My Journey...My 2nd Chance

[mickeyaa1 5]

My original surgery was 8/22/2006 and I had the RNY. Starting weight was 287 and I got down to 139 in about 14 months. I turned into a counting calorie and workout machine. I kept my weight off for the last 11 years and then BOOM my thyroid died. After a trip to the mayo clinic in FL and seeing the top endo in the field I am now on an encapsulated pill but it just barely sustains the actual thyroid function. I started regaining weight about 4 years ago - mostly due to the thyroid issues but have to take personal responsibility for bad choices as well. I gained 87 pounds over the last 4 years even with counting calories and working out. When I say working out I was riding a bike 10-15 miles a night, hiking mountains (The Adirondacks in Upstate NY) running, weight lifting. I just couldn't get it under control anymore. I went back to my original surgeon who basically told me there was nothing he could do so I reached out to my primary and he sent a referral to another surgeon who did revisions. I started my new journey on July 17th 2020. I still had to jump through the 6 months of hoops, and lose 5% of my weight to qualify for an endoscopic revision (tightening of the pouch). My appointment was on January 8 2021 but on January 4 2021 our hospitals closed for the 2nd time due to Covid! I finally had my revision on March 8, 2021. Day of surgery weight was 214. I had to do the 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery and then follow all of the post op diets after surgery. Well today is June 16, 2021 ( 96 days post op) and I am down to 170 pounds. I was told that endoscopic revision surgery weight loss is usually between 20-25 pounds and the rest is up to me. Well I am at a loss of 44 pounds now. I still count all of my calories and walk everyday on my lunch break, take my dogs for a walk at night or get on the treadmill, hike mountains on the weekends and have just started weight training again. I am determined to reach my goal of 140 pounds. I take this 2nd chance very serious. So to all out there....there is hope - keeping pushing - keep moving forward. Life will get in the way but if this is what you want then you have to make the hard choices. For example: between the beginning of April 2021 and May 2021 (1 short month) we lost 1 of our dogs, my niece who was only 27 passed away and my best friend's son who was 24 passed away. I buried my niece on a Saturday and my friends son that Monday. I could have given into food and ate my emotions but I didn't because I cannot make excuses as to what I put in my mouth. I am in control of that. I hope you have enjoyed my story.

[Hop_Scotch 1,627]

Thank you for sharing your story. I am sorry to hear of the losses you've experienced in in the last couple of months.

Well done on keeping the emotional eating in check, it can't have been easy. Sounds like you've found a positive mindset and attitude.