[minnesotashopper2]

Hello,
9 yrs ago, I had a very successful open RNY.
I heard about this site, and decided to check it out, as I know how important it is to stay in contact with others for support over the years.
I started my journey in 1997 losing 100# using Phen-Fen (diet pill since banned). After the diet pill was banned for use, I regained 150 # in about a year. I was absolutely miserable once again.
I went to my first informational meeting in Feb. 1999, and immediately felt that surgery was the answer for me. I had tried everything else previously, and have always been obese all my life.
Insurance was quick, with a yes, and my surgery date was immediately scheduled. Back then, there was no psych testing, or nutrional classes required. Just had to lose 10 lbs before the day of surgery.
I had the open RNY with the removal of the gallbladder at the same time. That was pretty much the norm, back then. My hospital stay involved nothing but an IV, no other tubes afterwards, and was up walking in a few postop hours. Had a two day stay at the hospital, and home I went. I had an excellent medical staff, that called daily to see how I was doing, the first week. Relearning to even swallow small sips was a giant step for me. I was on a liquid diet for about 3 weeks, when I went to pretty much liquid mashed potatoes. Oh how yummy that tasted. The worst problem I had was about 1 week postop, I developed a bad cough/cold, and went to the pharmacy to find something, non-suger, yet in liquid form to take for my cold. The pharmacist was pretty much no help, as everything had sugar in it back then.
I had decided to NOT tell people I was having the surgery. Only my spouse, and kids knew it, otherwise I just told people I was really watching what I ate, and was exercising. I went to my first postop support group when I was about 11 days postop. I was thrilled to have such support for everyone there, that I ended up becoming a big advocate for the surgeons office, and did everything I could to help others out, looking into the surgery. Was a support "Angel" for many those first couple years. I was able to loose about 100 lbs within the first 7 months or so.
I dump, and still do, very happy that I still do. Otherwise I probably would not be watching what I eat, or the amounts.
So how has life changed after having surgery, besides all the normal exciting changes of clothes falling off fast, and really getting to have fun back in my life for the first time. I had people tell me I was losing too much weight, and I think it was they had never seen me at a normal size before, and didn't believe how anorexic I looked. lol
My two daughters, and spouse were very supportive of the surgery. In fact about 8 months after I had my RNY, my 19 yr old decided to have the same surgery. She is also doing great, after all these years.
With change can come difficulties in relationships. I found that I was tired of being in a loveless marriage. We just grew apart, treated more like a sibling in my marriage, then a lover, after 26 yrs of marriage, I decided to get a divorce. They say that IF you have a great relationship to begin with, it helps alot. But I found so many others that had moved on in their marriages, and seemed so much happier. So I did the same. For the first time in my life, I was single. I married at a young age of 18, and at age 44 I was a single woman, but had no idea that it wouldn't be for long.
I found dancing and enjoying life and being outgoing was so much fun. I never did those things before, as I was too embarrassed with my obesity, that I didn't want to gain attention, or be laughed at. Most of us have been there, at some point in their life. I was always the quiet one, lol, not no more, I now have the gift to gab, and love it. Dancing is still my favorite way for getting my exercise in.
I started at a 304 lb morbidly obese woman, to getting all the way down to a small size in clothing. I had literally become obsessed with the scale, and really didn't eat or drink anything. I would be hospitalized a few times for dehydration, about 2-3 years postop, feeling like I still looked like I was 300 lbs, and not the image that was in the mirror. If if wasn't for the support staff where I had the surgery, they pretty much told me, if I didn't gain some weight, that I would be given IV in high calories, to help me, gain some weight. What? Gain weight, are they kidding?? But I had really become to small for what my body needed for calories. I felt dizzy all the time, very low blood pressure and pulse, really not healthy, even though I thought this is how I should be.
Well, after about 4 yrs out, I did gain some weight, and became a size 12-14 in clothes. I looked healthy for my frame and height, and started to feel alot better. I have been able to maintain my weight loss for the past 5 years. This past winter in one month, I gained 20 lbs, for no apparent reason. The Dr. decided to check my thryoid, and surprise, I had hypothryoidism. Which can cause weight gain. I will forever be on medication for this, but I have lost 11 of the 20 lbs again.
Last summer, I remarried a man that had daughters the same ages as mine. And he has always been slender. I showed him photos of me preop, after we had been together for about a year, and he was shocked to see the before photos of me. There isn't alot of them, as I tried to not have my photo taken, or always stood behind others, to try to block how I looked.

