It's a Wonderful Life

Dec 21, 2009

Yesterday was my 3 year anniversary since my DS surgery.  I haven't been online here very much lately because I've been pretty busy.  Earlier this year I had a hernia repair surgery and Pannilectomy, I've been busy with work and trying to get some extra money to pay off the extra cost of the surgery.

I'm amazed that it's only been three years, but it feels like a life-time ago.  I see pictures of myself from before and I hardly recognize myself.  Then again, I find myself looking in the mirror and not recognizing the person standing there.  I'm still adjusting to being thinner.  I still wear clothes that are too baggy.  I avoid booths at restaurants and I dread flying on airplanes.  I worry that I can't fit in chairs or that I will break them.  But, I do enjoy taking the stairs now.  I even trot up them now and I don't get winded by going only one flight.  I can ride a bike, play tag with my girls, and generally feel better now than I have in very long time.  Before my DS, I was sure I would be dead in a few short years.  You can't live very long at over 500 pounds and I knew it.  I dieted, but I always lost the weight battle.  Now, I'm winning the war.  This year I had a complete physical and cardio stress test; I was told that I'm in great shape for my "age" (Thanks Dr. Doogie).

One thing I wanted to do this year was to pay it forward.  So, I helped to lead the local DS support group for Dr Maguire & Dr Teel.  It only took one evening a month for the year and I was able to make it all of the meetings.  Of course it helped to have Beth along to help out and prod me into going.  I recommend that anyone that is long term to attend the meetings, we have so much knowledge to pass on to new DSers and people interested in the surgery.   For me the support group was also helpful for me, I also learned much there.   But it was not my only support group.  Everyone online here at OH and Facebook has provided me with inspiration and especially my MVADS friends had been a blast to be around.

As Clarence wrote, "No man is a failure that has friends."

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