Sara S.

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Its my seventh year anniversary.   I'm still maintaining a weight of 142.  I keep a food diary, weigh and measure most food at home and see a nutrionist monthly---at a private cost.  I swim at least four times a week, lift weights several and walk a lot.  I've just bought a bike as NYC's mass transit is declining in frequency.   I don't own a car.

For many years before the surgery I was a long distance cyclist.  Increasing weight caused me to give it up.  Its a joy to be back on the bike.

I'm well past 60 now and in my seventh year of retirement.  I live a very active life and have a very full one.  Without this surgery I would, at the very least, have major orthopedic issues.  I travel quite a bit----cruises, an elderhostel to Costa Rica, a standard tourist trip to Israel, religious retreats etc.  People don't need to know that I was once obese unless I bring it up.  They just think that I'm a small eater.

My major food problem is with fried foods---more then a few bites and I need to throw up    I'm also increasingly having a problem with food, such as that found at pot luck meals, which is not at the correct serving temperature.   Apparently I'm more sensitive to stomach problems from that then most folks.

I've been on iv iron on a changing schedule for about three years; my blood is now tested (fasting) every three months by a bariatric savvy endocrinologist.  I'm starting to see more malabsorbtion problems then earlier but all are dealt with as they occur with vitamin supplements.

The key to a successful post gastric bypass life is watching and monitoring.  Yes, there are issues but I'd have a lot more health issues if I hadn't had the surgery.   I still keep a food diary and see a nutrionist once a month for which I pay out of pocket.  I weigh and measure most foods.   Its truly not a big deal.   I also make sure that I have sustained exercise (30 ish minutes at high intenstiy) at least five days a week.   I also build exercise into my daily life.

There need to be serious support groups, at least on-line, for people many years out; not just in the first two.   Aging issues are complicated by gastric by-pass.

 

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