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12/10/01 I am 42 years old, with a life-long history of fighting for control over my weight. A doctor recently asked me what is the most weight I've ever lost. I answered at least 1,400 pounds (100 pounds 14 times). Sound familiar? Well, that job was a false start. It took me about 4 weeks to see that I did not need to be in that environment. So I learned the lessons I needed, stepped out in faith, and moved on! And I was rewarded for it! You talk about being in the right place at the right time! Within a short period of time I was offered a position that I would have never thought to apply for, and it has been everything I was looking for! I've heard that God answers prayers in 3 ways: 1. Yes 2. Not yet and 3. I have something better in mind! For me this was definitely the case, and it has been a real blessing! And I am able to get a 2-3 mile walk/run and workout into my schedule 5 days a week! I'm trying to eat better (I don't think you ever totally recover from food addictions). 5/07 It has been a little over 5 years since my WLS. It is true, for me anyway, that you never totally recover from food addictions. Other addictions are easier – I was able to quit smoking and I was able to quit drinking, but you have to control food. I have put back on a few pounds a year, and now find myself overweight again. I hope anyone who reads this will learn from my mistakes. Even after weight loss surgery you can gain weight. Even when you are thin, or thinner, life is not instantly magical and carefree. So I am buckling down and getting to work, and I will get this weight off!
For those of you who post at this site: Your stories, your challenges and triumphs, and your words of encouragement are so very validating and reassuring. Thank you very much for sharing.
11/7/01 I went to a business meeting that turned out to be a bust. But right next door there was a meeting about gastric bypass surgery going on. I stayed to listen, and found that the surgery has really progressed over the years since I last considered (and ruled out) gastric bypass. Talking about being in the right place at the right time! I've started researching. Is this the answer for me? Is bypass safe? Will it work? Have I tried everything else?
11/8/01 Found this web page for the first time. Also got lots of info from Spotlight Health and checked out and read Carnie's book. I am talking to people who have had this and other bypass surgeries, and researching the web. I'm thinking this is for me! I sent for an info package from the surgical group I visited with on 11/7.
11/14/01 In my research I found that Dr. Sherer, who did my gall bladder surgery a few years ago, also does RNY. In addition, he does surgery at my local hospital. So I sent for an info package and scheduled an appointment for 11/29/01.
11/27/01 Went in for the annual mammogram. Don't you hate those things!
11/29/01 The appointment went great! I went in loaded for bear, with a 25 year history of my weight and weight control efforts. Dr. Sherer was very knowledgeable and very thorough. He thinks I will do well with RNY and should be able to have the surgery via "lap." The ball is rolling! I went back to my boss and got permission for the 4-6 weeks off in January! My co-workers are wary, but loving and supportive!
12/7/01 Dr. Sherer's staff sent the paperwork to BC/BS. Now we wait!
12/8/01 I got a letter that there is an abnormality in my mammogram and to contact my doctor immediately. It's Saturday, so I'll just sweat and worry all weekend. Crap!
12/10/01 I went to see my doc, and he says I have some type of mass that has tripled in size since this time last year. It's still very small (about the size of an M&M), but the only way to know whether or not it is cancerous is to see it. He referred me to a surgeon, so I'm off to see Dr. Sherer about breast surgery. Damnation!
12/11/01 Dr. Sherer is going to remove the mass a week from today, on 12/18/01. It will be a very unpleasant one-day surgery. If the mass is benign, I should be able to proceed with my RNY in January. If it is not benign - well, we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
12/16/01 Not much to report. Just anxiously (very anxiously) waiting for the procedure on Tuesday and the report on what is removed.
I've made the decision to have the RNY. I have removed all the barriers to moving my health from the back burner to the front burner. I've decided that I'll do what it takes and invest in me and a healthy size and a healthy lifestyle. No more excuses. No more putting off doing what I need to do to be healthy until 'after so-in-so's birthday', or 'after my trip,' or 'just let me get through the holidays,' or 'when I have better job security,' or 'when I have good insurance,' or 'when I don't have so much going on in my life.' This gastric bypass is for me. I guess dealing with this mass in my breast is just the last duck I need to get in the row. No more than a bump in the road!
