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My story...14 years



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I had my RNY 14 years ago in Wilmington, NC with Dr. David Miles. I can't remember what my weight was before but pre knife I weighed 364 pounds. We had a very strict program we had to stick to as Dr. Miles was trying to re established and reinstated a bariatric program at our local hospital after a very poor MD had botched it up pretty bad. We were all on our best behavior. I was one of the first few that were allow into the surgery line up and we all were doing our best for those who were to come after. No "last meals" for us! Dr Miles was and is an amazing doctor and my operation went without a hitch. I've always been lucky and have never had a bit of trouble since then. I'd heard such horror stories before and since. Ive been very lucky. I originally lost down to 157lbs then drifted back up to the 170's where I stayed for quite a while. (Several years). At that weight I learned to run, surf and my own personal goal, squat without falling over. (It's the little things!).

After moving to Alaska, my weight ballooned back up to over 240 and stayed there where I panicked quietly for a few years. At that point I started looking for some form of exercise where I wouldn't hurt or sweat. (Yuck!) I found YOGA!! That gift has brought my weight back down to my current of 133 pounds. It gave me back the willpower to return to my gastric bypass diet, small portions of thoughtful meals. I love it. I feel strong and in control for the first time! Even more than I did immediately after surgery. If anyone is looking for a huge help on their journey, I would suggest yoga. You don't have to be skinny or flexible to do it. Just willing!

I hope I can continue to stay healthy and strong. I wish there had been places like this all those years ago. As well as all the years since when I felt so alone. What a great community!!!

Edited by Awensraven

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your story is even more encouraging than hearing from those who lost weight and kept it off. you show that it's possible to have a bad regain spell but turn that around and lose it again. making the surgery truly a tool that is as effective as you make it and not a "one time shot".

i did yoga a long time ago. it really does make you feel fantastic in so many ways. you have inspired me to start up again.

congrats and best of luck.

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It is possible! I did a really bad thing by stretching out my pouch and my opening all over again! I found out just last week that my horrible reflux is back with a vengeance now. I'm actually aspirating my stomach acid into my lungs when I swallow! That's new. I've been able to shrink by stomach back down to a normal size but the GERD is there for life and it's back to NO liquids with meals like we were told. No carbonated drinks, etc. Its been hard but it is possible. Luckily the dumping syndrome never left. That little gem kept the worse of my high sugar bingeing at a low level. Oh well. Definitely get back into yoga though! Your body and mind will love you for it.

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    • 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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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