Leslie B.
5 Years
Feb 24, 2015
It's been 5 years since my surgery. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Looking back, the decision to have surgery was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. My confidence has blossomed. That new found confidence has allowed me to make great strides in my career and my personal life. If I could change anything, it would be the agony I put myself through in making the decision. It can't be made lightly, but I didn't need to spend so much time worrying about what everyone else would think.
Gastric by-pass hasn't allowed me to eat anything and not gain weight. It's actually really restricted my diet, I have reactive hypoglycemia. So, if I eat anything with too many carbs (15g or more) I get really sick. I remember the doctor telling me that happens to about 10% of people and thinking that won't be me. Well, it was, but I am fine with that. A doughnut makes me sick now, but that's ok, I proved I couldn't eat doughnuts responsibly, so I can live with it. I am actually grateful for the carb intolerance. I fear that I would gain a lot of weight back if I could eat all those sugary gooey things.
I still have to manage my weight. Right now I am trying to loose 10 pounds I have gained in the past year after I got married. The smaller stomach makes it much easier to eat responsibly. I can be satisfied with a small meal. I just have to quit eating all day at my desk & a couple of other bad habits I've fallen into.
If you are reading this because you are considering surgery, I wish you luck. It's a great journey. The best info I got from someone before I had the surgery was this: "The couple of days after the surgery are difficult. I sat on my stairs crying thinking I had made the biggest mistake of my life. But, it was the best decision of my life. I would go through those days again in a heart beat to get the new life I have now." Those words helped me get through the first week or two. There's lots of other great advice, but that's the thing that stuck with me.
Blessings.