12/18/01 Had the biopsy/lumpectomy today. It was a walk in the park! Kudos to the staff at Baptist Shelby Medical Center Outpatient Surgery (Alabaster, AL) and Dr. Sherer! They were all fabulous! I have had no real pain at all today, only a little minor discomfort. Just waiting for the follow up visit and pathology report on Friday! To those who have e-mailed me, thanks for your thoughts and prayers!
12/20/01 I'm APPROVED for the gastric bypass! I see Dr. Sherer tomorrow for a follow up on the biopsy. If I get a clean bill of health, hopefully I'll get a surgery date! Wish you could see me dancing around in my office! YEAH!
PS - Got a call from the surgeon: the mass was not cancerous! I'm dancing again!
12/22/01 Follow up with surgeon yesterday went well! No problems. I'm off for a week of vacation snorkeling in the Keys (yes, fat broads do float exceptionally well!). Then gotta get that surgery date scheduled! I'm hoping for 1/11 or 1/18! Happy Holidays!
12/31/01 Back from vacation. Had a good trip. Recovering well from the biopsy. Still no more than a little tenderness. Found and read the WLS memorials site and it scared the poop outta me. I guess you gotta understand that there are risks associated with weight loss surgery. But there are also risks associated with being morbidly obese. So although I'm saddened and sobered by the many lives lost, I still plan to take this step and trust God for healing.
1/1/02 A new year! A year that will change my life! I'm still waiting for my surgery date!
1/2/02 Made a dozen phone calls this morning. BC/BS has approved, but hasn't sent the letter out yet. The surgeon won't accept verbal approval - they want it in writing. So I'm calling everybody to try to get them to communicate with each other! Another minor bump in the road!
1/3/02 The insurance carrier says they mailed the paperwork on 1/2. Maybe I'll get my date tomorrow! In the meantime, I'm still researching (this site is a God-send!). I ordered samples of several protein drinks, and I'm putting my lists together: my to-do list for work, my take-to-the-hospital list, my call-these-people list (including my mom - haven't told her yet - she worries so), my to-do-around-the-house list, etc. Getting my ducks in a row!
1/4/02 I got a copy of my approval letter by fax today. They also sent one to the surgeon's office. I called the surgeon's office for that surgery date, and the person who does the scheduling is unavailable until late afternoon. GRRR!
PS - Goshdarnit! Got my surgery date - not the 11th, which is the date I really wanted, but the 18th. Will really have to rearrange some scheduling. But I guess I'm on God's own good time and not mine! Maybe I have a duck or two that I've missed when getting my ducks in a row. I'll just have to trust that the 18th is the right day for me. And I'm happy to have a date! Compared to what so many others have had to deal with, my experiences so far have been relatively painless. So back to waiting!
1/7/02 I went to a Preparing for Bariatric Surgery presentation at Med Center East. That Rona is an angel - no, more like a beacon, lighting the way! Learned a lot, especially about post-op eating. Have my pre-op lab work done on Friday, then surgery a week later! I'm so ready!
1/10/02 Had my pre-op blood work this morning, and got pre-op instructions, which include being at the hospital at 5:15 am. Yes, 5:15 am. In the morning. For me to be there on time at 5:15 am, I'll have to sleep in the waiting room the night before! Also found that, even with very mild apnea, I'll have to spend my first night post-op in the ICU. I can deal with that, too, I suppose. But now that bowel prep! That's altogether a different story! I think the bowel prep is one last test to see if you're really serious about having this surgery! Yuck!
1/16/02 It's almost here! Hard to believe that I will be closing a chapter of my life and starting a brand new one day after tomorrow! Oh, and I did call and tell Mom about the surgery this afternoon. She's happy for me and very supportive. (Hopefully she won't have time to worry much!)
1/17/02 Umm. Bowel prep. Nasty stuff coming and going! Thank God for A&D! I feel like I have 3rd degree burns on my rear-end! (My surgery got pushed back 3 hours in the morning. Somebody musta told 'em I never get anywhere on time!)
