Suite1
Goal!!!
Sep 11, 2011
I hit goal last Tuesday, one week shy of my surgiversary. What a wild ride it's been. Well, maybe wild isn't the best word, because it's really been relatively easy considering what we put our bodies through with this surgery. I had an easy surgery because I didn't have the build up of fat on my organs that many do. That made for an easy recovery; I was off pain meds 3 days after returning home. The only setback wasn't related to surgery, and that was acute tendonitis in both feet that lasted a few months. I started PT on NY Eve for four weeks and have been fine ever since.I started at 280# in size 22/24s or 3Xs. A year ago I was in the midst of my pre-op diet, quite bitchy and wondering if I would be one of the successful ones with RNY, or one of the ultimate failures. It was so hard to get my hopes up because I'd been there so many times with the beginning of each diet or weight loss fad "THIS will be the ONE." I wondered if I was being unrealistic expecting to lose 100% of my excess weight. Was I setting myself up for disappointment in thinking I would actually see 150# again?
In between I learned why overate in the first place - I used food to stuff the words I didn't have the nerve to say, and alcohol to give me the courage to say them anyway...with an excuse afterward of "I said that? Oh geez, I'm so sorry, clearly it was the alcohol." I wasn't able to exercise much because of the tendonitis, but I could use my 8# medicine ball, 3 & 5# dumbbells and resistance bands. I worked hard to develop new habits, and admit a year later I still drink with meals (though not nearly like I used to), and if I'm engaged in good conversation, I'll forget and start wolfing down my food taking large bites and not chewing thoroughly...and end up in the bathroom with the foamies. I've learned I don't dump and have become addicted to sugar again....but I usually share a piece of dessert, I don't eat the whole cake - and I work out several times a week now.
I started working with a personal trainer and am amazed by how much I'm physically capable of doing - from the beginning and as time progresses. Left to my own devices, I would start out with 5# dumbbells but he hands me 20# - and I can do it! I'm more tone now than I've ever been in my life...I just have skin that isn't as tight & taught as my younger years. The hubby & I are doing 35 mile bike rides, often when it's 95 degrees outside. When I go to the hospital for support group meetings or follow up appointments, I walk usually 3 flights of stairs in the parking garage, across the pedestrian bridge and up another 6 flights of steps and am able to breathe normally within 15-30 seconds of getting to the top. I'm so much more willing to try new things - concerts, festivals, activities, clothing & hair & make up styles.
It's as if a whole new world has opened up to me. The hubby even said it's like being newlyweds again as we explore the world together. People tell me that I smile all the time now - and it sure feels like it. I find myself in conversations listening to people with a big smile on my face and tell myself I should probably tone it down a bit. Go figure!
I have been very open with people about my surgery and am happy to answer any questions they have. I find I'm able to clear up a lot of misconceptions about WLS, but I also learn of a lot of people who have not been successful. I'm still in the honeymoon period. I weigh 150#, I wear size 4s & Smalls. That was never in my realm of reality but I will quickly say that clothing sizes clearly have changed over the years because I weighed 147# 20 years ago and was wearing 9s & 10s and still Larges. I think I had to get to 280# and withdraw from life in order to appreciate it as much as I do now. For that reason, I don't think I will regain the weight, although I know most people have a 10# bounceback from their lowest point.
I'm still pondering plastic surgery so will likely lose more as they remove excess skin. But I'm going to wait several months before seeing a surgeon and see how I do with the continued work outs with my trainer. I've seen marked improvement in just the past 7-8 weeks. But nothing he has me to will ever reinflate "the girls" so I may look at moving them from the basement back up to the attic where they belong.
So if you're still with me and aren't that far into your journey, please know there is light at the end of the tunnel and it's not the light of the oncoming train. I wish you much success and if there is anything I can do to help you along the way, please let me know. Many helped me along the journey and I'd love to pay it back.
3 Comments
About Me
Dayton, OH
Location
21.6
BMI
Surgery
09/14/2010
Surgery Date
Jul 02, 2010
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
280lbs
150lbs
