I am Peggie. I am almost 1 year post-op ROUX-N-Y surgery done by the amazing Dr.Donn Spight at OHSU..Portland, Oregon. It's such a complete,comprehensive program there....I was so impressed and continue to be....you see...I am an R.N. and was 100 pounds overweight. There are unfortunately many people in health care who ignore their own issues while caring for others. I have had weight issues for as long as I can remember...

I began hearing about weight loss surgery many decades ago...but it was "crazy" to do we all thought..why cut your guts?? but.. over the years..things evolved to be much safer and people were having great results!

I had been successful dieting in the past ..my issue was keeping it off....like so many of us.

Fast forward... January 2014....my husband who is a Vietnam veteran disabled from PTSD was finally granted his 100% disability status...it was hard fought for...literally. Unknown to me...this qualified me for CHAMPVA insurance. I was so blessed..it allowed me to pursue this idea once again. CHAMPVA would pay for LAPBAND OR ROUX-N-Y.. but the facility I was guided to no longer would do a LAP BAND as they were seeing so many displaced bands and problems associated and had fixed so many...I was so surprised and disappointed since that was going to be my choice!! I gradually learned more and more about the ROUX-N-Y procedure...went to a seminar, met the program Nurse Practitioner ,Dietician and a Psychologist....all before meeting my Surgeon..I was going to go for it!! I didn't know if I was accepted or not yet.

I was instructed (again) how to eat...the limitations for fat and sugar....and off I went to lose my 25 lbs before surgery. I have a history of ulcerative colitis and GERD..so I also had to have a colonoscopy and EGD before I was approved....

The day came fast...May 8,2014. The day my life really changed. I forgot to mention I am 63 years old. My focus was getting healthy...I was diabetic, had hypertension as well as other weight related issues....I couldn't reach areas!! I was incontinent..I had areas of skin that were getting excoriated...I was out of breath and miserable. not to mention my self esteem...that sucked!

for the surgery..I wasn't afraid at all. I worked in the surgical pre and post op areas and was familiar with the whole big thing...I just wanted to be worthy...be a good patient...

I did well in surgery although my Surgeon was called to the task when the auto stapling system miss fired and he then had to sew my small intestine up to my new little stomach all by hand...thru the scope!! I was so grateful he didn't have to open me up!!!! I was kept NPO for more days than the usual...due to the little issue...yikes! That was tough...I was super thirsty!! I had a special procedure 2 days postop to determine there was no leakage....thankfully...he did so good!!! IMPRESSIVE!!

My first meal...a med cup with a spoonful of popsicle!!! HEAVEN!! I began negotiations for more popsicle!! also got to have cream of wheat....so lux! and after 5 days....discharged! I tell this tale to share that not everything goes perfectly...but trust your Surgeon...even if you're a Nurse...

I then began a new journey...with myself. I had to learn how to slow down...eat small bites and chew chew chew...I fell deeply in love with Soup and to this day..I love how it fills me up with warmth.

I took a several weeks of gradually increasing my activity..my husband was a great help and support. He was so happy I was on this road to health.

Well.....to keep it short...it's now almost a year...I've surpassed my Surgeon's calculations and have successfully lost 100 lbs....and everyday I am so grateful. To my husband and to my Surgeon... couldn't have this good healthy life without you....

Each day,I exercise...elliptical or walking....I have my go to's for food...the incredible edible egg!!! I try to comply with the Fluid and Protein requirements...however hard it is to take in so much!! My little stomach tells me clearly when I've filled it up...LOVE that tool....

I can say...without hesitation...my life is 100% improved...I have a bit of redundant skin which can be removed in 18 months post-op if I have any skin issues. I do have irritation and my PCP assures me she will "make it happen"...to get insurance on my side for it. I'm not really looking forward to another surgery...but wish this skin to be gone....

I now fit into much smaller sizes...and love buying clothes....guess that's a new problem!!!

Trying to work on that!!!

I hope my story inspires you if you are hesitating...it's truly worth it...but I'm not saying I didn't feel differently about it those first days.... just gotta power thru the rough spots..

You just gotta fight for your life...

Thank you so much for sharing your story! It is truly inspiring. I am glad to hear you are doing so well. I have 50lbs left to lose and as you know, at 7 months post op it is up to me to make it happen. I have been doing well so far!

Good luck to you!

@@peggums, thanks for sharing your success story. It is so helpful for new post-ops and people who are considering WLS to hear about the real successes of real people.

I am also coming up on my one year anniversary in the next couple of weeks and am also very grateful for having been given the opportunity to have WLS and get my life back. What a difference a year and a half of careful eating can make!

Wow, Congrats Peggie. You look amazing and happy. As I begin my journey, stories like this truly inspire me. Thank you for sharing your incredible journey.????????????

REALLY COOL to hear back from you all.......love sharing...I'm going to be seeing Dr. Spight just before we go to Cabo..in June.. I am all in right now to lose another 5-10 pounds...I have been cruising at 166ish for awhile. I get excited about being the one in control...not that other me!!

First time in my life though...that I can't lose too much more!!...for fear ALL my new clothes will be too big! I have a little bit of advice...buy your "on the way down" new things at a used clothing store or Goodwill...you will find cute things and smaller sizes...but won't feel so bad when they get baggy on ya!!!! Just pass them on!!

Have a great week!!

Peggums

@@peggums, Oh how I wish I had heeded that advice while I was losing. I now have a bunch of really cute, almost new clothes in sizes ranging from medium to large. I'm still wearing things that look sloppy because they are cute and in great condition and my mother's voice is in mind telling me not to be so wasteful just because of vanity.

REALLY COOL to hear back from you all.......love sharing...I'm going to be seeing Dr. Spight just before we go to Cabo..in June.. I am all in right now to lose another 5-10 pounds...I have been

@@peggums, Oh how I wish I had heeded that advice while I was losing. I now have a bunch of really cute, almost new clothes in sizes ranging from medium to large. I'm still wearing things that look sloppy because they are cute and in great condition and my mother's voice is in mind telling me not to be so wasteful just because of vanity.

cruising at 166ish for awhile. I get excited about being the one in control...not that other me!!

First time in my life though...that I can't lose too much more!!...for fear ALL my new clothes will be too big! I have a little bit of advice...buy your "on the way down" new things at a used clothing store or Goodwill...you will find cute things and smaller sizes...but won't feel so bad when they get baggy on ya!!!! Just pass them on!!

Have a great week!!

Peggums

I'm responding everywhere! Want to say............give those new clothes that are too big away!!!