1/18/02 Lost my first 5 pounds with that nasty bowel prep! Here we go!
1/20/02 Home from the hospital. The first 12 hours were pretty rough, until we got the meds right. Spent the 1st night in ICU, which was great. You get one-to-one attention in ICU. Moved to the floor for the 2nd night, and was really uncomfortable. It was loud, the bed was uncomfortable, the staff was spread really thin, and they kept trying to get me to eat things I knew I wasn't supposed to eat. But I'll follow up with the surgeon to get those things addressed before the next WLS patient shows up there. Anyway, I'm home and doing well. I just can't believe I'm here! Still trying to feel what "full" feels like, and listen to my body. This is quite an adventure! Thanks to all for your well-wishes and notes!
1/25/02 Can't believe I'm one week post-op! I'm doing very well. Down 18 pounds according to my scales (more according to the surgeon). No throwing up. No dumping. Learning to eat. Building up stamina. Just doing well and healing! Can't believe I'm really doing it! Thank God!
1/28/02 Ten days and 24 pounds and doing really well!
2/1/02 2 weeks today. Still stuck at 24 pounds, but I'm not going to worry about it. I'm eating right, walking, exercising, including sit-ups (and it's not altogether too bad!), and getting healthy. Today I mowed my yard with a push mower, walked an hour, went out for Chinese food and then bought myself a new ring! Just doing really well (except for a little head cold). Going to slip into the office for a little while tomorrow and see what's on my desk, then back to work on Monday!
2/5/02 Down 26 pounds. Work is going well. Walking, working out, eating well! Doing just real well!
2/9/02 3 weeks and 1 day, and down 30!
2/18/02 One month today. Still holding at around 31 pounds, I think. (My scale is the pits. If you stand on it 7 times you get 7 different weights! Going today to buy a plain old scale with a big dial and a big platform for my size 11 feet!) Still doing well. Had to take a couple of days off from walking because I overdid it in the yard running a chainsaw for a couple of hours, and ended up with a painful low back. Sometimes I forget I'm not 22 any more. But I'll be right back out there today!
2/28/02 Down 36 and going strong! I have work clothes that I can't wear any more - I look like I'm wearing a tent! I like loosing weight - especially when I know it'll never find me again!
3/8/02 7 weeks today and down 42 pounds. BMI down to 41. This is amazing! All those "skinny" clothes I've been hoarding all these years - are TOO BIG! Time to discover the benefits of shopping the thrift stores!
3/18/02 Today is my 43rd birthday and I've lost 43 pounds! I'm still doing well!
3/22/02 Okay, I'm stuck. I knew the plateaus were coming, but this is aggravating. I'm down 44 pounds, which is great. But after loosing so much so fast, to only loose 2 pounds in 2-3 weeks is frustrating. I guess I'll just keep on walking and eating right, and try not to worry about it!
3/31/02 I finally got under 250! I'm down 48 pounds!
4/4/02 Tomorrow will be 11 weeks since I had my surgery, and I'm down 50 pounds! God bless Rex Sherer, his fabulous staff, and the surgical team at Baptist Shelby! There are angels among us! I think I'll post an updated pic, 'COS I LOOK GOOD, yall! And getting smaller every day!
4/12/02 Twelve weeks and 54 pounds!
4/15/02 56 pounds and counting! BMI down to 38.7 and I can eat ANYTHING! I have been truly blessed!
4/24/02 Stuck at 56 and trying not to sweat it! Went to the surgeon for a follow up, and he says I'm doing great. I am going to start taking B12 injections every other month, especially since I am hypothyroid. I'm getting the B12 and needles and learning to inject myself.
5/16/02 It's been about 17 weeks since my surgery. I have lost 60 pounds, and feel so much better! I am getting lots of compliments on my weight loss, but I want to loose 60 more! I've been really busy with a home improvement project and work, and have not walked in about a month and a half! But I haven't missed a meal. I've sure been eating well. And as a result, my weight loss has slowed to a crawl! But I'm making a renewed commitment to eating better and getting that exercise! I want to be a normal size. I'm closer than I was 5 months ago, but I have about 60 pounds to go!
