Lori B.

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I would definitely put myself in the "success" category.  In one year, I've lost 137lbs -- down from 337 to 200!  The surgery itself was very uneventful for me.  I was out of the hospital the next day; and off all pain killers the day after that.  I struggled a little bit with eating too fast and too much in the beginning, but only had one episode of not keeping food down.  Since about 6 months out, I've been pretty much able to eat anything I want.  I don't have any problems with dumping/sugar, which could be seen as a bad thing by some.  Still, what the surgery gave me . . . something I never had before . .  CONTROL.  Control over food; the ability to say "No thank you" and not obsess for the rest of the day; the ability to "forget" I was hungry earlier (still working on eating at regular intervals to insure I don't get too hungry); and the ability to get and stay full.  All of this is a completely new sensation for me and has changed so much of my life.  I'm overwhelmed by how much of my former days and time was taken up thinking about, planning for, and consuming food.  Beginning at breakfast, I used to plot out when I was going to eat next, what I was going to eat next, how to get it, where to get it, and etc.  So much of that has disappeared from my life and I feel as if I've been set free.  I've heard the obsession with food called a "monster"  -- and the monster in my closet has turned back into a cute sweater that I can now fit into!

I know this journey is not as seemless or as trouble-free as mine has been so far.  But, I wish everyone who is thinking about embarking on it could feel as comfortable with their decision as I do with mine and can enjoy even a little of the success. 

Have come so far and still have so far to go.  But, I'm encouraged and feel very upbeat.  Am spending some time looking for "success stories" -- tired of hearing the "am gaining it back" tale and want to hear "am keeping it off". 

Surgery was 09/30/08.  Home a day and a half later.  Felt relatively good all week, except today, when I'm just wiped-out tired.  Can barely stand up for more than a few minutes.  But, I was walking 10-20 minutes per hour the days before and stopped taking pain meds on day 3. 

Looking forward to getting off the all liquid diet!