Reflections at 3 years out . . .
As I sit here, I can't believe it will be three years since my RNY surgery on April 7th! For the past year or so, I've been working to prevent regain. I don't want to be one of the statistics. So far, so good. Although I never got below 185 pounds (okay, for one glorious day I got down to 183!), I've been able to maintain between 185 and 190. The sad part is, that is still "obese" for 5'1". But you know what? I don't see it that way. I weighed 366 pounds at my heaviest. I'm almost half the woman I used to be! My life is 110% better than it was preop. I can walk up and down stairs without feeling like I'm going to die. I don't have to worry when going to a new restaurant that they may only have booths and I won't fit in. I can fit in the seats at the movie theater and on airplanes. I took a vacation to Italy - something I NEVER would have attempted at 366 pounds. Life is good.
Has it all be sunshine and roses? Of course not. I've had my share of post-gastric bypass issues - dumping syndrome, eating too fast and getting something stuck, a couple of episodes of reactive hypoglycemia, figuring out I can't eat peapods anymore (why it took TWO episodes is beyond me!). Since my RNY surgery I've had to have a hernia repair and this past November I had a bowel obstruction caused by adhesions that required 4 days in the hospital on IV's and subsequent surgery to remove the adhesions. I now have a pannus the size of a deflated truck tire that my insurance company won't pay to have removed because my BMI isn't within the normal range for my height. But, you know what? I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
If you are reading this as a preop, think long and hard and be sure you are ready for the job ahead. It isn't easy, but it is worth it. You can't go into it thinking you'll just get your guts rearranged, then continue with life as normal. Life will never be the same again. I used to be able to eat a whole pizza, now I can only eat one piece. Do I still WANT the other pieces? Yes, I do. The difference is, I know if I eat them (even ONE of them), I'll get sick. Does that knowledge always stop me from trying? Again, of course not. I'm human and I used to be an eating machine. Having the surgery did nothing for my head. That's all on me. I've tried eating a second piece a couple of times. I haven't done it in awhile. I'm learning, even now, three years later.
I highly recommend that preops spend lots of time reading posts on OH. I spent hours doing so before surgery. That way you'll know as much as you can about what to expect - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Go in with your eyes wide open and be ready for one heck of a ride. As I said, life will never be the same!
Has it all be sunshine and roses? Of course not. I've had my share of post-gastric bypass issues - dumping syndrome, eating too fast and getting something stuck, a couple of episodes of reactive hypoglycemia, figuring out I can't eat peapods anymore (why it took TWO episodes is beyond me!). Since my RNY surgery I've had to have a hernia repair and this past November I had a bowel obstruction caused by adhesions that required 4 days in the hospital on IV's and subsequent surgery to remove the adhesions. I now have a pannus the size of a deflated truck tire that my insurance company won't pay to have removed because my BMI isn't within the normal range for my height. But, you know what? I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
If you are reading this as a preop, think long and hard and be sure you are ready for the job ahead. It isn't easy, but it is worth it. You can't go into it thinking you'll just get your guts rearranged, then continue with life as normal. Life will never be the same again. I used to be able to eat a whole pizza, now I can only eat one piece. Do I still WANT the other pieces? Yes, I do. The difference is, I know if I eat them (even ONE of them), I'll get sick. Does that knowledge always stop me from trying? Again, of course not. I'm human and I used to be an eating machine. Having the surgery did nothing for my head. That's all on me. I've tried eating a second piece a couple of times. I haven't done it in awhile. I'm learning, even now, three years later.
I highly recommend that preops spend lots of time reading posts on OH. I spent hours doing so before surgery. That way you'll know as much as you can about what to expect - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Go in with your eyes wide open and be ready for one heck of a ride. As I said, life will never be the same!
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Congrats Connie!
I couldn't agree more. I just told someone today.. if I had to do it all over again (RNY) I would!
I couldn't agree more. I just told someone today.. if I had to do it all over again (RNY) I would!
Max wt. 500+ WLS workshop 4/6/09 440 Surgery 9/21/09 324 9/21/10 218
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Hi Connie -
Congratulations on your 3rd Year Anniversary! While I know you had some setbacks, I am happy the the benefits of the surgery far outweigh the negatives. I don't get too caught up in the numbers game anymore. I guess when you start out at 432, I am pretty content just staying in onderland.
If I lose more weight, great. However, if my body tells me this is "as good as it gets" that is fine by me. Like you, I just don't want to be one of the statistics that gains weight back. And, hopefully, we both keep our head in the game!
It was nice seeing you on the boards again.
Congratulations on your 3rd Year Anniversary! While I know you had some setbacks, I am happy the the benefits of the surgery far outweigh the negatives. I don't get too caught up in the numbers game anymore. I guess when you start out at 432, I am pretty content just staying in onderland.
If I lose more weight, great. However, if my body tells me this is "as good as it gets" that is fine by me. Like you, I just don't want to be one of the statistics that gains weight back. And, hopefully, we both keep our head in the game!
It was nice seeing you on the boards again.
Nancy
"Learn from Yesterday. Live for Today. Hope for Tomorrow" - Albet Einstein
Hi Connie! Congratulations on your continued success and almost 3 years! Good job!!! It gets a bit more challenging (to say the least) and thank you for sharing your own set of chaqqllenges along the journey. I wish you the best of luck - you sound as if you have a great handle on life after WLS - I applaud your efforts and say thank you for posting your experiences. It helps others (myself included here). Best of continued lucki & success on our never ending journey towards better health. Take care. Mary
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