The best advice I ever got, the keys to my DS success

Aug 14, 2009

So I'm having a grateful kind of morning this morning and I've been doing some reflecting as I get going for my day.  Yanno, 2 years ago I wasn't a happy person.  I can honestly say today that I *am.*  Losing weight is not the thing that makes me happy, having my life back....a real life this time around is what makes me happy.  I have so many things to be grateful for, I feel my life is blessed.  Having my OH family has been an experience that has been unmatched in my lifetime.  You all are simply the best.

I'd like to take this time to properly thank three people that have been the key to my success with the DS.  I have lost hundreds of pounds in my lifetime, but had never learned to keep it off.  With the help of my DS and the advice of these three amazing women, I can truly say I feel like a success, and that my success will continue because of the plans I have in place.

First to PattyL, your advice to new post-ops about staying the hell away from carbs and sugar until they get to goal hit home with me as a pre-op.  You said, "Why chance it, lose the weight first, and then when you're at goal figure out what makes you gain weight.  It's only a sacrifice for a little while, not the rest of your life."  I took your advice to heart and have only had to watch carbs intensely for the first 8 months to get to my goal weight of 145 pounds.  Since then the only carbs I've had to be wary of have been the ones that cause me gas issues, such as white flour and milk. 

That brings me to Carolyn.  Your advice on your magical maintenance plan (MMP)made me learn to be aware of my weight.  It took me two years to have to actually USE the MMP, but just 6 days of lower carbs this week took me from 142 back down to 138.  I have chosen these two weights as my low and high.  If it hadn't been for you, Carolyn, I would've never thought to keep such close track of my weight.  In the past, I'd lose weight and spiral out of control gaining tons of weight before realizing what I had done.  I feel so prepared to have a plan in place.  I feel secure knowing that I am in control of my weight, which gives me freedom to know that I don't have to work my ass of ever again to get my weight under control.

Last, but by no means least, Vitalady.  I couldn't be where I am without you, Michelle.  You helped me design a vitamin plan, you answer all of my questions (patiently), and provide support that is unmatched.  When my protein tanked you didn't belittle me for having slacked with my protein shakes, you just held my hand and told me to add them back to the plan.  Eight weeks ago when we discovered my protein malnutrition, you told me that I could get better on my own without the TPN feedings that my surgeon said I would have to go on if I couldn't get protein levels back up.  I started back on my protein shakes immediately and have been drinking 5-6 of them a day.  And you, of course, were right.  I have my life back.  THANK YOU for being my rock in this journey to better health.  Keep doing what you're doing, because without you many of us would be lost, deficient and basically screwed.

My weight has been up, it's been down (way down), and now I've finally settled RIGHT where I want to be.  Don't know how I got so lucky, but today I so pleased with where I am.  Today I am celebrating being normal.  Today is simply wonderful.

Lori

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