Four Years Out....I think I might be a veteran

[Kindle]

Haven't been here for awhile, but since Im at my 4 year surgiversary I thought I'd check in. 80% of this post is completely plagiarized from last year's update but it gives a good recap of all 4 years....

Year 1 - the year of losing all of my excess weight (100 pounds), dozens of NSVs, and a new wardrobe. By far, the most exciting year. Even the month of liquids, 6 weeks of diarrhea and 2 insanely painful gallbladder attacks couldn't put a dent in my enthusiasm. It was all so new and fun and easy. Life was great and I was invincible!

Year 2 - the year of finding out life still sucks no matter what size you are, losing my best friend to suicide, sinking into a deep hole of depression and finding that I could no longer rely on my old friends.....food, alcohol and cigarettes. Just struggling to get through each day with really no desire to. Two more gallbladder attacks which I finally put an end to with a long overdue cholecystectomy. Surprisingly able to maintain my weight loss from the 1st year.

Year 3 - the year of emotional healing (well, at least a start in that direction) with a grief therapist, testosterone replacement and an antidepressant. Finally able to crawl out the darkness into a somewhat bearable existence. My latest breakthrough is I actually said yes when asked out on a date about a month ago. Considering my introvert personality and swearing off relationships almost 20 years ago, this is an extraordinary step for me. We've been out 1/2 dozen times and I'm actually enjoying it.

Year 4 - the year of falling in love, being blissfully happy and regaining 10 pounds (yikes!) I'm still with that guy that asked me out back in Oct 2016. Enjoying my first totally honest, mature relationship. Ironically, I've found being a good bariatric patient is harder in good times than in bad. I've got better things to do than think about protein, fluids, carbs and vitamin......everything has become less and less about surgery and weightloss and more and more about life.

So my downfall this past year has been cocktails and chocolate. Took up the bad habit of consuming both on a daily basis. That, and a lot of donuts and muffins! But the good news is I have already dropped 5 of the 10 pounds I put on. As always, it just takes going back to basics..... drink more water, eat more protein and less carbs. My BF is great and jumped on the high protein/low carb bandwagon with me. Of course being a guy, he's dropped 20 pounds to my 5 (stupid boys). I have every confidence I will drop that last 5 pounds before 2018.

Bottom line is successful WLS results is not rocket science. Whatever you had to do to lose weight is pretty much what you need to do forever. If you can't control sliders and trigger foods, they WILL lead to regain. If you don't make the psychological adjustments and permanently change your habits and behaviors, you WILL regain. It's totally up to you whether or not your surgery becomes just another failed diet. Don't be afraid to seek professional help with the mental side of it. Because as the years go on, that's what makes you successful, not how tiny your stomach is.

Good luck to the newbies. Congrats to the veterans.

[RehabNurse]

It's nice to finally 'hear' from you again after so many months of radio silence, Kindle.

The update is appreciated. Thank you for the pearls of wisdom.

[Ann2]

Kindle, I've missed you SO MUCH. And I'm very happy to hear of your happiness.

Everything you said is TRUTH. Pay close attention, newbies.

Please don't be a stranger.

Hugs!

[Lisa73me]

Thanks Kindle!

[Luv49ers19]

Thank you so much for the update!!!! So thrilled for your new found happiness.

[Arabella25]

Thanks for the updates. They are really essential for both of our goals.

[Stacey03]

Thanks kindle, Congrats on your relationship, sounds like you have a tough trot. Thanks for the encouragement :-)

[Christie13]

Happy surgiversary Kindle! You have been missed. Sounds like you are doing really well. Congrats on your happy relationship. And yay for having a guy who is joining in your WLS eating lifestyle. That is fabulous!

[Kindle]

So another mini update with good and bad highlights. After my OP I spent six weeks COMPLETELY off the bariatric wagon and hit a record 160 pounds! Up 20 pounds...... Whoa!! But I managed to do a carb cleanse and am back within sight (8 pounds) of my previous maintenance weight of 140. I really need to to take my own advice to heart -"Whatever you had to do to lose weight is pretty much what you need to do forever." It sucks but it's true.

My BF and I have been getting out cross country skiing on the weekends, so that is helping with my motivation. On one of our more recent X-country treks, he surprised me by telling me he wanted to give me a promise ring. He wanted me to pick it out myself to make sure I liked it, so the next day we went ring hunting. The one I found I REALLY wanted was blue and white sapphires in a silver and rose gold setting. But I am a vet tech and my daily exposure to poop, pee, blood, pus, vomit and other grossness as well as numerous hand washings didn't bode well for such an intricate ring. So we settled for a lower profile, simpler emerald and white sapphire ring.....more practical but still very beautiful. Then, a week later, he surprised me with the other ring, telling me I deserve to be as sparkly as I want and could wear it when Im not at work. I might be almost 50 years old, but I feel like a silly teenager who's boyfriend just gave her his class ring .....that was SERIOUS love back in the day!

Thank you, everyone, for the well wishes. Good luck to all of you.



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[Luv49ers19]

That is awesome! Such beautiful rings for a beautiful lady. So glad to hear you got back on track. Give me the courage to know that I can do it to if need be.

[Dutchie]

"Whatever you had to do to lose weight is pretty much what you need to do forever."

Well, there we have it.
This is IT, isn't it?
I'll keep this in mind!
Thank you for your inspiration.
And wow, both rings are beautiful!

[Ann2]

Oh, Kindle! I'm so happy for you. He sounds like a true sweetheart. <3

[SomeGuyJeff]

"Whatever you had to do to lose weight is pretty much what you need to do forever." It sucks but it's true.

how true it is... in some ways it does suck, but in many more ways we are so much better off. i am walking with a neighbor who lost out on a job because of weight and i wouldn't want to be in those shoes.

remember all of the positives that come out of surgery

[Kindle]

Oh, Kindle! I'm so happy for you. He sounds like a true sweetheart. <3

He really is. And at 59 years old, in his first really serious relationship, he's told me he consults with his mom and buddy's wives on proper boyfriend protocol. I've told him it's really quite simple..... Just figure out what makes me happy a do that.

[Ann2]

That's the best insight afnyone could have about how to be a great partner.

Love. It's the best thing in the world. Ever.