Dear Sarah,
You have just become one of my heroes! I read your post in the Q and A....how incredible!
I too was a pretty healthy obese woman. I spent 7 weeks in Africa in 1999.....but no hiking!!!
Last year I began to start to feel unhealthy, gained a lot of weight, couldn't and didn't feel like doing much. So, it was time for the WLS.
Just to reassure you, the quality of my life has increased 100 fold since the surgrery. I had lap RNY in Los Angeles on 8/16/02. I am almost 10 weeks and have lost 50 lbs.
We take our 8th grade girls on a sort of outward bound trip for 4 days in our local mountains in late October every year.
This year I did the hiking and the rock climbing...not the high ropes, maybe next year.
But, last year I did very little...had a hard time walking a mile. What a difference.
I know that because of your current good health and stamina you will do really well....it can only get better.
I went back to work on the tenth day after surgery, I teach. I was a little tired for about 2 weeks, but did fine. I never had any pain except gas and am eating really well now. I also am now in love with hiking now....my favorite exercise.
Try listening to some meditative tapes by Dr. Andrew Weil...they really helped me.
I will be thinking of you next week. Please keep posting and updating your profile....you are awesome and an inspiration to all of us!!!
Best wishes..
Maureen