2 years out in july. Feel deprived? NOT, I can eat anything in limited
quanties. Can eat a lot too. Dont give eating lots of thought but try to
make good food choices, do have a thin slice of birthday cake. I eat like
other thin folks do. Found this out on a cruise. Life is good, better
health helps us to feel MUCH BETTER! Unfortunately WLS doesnt fix
finances:( Walked about 2,5 miles last night, something we couldnt of done
pre op.
— bob-haller
April 14, 2003
Here ya [email protected] This is a group for
those over a year out. All are welcome to lurk and learn, but you must be
at least a year out to post, no exceptions. It is, IMNSHO, the best place
to find out what life is truly like after WLS.
— Leslie F.
April 15, 2003
I'm only 7 months post-op and no longer give much thought to what I'm
eating, as it already comes naturally. I go out often, socializing with
friends, and never feel deprived or wish I could be eating what they are
eating. I wonder how much of my quick adaptation to this new lifestyle of
eating has to do with the fact that I became a vegetarian thirteen years
ago, thus becoming accustomed to eating different things than most others
around me. This is just another adjustment, and it really isn't difficult
at all, especially, as you said, when you're able to shop in the
"normal" sizes and you catch a glimpse of yourself looking so
cute!! The payoff is simply incredible. Best of luck to you :o)
— Samantha S.
April 15, 2003
At 20 months post-op, I can eat anything (except for too much sugar) so I
don't feel deprived. I notice that I eat portions the same size as my
skinny friends, so I don't feel any more deprived than anyone of normal
weight who has to watch their calories to stay that way. I had this
perception pre-op that thin people just didn't gain weight as easily as me.
I didn't understand portion control. Now I notice that the reason they
don't gain is that they watch what they eat! There was only once recently
that it's bothered me and that was at a breakfast buffet at this fabulous
five star restaurant. I really wanted to be able to try EVERYTHING. Oh
well, wasn't a big deal, but it's the one time I can think of that it
crossed my mind that it would be nice to be able to eat more. Usually I
wish I couldn't eat as much as I can!
— mom2jtx3
April 15, 2003
I am 13 months out and spent the first 12 months not able to eat a darn
thing most of the time so now I eat anything and everything I can. Now that
the issue of not being able to keep food down is almost solved I tend to
eat just about anything. I have eaten pasta, burger, steak, bbq, potato
(not mashed they stick!!), fries, chips...oh my!! However I have not gained
a pound so I am ok with it. Like many others have said I eat like a skinny
person, I may eat all of that but a meal at a restaurant is enough for 3 or
4 meals for me. I do not feel deprived because I am satisfied with the
amount I eat and it takes me as long to eat that as everyone else to eat
their whole meals. Now beside the eating part I feel just ok. I still
have a lot of health issues we have not figured out. I tend to faint alot,
I can not walk long distances without blacking out and I can not stand for
long periods of time either. I am very weak and have no strength in my
hands or arms at all. My blood pressure sits around 80/40 most of the time
so that is part of it. I still have diarrhea every single day at least 4-5
times a day, and that has its own side effects. I am just happy to have
gotten past the food issue and can eat now. Not to scare anyone, but I
always think that everything needs to get out there. Am I happy I lost
weight, yep. I am a size 5 now. However, if we want to go to Disney for
the day I have to spend it in a wheelchair or else on the floor passed out.
I have learned my lesson. This saturday I tried again, we went to Epcot
and about an hour in I was just standing in a store and over I went, thank
god hubby watches me like a hawk or I would of taken the display with me.
I do believe once I get straighented out that this is he best thing I could
have done. I am a big advocate for those prepared for this surgery.
— smedley200
April 15, 2003
You're wrong. Not everyone is happy. The fact is most people who are
unhappy do not publicize it because they think they are to blame, or even
their own doctor's blame them. For me, food is a horrific experience. I
feel constantly hungry; eat constantly; feel like I never ate a thing.
Why, my surgeon made the stoma too large. If I can swallow it, it goes
down. Food shoots right through. Of course, your intestines cannot digest
anything that large, so the colon backup, intestinal bulges, and pain
horrific. Lesson learned: NEVER trust any surgeon! Research, learn, make
your own choices, and then entrust your care to an experienced, responsible
physician who cares about you as a person and has an appropriate bariatric
program.
— miserable U.
April 15, 2003
I'm 3 1/2 months out, down 71 lbs. I can honestly say I have never been
sick. I was sick all the time when I took Xenical prior to surgery, I was
hungry all the time, I was totally frustrated about my weight - I would
lose and gain and lose and always end up gaining more and more. Thank God
I had the surgery, I realized now I had an eating disorder. My portions
where huge and I was out of control. So what's been best for me
--definetly the surgery. I held off surgery for years because I just
couldnt imagine giving up sweets and pop. I was so scared prior to my
surgery, I just knew I couldnt live on such small amounts of food. Now I
can eat what I want (no sweets, sugar) I take care of myself by making sure
what I eat will take care of me! No junk food. I've noticed in so many of
the profiles that people have been sick from day one. I guess I have just
been very lucky...counseling has also helped a great deal too. Good luck
to you. I finally got up enough nerve to do it when I thought of the
alternatives....type 2 diabetes, heart and blood pressure problems, having
to use a cane...you can not grow old gracefully if you are obese. Dont try
to fool yourself like I did for several years!
