2 years post-op! WITH PICTURES! X-post
Howdy 20-somethings! I don't post nearly as much as I should, but that is because 20something life is busy, not because I don't love you guys. I check the boards often, even if I dont' always get a chance to respond. I just wanted to share this special occasion with you. For those that don't know me - I'm Amy, a 21 year old post-RNY. I had surgery when I was 19. I was the second youngest person my surgeon operated on (and he had done close to 2,000 rny's by the time he operated on me). It has been a crazy ride and I want to share a bit of what I learned with you (the handsome man you see in some of the following pictures with me is my husband, Kyle :-)...
I was going to post this on my actual 2 year surgiversary (last Friday) but I was out of town. So you're stuck with me now that I'm home with developed pictures. In 2 years I have been "cured" of my type two diabetes. In 2 years I have lost 153 pounds. In 2 years I went from a pant size 26 (tight) to 12's. In 2 years I went from 3XL tops to mediums and smalls. In 2 years I have walked more, traveled more, done MORE than probably my whole 19 years before my surgery date combined. I have conquered demons of addiction again and again (they are pesky little buggers). I have also lost to those demons, but each time I get up with a firmer resolve to do better. In 2 years I have developed new habbits of healthy eating and healthy coping and I feel like I have been able to pass on some of what I learned to people here on OH and elsewhere. In 2 years I have had 3 abdominal surgeries - the original bypass, gall bladder removal and an exploratory surgery - and I'm scheduled for another one on Wednesday to deal with a really nasty complication. After Wednesday I hope to resume my happy, mobile, healthy, vital post-op life - that was what it was like before this complication and it is only going to be better after this complication is dealt with. This surgery not only saved my life, but it added depth and vigor I never could have dreamed of 2 years ago. It is the best thing I ever did for myself. I do not regret it - despite the complication, despite the saggy skin, despite the thinner hair, despite the dietary restrictions, despite everything - it is the best thing I ever did for myself and I thank God for making it and my post-op life possible. So here, a story in pictures of the past 2 years...
Summer 2005 - weight unknown - 300+ estimate (I couldn't weigh myself anymore because my scale stopped at 295)
Pre-op at my heaviest known - 293 pounds - October 2005
Day of surgery - 11/16/2005 - 286 pounds
One Month Post-op - 12/2005
4 months post-op
6 Months post-op - 5/2006
9 Months post-op - 8/2006 - At about 170 pounds (120 pounds down)
One Year Post-op - 12/2006 - at 165 pounds
15 Months post-op - 3/2007 - at 160 pounds (I am PRETENDING to eat a churro and there is stuff in my vest pocket, so ignore the bulge)
18 months post-op at 160 pounds - down 133 pounds
22 months post-op - still 160 pounds
2 years post-op
2 years post-op
2 years post-op at 130 pounds - 153 pounds down!
So how is that? Pretty magnificent if you ask me and I'll take it with all the crap it came with, because I have found contentment with myself - thanks to this surgery, thanks to my family, thanks to a great counselor but more than anything thanks to God. It says in Psalms "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." - as I got healthier God revealed a desire in my heart to help wherever I could and because of my increasing mobility i COULD help. As this complication has done a number on my life, I have learned to let people help me and let God comfort me. It was in the wrong order, but the end result is the same. I have learned to delight myself in God, and through that He has fulfilled my desires (to be healthy and happy) by revealing new ones (being helpful and outwardly focused is a joy). I know that was kind of rambly, but it makes sense to me. All that to say - Thank God for bypass, my family, my husband, my friends, Dr. Boe (my original surgeon), Dr. Baker (the surgeon who has committed himself to fixing me) and obesityhelp. I am blessed. If you want to read the rest of the story I am notoriously long-winded and thorough, so you're bound to learn something (and likely way more than you bargained for) by checking out my profile.
Summer 2005 - weight unknown - 300+ estimate (I couldn't weigh myself anymore because my scale stopped at 295)
Pre-op at my heaviest known - 293 pounds - October 2005
Day of surgery - 11/16/2005 - 286 pounds
One Month Post-op - 12/2005
4 months post-op
6 Months post-op - 5/2006
9 Months post-op - 8/2006 - At about 170 pounds (120 pounds down)
One Year Post-op - 12/2006 - at 165 pounds
15 Months post-op - 3/2007 - at 160 pounds (I am PRETENDING to eat a churro and there is stuff in my vest pocket, so ignore the bulge)
18 months post-op at 160 pounds - down 133 pounds
22 months post-op - still 160 pounds
2 years post-op
2 years post-op
2 years post-op at 130 pounds - 153 pounds down!
So how is that? Pretty magnificent if you ask me and I'll take it with all the crap it came with, because I have found contentment with myself - thanks to this surgery, thanks to my family, thanks to a great counselor but more than anything thanks to God. It says in Psalms "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." - as I got healthier God revealed a desire in my heart to help wherever I could and because of my increasing mobility i COULD help. As this complication has done a number on my life, I have learned to let people help me and let God comfort me. It was in the wrong order, but the end result is the same. I have learned to delight myself in God, and through that He has fulfilled my desires (to be healthy and happy) by revealing new ones (being helpful and outwardly focused is a joy). I know that was kind of rambly, but it makes sense to me. All that to say - Thank God for bypass, my family, my husband, my friends, Dr. Boe (my original surgeon), Dr. Baker (the surgeon who has committed himself to fixing me) and obesityhelp. I am blessed. If you want to read the rest of the story I am notoriously long-winded and thorough, so you're bound to learn something (and likely way more than you bargained for) by checking out my profile.
Amy 293/140 - AT GOAL! 
Most Active
Recent Topics
