LONG: Two Years in Two Days

Two years and counting.

It’s been two years since my gastric sleeve surgery.  I honestly can’t believe it’s been that long.  I’m going to ramble here a bit, but hope you will indulge me on my second birthday

Weight:

I’m hovering right at 180 right now.  Down to 177 some days and up to 182 some days.  That’s a reasonable range for me and represents about a 240 lb loss.  I met with a plastic surgeon who think I’ll lose about 25 lbs of skin during my lower body lift.  That would put me in the 155 – 160 range which is solidly in the normal BMI range for my height.  In fact, the surgeon said I shouldn’t lose further so that there would be enough subcutaneous fat to make the contours of my body right once I’ve had plastics.  So this is where I want to sit for now.  I’ve maintained at this weight level since April 20^th this year. 

Health:

So far so good.  I am due to have my vitals checked out but I feel quite well.  I seem to be doing well with blood pressure and blood sugars and that’s great.  I thought my gout was completely resolved but I have had one flare up.  So I’ll have to watch that one.  However, I don’t see feel that there is anything that I would hesitate to take on limited by my health for my age.  A few weeks ago I had some landscaping rock that needed to be moved quickly.  I moved over three yards of rock in a four hour period.  I expected to pay for that the next day… however I didn’t.  WOW that’s a big change for someone that had a hard time climbing a flight of stairs two years ago.  When we say this is life changing….. it is LIFE CHANGING!!!

Lifestyle:

Oh boy… this is the second biggest reason I did this after my health and it has filled the bill in full.  Amongst the things I have done since surgery: SCUBA advanced certification and several dives; amusement parks and water parks (with my nephews and my close friend Jennifer from the boards and her lovely daughter Alexis); Intercontinental travel to the Canary Islands, Europe and India; horseback riding; sailing; walking hours and hours whenever I want; feeling closer to my wife and feeling equal to my friends; less job anxiety and fear of changing jobs if I want… That was a lot of activity and a lot of satisfaction.  Additionally, I have developed a bit of a cross addiction to clothes.  I expected that to be honest and I’m pretty happy with it.  I’m wearing mediums and smalls (mostly smalls) and 32-34 inch waist in my pants.  Way down from 5x shirts and 62 (labeled… really much larger pants).  I lost a shoe size as well.  I love walking into any store (Ralph Lauren this weekend) and just buying stuff and having it work.  I’m holding off on the big ticket items (suits specifically****il I have my lower body lift (hopefully in February or March).  I can’t wait.  So far I have been thrilled with the low cost of clothes and I’m now moving from quantity to quality.  In total, I’ve donated more than 15 big bags of clothes over the course of my journey.  I’m acting as mentor to some others having surgery and I’m appreciative of my mentors and friends too.  I remain in contact and am continuing to work the support system here and at my hospital.  I’m so so happy with this aspect of my weight loss.  My relationship with my wife is good and she is now planning to have the surgery as well.  I won’t say that there haven’t been some tense times.  These kinds of lifestyle changes don’t come without complications but I am so looking forward to her joining me after the surgery.  She has mentioned, gulp, skydiving… we’ll see.

Relationship with Food:

Overall – pretty happy here.  I do miss quantity eating sometimes. - especially when I have something really good sitting right in front of me.  So the only quantity item that I eat is lite popcorn.  Otherwise, small portions of really good food.  Carbs are still not the center of my world as they were before surgery.  I focus on protein rich foods with other items sprinkled in to add variety.  I’ve probably had 10 desserts (just two or three bites) in the past couple of years.  That’s no longer compelling to me.  That blows my mind as I was a dessert junky before.  I probably rely on protein bars more than I should, but I’ll take that over my old eating habits.  I don’t track as much as I used to but I have a set of habits that keep me on track.  I have standby meals that I know by heart (I’m looking at you Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage Omelets with egg beaters) and I repeat these meals to keep my intake in check.  The sleeve is great for preventing over eating as long as I treat it right and put food into it in the right order.  Many thanks to Frisco, Elina, Kairk, and many many others for helping me keep the focus on intake and helping my sleeve work for me.

The Road Ahead:

More of the same please!  Maintenance is my biggest fear and I’m going to work hard to keep on top of it.  I’ll also have to step up my mentor game as my wife has her sleeve surgery.  I’m anxious to have my plastic surgery but honestly a bit worried about whether I’ll ever be completely happy with my body… I went from way to fat – to – way too much extra skin – and now anticipating – now have big scar… So I may have to get help for that.  However there is no doubt and I mean NO DOUBT that this has been the greatest decision I’ve made for my health and wellbeing in my entire adult life.  It’s the gift that gives every  single day.  Good luck to everyone and may your journey be as fruitful as mine has been.

Congrats on your success!  You have done a great job. I am waiting for my approval from the insurance company now so I hope to be on the loser bench in the next month!

Thanks!  Follow the winners here and you will be one too!

What a great job you've done - congrats!

Thanks Sandy. Your goal is getting close. 

You are a true success story and I am so happy that I was able to be there to watch as you climbed your mountain.  As you take on maintenance, I would like to remind you  (not that you need it, but it makes me feel better that I told you), that obesity is a life long condition.  Whether you are fat or slim, you will always have obesity.  This was one of my biggest take aways from the conference.  The moment you stop actively maintaining, is the moment you start to gain.  

As far as the scars are concerned, I would like to share my perspective with you and you can decide if this resonates.  I too have scars, they are not very noticeable, but I have them.  The honest truth is that they do not bother me in the slightest.  My body will never be perfect, nor is it necessary for my body to be perfect.  All I ask for is a well functioning body that is responsive to my needs.  I feel truly sexy and hot and overall beautiful with my scars.  The scars even help me by serving a purpose--they remind me of my journey and where I came from, they also remind me that this is for life.  They serve the same purpose for me as tattoos might serve for other people.  I have never once met anyone who is turned off by my scars, feeling sexy makes you sexy, scars are just part of the package. 

Thanks for the encouragement Elina.  I feel a it silly even calling out the concerns over the scars because I have gained so very much.  You really helped me with that response.  Concious maintenance is my watchword.  I'm committed to never getting complacent.  I'm controlled and not cured of my obesity for sure.  No magic thinking here.  Take care and thanks so much for all your help.

Terry, your journey is very inspiring!!!  You have come such a long way & I am very VERY proud of you and the changes you have made.  I congratulate you on all your success & here's to your wife's success too.  Take care & don't be a stranger on this board. 

I read everyday Jenn...how else can I keep up with your shenanigans?  I'll try to post more though.  Thanks gurl.

I have enjoyed reading about your journey over the last 2 years. You are amazing! You were very persistent and kept at it for a long time to reach your goals.  Congratulations!!  And congrats to your wife on taking this step. You will be a great inspiration for her in this time! Great job!