2 years out,,..,, the oh's and woe's

Hello all! It's been quite some time since I was on this board. I remember when I couldn't go an hour without checking in or looking for some advice, words of wisdom and sometimes just plain talking to people who were going through the same experience as I was. But a friendly little reminder email came in reminding me that it was my two year anniversary and I feel I should pay back some of the wonderful help I got a couple years ago.

So here goes. It's the truth according to Donna so take what you can use and leave the rest with a smile.

 

I have to say I've moved on to a new life and a better way of life since my surgery. I started running and working out a year ago and now I try to run daily but realistically it's more like 3-4 times a week. I lost the original 100 pounds went from a size 22 to a size 2. I felt better than I ever did.

Now fast forward to the start of the second year post surgery. I had some life changes, stopped working, took a year off, played with my friends shopping, weekend trips, fun fun fun. And tended to eat foods I shouldn't like pasta (still love my pasta) so ultimately I ended up putting on 14 pounds. However, 7 of those were muscle from lifting weights and running. I dont have an issue with the extra pounds but I do have an issue when my entire wardrobe is tight! I will NOT go buy clothes again! Especially a bigger size! lol

So I'm back to basics. Low calorie, low carbs, high protein and fluids. I started with a two day fas****er only to shrink my pouch first. It worked like a charm. Down a few already. Clothes back to just snug. I need to lose maybe another 4 or so to get back to where I was. But I sooooo love my sleeve and how easy it is to get back on track. My stomach never growls. Hunger is a different feeling now and rarely is it overly demanding and cant wait. I love that. I am not a slave to my stomach anymore.

I always stay concious of what I eat. I dont eat bread because it bloats me. Same with rice. I tend to stick to low fat meats. My biggest biggest problem is the grazing. I will eat a small meal, about 3/4 - 1 cup then in about 2 hours will eat again. All day. That puts me way over my calorie limit. So I have to think about when I eat and choose not to. I have little tricks that I use. I keep homemade broth in the fridge and will heat up a cup when I think I want to eat and shouldnt. Seems to do the trick and I get my fluids in too.

It's very much like it used to be. Being over 50 and having to always be concious of what I eat and saying no to myself because I know it's the wrong thing. But it's sooooo much easier now. It's actually something I can do now. I dont see failure around every turn. I love it.

My husband had the surgery and he lost about 100 pounds too. But he never followed any real plan. He just ate whatever he wanted right from the beginning. He still needs to lose at least another 50 and is now looking into the DS or bypass to assist with that. Lesson here? I think so. VSG is a TOOL not a cure! Take advantage of that 1st year. Pick an eating plan and stick to it.

My daughter had the surgery as well and is down to 170 lbs from 315 lbs. She is traveling with a friend all over the country. She is so happy. I'm so glad for her.

Now for the woes.....

My biggest one is that I tend to drink more ****tails than I should. Judge me not bu****ch yourselves. I always had my ****tails before surgery so it's nothing new for me. All my kids are grown and gone. I keep it legal and realistic BUT it's those damn empty calories that put the weight back on!

My advice here is to not drink those empty calories for at least the first year. Get the most you can out of the surgery first then indulge. But keep those empty calories in mind and in check. They will bring you down and your weight up!

Body image is a big issue for me. No matter how skinny I got I always thought there was something that could be smaller or better. I am over 50, I'm going to have loose skin. Fat or skinny. My belly has that flabby thing on it. I want it gone but it will have to wait. At first I was thinking of getting the upper body lift the butt lift the boob job the arms. That was very unrealistic for me. So I waited and now I would be happy with just getting that belly thing gone. I've stopped looking for perfection and started looking for what would make me feel just good. My husband thinks I'm beautiful so I am good. I just want that belly thing gone, lol. For me.

I tell everyone who asks that I had surgery. I share my story and this website. I've watched 4 of my friends follow me and get surgery  and go on to be so much happier and healthier for it. I am not ashamed and I personally believe that with obesity so rampant in our country that we have every right to use this tool to keep ourselves healthy. You only live once and if you sit on the fat fence your just wasting your time. So do your research, choose your surgery and go get healthy! Use this website! It's the second biggest weight loss tool out there.

 

Final thoughts....

 

All in all it's been the best thing I've ever done for myself and my family. I would not hesitate to do it again. It gave me my self esteem back, my husband back and my beautiful daughter back. I would shout this from the rooftops. I would tell the world that it's not a sin, or a shortcut or way of cheating. It's a tool that's readily available for those of us who have become a victim of the food porn all our lives. It's damn near impossible to lose the weight and keep it off without this tool. We are not the few who have never over eaten, have always been slim. We are the many who have been overfed and uneducated about food. We have a right to this tool. In my humble opinion.

 

I wish all of you the best of luck and health on your journey.

I'll try to post some B&A pics soon

Cheers

Donna

Thanks for sharing such wisdom~~very much appreciated!

Thanks for the update! Love hearing from people 1-2-3+ years out
So happy to hear how well you are doing, and that's so exciting to hear about your beautiful daughter! You are truly a family that has done it together.

Donna, thank you for sharing your successful journey with us. You have had an incredible 2yrs. I am 1 month out and have the same philosophy as you regarding the first year. My goal is to be at goal weight by May for my daughter's HS graduation. You have inspired me and I will keep your oh's & woe's for future reference. 

Congratulations.

Thanks so much for posting.  As an almost 60 year old who is getting close to goal and looking at all those "unhappy bits and pieces" that hang here and focuses on them- ya, the tummy skin too, I appreciate what you said about focusing on the good stuff and not looking for perfection!  There is so much good in all this, and I need to see that when I look in the mirror.  Smiles your way and happy for you in your continued happy life.  Bonnie.

Thank you for posting this.  Its a great post - real and insightful.

You did a great job with the weight loss, and the maintenance.  It makes me hopeful that I can do as well.

best wishes,

Carol

Congratulations!  Thanks for your post and your honesty :)

Such an inpiration...thank you!

You are just beautiful and you look so young. I am 66 and definitely know what you have gone thru. I am 8 months out and hardly losing because of all the wrong foods that I eat. I think I will take your advice and get back on track before my year is up. I still have good restriction if I eat properly. Your husband can't do as you have done to get those extra lbs off without having surgery again? I hope the restriction stays for the rest of my life, how is it for you now?

I have the same restriction I did after I was completely healed. About 9 months or so. My husband has always had a problem with food addiction. The answer for him is to get counceling and address the reasons behind it. But he wont. The additonal surgery will only assist him but it will not cure him. IMHO

But I'm just a wife. He is an adult who can make his own decisions.

If you are having difficulty choosing the right foods perhaps a good dietition and counceling would help?

I know the peeps from the Cirangle group have group sessions the seem to work well for them.

Hope this helps.

cheers

donna