Question for the vets....Would you have RNY again knowing what you know now?

Cicerogirl, The PhD
Version
on 6/29/12 2:53 am - OH

I will be 5 years out in August, and that 50% statistic has always bothered me. After realizing how hard it is to maintain the loss compared to losing it in the first place, I am far more proud of maintaining it than I am of losing it! I was determined NOT to be one of the ones who gained a lot of weight back. I would NOT consider myself a success if I only maintained half of my weight loss. If I was 90 pounds heavier, I would still be MO (just not SMO)!

Lora

14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained

You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

Citizen Kim
on 6/29/12 2:58 am, edited 6/29/12 3:01 am - Castle Rock, CO

RNY on 07/27/04

Of course it's great to lose a lot of weight in a year or two - even if some people never reach goal.

However, I don't think it is always recognised HOW difficult it is to maintain that loss in the long term - ie 5+ years - a large number of people don't - but I really don't think that is represented on this Board because there are so few 5+ year vets here regularly and those of us that are, are actually very successful both IRL and statistically!!! (I don't think that is a coincidence either.)

You have every right to feel proud of your achievement in maintaining your loss at 5 years - and I certainly would not feel like a success if I weighed 50lbs more than I do - even though I would be considered a statistical success!!!!!

Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist

Lady Lithia
on 6/29/12 3:15 am

I also didn't realize exactly how it would be. I know optimum, and I'm pretty proud that at almost 4 1/2 years out, I am still within 10 pounds of optimum. (Yesterday I was 10 pounds over optimum, today I am exactly at optimum)

If I maintained half of my loss from the day of surgery, I'd be at 223 wearing a size 18. I don't think that would be a happy place for me. If I maintained half of my loss from maximum I'd be at 250,.... even less acceptable.

If I continue to fluctuate 10 pounds up and down to optimum, I think I'll be satisfied. Though I am hoping to lose just a little more size so all my 10s fit again. Most are now fitting again. Tomorrow, I'll probably be up 10 pounds again though.

~Lady Lithia~ 200 lbs lost!
March 9, 2011 - Coccygectomy!
I chased my dreams, and my dreams, they caught me!

Kay L.
on 6/28/12 11:40 pm - N., AL

RNY on 06/26/06

Definitely YES!

Paul C.
on 6/28/12 11:41 pm - Cumming, GA

RNY on 07/16/10

Without a doubt I would.

I still struggle with a few aspects of my new life, like accepting who I am now rather than who I feel I am. Diet in my new life is always a struggle but I believe I am making improvements there, and the issues aren't staying on a protein forward diet hell that was easy! My issue is adding carbs back into my diet to sustain my activity.

I really have no reasons to not like my life even with the complications I have had, which has been mainly ulcers and undiagnosed dizziness. Ulcers actually required a blood transfusion once because it occured on a thursday and really didn't become an issue until the following Monday.

In my new life I have become the role model to my family that I always should have been, not only to my children but to my extended family. I live my life proving that with work anything is possible and have seen those around me adopting healthy and active lifestyles. When a friend who used to get annoyed at seeing the miles I run takes up running I know I am doing something right.

I have been able to accomplish things I never dreamed possible and now strive to accomplish things I know are possible if I work for them. My relationship with my wife has improved.

There is very little in my new life not to like or be proud of.

So when someone asks if I would do it again knowing what I do now the answer is always a yes. I only wish more people could see that there is a way they could change their life.

Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03 First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (PR 2:24:35)
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04

fatfreemama
on 6/28/12 11:51 pm - San Jose, CA

RNY on 12/07/09

Absolutely yes! No more high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, sore knees and back, sitting on the sidelines, asking for seatbelt extenders, ... Loving life and all I can do now.

Bay to Breakers 12K May 15, 2011 (1:54:40) First 5K 5/23/11 (41:22)
Half Marathons: Napa: 7/18/10 (4:11:21)   7/17/11 (3:30:58)   7/15/12 (3:13:11.5)
   SJ Rock and Roll: 10/2/10 (3:58:22) Run Surf City: 2/6/11 (3:19:54)
Diva: 5/6/12 (3:35:00)
HW/SW/CW  349/326/176
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein

exohexoh
on 6/29/12 1:05 am - West Chester, PA

RNY on 09/27/10

most definitely. sure i may have done things differently along my journey (starting exercise earlier, starting bread later, etc.), but i am most definitely much better off than i was. my heart meds dropped significantly (i'm on the lowest dose of each now, possibility of dropping one of them still, the other is for life), off my cholesterol pill. i'm more confident. i don't think i would be able to handle city life at the weight i was (and likely larger), as i know i was struggling towards the end of my time in chicago 4 years ago.

<3 jen <3

<3 starting weight: 252 <3 goal weight: 135 <3 current weight: 151 <3

RNY: 9/27/10 <3 Extended Tummy Tuck w/hip & thigh lipo: 6/6/13

Brittany M.
on 6/29/12 1:08 am

RNY on 02/28/08

I swear, I must be the most negaive, pessimistive post-op alive, but I really don't know the answer to this question. Honestly, although the excess weight is gone, I haven't felt "right" since my surgery. I'm constantly tired, dizzy, lightheaded, etc, and it's really taking a toll. A lot of days I do wish that I never had the surgery, or I had waited a while and had the sleeve instead. I'm happy that the weight is gone, but my quality of life has really diminished.