6/4/02 Still holding at about 60 pounds, but the inches are coming off. Clothes that I could wear a week ago are now too big. Getting lots of compliments from co-workers who are really noticing the change. Have stating walking again every day (even in the sweltering AL heat and humidity). Feeling good, and looking good! Will update with a new pic later in the week!
6/6/02 Down 2 more pounds to 62. BMI down to 37.4.
6/12/02 Down 64 pounds! Feeling great! Eating anything I want! Okay - I have to admit, when I ate a DQ Peanut Buster Parfait (the whole thing) for dinner one night, I got really nauseated. Next time I'll limit myself to half! I may be losing weight, but I still have an eating disorder, and sometimes make poor choices!
6/17/02 I had a follow-up with my GP today. My blood work was fabulous! For the first time in 18 years, my cholesterol level was normal! He was amazed at how improved my health is!
6/19/02 My weight loss has slowed to a crawl. And after such rapid loss the first 3 months, it's disappointing. But it's within my control. I'm going to make sure I take a walk everyday - even if it's only for 10 minutes- and I'm going to start paying more attention to my food. I bet if I really keep up with what I put into my face, I'll find that I'm taking in a lot of fat and sugar. I feel like I have about an 18 month "window of opportunity" here, to lose the weight and determine what I will look like for the rest of my life. So I'm going to tighten up a little (without obsessing) and take charge!
6/22/02 Down 71 pounds!
7/3/02 I've been a little busy with Karen's surgery. I only thought my surgery was a walk in the park! Her experience has been even better than mine! I'm ready for her to hit the park with me for some 2 and 3 mile walks! We are going to be "so fine!"
7/18/02 My 6 month anniversary! I'm down about 75 pounds, and if I never lost another pound the surgery was worth it! I'm still "backsliding," and my weight loss is suffering for it. I've gotten so busy with life (I'm talking Spanish classes and photography classes and traveling and working on my property, etc, etc, etc) and I'm not walking like I need to. I'm also eating too much junk. But I know what I need to do, and I'm just going to get it done! My health is very good: I still take my vitamins and calcium supplements daily, along with a couple of other meds. I take a B-12 shot every month, and am learning to give myself the shot. (If I'd known it was so cheap and so easy I would've done it years ago!) I have travel plans over the next few months for Chicago, Tampa, NYC and Europe! So I'm going to get going on dropping about 50 more pounds! Thank God for weight loss surgery, Dr. Sherer and his staff, my surgical team, the WLS Support Group at Med Ctr East, and my angel! Life is Good! (Never thought I'd ever hear myself say that!!)
9/2/02 Just got back from a Labor Day long weekend trip to Chicago. I flew on Southwest - Without a seatbelt extender! As a matter of fact, I had room to spare! Since I used public transportation to get around (the "L," buses, trolleys, etc.), I walked - A Lot! And it was great - I COULD Walk A Lot! I was all over the place! This Weight Loss Surgery is LIFE CHANGING!
9/10/02 I'm down by 81 pounds! I finally gave in a went out and bought some new "drawers." They were 6 sizes smaller than my pre-op undies! How 'bout that?!? I'm still having trouble making myself walk, but I'm working on it. I felt so much better when I walked everyday, and the weather is perfect for it now. So off I go! I want so much to get under 200 pounds - and stay under 200 pound for the rest of my life. And I'm getting closer! Once I break 200, I'm going to set my goal at 180! It's been a VERY long time since I weighed 180! Pray for me, friends!
9/24/02 My BMI is down to 34.5, and my weight is down by 83 pounds. Weight loss has slowed down, but it's my own fault: candy bars - yes; exercise - no. Gotta get my butt in gear. There's always something that keeps me from taking that walk. But get this - I've enrolled in a dance class at the university! Salsa and meringue, of all things! I may look a little foolish, but I'll get some exercise, and it'll be fun! Next I'll learn to do the jitterbug, and learn ballroom and swing! Don't know where I'll ever have a need to dance the jitterbug. But if I do, I'll know how! I've decided to live my life with passion, freedom and no fear! My life is a gift and I intend to take full advantage of it!
