Vicki K.
7 years later
Jun 23, 2012
Hi all,
I am 7 years out from surgery in June 2005. I am doing great, no problems except for not taking my iron and that causing issues. But there were other health issues as well that caused the low iron. I highly recommend to keep up the iron intake and B12. Eating healthy just isn't enough sometimes.
I lost a total of 120lbs, than added back on about 15lbs. Everyone said I looked sick being so skinny, but once I put back on some pounds I supposedly looked better.
I will admit that I went through some major emotional issues for a couple of years. After my first six months, I realized I had a food addiction. There was no way I was going to enter back into that world of obesity so I made the most important decision of getting into counseling to figure out the underlying emotional problems. I would look in the mirror and still see a heavy person, someone I wasn't very happy with for most of my life. I like to keep this one picture up there to see where I have been and I am not like that person anymore.
My husband and I have grown closer over the years. He accepted me for who I was prior to any surgery consideration, although his concern over my health was heavy on his heart. Now he just worry's about me not eating enough. I have to continuously remind him that I am unable to eat as much as him.
I just recently went through major surgery having a total hysterectomy. No it was n't a side effect, just my body saying "help me". I had an upper GI test and was pleased to hear back that my pouch is still the size it should be. Why do I say pleased? Because it remains to be a tool for me to use. Before my hysterectomy I had not put on any more weight but it sure felt like it as the size of my clothes kept going up. But then after being put in the hospital in February from my iron levels dropping to 6.4, many tests where run and found two huge masses in my abdomen which ended up being fibroids. One the size of a watermelon, and the other a cantaloup. So after surgery removing them I lost 10lbs from not eating hardly anything for 4 days and then removal of the nastiness. Once the healing process and swelling is gone I know I will be able to get back into smaller sizes.
In the end I am happy I made the choice I did and wouldn't change it. But It isn't for everyone either. I have talked to many people, especially young people who make the choice of weight loss surgery as a solution. But I tell them they are the solution, surgery is just a tool. It is a life-style change that has to accepted for life or you end right back in the same situation. Also, there are more choices today. I drink my protein every day as I should, it has become a habit. I take my iron and other supplements regulary. If I don't than I can tell by how I feel.
I still eat the same amount as I should and don't graze. turning down food is hard as I love food, but it has become a necessity and I now see it as a source of energy and not what life is about. I suppose my biggest irritation is all the food channels and commercials now days. But you can also use some shows as another tool to learn how to cook healthy. and remember to continue eating about a 1/4 of what restaraunts serve on a plate.
Until my next post -- keep on living healthy, and loving who you are.
Vicki K
0 comments
I am 7 years out from surgery in June 2005. I am doing great, no problems except for not taking my iron and that causing issues. But there were other health issues as well that caused the low iron. I highly recommend to keep up the iron intake and B12. Eating healthy just isn't enough sometimes.
I lost a total of 120lbs, than added back on about 15lbs. Everyone said I looked sick being so skinny, but once I put back on some pounds I supposedly looked better.
I will admit that I went through some major emotional issues for a couple of years. After my first six months, I realized I had a food addiction. There was no way I was going to enter back into that world of obesity so I made the most important decision of getting into counseling to figure out the underlying emotional problems. I would look in the mirror and still see a heavy person, someone I wasn't very happy with for most of my life. I like to keep this one picture up there to see where I have been and I am not like that person anymore.
My husband and I have grown closer over the years. He accepted me for who I was prior to any surgery consideration, although his concern over my health was heavy on his heart. Now he just worry's about me not eating enough. I have to continuously remind him that I am unable to eat as much as him.
I just recently went through major surgery having a total hysterectomy. No it was n't a side effect, just my body saying "help me". I had an upper GI test and was pleased to hear back that my pouch is still the size it should be. Why do I say pleased? Because it remains to be a tool for me to use. Before my hysterectomy I had not put on any more weight but it sure felt like it as the size of my clothes kept going up. But then after being put in the hospital in February from my iron levels dropping to 6.4, many tests where run and found two huge masses in my abdomen which ended up being fibroids. One the size of a watermelon, and the other a cantaloup. So after surgery removing them I lost 10lbs from not eating hardly anything for 4 days and then removal of the nastiness. Once the healing process and swelling is gone I know I will be able to get back into smaller sizes.
In the end I am happy I made the choice I did and wouldn't change it. But It isn't for everyone either. I have talked to many people, especially young people who make the choice of weight loss surgery as a solution. But I tell them they are the solution, surgery is just a tool. It is a life-style change that has to accepted for life or you end right back in the same situation. Also, there are more choices today. I drink my protein every day as I should, it has become a habit. I take my iron and other supplements regulary. If I don't than I can tell by how I feel.
I still eat the same amount as I should and don't graze. turning down food is hard as I love food, but it has become a necessity and I now see it as a source of energy and not what life is about. I suppose my biggest irritation is all the food channels and commercials now days. But you can also use some shows as another tool to learn how to cook healthy. and remember to continue eating about a 1/4 of what restaraunts serve on a plate.
Until my next post -- keep on living healthy, and loving who you are.
Vicki K