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On 9/19/15, after 5 years plus since I've lost 195 lbs, I have decided to end counting calories in all the food I eat. I am relying on my experience of changed habits I have learned during my RNY journey. I wanted to free myself of the bondage I have allowed myself to be under in this area of my life. 

I have also cut out aspartame, sucralose and diet sodas. I am a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian who was eating clean except for these hold outs. I believe I am now in a position to gain greater freedom and well being.

At 5 years out I developed Iron issues. I had been taking 2 Sundown Perfect Iron tablets (50 mg Carbonyl Iron) with 1000 mg of Vitamin C all these years. My Iron levels were always great until this year. In May my Total Iron was 39, Ferritin was 6, and Saturation was 8. I had to see a Hematologist and I had 2 Iron infusions in June. I started feeling better around 2-3 weeks later. I was tested again in July and my Total Iron was 75, Ferritin was 187, Binding was 329, and Saturation was 23. I am being tested again in 6 months and was told oral Iron is not recommended and I will need Iron infusions again when my Iron levels drop. 

I had my 5 year post-op RNY check up with my my Bariatric surgeons office on March 19, 2015. My doctor is still very impressed with my success. My labs came back great in all areas except low Ferritin (Iron Deficient Anemia) that developed this last year after 2 knee replacement surgeries in 2014.

I eat 1800 calories a day to maintain my weight loss of 199 pounds at my current weight of 132 pounds. My height is 5'4". I am 60 years young. 

I had not weighed myself for one year since my last 4 year post-op appointment. I rely on how my clothes fit (jeans) to determine where I am with my weight.

As always, I continue to follow all the rules. I have never swayed from my healthy eating plan that I developed. I eat every 2 to 3 hours. Every meal and snack I consume includes protein, whole grains and vegetables or fruit.

I am a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian. I eat at least 100 grams of protein a day. I eat dairy products (cheese, yogurt) and I occasionally eat eggs. I eat simple carbohydate fruit. I eat complex carbohydrate beans, vegetables and whole grains. I do not and have never counted daily carbohydate grams. I take all of my supplements and drink 64 ounces of liquids minimum.

Maintaining the weight loss is where discipline and dedication have to take center stage. Thankfully, I am blessed with both of those attributes. I am very diligent and stick to a strict eating plan that I have developed with my personal tastes in mind. Adherence to weight loss initially, and then maintenance, is not for the faint of heart and it requires a complete lifestyle change. 

I now participate in an exercise program I developed for myself that fits my lifestyle and interests. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and have Thyroid issues. I am in constant motion and have boundless energy. I had right knee replacement surgery on July 23, 2014 and left knee replacement surgery on November 18, 2014.

I have not had plastic surgery, nor do I plan on having it. Yes, I do have some stretched skin on my abdomen and thighs, but not enough to warrant the pain and expense of surgery. At my age, if a potential suitor can’t deal with physical flaws, then move on down the road...LOL

I honestly feel that because I have always followed the rules, that I am a Vegetarian, and that I never restricted my calories to an extreme during the “Honeymoon” period, is why I am so successful. I do not do an excessive exercise program and I have tailored it to my age and health issues. I believe weight loss begins in the mind, not the stomach.

Deciding to have the RNY surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made and I am thankful each day for the the success I have achieved.

Physical Hunger:  Comes on gradually and can be postponed.

Emotional Hunger: Comes on suddenly and feels urgent.

Physical Hunger:  Can be satisfied with any type of food.

Emotional Hunger: Causes specific food cravings (pizza, chocolate, ice cream, etc...)

Physical Hunger:  Once you are full you can stop eating.

Emotional Hunger: Eat more than you normally would. Feel uncomfortably full.

Physical Hunger:  Causes satisfaction, doesn’t cause guilt.

Emotional Hunger: Leaves you feeling guilty and cross with yourself.

I did not come blindly to my decision to have WLS. I looked into it for many years, and very seriously for a year prior to having RNY.

I am very independent. I did not wait for others to hold my hand. I got all the resources I felt I would need when making a major decision. I made my choices with solid understanding under my belt. I developed a mental plan of direction and wrote down my course of action.

I prepared myself for the challenge ahead knowing I may run into some roadblocks along the way. I created a way out to overcome whatever obstacles I may encounter. If I found I needed more resources, or I needed to gain more knowledge, I actively sought it.

I do not make excuses. I know what I want and where I am going. I do not cry over a mis-step. I do not get others to join me in a pity party.

I remain positive, purposeful and upbeat. I hold myself to a higher standard. I do not care about what everyone else is doing. I have come to know myself and have addressed those secret places in my life we all tend to avoid.

I have always had a clear goal and plan and I have never swayed from it. I am very strict and strong-willed. My personality, tolerance, life experience and stamina are all part of the equation.

I know myself and my limitations. When I began this journey, I felt I was fully prepared mentally for any challenge I would come across. I put in a lot of time doing research, and I continue to educate myself as time goes on.