10/14/02 Down by 89 pounds. Getting closer and closer to beating that 200 mark. I'd be there by now if I'd walk and lay off the candy bars. (I'm eating more candy bars now - the little miniature ones - than I did when I weighed 293!) Just gotta get my act together! I'm just so busy (and so lazy!). Oh yeah - had my first salsa class. It's great exercise and really fun. And yes - I look pretty silly!
11/7/02 93 pounds and counting! You'll hear me hollering when I reach 100! Feel great, and look good, too - even if I do say so myself!
1/8/03 It's been almost a year since my life changed. And what a year it has been! My BMI is down to 31.5. My weight is down by 97 pounds. Just a couple more pounds to go and I'll be under 200 (for the first time in years!), and closer to my goal of 179! And I look pretty good- even if I do say so myself! I have gone through all my fat clothes, and am having to buy new clothes. I buy cheap stuff because in a month what I bought won't fit! I eat well - hardly use my kitchen anymore. A WLS friend and I meet for dinner at night, share an entree, and then I take the left-overs for lunch the next day! I can eat anything - ribs, steak, pizza, pasta, seafood, hot dogs - you name it! I've lost my taste for really sweet stuff, like wedding cakes and really rich deserts (yes, really. Believe it!). I have a Diet Coke occasionally, and eat lots of Hershey's minis (yep, I still love 'em!). I make myself a little nauseous on occasion with my food choices (i.e. sweet crap for breakfast rather than proteins), but I haven't had an episode of throwing up since my 2nd week post-op. Let me tell you - life is good! Also, I've finally gotten off my lazy rear and joined a gym (for at least 3 months until it warms up a bit). I'm working on toning up my tummy, thighs and arms ("bat wings," I call them!). I hope not to need any more surgery. Yep, life is good!
1/18/03 My one year anniversary! People, let me tell you- this procedure and that wonderful Dr. Rex Sherer and his staff have saved my life. Before RNY I'd been battling weight my whole life. I can't remember a time I wasn't on a diet (or blowing a diet). But now I'm no longer obsessed with food, weight, and my size and appearance. I feel good. I look good. I can buy clothes right off the rack - clothes with sixes that don't end in "X." I'm still exercising and getting toned and healthy. I'm going on a cruise to the Western Caribbean with friends in March, and I'm going to take a ton of clothes, and get right out there - no sitting back watching the "pretty" people. I'm going to dance and swim and snorkel and shop and have a fabulous time! I'm going to Hawaii in June (thank God for frequent flyer miles) and I'm going to enjoy my 2 week vacation. I won't give the first thought to what people might think or say about me in a bathing suit or shorts. I'm living my life now - and it's great! It's had a great impact on my family, too. I can't say enough good things about this experience!
2/17/03 13 months post-op. I'm still hitting the gym, taking dance lessons, walking, etc., trying to tone up and lose a little more weight. I just can't seem to break 200. (But I guess it has alot to do with the half cup of cream I put in my coffee, and all the junk food I eat!) Even if I never lose another pound, I'm happy with the outcome. I'm in size 16s, rather than 3Xs and 4Xs. I look better and feel better, and I know I'm much more healthy that I've been in years! I just have to decide if I want to get serious about that last 20 pounds or live with it!
3/4/03 199! 199! 199! 199! I haven't weighed less than 200 in about 16 years (and then it was only for about a month; I gained it all back - - plus some!)
I'll never weigh 200 again! EVER! Thank God for WLS!
New pic coming soon!
3/31/03 Just got back from a 7 day cruise to the Caribbean - Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel. Had a great time! Met some great people! Did it all! No more watching from the sidelines! And I wore a swim suit! Watch for new pic (14 mos post-op)!
