Lisa H.

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Nearly three years and five months ago, I was an obese, 323.5 pound, twenty-nine year old woman not really living life as it is meant to be loved. Having RnY gastric bypass was the best decision that I have ever made and has come with just a few complications. I have developed reactive hypoglycemia but have finally managed to keep it under control. It is really a matter of eating in a manner that does not trigger these horrible bouts of low blood sugar.  For the first three years after my wls, my lab results came back fine in spite of my lack of regular vitamin intake. This has all changed within the past few months. My lab work came back and my protein, calcium, and vitamin D levels were all low. This was the kick in the butt that I needed in order to take my vitamins and realize that I am not invincible to what the doctors told me would happen if I did not take in the proper vitamins for the rest of my life. I am determined to get my levels back to normal and I have the best motivation possible to keep me on track: I'M PREGNANT!!!!!

On April 16th, 2011, I married a sexy 6'4" hunk of a gentleman and we are expecting our first child in December of 2011. We are naming him Nathan Joseph and cannot wait to hold him in our arms and shower him with love. 

Life is amazing and I hope and pray that it will stay that way!

The past year and a half has flown by. I am still down about 170 lbs. and have maintained this weight loss for the past 9 months. As time goes on, my old "fat" habits try to reappear into my life but I am able to force them away. I never thought I could have the willpower to only eat half of something and throw the rest out or resist unhealthy foods but lo & behold, I can. I've discovered that I can say no to those foods that were once my source of comfort. I am stronger now than ever and I am 100% positive that gastric bypass is the reason. They say the surgery is only a tool and this is very much the truth. But I took that tool and created a masterpiece within myself. I used this wonderful gift of WLS to retrain my brain and jumpstart my life. If you asked me two years ago whether I could imagine being the way I am today I would have said no way. I am so thankful for my present life situation and hope that I will continue to bask in my new found good health for many years to come.

Where to start.... It's been a long time since I have written a blog so I am long overdue to share all the amazing changes occuring in my life. My RnY was 2/11/08 and since then I have lost nearly 170 lbs. My life has done a 180 degree turn for the best. I never imagined that I would be where I am today in such a short period of time. My journey through weightloss surgery has been a breeze compared to some and I am so thankful for this. I have not had any major complications other than my gallbladder going bad so I had it removed on 12/4/08.

During the past 13 and a half months, I have had to retrain my brain to have selfcontrol. During the first 10 months or so, it was easy to resist food since I never felt hunger. Needless to say the hunger has returned and I  have to constantly focus on making wise food choices and not giving in to my old fat mentality that caused me to become obese in the first place. As they say, the surgery is only a tool and you must learn to live a healthy lifestyle. I struggle with maintaining control of my eating every waking moment and I am okay with this. I crave foods as much as I did before only now I am strong enough to say no and that I don't ever want to be the fat unhappy person I was before. Being thin and confident feels way too good to EVER go backwards.

On top of losing almost 170 pounds, I found the man of my dreams who accepts me as I am. He is very concious of my postsurgery requirements and cooks gastric bypass friendly meals every night. As a matter of fact, he has lost 15 pounds by eating foods that I can enjoy also. Together, we eat whole wheat instead of white flour, substitute ground chicken for beef, and adapt recipes so that they are healthy yet still delicious. I am very lucky to have found someone like him that watches out for my well-being and listens to me when I need a shoulder to cry on.

So folks, life is marvelous. In just over one year, I lost almost 170 pounds of weight yet gained 190 pounds in a loving caring 6'4" sexy man that will one day be my husband.

1) go kayaking
2) ride my bike at top speed for over an hour and join a bike club
3) shop at speciality clothing boutiques and not have to first ask what is the largest size they carry
4) never ever have to worry that I won't fit in a rollercoast ride, airplane seat, or any chair for that matter
5) sit on my guys lap with out fear that I am hurting him
6) be carried off to the bedroom by my man
7) be in tip top shape and be considered to have an athletic body with visible muscles
8) go to a nightclub and have the guys talk to ME first
9) Have a normal BMI
10) and last but not least..... NEVER ALLOW MY WEIGHT TO HOLD ME BACK FROM DOING SOMETHING EVER AGAIN.

I LOVE MY RNY!!!!!!!!!

My mother is the best friend and support I could have ever wished for, She has been by my side throughout this entire process, She comes over to walk with me everyday and has been my right hand for this past week since surgery. I could only wish that everyone going through this process of weight loss surgery can be as fortunate as I am.

I am five days out from surgery and feeling pretty good. I am on my liquid diet and am drinking about 3 oz. three times a day. I am on my third day of exercising at a moderate pace. I walk about a half mile a day. I am trying to keep a good balance between rest and activity. I am not feeling overly exhausted but am still making sure to nap during the day.

Overall, I am so thankful to be alive and well. Surgery carries great risk but I was willing to risk it. My surgeon and anethesiologist are the best doctor's around. I had minimal pain and had just the right amount of anethesia so that I was very alert directly after surgery. 

My life has began to go down a new path. I have dreamt of this journey for many years and thank God I have finally arrived at the starting point. Only I can control how successful I am and I am 100% sure that I will exceed my greatest expectations!

to a new healthy lifestyle. I met with Dr. Rosenthal of the Cleveland Clinic on October 30. He thinks I am a great candidate for GB and I am so excited for the future to come. So far I have had an EKG, Gallbladder Ultrasound, Upper GI, Chest Xray, and a Pulmonary Function test. I will have my psychiatric eval and manadatory nutrional counseling on December 12 and then I should be good to go for my surgery. I am planning for a February surgery date.
I cannot wait to change my life. I feel that my life will take on a whole new meaning. I wiill become the woman I have always wanted to be. My weight will no longer control me and the decisions I make. Only a few more months of living in the shadow of my true self. I can't wait!!!