Nearing 4-years Post-op! Wow!

Mar 14, 2017

Well… I’m approaching the 4-year post-op mark so I thought it would be fitting for me to post a quick update! I wish I were more faithful when it comes to posting blogs, but I guess I’m just so busy between working full-time, being a wife and mother, and enjoying life! Anyhow… life is good! What better way to start this? Having my Vertical Sleeve has been the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m happier, I’m healthier, and I’m a mother! All because of this life-changing surgery! That’s not to say this journey has been easy. There have been bumps in the road, but there has always been a lesson to learn from them!

If there’s one thing I want to tell people… it’s that this surgery is NOT the easy way out and it’s NOT something to be taken for granted! Do not think that you’re going to have this surgery, lose weight, and never have to worry ever again. Because just as easily as you lose the weight, you CAN regain the weight! Especially the further out you are from surgery! (Not to be all Debby-Downer, but just read the statistics!) Although I have not had any regain as of yet, I do NOT want to be a part of that statistic! I knew from the start that regain was a very real possibility, and I knew from the start I was going to fight against that! At four years out I see how easy it is to eat… and eat… and eat! Food goes down much easier now, and MUCH faster! Personally, I find that I can easily consume 2,000+ calories a day if I’m not careful! I also find that I’m hungrier… and much sooner than I used to be!

So what does this mean? It means I have to focus harder on good sources of protein. I have to find things that are going to keep me satisfied longer. I struggle with this at times, but so far I’ve made it work! One thing I find that helps me, and is something I’ve always remembered from my bariatric classes, is to AVOID drinking calories. I DO NOT drink soda, juice, shakes, smoothies, etc. I strictly drink water, iced tea (unsweet), milk, and occasionally coffee. On occasions I will treat myself to an iced coffee somewhere.

So does this mean I’m perfect? No way! I still eat junk! Many days I find myself eating ice cream, cookies, cake, and other not-so-great for me foods. But I also don’t wallow in the fact I slip up. I just try to make better choices and remain mindful of my weight and where I’m at. I weigh myself almost daily, which has been a HUGE help for me. I know many individuals find it overwhelming to weigh so frequently, however for me, it keeps me in check. If I see the scale starting to go up, I know I need to make changes. In other words, the scale keeps me accountable.

At nearly four years post-op, exercise for me is hit and miss. I do well for a while and get into a good routine, then I slow down. Just like anything else in life, it ebbs and flows, so I just go with it and stop stressing about it. I recently purchased a FitBit and am hoping this will help motivate me to move my body more. I know how important exercise is for the long-term success of this surgery. I would really love to focus more on lifting weights and building muscle, however this is something I’m still working toward.

Mentally, I still struggle with my appearance. I have a lot of loose skin on my arms, upper thighs, and belly. I can cover it all easily, but to see myself in the nude is depressing. Plastic surgery is just too expensive at this point, so I just deal with it. Even though I’m half the person I used to be, I still see myself as the “fat girl” in the room, or that people are staring at me because of my weight. I never could really wrap my head around the fact that I now fit anywhere or that I don’t have to turn sideways to squeeze between cars in a parking lot. And believe it or not, I STILL worry that if I sit in certain chairs, I’m going to break them. There are occasional moments where I look at myself and see this new person and think “wow, look at you!” but generally it’s only if I see a side-by-side picture. I guess this is what they call body dysmorphia?

Like I said… bumps in the road. That’s why they call this a journey. There will always be ups and downs with almost anything in life. It’s all about your outlook and ability to celebrate the big AND small successes, and move past the minor setbacks. Almost four years ago I was an incredibly unhealthy and unhappy 311 lb shell of a person. Thanks to my vertical sleeve gastrectomy I’m healthy, happy, and feel whole!

This is a journey that has no end and I’m going to take it as far as I can go!

If you for some reason find yourself reading this and want to add me as a friend, or want to ask me any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. I’m always happy to make new friends and answer any questions I can!

1 Comment