My DS at 4 years
Four frickin' years. Four. Who can even count that high (in WLS years, anyway)? I remember as a newbie craving the idea that I could hear from people who'd lived with the DS for a few years. Now, I'm him. Wow. Who woulda thunk?
Okay, enough ooo'ing and aaah'ing. Let's get to the meat and potatoes of the matter (meat, mostly). Today is the fourth anniversary of my DS surgery. On my surgery consult day I weighed 373 lbs. Today, I weigh a steady 170 lbs. Very steady. Freakishly steady, really. I'm not sure how it's happening but I'm not gonna jinx it other than to say the DS works as advertised. As far as weight, the DS delivered as promised beyond my wildest dreams. I remember being terrrified before, during and after surgery about reaching goal. I though the 185 goal my surgeon had was a tad low but I'd take it, assuming I'd never get there (since I never reached a weight goal in my life). Once I reached goal and had all the excess waist skin removed, I've hovered around 170. Steady as she goes. Like magic. So I reached goal and have kept it off - both things I though impossible.
My life is quite good but not perfect. The good is that I really do eat whatever I want, while always keeping protein in my mind, and in my stomach. I don't always do protein first but I do do protein alot. It's just automated now. If I'm having a meal, the question, "where's the protein" automatically comes up. I'm healthy, for the most part. I'm a gas machine, which i could likely curtail if I held back on certain foods but I can never figure out which foods and anyway, I like them sooo much. Oil slicks, which were more of a problem early in my DS life, are much less so now, but occasionally they show up, and not always in time to get to a bowl. I'm also still not Mr. Energy, despite expecting to have so much more 200 lbs. less. That said, I may spend alot of time on the couch but I pop up off of it way easier than in the fat old days.
I am religious about getting bloodwork done. My main DS transgression is vitamins. I've had a bad few months. So far, no sign of a problem in the blood but I know it's coming and I'm getting back on the horse. Don't be like me in this regard. It's stupid, plaiin and simple. I had a difficult summer emotionally and I let it affect the consistency of my vitamin-taking. Not a good idea. I also require an occasional iron infusion which is painless and effective.
That's about it. DS life is good. i'm a thin man and most of the people who know me now never knew me as a fat man despite that being who I was for about 30 years. It's weird but I'm okay with that type of wierd. If you're thinking about the DS, know that at a minimum, it works as advertised. If you're willing to follow the rules, you'd have a life that you currently probably don't let yourself think is possible. It is. I'm living it.
I hope all of my old DS friends who gave me so much good advice and supported me so well (and even those who tried to rip off my limbs or wished me a painful end) are healthy and happy. I hope those that are thinking about surgery think long and hard and make the right decision. It can change your life. It can give you a life. If gave me one.
My and my love recently:
Okay, enough ooo'ing and aaah'ing. Let's get to the meat and potatoes of the matter (meat, mostly). Today is the fourth anniversary of my DS surgery. On my surgery consult day I weighed 373 lbs. Today, I weigh a steady 170 lbs. Very steady. Freakishly steady, really. I'm not sure how it's happening but I'm not gonna jinx it other than to say the DS works as advertised. As far as weight, the DS delivered as promised beyond my wildest dreams. I remember being terrrified before, during and after surgery about reaching goal. I though the 185 goal my surgeon had was a tad low but I'd take it, assuming I'd never get there (since I never reached a weight goal in my life). Once I reached goal and had all the excess waist skin removed, I've hovered around 170. Steady as she goes. Like magic. So I reached goal and have kept it off - both things I though impossible.
My life is quite good but not perfect. The good is that I really do eat whatever I want, while always keeping protein in my mind, and in my stomach. I don't always do protein first but I do do protein alot. It's just automated now. If I'm having a meal, the question, "where's the protein" automatically comes up. I'm healthy, for the most part. I'm a gas machine, which i could likely curtail if I held back on certain foods but I can never figure out which foods and anyway, I like them sooo much. Oil slicks, which were more of a problem early in my DS life, are much less so now, but occasionally they show up, and not always in time to get to a bowl. I'm also still not Mr. Energy, despite expecting to have so much more 200 lbs. less. That said, I may spend alot of time on the couch but I pop up off of it way easier than in the fat old days.
I am religious about getting bloodwork done. My main DS transgression is vitamins. I've had a bad few months. So far, no sign of a problem in the blood but I know it's coming and I'm getting back on the horse. Don't be like me in this regard. It's stupid, plaiin and simple. I had a difficult summer emotionally and I let it affect the consistency of my vitamin-taking. Not a good idea. I also require an occasional iron infusion which is painless and effective.
That's about it. DS life is good. i'm a thin man and most of the people who know me now never knew me as a fat man despite that being who I was for about 30 years. It's weird but I'm okay with that type of wierd. If you're thinking about the DS, know that at a minimum, it works as advertised. If you're willing to follow the rules, you'd have a life that you currently probably don't let yourself think is possible. It is. I'm living it.
I hope all of my old DS friends who gave me so much good advice and supported me so well (and even those who tried to rip off my limbs or wished me a painful end) are healthy and happy. I hope those that are thinking about surgery think long and hard and make the right decision. It can change your life. It can give you a life. If gave me one.
My and my love recently:
HW-373 / SW-352 / 
CW-160 / GW-185
(deactivated member)
on 11/20/11 5:37 am - Stockton, CA
on 11/20/11 5:37 am - Stockton, CA
Wow..congrats on all your success!! CELEBRATE 
You deserve it!!!
You deserve it!!! 
-
I remember an early struggle you had losing the weight until you started watching the carbs. It is great that you've found your equilibrium. You look so happy and healthy and your lady is lovely.
Congratulations!
Check out my profile: http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/goodkel/Or click on my name
DS SW 265 CW 120 5'7"
Zappre
I am soooo happy to see you posting!! Congratulations on your 4 year surgiversary,I am almost there myself and can hardly believe that that much time has passed.
Love hearing that life is treating you well my DS brother,keep up the good work and remember to take those supplements.
My life has changed so much as well and I have never been happier in my life.
Take care of yourself and live life to the fullest my dear.If you do FB look me up..debbie lyon allan
I am soooo happy to see you posting!! Congratulations on your 4 year surgiversary,I am almost there myself and can hardly believe that that much time has passed.
Love hearing that life is treating you well my DS brother,keep up the good work and remember to take those supplements.
My life has changed so much as well and I have never been happier in my life.
Take care of yourself and live life to the fullest my dear.If you do FB look me up..debbie lyon allan
:360,
SW:340, CW:128, RGW:126 Lost 20 Lbs preop
Nice to see you again! Sorry you had a tough summer. So glad that you are doing better now.
I know what you mean about the vitamins. I have some starts and stops and I have to force myself to be better. Maybe it's the three-year curse? Let's hear it for a great fourth year!
Take care of yourself,
Nicolle
I know what you mean about the vitamins. I have some starts and stops and I have to force myself to be better. Maybe it's the three-year curse? Let's hear it for a great fourth year!
Take care of yourself,
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
HW/SW/CW/GW 346/335/183/150 5'4.25"
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