My Three Year Surgiversary 2/8/13

[goestogym]

I remember looking at the line in a bank's surveillance camera.There's the guy in the tan sweater three people ahead of me, there's the lady with the two small kids, there's the woman with the green raincoat but who is the fat lady in my black trench coat? The one who looks so tired and unhappy? The one who put the coat on before she left for the bank? The realization that it was me was so sad. How did I let myself get to this point of not even recognizing myself?
I had diabetes, pcos, sleep apnea, aching joints, high blood pressure all of these conditions yet still I continued to try every diet and worked out 5 times a week, thinking that if only I'd find the right diet, the right workout,the magic pill that somehow I'd not need such a drastic step as weight loss surgery. I listened to my mother for years, starting the diet on Monday...failing and then starting tomorrow, weight watchers, tops, jennie craig , cabbage soup, spending a fortune on diagnostic tests to tell her that somehow there was a pill for her faulty metabolism because after all, she does not eat that much (I went down the same road) The dry cleaner shrunk my pants!!!

When it comes down to it, all of the physical conditions should have been my wake up call. However the feeling that the image of that woman in the camera didn't represent who I was or who I wanted to be was my wake up call. I can compare it to Bruce Jenner, the wrong person in the wrong body. Surgery was both my chance to become who I really was and wanted to be. Surgery would hit my reset button.

Going through the process, the support groups, the psychologist, the nutritionist, the battery of blood and other tests I had doubts that this would be the answer. However by meeting other people in the same situation ( anonymously through this board and in person through support groups) I learned so much. Firstly it isn't my fault. My character is not flawed, I am not lazy. I learned that my eating habits would need to be monitored for life. I did need the reset that surgery would give me. I needed the honeymoon period of not being hungry for 18 months. I needed the surgery that would have my diabetes in the normal range in 24 hours.

Sometimes, I am not recognized, if I am, a pleasant shock comes across the person's face. Socially life is different, more doors are opened for me in both a figurative and actual way. I am no longer invisible nor do I wish to be.

I celebrated my 62nd birthday last week. I feel younger. I'm making plans for a mommy makeover next month.

This is not a magic pill and although I never reached the goal that I set for myself, I am happy making workout and diet my main priorities. I wear a size 10. I gained about 10 pounds but am OK (for the most part) It is constant thinking about meal planning and getting exercise incorporated in my day.


I wish you all the best success in your journeys. You deserve to be the best you that you can be.

[Karen L]

Inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

[Teriona]

Thank you so much for sharing, I am so anxious to start my journey!

[tina833]

You have a nice inspirational story. Thanks for sharing it. Here's hoping I can do the same in 2019.

[goestogym]

You are beautiful--all the best to you!

[kleb42]

Thank you for this, I start my liquid diet today and am feeling a bit hesitant. You are an inspiration!

[Ann2]

Your post is so awesome! I hope that a year and a half from now (my three-year surgiversary) I'm as successful as you are now.

BTW, I so agree with you that meal planning and exercise are critical to sleevers' long-term health and weight maintenance.

Finally, best wishes re your upcoming mommy makeover. Please send pix!

[HoneyH]

Awesome post!!! Congrats on your new life!

[tomigyrl]

Beautifully written. Thanks for sharing and have fun on your make-over!!!

[thesinger]

Love it. CONGRATULATIONS on a job well done!

[BAMR]

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like you have come a long way! Great to hear as I am just starting this journey?

[JanPit]

Whoever would have thought the best years are in the 60's. I really enjoyed reading your post and can relate to you so well. I hope I stay as inspired as you at the 3 year mark. That's why I love this site. Thank you for sharing and enjoy that Mommy makeover!!

[Mbenson5]

So happy for you! I am also 3 years out, and this process has truly been life-changing. I am also still accountable for myself, still plan my meals every week. Thanks for sharing!