heathercross

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On August 15, 2002, I decided to do something about my weight and I had a gastric bypass. I went from 305lbs to 175lbs (size 26/28 to a size 10/12). Has it been easy, hell now. Those who say surgery is the easy way out have NO IDEA what they are talking about. Its just a tool and a tool you have to work bc after the initial honeymoon period is over you can EAT and you can gain it all back in an instant. It's been a struggle but its been the best and most important struggle of my life. Would I like to be thinner? Who wouldn't! However, if I hadn't taken a chance on this tool 13 yrs ago - I believe I'd be dead now. I was out of control. Here is to control, living healthy, being fit and active and giving myself a chance.

I post this today not only for myself but for others. Its time to be selfish and take care of you.

 

 

Wanted to say hello and check-in since I am not often on here.  I had my BOB 4 years ago on 6/23 and I know there are a lot of naysayers.  

• Has to been easy?  No. 
• Would I do it again? Yes.  
• Am I happy where I am now?  Yes.  
• Will my band possibly have to be removed in the futured?  Probably.
• Should I have had a DS instead?  No.
• Should I have had a revision to my RNY? Yes.

Regardless of all the Yeses and Nos above, I am 44yrs old - 13 years post RNY, 4 years Post Band-over-Bypass (BOB) and I am active, happy and looking good.  Have a good night.  

My dog died suddenly last Thursday and I am struggling to keep it together.  Wine is my friend right now bc it numbs me.  I know I will survive this but I cannot see straight at the moment.  

I get a lot of emails asking how I am right now - I'm doing great.  I haven't lost anymore weight, but, I haven't really tried either.  I moved to Philly in May after 16 yrs in NYC.  My  focus was to immerse myself into this city and do everything I could to find friends, activities and a life.  I did just that. I joined 3 volleyball leagues, a softball league and a bowling league.  I have 4 close gfs and some great ancillary friends.  I had a short relationship in their too and I love my life right now.  Now that its winter, I am counting the days to the summer.  This summer, now that I am settled and existing, I am going to focus on losing another 25lbs to get me to 150 my lifelong goal.  I think its a realistic goal but if I don't get there, I wouldn't beat myself up.  

Last weekend, my bff came down from NYC. She had an RNY with my same dtr a year after me in 2003.  She just lost another 25lbs and is now at like 125.  She looks amazing.  She transformed her body. Am I jealous, a bit, but, everybody's body is different and we all have different motivations.  

Anyone with questions about the BOB is welcome to email me [email protected]

I celebrate my 2 year anniversary this weekend from my BOB (Band over Bypass) and I will be 11 yrs post-op from my RNY in August.  In 2002 I was 305lbs and I am 175 today.  

Do people hate the band? YES. Do people hate the RNY?  YES.  Are either full proof?  NO.  I will say this however, the RNY was EASY the band is work.  But, I like work and I like a challenge and it keeps me in check.  I have no appetite and I am not hungry.  Not hungry in 2 years. I spent 9 years hungry with the RNY.  Did I ever throw up with the RNY?  NEVER?  Do I like all the throwing up with the Band - NOT SO MUCH.  Would I trade it?  NOT FOR ANYTHING IN THE WORLD!

People ask why I got the BOB and not the DS.  Well, I know too many people who had numerous complications with the DS.  And, I could of had it with the best WLS surgeon in the world as I've known Mitchell Roslin for 10+ years but he didn't' think the DS was right for me.  He wanted me to have an RNY revision.  But, I didn't want that.  I wanted the BOB.  There was no way I was untaking that much risk and having a 2nd RNY.  It failed me once, would it fail me again?  

I chose the BOB bc it was right for me.  I am a volume eater and have been hungry every day since I had the RNY.  Did your band fail?  If so, I am sorry it did.  Will mine fail?  Maybe.  But, please don't compare my BOB to your Band.  Its not the same thing.  We don't have the same anatomy. I have a BAND OVER BYPASS.  I have the benefits of both surgeries and 11 years of experience that you don't have.  I am a smart, college and MBA educated woman who knows risk vs, reward and how to be proactive with her health and her future.  And I chose the band.  Today, 2 years out, I am glad I did.

Saw Dr. Kurian, wanted a fill bc I've put on weight - resulting from the 2 wks of steriods, but, she said no.  Thank God I have a good, responsible doctor who wouldn't just "yes" me and do what I tell her to. I think this is how some people get into trouble with their band.  However, that being said, others have troubles at no fault of their own, their bodies just reject the foreign substance.