We had an outdoor summer wedding almost one year ago this month, and my daughters talked me into having a formal white wedding gown to wear. I felt absolutely beautiful in it. They asked me, am I the mom of the bride, or the actual bride. I decided ok, I am the bride, and was proud to wear a wedding gown, when I saw how I looked in it. Even when I was 18 yrs old, I was obese, so my 1st wedding photos are me, looking fat.
My new husband is wonderful, he is totally accepted me, for my times I may have ate that one bite to much, or dumped for some reason. He is careful to tell me, to not overeat, so I dont get sick. Same with drinking alcohol. One drink, and I am totally a cheap drunk. And many times, feel just sick, where we have gone out to eat a nice dinner somewhere, to me having to go lay down in the car, and take our food as a takeout instead, to get me home faster.

Ok, What am I doing now to be a success....
I drink a protein drink every day, For me, it is an insurance I am getting my protein in everyday. I also take several multivitamins, and supplements to help keep my iron, and other blood levels good. I do give myself my B12 injections at home, (am a nurse, so no big deal to do that). I go in every year on my anniversary of my surgery for my annual postop checkup with my surgeon. There they take all my stats, and are sent in for national statistics. Plus take a new photo of me each year to add to my medical record.
I still love to dance, and will turn on the stereo, and just dance around the house, if we aren't going out dancing somewhere. In the summer in Minnesota, I am outside everyday doing my yardwork, which I dont consider work at all, I love it so much. I am not a winter person, so that is my down time emotionally, and physically. Someday, I hope to move to a warmer climate just for the NO MORE SNOW/Freezing tempertures for 5 months every year.
I have started to get active in my local support groups again, and now many others that are a few years out, have rejoined support groups again, for the helping of others, we get so much back in return, from supporting each other. It is so important to remain active in support groups, as life gets so busy, that we go on with our lifes, and tend to forget where we came from.
I was just recently told of this group, and immediately wanted to check it out. I belong to several online internet support groups, and still I have questions for myself, on what to do at times.
Yes I am now 9 yrs postop, and am so happy I had the surgery. There has been so many advances with WLS options, that I want to help others, as they have and do help me.
I am trying to figure out how to post my before and after photos, but still not quite computer savvy to figure it out yet.
So the photo that is seen of me, is from a vacation to Colorado I made in June last month, so is very current. Am I a size 8, NO, but I am happy, and feel that I am blessed to be the size I am.
And why did I wait so long before having the surgery, is my only regret.
I am now 48, and feel younger now then I did 15 yrs ago. And I live like I am younger then my age. Life is wonderful, and I hope that others will feel that yes, there is success after those honeymoon period, and that you can keep the weight off. The surgery was a tool, which is still in place for me, and I keep reminding myself of that. It isn't always easy all the time, and I can eat more sugar grams now then in the past. But the one cookie I eat, is still alot better then the dozen I would polish off by myself 10 yrs ago.
Happy to be here, and hope to get to meet more of you.
minnesotashopper2 (aka Lori)

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.
And thank you for sharing your story, you are proof that this surgery works, so long as you stick to the tool.
(((((((HUGS))))))) May your journey and life give you all the gifts there is in living.

[Trulykath]

welcome aboard....your story sounds very similiar to mine in a lot of ways, only I'm just under a year out!

We are thrilled you've joined us!

[Cheryl24]

Welcome...thanks for sharing your story. There are not that many on here that are more than a few years out.

[Kenyar]

WELCOME!!!! glad you found us. thanks for sharing your story.

[MsVickie]

I enjoyed your story. Thanks for finding us. You will be a big support to us as well.

[kitty56]

Welcome to the site and sharing your story with us, I sure enjoyed your story. You are living proof that it works and that you are 9 years out and still doing wonderful. At nine years out do you still have days where you can eat more one day and much less the next day. What is the max amount of food that you can eat. I was wondering being nine years out if you still eat the amount you ate about a year out. I am sorry for the questions, but you really got me curious being you are nine years out and that it can stay off after nine years. I want to learn everything there is about life after surgery and being you are nine years out, I have alot to learn. I am so excited to have you join our group and that we can learn alot from you.

[judijo]

Thank you for sharing, Lori. I love to read the "old-timer's" stories! Gives me inspiration. I look forward to your posts.

[DeMarie]

Hello and welcome Lori. Glad you found us! Wonderful bio - what an insperation!

[LittleLisaMarie]

Welcome and thanks for sharing your story. Congrats on all your success with this surgery and in life. Hope to hear alot more from you. I am 2 and 1/2 years post op and have maintained my weight loss . Its an inspiration to read your story.