5 year surgiversary

On February 5th I will be celebrating 5 years post op.  Much has happened in that time so I'd like to take a moment to reflect and share--especially to those just starting the journey.

First off, I am very grateful to OH.  At the time of my surgery there were no support groups and the forums here became my support group.  I have made some remarkable friends all over the country because of OH.

I was 330 lbs at my heaviest.  I lost down to 168 and am now about 175.  I never QUITE got to that goal weight, but I also never put back on very much weight--fortunately.

We've heard it many times, this is only a tool, the real changes come in your head and heart.  You MUST have the right frame of mind for this surgery or you will fail.  I'm sorry to have to be the one to say this, but I've seen it over and over again.

At 5 years out, I FIGHT weight gain constantly.  It is only through strict control and exercise that I maintain.  I have had the plastic surgeries to rid myself of the excess skin, but there is one more I'd like to have in the future.  Some people would say that "I've arrived", but the truth is this is a journey with no end until that day comes when we leave this earth.  That's right, this is a forever battle with lines drawn in the sand.

Please understand that simple carbs will do you in!  DO NOT GO THERE.  If I had one wi**** would be that I had never eaten a cracker, noodle, cookie, etc. at some point after surgery.  I think I made it to about 9 months before I did so, but I wish I NEVER had eaten even one.

Carbs turn to glucose which the body uses FIRST rather than fat stores which is the second source of fuel.  Many of us have compromised metabolisms that are super efficient.  The surgery TEMPORARILY changes that, but those changes are not permanent.  I fight the good fight daily.

Losing weight has given me the opportunity to MOVE again, but it hasn't given me a better job, people falling all over themselves to like me, better relationships, etc.  THOSE were all within your grasp BEFORE surgery and only by doing the hard internal work will those situations ever change.

Everyone's journey is different, and yet we are all the same in many respects.  We all laugh, cry, have the same food issues, rejoice, and ultimately accept ourselves for not our idealized version, but for what the truth is.  I am not and never will be a model!  BUT what I am is a woman who smiles at the woman who stares back at me from the mirror with a knowing glance.  A woman who has regained her health and has the knowledge and practice to maintain it all.

God bless you all in your journeys.

Trisha Schnatterly
02/05/05 RNY Proximal 162 total lbs lost.  7 regained and lost and regained and lost.... Normal blood sugars, normal cholesterol, normal bp..... fighting the good fight always!

Thanks, Trisha, for your insight and honestly.  I am 13 mo out from my RNY, and I know one thing:  the challenge lies before me, living a life of maintaing the weight-loss by making wise food choices and choosing to exercise.  Drinking my water and taking my vitamins are a must.  I knew this when deciding that surgery was the only way to gain my health and my life back.

Thanks for being a realistic (and successful) example to follow!

Best,
Cindy

Thank you, Cindy.  You are correct.  The hardest parts are #1 making the decision to be proactive about your health, and #2 maintaining it constantly.  Isn't it funny how we look back on those days and months post op as the honeymoon!  It didn't feel like it at the time!!!  But in reality it was the prep for the time when we must fly with our own wings with the knowledge we have learned!

Good luck in your journey!

Blessings,

Trisha 

THANK YOU TRISHA!!! 

I absolutely enjoyed EVERYTHING that you said, and it's all so true!  You've given all that will read your post the very encouragment that we need, along with the exact truth about WLS and the future continuence of fighting the good fight daily!  Especially that dreadful "simple carb monster"!   If I had one wi**** would be that I had never eaten a cracker, noodle, cookie, etc. at some point after surgery. - This is me to a T!!!!!  Arrggghhhhhh!!!

You gave me just what I needed today for my continued motivation!!!  THANK YOU!!!  I pray for your future success, and look forward to seeing more of your posts!  :)

Always,
Rose

Thank you very much, Rose!

The sad truth is that I am rarely here anymore.  I developed a group of women FROM OH who are as tight as sisters and we communicate daily, weekly, etc.  I love them through and through and would never have known them had it not been for OH.

I had hoped the post could be uplifting while still telling the reality of WLS.  It ain't for sissies that is for sure!

Good luck with YOUR continued journey!

Trisha

First congrat's on your 5 year Surgiversary!

I am so glad that you posted your comments and truths on the boards today. This was an eye opener and gave me the kick in the pants that I needed. I too love carbs, in fact I have been upset because I ate crackers all weekend. With your explanation on the simple carbs I now understand why my body acts like it does with the carbs and why I haven't been losing like I was.
I do attend my support group meeting monthly but have yet to make any close friends. I hope that I am able to make friends with others at OH and have lasting friendships like you do. I feel this is such a life changing process that we can all use support and friendship.

It's awesome that you accept who you are and that you appreciate all that you have gained from your healthy lifestyle and surgery!

God bless you and thanks again for the post.
Susan

OK Miss Susan, stop beating yourself up, you'll give yourself a black eye which is not the most attractive look! LOL

Just take your new knowledge and use it in the future.  This minute is a fresh start, not tomorrow morning, but right now.

Just a bit more about the CARB BULLY!  Carbs turn into glucose.  Our body uses two types of fuel to sustain its self.  Glucose is the fast acting fuel and fat is the long burning fuel.  We NEED a bit of glucose for that "fight or flight" response, but when we flood our systems with too much of it then our bodies never have the opportunity to use the other source....our fat stores!  Our body will use glucose over fat EVERY time because we are genetically programed that way the same way all animals are so that in times of famine we have the fuel to survive.  Unfortunately most of us have become fuel hogs!  We drive around our great big SUV bodies which we fuel with an endless supply of carbs.  We never get to use our reserves which only keep growing as the overage of glucose fuel becomes fat fuel.

Its really quite unfair, but that is the way we have been genetically programed to be.  Fortunately armed with knowledge, preparation and determination we can fight it and win!

Good luck with it all!

Trisha

Trisha,

Congrats to you on a job well done! It seems like it is definitely an endless battle...the important thing is to stay on top of it!

Good luck on your continued success and I wish all the health to you always....

Thanks for the advise regarding the carbs!

Have an awesome rest of the week.

CONGRATULATIONS!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Amen Trisha!

I will celebrate my 5 year surgiversary this year also - July 5th, my independence day.  Most of us take this journey very seriously but STILL continue to fight daily.  Many times in the past two or three years I felt I was the only one but it's true, we will always have to keep a strict handle on what and when we eat  (I tend to slip into grazing rather than eating meals), exercise, water and vitamins.  I too look like I've got it all figured out but it is a disciplined, calculated lifestyle. 

I remember your posts from years ago so it's good to hear that you are doing well.  I only check bac****asionally but it's always good to be OH home.

Sandy