— debmi
April 15, 2003
Three years this May, and down 275 pounds, post-op duodenal switch, thank
you very much! I feel great! I rode a two wheel bike for a 4 mile bike
ride after work yesterday for the first time in 15 years. Back when I
first had surgery, I bought an adult three wheel bike because I was afraid
of falling. I rode comfortably (no seat-up-the-butt feeling), and had a
good time. Can't wait to do more over the summer. I am gardening like a
fiend---something I had to give up because I couldn't physically do it. I
eat three meals and between meal snacks. I am not deprived at all. I had
Breyer's chocolate ice cream for dessert last night. I eat whatever I
want. I eat normal portions. I can eat off any menu from any restaurant.
I will never be petite...the DNA in my family doesn't work that way. But I
am strong, healthy, beautiful and grateful. I am glad I made the choice
for the Duodenal Switch and picked the surgeon I picked. By the way, I
sent a new picture to Kricket...it should be posted to my profile anyday
now....
— merri B.
April 15, 2003
I am slightly over 3 years post-op RNY. I can't ever for one moment
remember feeling restricted or deprived...food just simply lost its appeal
for me after the surgery. I was one of the fortunate patients who did not
have "head hunger" issues, and I didn't experience any return of
appetite until after the second year post-op. It was an absolutely
liberating feeling not to have food controlling my life. I go out to
restaurants or special events frequently, and have found that food is one
of those "take it or leave it" affairs. I can eat anything that
my friends eat, except high-sugar items which still cause
"dumping"...and for which I continue to be ever so grateful :-)
I am a big believer in the power of a postive mindset. There are five of
us in our family that are post-op RNY. Four of us wanted this surgery more
than we wanted air to breathe, and have had stress-free post-op experiences
over the past three years. My husband's MD told him that he wouldn't live
another year without the surgery, so he agreed to have it, but somewhat
reluctantly. He was the only one of us who struggled with terrible
"head hunger" during the first weeks, and continues to fret about
all those foods that he used to eat with great enthusiasm, but that now
don't always agree with him. He is two years post-op, and will probably
always feel "deprived" regarding his food choices, even though he
has lost 168 lbs., is at goal, and is healthier now than he has been in the
past 15 years. Your attitude going into this process can make or break
your long-term success and satisfaction with the surgery. WLS should be a
well-thought out decision....if going through this process is a move to
make someone else happy, the motivation is all wrong! We all make choices
to see the "glass half-full" or the "glass half-empty".
This is an ongoing struggle for my "glass half-empty" husband,
I'm afriad... but the rest of us have glasses overflowing and couldn't be
more happy or satisfied. Best wishes!
— Diana T.
April 15, 2003
I may be only 13 months out well (12 months and 28 days post op) but i have
lost 177lbs and i feel great. i can honestly say I do not feel deprived
anymore. for me at first I did have some major food issues. those burger
king commercials drove me crazy the first 7 weeks was HELL. as the weeks
progressed and I started to lose weight and gain energy I stopped missing
food. In my opinion, if I could only eat 4 ounces for the rest of my life I
would be DAMN happy. I truly do not believe I am depriving myself of
anything except being tired from walking up a flight of steps, not getting
my cycle and snoring like crazy. I am ecstactic about my wls and will do
everything in my power to be good to my pouch good luck in your journey and
god bless
— tameaka S.
April 15, 2003
I'm five years post rny and while I lost 150lbs., I did get anywhere
near my ideal weight. But, I was thrilled with the results. I lost the
weight in 11 months and went from a size 30/32 dress down to a size 18.
I remember wearing size 18's when I was in the 8th grade...except...back
then
I felt humungous! (lol) I felt bessed that I had no probles with excess
skin and
all my obesity related ailments simply vanished. I remained compliant for
three years
but I didn't resent not being able to eat sugary, fatty foods. Sometimes I
did get a bit
ticked off because I could only eat small portions foods, but I didn't
experience any "food grief".
At first, I thought about wls and my new body all the time. I beccame a
genuine fashionista! (lol)
I had such a terrfic time wearing clothes that I'd never been able to wear
before and I began to
experiment with makeup and hairstyles and that led to jewelry.....which I'd
never worn before. Boots!
for the first time in my life, I could wear sexy, high heeled boots.
However, gradually, over time, I stopped
thinking about my surgery and I also slipped back into old earing habits.
It happened so slowly that I don't
know when it began or when I started to gain weight. I know I experiences
some self deception. But, one day
I woke up and realized I had gained 50lbs! Several other really long
termers in my support group realyed similar
experiences, except they regained almost all of their weight before they
came to their senses. The lesson I learned
is that I can never let myself "forget". I'm not a "normal
person" when it comes to food. I truly believe that wls is
a marvelous tool; but it only works if you use it properly. I'm lucky, my
pouch hasn't been compromised and I am (gradually)
losing the weight. When I get back into those size 16's and 18's again
(dare I hope for 14's???), I'll rejoice and be thrilled
with my slimmer/healthier body. But....I won't forget.
— mandy S.
Click Here to Return