Two Years Out!
by
, 01-12-2016 at 08:51 AM (5884 Views)
Tomorrow marks my second anniversary since I had my gastric sleeve surgery. I am in shock that this time has arrived already. My life has changed exponentially since my surgery. A little background. Like many, I had struggled with my weight my entire life. I had tried many diets, worked out and was a faithful Weight Watchers member for 10+ years. I lost 50 pounds with WW twice. At some point, WW stopped working for me. I continued going to meetings because it was such a big part of my life, and eating at the lowest points possible, but it was no longer working. I played with the same pounds over and over and my weight was beginning to creep up more and more. I then discovered that I had hypothyroidism and eventually had my thyroid removed. Over the years, it seemed like I was putting on at least 10 pounds a year until I found myself at my highest weight of 240. I was beginning to become a recluse. I turned down social engagements all the time. I didn’t want to be around my friends. I didn’t go shopping unless I absolutely had too. In one year I turned down two trips to Europe, because of my weight.
Through a series of events, two people that I know revealed to me that they had gastric sleeve surgery. I immediately Googled the doctor’s name, went to a seminar, met him and the rest is history! Advice that I can give to anyone, if gastric sleeve surgery is something that you want to do, do your research, make a decision that is the best decision for you. Once you make your decision either to have it, or not to have it, make sure that it is YOUR DECISION and not the decision of someone talking in your ear. In my case, once I decided to have the surgery, I told no one not my family, not my husband, I told no one until a week before my surgery. My cousin, who is one of the people who had the surgery, came with me the day of my surgery from CT, and stayed with me for two days. I know two people now who have scheduled surgery, only to cancel it and now a year later, both are going through the process again to have the surgery done.
This surgery has given me back my life. I love being with my friends and family again. I love that even though I hate shopping, now I love the fact that everything fits all the time. I am planning a trip to Abu Dhabi next fall. I have a lot to look forward to and I wish that for everyone who is struggling with this decision. My last piece of advice. When I had my surgery, I told myself that whatever my doctor and his team told me to do, I would do it. I was obedient to the letter. I admire and respect my surgeon so much. I loved my nutritionist. The sleeve is not the panacea if you have food addiction issues, etc. It is a TOOL. It will help you lose the weight, but you still have to do the work. It is so worth it!