Sheri Albala
9 Years Post-OP
Feb 12, 2015
The last years have been like a roller coaster of life. My surgery went well and I lost nearly 100 lbs. before tragedy hit my life. My husband was seriously injured in an motorcycle accident and for 3 years I focused on his well being and recovery. In doing so, I first lost stress weight and then slowly over five years put back on 30 lbs. After my husband passed away in 2012 it took a long time to get back on track, but there were some basics that I never forgot which has helped me to keep most off my weight off. To this day, I still drink a low carb Protein Drink several times a week as a supplement/snack. My favorite is EAS CarbControl. I still take sub lingual B-12 daily as well as my vitamins. In restaurants, I either share a meal or I pack 1/2 my meal to go before I eat the rest. I wear a "FITBIT" every day and monitor my steps. I park at the far end of parking lots so I can get more walking in - because I CAN. My food is not perfect, but everyday I try to make good choices - better than pre-op days.
If you are thinking about weight loss surgery I strongly suggest that you attend support group meetings for 6 mo to a year before surgery so that you have a strong foundation. After surgery continue going to those meetings for at least a year or more. You may not want to - but DO IT. Talk to many people who have had the surgery and listen to their experiences. It will help you cope and make the right choice for you. There are many choices today on methods...my was RuenY. It was the right choice for me. The most important thing to know and always remember is that weight loss surgery is not a magic pill. The surgery alone will not make you thin and being think will not make you happy. Surgery is a tool and you have to know how to use that tool to successfully create the You that you want to be. You will always have to pay attention and follow "the rules" to lose your weight and keep it off. When you forget the rules, the weight will come back. I have sadly seen it in others. If you make this a lifestyle change you can always be successful.
Even though I never made it to my goal weight, I have maintained a total lose of more than 75 lbs. and that makes a big difference in my life. I am happy that I made the choice and grateful that I had the support to help me through these past years.