5/8/03 It took me a month, but I've gotten back into my routine of exercising. The changes in my body have been amazing to watch. I never thought I'd ever be a person who enjoyed exercise, but I love the results! I can actually do sit-ups. I want to tone up my flabby belly, so I'm doing 2 sets of sit-ups 3 times a day! And it's not even killing me. Next, I gotta try chin ups. Before I die, I'd like to have done at least one chin up! I'm looking into plastic surgery to remove the "batwings" and the tummy skin. Am I just being vain? Nah, I deserve to look good!
5/21/03 I've made an appointment with a plastic surgeon for July, after I get back from a 2 week vacation in Hawaii (decided to do Europe another time, when war is not looming!). I have to admit, I'm not looking forward to trying to get my insurance to approve that surgery. But I'm determined! I'm up to 180 sit-ups a day - when I get my tummy done, I want it to look good! I'm still in the gym several times a week, and I'm getting buff! Never thought my fat old body could be described as buff! I'd still like to lose another 15 pounds, and when I get back from my vacation, and before I have surgery again, I'm going to lose that 15 pounds. But my weight is down over 100 pounds. My BMI is down to 32.1 from 47.3. I feel great, and buy clothes all the time now! I have a whole closet full! Clothes that fit and look good! Life is good!
7/7/03 Just got back from 2 weeks in Hawaii! And I went parasailing - tandem with my teenage son! Not only was I within the weight limit to do it, I was within the weight limit to parasail WITH my 180 pound teenager - both of us at the same time! After years of not fitting into roller coaster seats, movie theatre seats, airplane seats, etc., this was one truly great accomplishment! And in addition to that, I had the confidence to go up 800 feet! And I've always been terrified of heights! Never would've done that at 300 pounds! Yep, I spent 2 weeks on the Hawaiian islands in a swim suit - a 2 piece! Does WLS change a person's life? You bet it does! I have a first appointment with a plastic surgeon in just over a week. We'll be talking about getting rid of a few pounds of unwanted stretched out skin! But right now I gotta get back to the gym and get back to my walking and get toned up! Vacations still make a person lazy!
8/4/03 Had my appointment with Dr. Shelby Eich about a week ago. Now playing the waiting game with BC/BS. I just got back from a long weekend visit with very good friends in Missouri. We were looking through old pictures. The difference between the pre-op and post-op pictures still continues to amaze me. Man, I have lost a lot of weight. And it's weight I will never gain back. That's truly a miracle for a person who has been afflicted by weight loss and weight gain her entire life!
8/6/03 Several co-workers asked me if I had lost more weight. I don't see how I could since I've been eating donuts and candy bars and anything else I wanted! But I weighed myself, and I've lost more weight! I'm down to 192. Amazing!
8/25/03 BC/BS denied the skin removal surgery. According to their guidelines, I don't have enough around my abdomen to qualify for the surgery. They won't even consider the arms, which is where I have the most excess skin. I made a couple of calls to burn units about skin donations, and to make a long story short, they don't have the capacity. If I decide to proceed on my own with chest and arms, I'm looking at about $10k. Guess I better go buy a lottery ticket!
9/22/03 I'm trying again to get my exercise habit back. Fall in AL is really pretty, so I'm starting with brisk walks. And I'm trying to lay off the 1/2 cup of cream I pour into coffee about 4 times a day. Bad habits are hard to break, even after 106 pounds!
10/8/03 Ok, so fat-free coffee creamer is not as bad as I would have thought. And I have found lots of co-workers who want to take walks with me a couple of times a day. This afternoon I went to a monthly professional meeting, and several people came up to me and were just amazed at how much weight I've lost. They were people that I see every month at these meetings, but they admitted today that they had not recognized me. Pretty awesome, huh? Still getting compliments after all this time. WLS is a gift from God! And I'm having to buy clothes again. They are falling off of me!
10/17/03 Down to 190! So now I want to break into the 180's! Life is good!
11/11/03 It's true. My scales are covered in dust. I'm in a size 14. Who cares what I weigh!
11/17/03 Okay, I was curious! Now down to 182. BMI to 29.4. Amazing.
