I year ago I had my RNY

Hi Y'all

It has been eons since I last posted, been very busy with life and such.

Thought I would share some of my experiences with my first year post-op

From a medical standpoint I had a smooth surgery with no complications. Then 2 months ago in March I had to remove my Gall bladder because of stones. Man was that a painful experience, not the recovery post-op, but the pain because of the pancreatitis due to a stone blocking was crazy. I actually fainted at work...... The worst part was also the no eating or drinking fro 2 days prior to the surgery.

My daily eating routeen is small meals 4-5 times a day. Being very mindful of my protein intake. I eat a lot of homemade soups, chilies, stews  and casseroles made with lean ground turkey (my go to meat source). I also eith have 2 of the premier protein bars or shakes a day. This is because I weight train and I need the extra boost.

Physically I have lost over a hundred pounds and maintain around 192 to 195 lbs. I was at my lowest at 182, but I was too skinny and felt unhealthy at that weight. My goal now is to put on more lean muscle mass, I have been working hard on my upper torso and abs. I almost have a washboard stomach. Very lucky to not have a lot of excess skin, yet I have an ass that looks like an 80 year old man with wrinkles. Nothing can be done about that except plastics and since I'm not doing any nude modeling, it is what it is.

I am a gym rat now. I go to the gym 4-5 times a week. Part of my daily life. I really enjoy working with weights and feel great after a good work out. I will be starting up running outside again, but found I get more out of weight training than running alone. I think it's finding a healthy balance.

Emotionally it has been a roller coaster ride. People just treat you differently when you're not over weight and my biggest hurdle was how I see myself not how others see me. You can lose the weight but the mind takes a long time to catch up. I can now wear what I want to wear and feel good about myself doing it. I even mow the lawn shirtless, like the redkneck I've always wanted to be...lol

As some of you know, a casualty in all of this was my marriage. My wife and I are now separated and have filed for divorce. I believe we have just gone in totally different directions and it's for the best. 

So I'm a bachelor again after 16 years of marriage. I have been out on a few dates. Something I have come to realize early out of the gate is body image and how we look at ourselves is something taught and learned throughout our life. I have dated some beautiful woman that have such low self esteem it's scary. Interesting how that is. 

The long and short of it is, I am the same person on the inside. I'm shy, take things to heart too easily and trust too easily. The weight loss has just given me a chance to live my life the way I've always wanted too. I just need more time to adjust whats going on in the inside.

Jason

What a great post, Jason!  Happy 1 year surgiversary to you.  Thanks for sharing all of the ups and downs of your journey.    Congratulations on your success!

Thanks for the post Jason. Sorry about your marriage. 16yrs is a long time. I am at 15 months and understand what you are saying about the new body image. People do treat you different;y. Which can be nice but also annoying because you are the same person as before. Although for myself i know i am a happier person.

Good luck with the continued journey

Congrats on your 1 year!!

I too am sorry about your marriage :(

Keep up the excellent work, you are an inspiration to us pre-ops!!

~Lisa

Congrats on your weight loss!   Your probiotic stance has me making my own yogurt and eating it twice a day with some dried fruit I dry myself or throwing it into a smoothie.  I am healthier for it!  Thanks!  

Jason,

Thank you for sharing this post. Congratulations on your success!

The marriage part, I understand. My husband and I separated during the process back in 2001, and it was pretty tough. We ended up back together, but I get it. I'm sorry to hear that. :(

Again, thanks for your candidness. :)

Congrats on your one year Jason. I remember reading your posts and especially remember when you talked about your marriage. Sorry to hear that you are going thru a divorce but that just means that you are now able to open yourself up to something better.

thanks for posting, and I got a chuckle about about the washboard abs with the 80yr old wrinkly butt! Lol

Hey Jason W.!   thank you so very much for your update!  Life takes us on so many adventures - but there are so many lessons. Wish you well on your travels

Enjoy your 'redneckedness'.

I'm sorry things didn't work out in your marriage, and I do hope you live your life the way you've always wanted to!!!