New Here and Lovin'it Already

[tramcar8]

Hi Everyone
It's my first day on the site.I'm post-op almost a year(4/8/2011) with no complications save for a bout with gout that was taken care of with a colcrys scrip.I had a RNY gastric bypass,done laproscopicly but it took the surgeon an extra hour because I had so much belly fat he had trouble getting to everything.I started into this at a weight of 357 with a goal of seeing a one as the front number on my weight chart-like 199.9.As of last Friday my weight was 182.I know I'm still in the easy part of my journey as pretty much any way you cut it you'll lose weight for the first 18 months but needless to say I'm committed to doing everything I can to take advantage of the opportunity that weight loss surgery affords.It's already got me to a point that I no longer take meds for diabetes,hypertension,elevated colesterol,or water retention.I also no longer need to sleep wearing a C-Pap Mask as the sleep aphena's gone too.I no longer get a new strain or sprain evey other week and my collection of splints and braces can stay unused in a drawer.I do take colcrys to keep my uric acid under control,because of the high protien,diet but that's a small tradeoff in my book for all the benefits that I've received.
I do attend support group meetings and urge all who can to do so as I've always found it so very informative to listen to the shared experiences of other people,much like this site.I'm 61 and looking forward to having a healther,more active lifestyle than I could have ever achived without the surgery.Looking forward to sharing experiences and learning with everyone here.
Ron

 

[TwoMas]

Hi Ron,
Welcome to the forum. You are doing great. I love your story, I had high BP and cholesterol and was of the meds within a week of my surgery, I am two years out and I have been floating between 195 and 200 for the past month but I have stepped up my exercise routine. My job can be very arduouse in the summer and was very difficult when I was over 300lbs now I can climb hills and hike keeping up with everyone else now and not feel like I am going to pass out. I am going to do a 10 mile run ion april 14th called the pear blossom run in Medford OR I have been doing 6 miles a day for the past month and it is pretty much effortless so I am feeling good about it. Keep up the good work. Tom

 

[Bigtallsis]

HI Tramcar8

congratulations on your weight loss and doing so well, I love being able to read other's stories of how far they've come and how well they are doing. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your good news, it's uplifting and encouraging for we all have dreams and goal weights and you've SUCCESSFULLY got to a healthy weight! HOpe you have a good day, continue to share for your always helping somebody who needs a lift,and success is always welcome.

 

[tramcar8]

HI Tramcar8

congratulations on your weight loss and doing so well, I love being able to read other's stories of how far they've come and how well they are doing. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your good news, it's uplifting and encouraging for we all have dreams and goal weights and you've SUCCESSFULLY got to a healthy weight! HOpe you have a good day, continue to share for your always helping somebody who needs a lift,and success is always welcome.

Hi Bigtallsis
Thank You for your kind words-As everyone knows who gets on this ride,every day is like a new step,sometimes you go forward and sometimes you back up a little-Bariatric surgery is a great tool that if used wisely can lead to unbelievable results.The goal weight I list on my profile is one example of that.I thought when I started this process in August of 2010 and went to that first informational meeting that a weight like 199.9 would only be achievable after the weight loss Plus skin fold surgery.When I actually reached that goal I was really startled and confused as to how to react.This must sound strange to everyone but I was shocked and didn't know how to feel.
Now I realize that it's ok to lose more weight if your body accepts that as long as you follow the program and achieve the recommended nutritional standards set forth in your program.My next "goal" will be to see if I actually get to 178.5 which is half the man I used to be-lol.I'm not actively trying to lose.I seem to lose about 3 or 4 lbs a month now.I am trying to eat larger protions as I seem to be behind on that a little.Most people in my surgery time frame seem to eat more than I do and I eat less carbs overall than them too.I'm following the nutritional guidlines my program recommends.I'm due for my 1 year blood study in a week so I'll know how I'm doing on April 14th.I'll let you know.
Ron

 

[tramcar8]

Hi Ron,
Welcome to the forum. You are doing great. I love your story, I had high BP and cholesterol and was of the meds within a week of my surgery, I am two years out and I have been floating between 195 and 200 for the past month but I have stepped up my exercise routine. My job can be very arduouse in the summer and was very difficult when I was over 300lbs now I can climb hills and hike keeping up with everyone else now and not feel like I am going to pass out. I am going to do a 10 mile run ion april 14th called the pear blossom run in Medford OR I have been doing 6 miles a day for the past month and it is pretty much effortless so I am feeling good about it. Keep up the good work. Tom

Thanks Tom
Everyone that has gone thru this says your hunger comes back or cravings come back at or near the two year mark and that's what can start the process of re-gaining weight.Has this happened to you??-I didn't know if this is an excuse for bad habits or if it's a sure thing-My group leaders always stressed that you have a year to learn the healthy habits that will insure long term success-My problem with the time frame is that I'm seeing people developing bad habits at 3 months post op and yet many people in our support groups are many years out and doing very well-The difference seems to be a committment to change,or give up the habits that got us to where we were-I just believe this is a chance you can't afford to mess up but I'm only at the1 year mark-Saying that,I can't see myself blowing this chance at a more healthy life-One of our group people has a saying that I love to quote-often to myself-Nothing Tastes As Good As I Feel !!!
Take Care Tom-Great to Talk !-Good Luck On Your Run !!-Go Get Em
Ron

 

[TwoMas]

Hi Ron,
I really don't have any cravings for foods but my problom wasn't what I ate it was always how much I ate so I was fortunat in that regard I didn't have to worry about cutting out soda's, sweets and junk food although I do like a good pasta dish every once in a while but that causes dumping syndrom for me which is good because pastas alway sat heavy in my belly anayways. I can still only handle about 4 oz of meat and a little bit of rice or patatoes with some veggies for a meal, although most of the time I just end up eating the meat and cheese so I gan get my protien but I think the key is and always will be keep the meals small, eat the protien first and wait at leats 45 min to an hour after your meal to drink your water or whatever fluid you use for hydration. I eat 4 to 5 meals a day and a protien shake if I do an arduouse workout, totaling about 1800 to 2200 calories depending on what I am doing.

I did have to give up alcohol completely. After 9 months post op I tried drinking a few glasses of wine on the weekends and very rapidly it turned into a dependancy which got out of control but I was able to catch myself befor doing any damage to my body, but to quit drinking is a small price to pay for a healthy life. So if you drank pre surgery pay attention to your drinking habits afterward.

Another thing to remember is the WLS is just a tool to help us lose weight and it is our job to use it. Your journey is an inspiration to thers who have just started this wonderful journey. Take care. Tom