It's my One Year Surgiversary!

Librarian67
on 2/28/18 8:01 am
RNY on 02/28/17

Today is my one year surgiversary. It is certainly a day for reflection on all of the wonderful things that having gastric bypass surgery has brought to me.

I have lost more than 125 pounds and have been in maintenance since October at below my goal weight. My BMI is well into the normal range for the first time in 30 years.

I have gained health in this year. My T2 diabetes is gone with my A1C going from a 9.5 to a 5.3 in less than a year. My high blood pressure is gone and now I have a low BP and pulse. My cholesterol is low and my HDL is super. My severe asthma is gone and my lung capacity is almost 100% now after a lifetime of being out of breath. I am off all of my meds for these conditions and my doctor is amazed.

On of the best things is that I am able to exercise for the first time in my life. Between the asthma and excess weight, I was very sedentary and body movement was miserable. Slowly walking for 5 minutes was almost impossible and even a few stairs made me completely out of breath. Now I walk and hike long distances. I swim laps and do deep water aerobics and Aqua Zumba most days of the week. I still struggle with doing regular strength training other than in my water classes. The exercise may or may not have helped me to lose the weight, but it has given me a strong healthy body that allows me to be active and enjoy life in many new ways. Oh yeah and I enjoy being active for the first time in my life.

I credit my surgeon for a successful surgery, but all of the people on OH have really made my success possible. You have provided information and support. You have shared your experience and tips. I am deeply grateful for all of you and know that you share in my personal success.

Having gastric bypass surgery, or any WLS for that matter, is not the easy way out. It requires permanent mental and physical changes beyond the surgery. It requires support, accountability and making daily choices to stick to a new way of life. I expect from what the vets here talk about that this will always be a struggle for me, but the advantages are amazing and worth the struggle.

I am happy to share with others what I have learned. It is part of passing on what was given to me.

HW: 248+, SW (RNY: 2/28/17): 244, GW (10/17): 125; LW: 115; 45# regain (19-20); CW: 135.6; new goal: 135; Plastics: Ext mastopexy, Ext abdominoplasty-5/18/2018; diagnosed w/ gastroparesis 11/20.

(deactivated member)
on 2/28/18 8:42 am

Congratulations!

Kathy1212
on 2/28/18 8:51 am

Happy Surgiversary, and congrats on a super successful year!

Pre-Op Visit: Jan. 10, 2017, weight 304, surgeon: Dr. David Lindsay, St. Joe's, Toronto

1st Day of (3 weeks worth of) Optifast: Jan. 11, 2017

Surgery Date: Feb. 1st, 2017

  Kathy  

Sheila_H
on 2/28/18 10:17 am - Central Coast, CA
RNY on 06/26/17

Happy surgiversary! Great job.

SW:261 6/26/17 GW:150 10/6/18

CW: 151

PGW: 140-142

Partlypollyanna
on 2/28/18 10:46 am
RNY on 02/14/18

Congratulations on your anniversary and thank you for sharing all you've gained! At two weeks out, this is great motivation for me!

HW: 306 SW: 282 GW: 145 (reached 2/6/19) CW:150

Jen

Just4me7
on 2/28/18 11:03 am

Very happy for you! Your hard work is showing.

Pamela

Surgery 05-08-18 hw 317, consult wt 278, surgery weight 252. M1 -20, M2-5, M3-8, M4-6

H.A.L.A B.
on 2/28/18 12:10 pm

Fantastic. Just fantastic. You are doing great. Don't stop maintaining is a ***** Like real ***** Love and gave a wonderful life. But IMO the struggles are just beginning.

Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG

"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"

"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."

Librarian67
on 2/28/18 12:33 pm
RNY on 02/28/17

Thanks HALAB. I'd love to hear more about how to be successful in maintenance. I know that my honeymoon phase is coming to a close and that maintaining is for the rest of my life. Can you offer any tips and guidelines for success?

Thanks!

HW: 248+, SW (RNY: 2/28/17): 244, GW (10/17): 125; LW: 115; 45# regain (19-20); CW: 135.6; new goal: 135; Plastics: Ext mastopexy, Ext abdominoplasty-5/18/2018; diagnosed w/ gastroparesis 11/20.

H.A.L.A B.
on 3/1/18 3:36 am

Just a few pointers:

  • Be vigilant. Weigh every day, but pay attention to a weekly average. My weight can fluctuate within 5 lbs. But weekly average is an indication on how I am doing.
  • Don't foul yourself when you see 5 lbs gain (weekly average) that it is water gain or muscles. Gaining muscles takes time and ...pain. to build muscles you need to break them to build them.
  • Moderate exercise with weight lifting - to maintain muscles. At one point I lost 10 lbs more than I intended, but majority of the 10 lbs was my muscles.
  • Don't be afraid to "gain" if what you gaining are muscles. Real muscles - if in doubt - get a body dexa scan.
  • Constipation is my enemy. And acid. Too much acid makes me really hungry
  • Be happy. Don't eat your emotions.

Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG

"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"

"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."

Emiepie
on 2/28/18 12:40 pm
RNY on 08/11/14

You're a rockstar!

RNY 8/11/14 with Dr. Kelvin Higa PS Lipectomy 4/12/17 with Dr. John Burnett HW291.4/CW165/GW150

Most Active
What's on your Thursday Menu?
Queen JB · 50 replies · 514 views
What's on your Monday Menu?
Queen JB · 49 replies · 472 views
What's on your Wednesday Menu?
Queen JB · 49 replies · 423 views
What's on your Tuesday Menu?
Queen JB · 46 replies · 427 views
What's on your Thursday Menu?
Queen JB · 39 replies · 237 views
What?s on your Sunday menu?
Melody P. · 2 replies · 102 views
Forum Search Error & 404
RNY2007 · 2 replies · 67 views
Recent Topics
What's on your Thursday Menu?
Queen JB · 39 replies · 237 views
What's on your Wednesday Menu?
Queen JB · 49 replies · 423 views
Forum Search Error & 404
RNY2007 · 2 replies · 67 views
What's on your Tuesday Menu?
Queen JB · 46 replies · 427 views
What's on your Monday Menu?
Queen JB · 49 replies · 472 views
×