FIVE MONTHS OUT (on the 5th of March)

It's been an interesting 5 months and thanks to each of you for all the support and kindness (and honesty) that have helped me to learn how this all works.

My health: that's the reason I did this at 65. My numbers are rocking perfect-normal! All 7 of my "ologists" are thrilled beyond words, as I think they have really struggled over the years keeping my vertical! To have low total cholesterol, low normal triglycerides, and spot on A1C is a miracle. That said, I have had another small, silent stroke according to my neurologist this week. So good that I'm working towards the best health I can have.

My goal: I have concluded, based on the sage words of those who at 4 years out, that my body will find its point as long as I am doing the optimum eating & exercise for health as I approach 66 years in May.

My (current) issue: Control. As in I over-control. I am number driven, which isn't where I want to be. I was amazed and simultaneously appalled, that I could wear a size 6 (clothes and ring) oh, and apparently my feet were fat since my shoes are too big. (I think size charts got bigger over the years.)

I log every mouthful of food in my app, and weigh every day to have a sense of what my normal fluctuations are, and then look back to see if there is a pattern of something I ate that 1) gave me toad froth & nausea; 2) caused a bump up or drop down; and 3) the silly BMI number.

Conclusion: I would do this again, but way sooner! I might have avoided the failed triple bypass, and 4 strokes. Being here now is amazing, and I am grateful beyond words. And my thought is to stay on the site (as I do with my BC, ovarian, brain tumor groups) to encourage people.

Annie

Congratulations on taking control of your health!

Wonderful story of empowerment!

Congratulations, especially with the improvement of your health! I think being number driven is a positive trait, wish I was a little more driven by numbers:-)

Don't poo-poo on being numbers driven. Some of the most successful people here are very anal about weighing, logging, tracking, etc. I'm too early out to consider myself a success, but I'm very much all about the statistics. I got to goal fast and I always feel like I have data to predict the future with. I don't plan on letting up on my fascination with that anytime soon.

Erin T, I totally agree! I am apparently not someone who can "see" results as easily interpret data; a blessing and a curse, lol!

That said, I deal with some anxiety if the numbers don't do what I think they should.

Working on the balance!

Congratulations on your success. May you have continued good health!

That's wonderful, congrats!

My mom is 63 and is considering VSG due to many health concerns. I would be nervous about her going through surgery, but the evidence is in favor of wls and my personal experience has been good so far. Stories like yours are inspiring, thank you for sharing!

I was 65 also when I had my bypass (4 mo. out now and have turned 66) and I have to say, I had a very, very easy recovery. I was walking 10,000 steps by my 6th day out of surgery and other than when I 1st woke up from surgery, the pain was pretty much under control! Since I began at the bariatric clinic in May 2017, I've lost 108 lbs. 63 is still a spring chicken! She'll do great!

Thank you for sharing your experience! It's so helpful hearing from real people and I'm glad your recovery was so smooth!

Yay, another 65 yo WLS patient. I had my bypass in Oct. 2017 so I'm 4 mo. out and turned 66 in December. I am feeling so, so much better. I track every bite that goes in my mouth but only weigh once a week. I am way too phobic about the scale to do more than that and as it is, I'll wake up 2 or 3 times thinking and worrying about weighing in the night before (I weigh Friday mornings). Congrats on your decision to have WLS. It is in the top 5 of my best choices ever!