Now that I am in maintenance, I eat every 2-3 hours. I eat 3 main meals and 4-5 snacks daily that include protein.

I am a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian. I eat at least 100 grams of protein a day. I eat simple carbohydrate dairy products that are no fat or low fat. I eat eggs. I eat complex carbohydrate beans. I also eat simple carbohydrate fruit and complex carbohydrate vegetables and whole grains. I do not count daily carb grams. All carbs are not created equal. I definitely refrain from eating refined carbs.

I drink at least 64 ounces of liquids daily. I take all my vitamins, supplements and calcium.

I do not participate in a formal exercise program due to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis as of yet. I recently had knee replacement surgery for both of my knees. I plan on getting back to an exercise routine on a daily basis within the next couple of months when I get my doctors go-ahead. I do move around a lot more and do a lot of walking.

I have been able to maintain my 197 pound weight loss since November 2011. I have never introduced a food into my mouth that I have not planned to eat. I always consider the protein and nutritional value of each morsel.

I know this rigid, controlled way of life is not for everyone, but it works great for me!

Through a DEXA scan I was diagnosed with Osteopenia at age 55, just prior to my RNY surgery on March 22, 2010.

I have been taking 1500mg of Calcium Citrate in 5 doses of 300mg throughout the day since RNY on March 22, 2010.

I had a DEXA scan done on May 10, 2012 and was diagnosed with Osteoporosis at age 57. I was prescribed a 2 year regimen of Forteo from January 2013 to December 2014. Forteo stimulates new bone formation. Forteo is a daily injection of man made parathyroid hormone.  

I had a DEXA scan done again on October 24, 2014 and was diagnosed with Osteoporosis at age 59. I will now be having a yearly infusion of Reclast for 5 years. I had my first infusion on December 18, 2014. Reclast is a drug used to preserve existing bone.  Reclast is a annual infusion and it is a bisphosphonate.

DEXA Report results on May 10, 2012:

• T-Score: -2.8=Osteoporosis
• 10 year probability of a Major Osteoporotic Fracture: 13.5%
• 10 year probability of a Hip Fracture: 3.0%

DEXA Report results on October 24, 2014:

• T-Score: -2.9=Osteoporosis
• 10 year probability of a Major Osteoporotic Fracture: 13.7%
• 10 year probability of a Hip Fracture: 2.6%

I had left knee replacement surgery on November 18, 2014.

The actual surgery on my left knee went a lot smoother than the surgery on my right knee on July 23, 2014. My reaction to the narcotic (Norco) that I had to take for both knees was still as bad as it was with the right knee (nausea and vomiting) and I had to take Zofran for that.

I had to have a blood transfusion while in the hospital because the reading for the Iron in my blood went down to a “5” and it should be “35” or higher.

Also my blood pressure bottom number was in the “40’s” and mine is usually in the “60’s”. I have low blood pressure normally. 

My surgeon had me take a blood thinner for 3 weeks and wear support hose for 5 weeks to avoid blood clots.

Pain and stiffness was a lot more difficult with my left knee. I tried to pace myself throughout the day as I healed. 

My physical therapy progression was excellent and I was always above the expected parameters for flexion and extension. I had a Physical Therapist come to my home daily for 3 weeks post-op and then did the PT exercises on my own. I can begin a regular exercise program at 12 weeks post op.

I went to the doctor on December 23, 2014 for my post-op appointment and X-rays. The doctor said the severe pain I have been experiencing was due to me now having Patellar (Kneecap) Tendinitis. The doctor said I was doing my PT flexion into extension exercises too vigorously. I told the doctor I was doing them as directed by the Physical Therapist. My doctor said I needed to stop the PT exercises and take it easy by resting my knee. My doctor said that my range of motion is perfect and that I needed to work on getting the inflammation down in my knee. 

The doctor took me off Norco and put me on Tylenol 3 for 7 days. He also prescribed Voltaren Gel 1% (an NSAID) to be rubbed on my knee for 3 times daily for 30 days. Since I have had RNY, I am not supposed to take NSAID’s. The doctor said the topical gel would not be as harmful to me as an oral NSAID. I also talked in length with my RN son who agreed with the doctor regarding the NSAID gel absorption. I decided to take the risk and use it because the pain was so unbearable. It did help immensely in conjunction with the Tylenol 3. I am monitoring any potential side effects that may come up. After the Tylenol 3 prescription was used, I take 500 mg Acetominophen every 4 hours if needed.

I started driving again at the beginning of week 4 post-op and I was off work for 6 weeks. 

I had right knee replacement surgery on July 23, 2014. 

The first 3 weeks the pain was pretty intense! I had a strong negative reaction to the Hydrocodone (a combination of Acetaminophen and a semi-synthetic opioid/narcotic derived from codeine). I experienced nausea, vomiting, headaches, blurred vision and major depression due to lack of sleep-I only slept about 2 hours a night for almost 3.5 weeks. Of course this led to having to take 2 other medications to combat those side effects!

