johnsoca

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I passed my 3-month surgiversary this week, so it seems like a good time to reflect on the journey so far. I started my journey on my birthday (August 17) last year, when I asked my PCP during a routine visit for a referral for gastric bypass surgery. My weight was out of countrol. At that visit, it was 281.5 -- the highest I'd ever been. I was miserable. My feet hurt constantly and were swollen to the point my skin hurt. I avoided stairs because my knees hurt. My blood pressure was too high even with medication. I wasn't sleeping well --  I knew I probably had sleep apnea but wouldn't go for a sleep study because I knew they'd put me on a CPAP machine. Developing type II diabetes was only a matter of time. My energy level was in the cellar. And worst of all,  weight was hurting my relationship with my husband.  I knew I had to do something to help me manage this issue permanently. Knowing that WLS is a lifetime commitment, I started making changes to make sure I would be able to adapt to life post-WLS. The first thing I did was kick my Diet Coke habit. After my first meeting with my NUT, I started trying to eat like a post RNY patient -- protein shakes, lots of protein, and limited carbs. I also started walking again, even though my feet, knees and hips hurt every time. I wasn't eating post-op quantities of food yet, but I was losing weight. Maybe I could do this!

I had my surgery on December 13th, 2010. Apart from a couple of unexpected issues that arose during surgery (removal of a benign liver lesion and a hiatal hernia repair), surgery and recovery for me was picture perfect. I was home the next morning. I've been incredibly lucky -- I've had almost none of the common post-op problems. I don't dump.  I've only found one food I absolutely can't tolerate --navy beans & ham. I've had a couple of episodes of food getting stuck, but those are my fault for not eating mindfully.

So where am I today? I'm down 73.5 lbs from last August. I'm down 45 lbs since surgery. I'm not losing weight as fast as many people, but that's okay. I'm losing steadily. I'm pleased with the weight loss, but it's the non-scale victories that really make it worthwhile. Yesterday I bought some misses size 16 pants. They're screaming tight right now, but I can zip and button them. Last August I was wearing 24W or 26W. My blood pressure averages 105/66.  My feet are no longer swollen, and my hips and knees don't hurt when I walk or use the stairs. I don't snore now-- no CPAP in my future now! My relationship with my husband is stronger than ever.

So, at 3 months post-op, was it worth it? Hell, yeah!