Eight years post gastric bypass. I ain't dead yet. So there.

 

EIGHT YEARS POST OP

Eight years ago today I had roux en y gastric bypass surgery.   Do not say it.  I already made that clear in my previous post.

Since then it's been a whirlwind of ups and downs -- but mostly -- it's been good.  I often refer to my life as a country song.  Because it is.  

But you know what?  Regardless of the roller coaster of life --

I am still a technical weight loss surgery success story.   I lost the weight.  The end.  It's sort of true?

I might be hanging on to that by the literal skin of my teeth, BUT, I'm going to claim it until it's gone. And, if I lose it you better believe I will fix it.  Carnie Wilson ain't got nothing on me.  I've often said that I would have Every Single Bariatric Procedure There Was just so that I'd have first-hand knowledge about it so as to BLOG FOR-EVER and drive my haters insane.  So.  Yes, if the time came, I would revise my surgery.  

This last year (...or two) in the life of a MM has been especially trying.  To be perfectly frank, I am surprised that I did not* -

• A. Gain 50 pounds or more
• B. Run away and joined the circus or
• C.  Start chemical dependency or
• D. Get put on a semi-permanent mental vacation

I'm not going to rehash all of the yuck of year seven, but needless to say, I am GLAD it's over.  

Feel free to peruse (my blog) archives, as much of it is still published.  If some of it does not seem to connect, it may be that I have deleted bits and pieces.  

Backwards!

• April 2012
• March 2012
• February 2012
• January 2012
• December 2011
• November 2011
• October 2011
• September 2011
• August 2011
• July 2011
• June 2011
• May 2011
• April 2011

There is some bad belly drama, some interweb drama, and a lot of personal/life implosion drama.  

I am pleased to report that things have settled down -- oddly enough in almost all areas.   (You might want to knock on wood right NOW.)   It is strange how that happens.  But I will take it.  Life is nowhere near perfect, and I haven't been writing about much of it because of that, but know that things ARE better.  It's funny, someone sent me a message a couple months ago -- saying that she didn't think I Had It All Together.  Well, OBVIOUSLY?

 Although, sometimes when things get better in one area -- other areas fail.  

     *See ABCD.

And here we ARE -- another year down!

Health wise -

The gut pain of the last year plus seems to have subsided or at least is now cyclical.  I can't pinpoint what it is, but I am willing to bet it's an irritated bowel issue with constipation that causes pain.  I had some testing done to rule out a major issue - so I am just thankful that it seems to have waned dramatically recently.

My brain is not doing so well.  I'm currently averaging 2-3 seizures every week.  I tend to follow a pattern following a hormonal path.  It seems that I have seizures during ovulation and menses, 2-3 in a single or two days and they stop.  It could be more, but I am only aware of the seizures that are witnessed or that I am symptomatic.   I am making a trip to the neurologist next week to discuss new treatment options because the current treatment is not doing enough.

Where am I weight wise?  

Don't ask -- I'm on a slight upswing -- somewhere between 169-173 lbs.  Okay, I weighed in.  I felt bad NOT having a weigh in for this post. 169.  It's better than I thought, and in the middle of the day.

However it's my average.  I had one "low" in the last year, when I was living on my own over the summer, I dipped down in the low 160's for a while.  I have basically maintained in the same range for a very long time.  It's sort of a non-issue until I go above where I am right now.

The last year was chock-full of fun things.  I got the chance to go to many events -

• 2011 - Obesity Action Coalition + Ethicon Endosurgery Online Influencer Forum 
• WLSFA Event, Las Vegas, May 2011 - Vendor - Bariatric Bad Girls Club
• ASMBS 2011 Orlando
• Obesity Help Bellevue, WA Event 2011 
• Obesity Help New Orleans, LA Event 2011
• Obesity Help  Long Island, NY Event 2011
• Obesity Help Caribbean Cruise, March 2012

See?  We were having fun, damn it.

What's ahead for this year?  

More of This New Calm.  I sort of like it.  

Lots of product-trying.  

Maybe some brain-fixing.  Perhaps a little weight loss.

And, then some fun and learning --

Events -

• May 2012 - Las Vegas, NV WLSFA Meet and Greet

• June 17-22 2012 - ASMBS 2012  

• September 6-8 - Live Support Group Leader Certification      

• September 2012 - Fitbloggin' 2012, Baltimore, MD

• October 5-7 2012 - Obesity Help Event - Atlanta, GA

• October 25-27 - Obesity Action Coalition Event - Dallas, TX

• Make sure you read -- I hate the term surgiversary... Eight years post op part 

 

 I apologize for the wonky spacing.  It's copied and pasted from my published blog post.

BRAVO........I thank you for all your honesty, I met you at an OH event in Costa Mesa in 2010.  I think you have done a bomb ass job and I thank you for your blog.  You look beautiful! Thanks again for your story! ~ Denise

 Thank you Denise.  :)

 You have done great!!! You help inspire me in my goal!!!

I am still in the pre-op stage waiting to complete my 6 month diet.

Thank you for your input and the inspiration that you provide!!!

Thank you Dean!

Thank you this helps me.... my surgery is Wednesday the 11th....

I wish you the best on this wild ride.  :)

Dear Melting Momma ! 

Thank  you so much for  openly sharing  your journey.  You're one of those " real people " with DETAILS  of their struggle ( and ultimate triumph ) we ALL  learn  volumes from.  Your courage  and wilingness  to be  hones t and helpful  no matter  what

the negative  witches say  has been so brave ... many of us dream ( but hardly dare ) to follow Ur path .

I think you  are providing a very necessary  and helpful example now with ( honestly ) living in the 160  lb range . 

By t he way  U"RE BEAUTIFUL !    ( inside n out )

  congratulations !

 I appreciate this.  Thank you very much.