As I was saying, I put on 10lbs in Jan from the prednisone and have since lost like 5 of it. I've also started exercising again now that I am no longer with flu symptoms.  But, right now my prorities are to keep weight stable and to find a new job.  I am in the worst possible work situation of my life.

Life has been tough lately, not the band or the weight loss but my life. I am working for 2 people I don't respect and have serious cash flow problems.  While my checks haven't bounced, I have been denied my payroll on multiple occasions. I am also making less than I have in 10 years. I am on the verge of losing my home and am scared. This has caused me to not eat as well as I could; drink a little more and be a be it depressed. I also just ended a relationship with someone who I thought could have been the 'one' (rather he ended it bc of distance and georgraphy).  I am thankful that with the band, I don't have much of an appetite and eat bc I am supposed to.  I am also thankful that when I rush, I get sick.  I need 2013 to be a better year.  2012 got me healthy but, 2013 needs to get me stable.

I need to kick up the exercise. I want to be 150 before the end of the year.  Possible yes, probable - perhaps not. I haven't walked the bridge in ages as I am working 80hr work weeks and its frickin' dark by 530PM.  What the hell.  

I'd love to walk in the morning, but, my fat ass cannot get up early enough to do so.  

Need to figure our a way to do this.

 Haven't posted in a few months.  Probably bc life is well life and I am doing well. I am actually in Jamica right now on a business trip and I have been sick sinc I landed on Thursday. I think its the water. I cannot keep much of anything down but toast and rice which is funny bc normally, I cannot eat either.  However, when you have a stomach virus you go to the bland and boring!  I think I maybe the only person ever to lose weight from a vacation, I wouldn't know till tomorrow when I get home and can weigh myself. 

I'm scheduled to see my dtr next week - the 19th I think and I'd like to talk to her about some bloodwork as well as maybe a slight fill. I've been eating a lot more as of late but I'm not gaining and my weight loss is flat or non-existent. However, I have been so busy at work that my exercise routine has suffered. Its hard to walk the bridge home at night after a 10 hour day. While it would certaintly brightenmy mood, its not fair to the puppies at home waiting for their walks. So, I don't.   

10 years ago today I had my Gastric Bypass….And, it failed ...I was 305lbs.  Since that day, 10 years ago…

·        I lost 130lbs
·        I had a Lower Body Lift, a tummy tuck and lipo (6/04)
·        I left my ex-husband (7/04)
·        I got a divorce (2/06)
·        I had a breast lift, a reduction and a brachioplasty – arm lift (3/06)
·        I walked away from my 6-figure wallstreet job to go back to school (5/07)
·        I started my MBA (1/08)
·        I threw out my back, had a bulging disk and started gaining weight (7/09)
·        I graduated with honors (9/09)
·        I re-gained 75lbs (6/10)
·        I spoke to a surgeon about a revision (8/10)
·        I got a revision – Band over Bypass (6/11)
·        I was laid off (10/11)
·        I found a job (6/12)
·        I re-lost the 75lbs I gained (8/12)

A lot can happen in 10 yrs.  Weight loss surgeries fail can and will FAIL.  It doesn’t matter if which surgery you have - stomach stapling, RNY, DS, Band, sleeve, etc.  People Fail  - whether it be the patient or the doctor.  In my case, my doctor was VERY conservative with my pouch size and as such, in my opinion, I was set up for failure. Pre-RNY, I was a volume eater.  I was not a sweet eater not was I a grazer but boy could I eat. So, I thought the RNY would fix that.  It did for awhile, but, with a pouch that wasn’t as small as others,  I continued to overeat.

Fast forward to 2011, I am 250lbs.  I investigated both a BOB, an RNY revision and a DS. I consulted 2 fabulous doctors, Dr. Mitchell Roslin and Dr. Marina Kurian. I went with Dr. Kurian.  Both used to be in practice with Dr. Leitman, at Lenox Hill, back in 2002 and knew me, my habits and my personality from 7-8 years of support group attendance.

Today, I am 10yrs post-op RNY and 14 mos post-op BOB.  Will the Band fail like the RNY, maybe?  If I believe everything others on these boards say, yes it will.  But, you know what, if it does, I can fix it again. I am lucky to live in a country where Doctors are always looking to improve what already exists and/or discover something new.  

Don't let anyone tell you you CANNOT!  I know its cliche, but, you can do anything you set your mind too.  And, if you encounter obstacles, seek help.  Just educate yourself as much as possible.  Don't follow the pack or be bullied into something you don't want.  If you want something bad enough, find a way to get it.