Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Good afternoon VST!! This Feel Good Friday is in response to the changing of our Calendar in only a few days. But, we will be looking back not only on the past year but more the past 5, which is probably where most of you started your journey's. Taking a look at where you are today, how have you changed since then? Not only the physical sense, but on the inside as well. Now look in your future. What are your goals, and where do you want to be in 5 years?

Past:

5 years ago, I was struggling with my weight. I was just starting to take a hard look at WLS as an option. I had High Blood Pressure, I was over 330 Lbs - up and down 50 Lbs. I was scared for my life, as I was diagnosed with Hypertension just recently. My darling Uncle had just passed not too much sooner than that due to many complications from his hypertension. His kidneys malfunctioned and was forced on dialysis for a few years. He was finally given a transplant, but unfortunately the anti-rejection medication gave him cancerous brain tumors. He passed in weeks. This was an extremely scary thought! I knew I had to do something, or I was looking into my future.

Today, I am on top of the world!!! I went through a lot in that last 5 years, including many more weight losses and weight gains. A failed attempt with the Lap Band. Losing 50 with it and gaining it all back. Never ever being able to connect with it the way I'd hoped. Anyhow, I had my revision to the VSG on 9/15/10. Since then I've been on a weight loss trend better than I could have ever imagined! I created so many goals for myself, stayed positive and kept believing there was hope for me. No matter what there would be a day I'd be at goal. My goal has always been to be happy with me, inside and out. Today, I encompass that feeling. I had the help of plastic surgeries even above my weight loss surgery, though I felt it was completely necessary and it was.

My future goals and how I see myself in 5 years is pretty simple. To continue feeling happy with me inside and out. I plan to work hard to stay at goal, right here. I am also thinking my Husband and I will finally be ready to have our "cubbies" as he so lovingly puts it... haha :) I am also thinking of buying a new home as well. I am interested in a particular area in North Sacramento that I came across as we were house hunting 2 years ago. I do plan to make it there by then.

I really don't have a lot of future worries. My life has changed so much and for the better that my desires are just to really live for each moment. To GOD be the glory, and I am always thankful for his blessings. HIS lessons good and bad have molded me into the woman I am at this moment, and that's enough.

Have a wonderful and safe Holiday this weekend everyone!! Have a ball!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That is awesome.

My goal as well has always to be happy with myself inside and out. 2012 will be the year to get there, I am so much closer at the end of 2011 than I have been in any year I remember :)

May 2012 bring everyone much happiness.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

5-years ago I was single,working for a consulting firm, and had purchased my own home. I came back to my town to be close to family and friends. A year later I meet a man who I married. My weight had stabled off around 250 and I was comfortable with myself. I was looking for a new job, trying to get one closer to my home and that came in place about a year later. At this point I had been remodeling my home and was completed with everything but the kitchen, deck, and new roof

At the beinging of this year I was at my HW of 305. I never saw myself there, but knew beacue of clothes. Then I had to have carparl tunnal surgery in April. I couldn't handle the pain my left arm any longer. After that...a second sinus surgery (i've had chrontic sinus infections for 4-years) and my life was miserable. 5-months after the sinus surgery I noticed I wasn't getting sinus infections every 6-weeks....this was a great thing. It was also the time when I friend of mine had here VSG and got me thinking again about stepping of that ledge. During this time, I also lost my best friends because I choose to watch a football game with my dad and not them. (Mind you, I had been with them the 3-weeks before)...oh well.

So, I review my insurance and they finally approved the sleeve. That was it. I was going back for a consult. Here I am 9-days post op and just imaginig the posibilities.

What will 2012 bring...transformation of Michele. I want to focus on changing my career, completing the remodeled kitchen, take my health seriously and become whom I've always known I was. And maybe study French again. :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

These are great!!! Cheers to the New Year!! May it lead into many more great ones. 2013... 2014... etc. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×