I needed a 10 day plan of action to wean myself off of Hydrocodone that my RN son suggested for me. He also suggested I take an over the counter sleep aid called Alteril which is helping me get some much needed sleep. I woke up 2 times a night for restroom breaks and the throbbing pain from inactivity while in bed, but at least I went right back to sleep rather than being wide awake.

My surgeon had me take a blood thinner for 4 weeks and wear support hose for 6 weeks to avoid blood clots.

I was completely off pain medication as of the end of week 4 and the pain was manageable and intermittent but the throbbing dull pain in my knee did interfere with my sleep.

My physical therapy progression was excellent and I have always been above the expected parameters for flexion and extension. I had a Physical Therapist come to my home daily for 3 weeks. I did the PT exercises on my own for the following 9 weeks. I can begin a regular exercise program at 12 weeks post op.

I started driving again at the beginning of week 6 post-op and I was off work for 6 weeks. 

I had my 4 year check up with my my Bariatric surgeons office this week. My doctor is beyond thrilled with my success. My labs came back great in all areas.

I now eat 1650-1800 calories a day to maintain my weight loss of 197 pounds at my current weight of 134 pounds. My height is 5'4". I am 59 years young. 

I no longer weigh myself on a regular basis. I rely on how my clothes fit (jeans) to determine where I am with my weight.

I continue to follow all the rules. I have never swayed from my healthy eating plan that I developed. I eat every 2.5 to 3 hours. Every meal and snack I consume includes protein, whole grains and vegetables or fruit.

I am a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian. I eat at least 100 grams of protein a day. I eat dairy products that are no fat/low fat. I eat simple (dairy, fruit) and complex (beans, vegetables, whole grains) carbohydrates (I do not count daily grams). I also eat eggs occasionally. I take all of my supplements and drink 64 ounces of liquids minimum.

Hunger is not a problem, but I do get hungry. At least now, I have developed more discipline and control in what I do when hunger hits. RNY has given me the tool to take control of my eating. I am now in charge, not my mind. I now think first before eating something. My eyes were always bigger than my stomach. Prior to RNY, I ate way beyond fullness. I had an enormous appetite and a voracious sweet tooth. My pouch now reminds me when I need to stop eating as well as I have learned how to gauge my portion sizes. 

Maintaining the weight loss is where discipline and dedication have to take center stage. Thankfully, I am blessed with both of those attributes. I am very diligent and stick to a strict eating plan that I have developed with my personal tastes in mind. Adherence to weight loss initially, and then maintenance, is not for the faint of heart and it requires a complete lifestyle change. 

I still do not participate in a formal exercise program due to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. I walk as much as possible. Every time I try to set up a walking schedule, my knees let me down due to pain from being bone on bone. I am scheduled for right knee replacement surgery on July 23, 2014. I am having left knee replacement surgery on November 18, 2014.

I also have have Hypothyroidism and Osteoporosis. These conditions are not related to my RNY. 

I have not had plastic surgery, nor do I plan on having it. Yes, I do have some stretched skin on my abdomen and thighs, but not enough to warrant the pain and expense of surgery. At my age, if a potential suitor can’t deal with physical flaws, then move on down the road...LOL 

I honestly feel that because I have always followed the rules, that I am a Vegetarian, and that I never restricted my calories to an extreme during the “Honeymoon” period, is why I am so successful. Yes, exercise is important for health, but I do not believe the emphasis should be put there for being successful with weight loss or maintenance. You must embrace a lifestyle change with your thoughts and eating habits. Weight loss begins in the mind, not the stomach.

Deciding to have the RNY surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made and I am thankful each day for the the success I have achieved. Please see my profile page if interested for it will give you more details about me and my RNY lifestyle.

Since October 2012, I now eat 1650-1800 calories a day to maintain my weight loss of 193 pounds at a weight of 138 pounds. My height is 5'4". I am now 58 years young. I was eating 2000-2500 calories a day from July 2011 to September 2012. I figure my malabsorption of calories began to come to an end in September 2012.

I no longer weigh myself on a regular basis. I rely on how my clothes fit (jeans) to determine where I am with my weight. I was weighing myself faithfully once a week since 3 months out from RNY surgery on March 22, 2010 until September 2012.

I am happy, content and at peace with my body. 

I do not participate in a formal exercise program due to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. I do move around a lot more and do a lot more walking.

I eat every 2-3 hours. I eat 3 main meals and 3-4 snacks daily that include protein.

I eat at least 100 grams of Protein a day. I eat dairy products that are no fat/low fat. I eat simple (dairy, fruit) and complex (beans, vegetables, whole grains) carbohydrates (I do not count daily grams). I also eat eggs. I am a Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian. 

I take all of my supplements and drink 64 ounces of liquids minimum.

I have never introduced a food into my mouth that I have not planned to eat. I always consider the protein and nutritional value of each morsel. 

I know this rigid, controlled way of life is not for everyone, but it works great for me!

I had my 3 year check up yesterday and my doctors office is still impressed with my success and my labs came back awesome!