11/02 Just ended an 8 year relationship. This is probably the hardest thing so far to share, but I'm not the only WLS post-op to find him/herself at this place. For many people, WLS doesn't just change your body- it changes your life - it changes who you are, how you feel about yourself, and what you really want out of life. I wanted more than I had and had to make some hard decisions. Before having WLS, be sure to have your supports in place! Things really change - for the better - but that doesn't mean it's easy.
12/15/03 It's been almost 2 years and I'm still loosing weight. I'm down to 174. I never would have believed this!
2/25/04 Believe it or not, I'm still loosing. I haven't been to the gym or for a walk in about 5 months, and I eat anything I want, and am still loosing weight. I'm down to size 14s. Amazing! Will post a newer pic soon. Oh, and started seeing someone!
3/29/04 I just got back from a week long vacation to San Francisco and Lake Tahoe with my family. I can wear my son's jeans! Me - in a 34 x 32! I borrowed his jacket once and was swallowed up in it! I would've never believed it!
10/4/04 Okay, so I ended another relationship by leaving my job of 8 years, and took a new job. It was time for the change. The new job will have its challenges - long commute - but I expect to learn a lot and be able to make significant contributions to the new job.
1/18/05 It's hard to believe that 3 years ago today my life changed so drastically! Would I do it again? You bet!! There is no doubt about it! It has not all been a walk in the park - there have been challenges to overcome and issues to address. I've found that I still have to do my part if I want to keep the pounds from creeping back on and if I want my health to be good. But I'd do it over again without hesitation! I'll post a 3-year post-photo soon!
5/05 The new job is tough - not the work, but the hours. I have not been able to keep up my fitness routine, I'm not getting enough rest or time with my family and friends, and I find myself eating out of a carry-out bag - - a lot. The weight is creeping back on, and that is something I said would never happen. Time to take a hard look at what is important in my life.
2/6/06 It took a while, and some sacrifices (what doesn't?), but I am about to start a new job. I've been walking and eating much more sensible foods, and the weight it coming off - actually pretty easily. Hope it continues to come off easily!
8/20/2006
6/07 Down 20 and feeling better. Getting some exercise, too.
12/10 It's been almost 9 years since I had WLS. Man, have I learned some valuable lessons!
First, I would do it again in a heartbeat! It was a life changing - life saving - surgery and I have never regretted it. Would I do things differently - you bet!
I read back through this history, and see that within 5 months of my surgery I was making bad food choices. I was eating things that my body was rejecting, and yet I kept eating them anyway. You eat something and it makes you sick, and you eat it again anyway? How stupid is that? One major thing that I would change is this - after several months without certain "red light" foods, I would never EVER touch them again. When I stopped smoking, I stopped. When I stopped drinking, I never touched it again. Yet with certain foods I decided that I could control them. My entire life was proof that I could not have them in moderation and I should have left them alone rather than trying to eat the way I ate as an obese person and think that it would be okay. You can regain weight after WLS, and most people I know who have had WLS have regained some weight - not all of it, but more than they wanted to regain. And if you find that you gain 7 pounds. you think it's no big deal. But when you realize that you've gained 7 pounds a year for 9 years, you are 60+ pounds overweight again, after you swore you would NEVER be overweight again and would never be on another diet. In my case, guess what? I have some weight to lose.
God told Adam and Eve they could freely eat of the foods in the garden, but He told them to leave one particular tree alone. To me, that means I can eat reasonable amounts of healthy and nutritious food. But there are some foods that I just need to stay away from, because they are just not for me. Some people can drink moderately, but I don't like me when I drink. And some people can eat foods in moderation that seem to haunt me and chase me down the street. Allowing those foods into my life, and allowing bad food habits into my life, is too costly. I want to feel good and I want to be free.
God does not want me to be in bondage about food for the rest of my life. When I quit smoking, I got peace about it. When I quit drinking, I got peace about it. I want peace about food. I can't totally quit eating, but I sure can put down the things that are stealing my joy. And that is where I am today in my journey!
