It's been TWO years!

Two years…it really has been two years.

On the 24th of Jan 2011, I was rolled into surgery for the DS and my life has not been the same since.

I am a lightweight.

My pre-op BMI was all of 35.2. I weighed 205 when I checked into the surgeon's office. I am 5'4".  To reach a normal BMI, I needed to lose 60 lbs.

I was an insulin pump dependent diabetic, base insulin was 50 units a day not including the insulin to cover what I ate during the day My pre-op A1C was 8.2 and rising regardless of how well I managed my eating/medicine. I was also on glucophage and nine other medications. My cholesterol is genetically high, took lipitor to keep it down around 170.

I had GERD and had stress incontinence (I had to be careful when I laughed or sneezed esp)

I wore a size 16W but was squeezing myself into those. Should have been an 18W by then but knowing I was headed for the DS, I lived with the 16's. My top was a 2X-3X depending on how it was cut.

I reached normal BMI (145 lbs) eight months after surgery. I got down to 138 I then stalled for five months and between Feb and the end off March,  dropped another 9 lbs. I had jaw surgery in March 2012 which took another 8 lbs off me. I did see 121 for about 10 mins one day in mid April. I have regained back to 132 and am holding there.

I now weigh 132, which is a BMI of 22.7. I have lost all my excess weight. Total weight loss is 73 lbs.

I came off the insulin pump a week after surgery. I took my last insulin 10 days later. My cholesterol without meds is 179. My last A1C was a 6 which is still high but considering I had been on insulin for quite some time and had been diabetic for close to 20 years, the 6 is okay. I still have to count all my carbs, not just net carbs.

Of the eleven medications I was on pre-op, I know only take two and those are not weight related.

I wear a size 2-6 pants, depending on cut and material and brand.
I wear a small/medium top typically.
 
I went from a ring size o**** to a 7 (it would be smaller if not for my knuckles and arthritis.
My shoe size went from an 8,5 wide to a 7 regular.
My bra size went from a 44 DD to a 32 C.

My pre-op BP was usually 130/80, now it's 110/65. My resting pulse is about 60 and for someone who had tachycardia for almost 10 years, the lower pulse rate is a blessing.

I did become lactose intolerant because of the surgery. And altho I seem to have a pretty cast iron stomach and can eat bread without gas, it has to be bread I make here at home. Store bought does a real number on me.

Biggest NSV's:
Being able to wrap a standard size towel around me without a gap.
Being able to cross my legs comfortably.
Being told by a stranger that I did not need low fat because I was skinny already (happened in the grocery store).

Too bad my head still doesn't see skinny in the mirror. I still have a "muffin" top and batwings but will not do anything about them as they aren't bad enough to cause issues so that insurance will pay for skin removal.  

Would I do it again??? IN A HEARTBEAT. Do I regret anything? Not doing it sooner but if I had, I probably would have ended up with the RNY and that would not have been good for me.

Liz

I LOVE YOUR STORY!!!

I really do.  You've come such a long way and you should be so proud of yourself.  Thanks for sharing!

Thanks...and it's thanks to the vets here that got me thru.

All I can say is congratulations. Thank you for posting, you have done well.

Thank you.

Happy Surgiversary!!!!   You have done an Awesome job working your tool!!!  Thanks for still posting on the LW board and sharing the knowledge that has made you a success!!!!

Thanks, Roz...you are a big part of my success.

Congratulations Liz.  You have done an amazing job and are such an inspiration and help to others!!

Linda

Thanks, Linda...you are part of why I am successful...

Great story Liz!  Congrats