TammyJo2
Four years after surgery and still going great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 11, 2009
Hello everyone. It is my 4Th anniversary after my RNY and I guess it is time for an update. Wow has my life changed in the last 4 years.First I want to say anyone considering weight-loss surgery please remember that my story will not be your story, my path will not be your path and that YOU need to make an educated and informed decision before you begin your personal journey to becoming the new you. prior to my surgery i read every blog, looked at all the web sites, investigated all the risks and made the decision to have surgery based on the facts available at the time. A lot has changed in bariatric surgery in the last 4 years so read, read, read. Now that I have said that here is my story......................
I weighed 270 pounds and was 5'6"...not a lot you say.....well I was in my late 30's had already had 2 serious back surgeries and was looking at disability for the rest of my life. I was educated, determined not to live on the heavy pain killers I was taking for the rest of my life and had no intention of spending the rest of my life sitting in my house wishing things were different. I stated investigating surgeons and surgery centers, interviewed several physicians, and toured several weight-loss surgery centers. I chose Dr. Christopher Evanson at St. Vincent Carmel as my surgeon and credit him for my success. He gave me the tool I needed to change my life. On May 11th 2005 I had my RNY and began a struggle to change behaviors that I had lived with my entire life. I had to change how i thought about food, exercise and day to day living. I had the help of a great team of doctors, nurses, and dietitians (which I recommend to everyone considering this surgery) to teach me the new habits and thinking that I would need for success. I learned that food will not fix depression, will not make me happy, and that I am in control of my behaviors that lead me to this decision.
Today my average weight is 135 to 140 and I wear a size 8/10. The only plastic surgery I had was a breast enhancement because I did lose all of my breast tissue and was a -A cup. I will be graduating with my masters degree as an adult nurse practitioner from Ball State University in July which would not have been possible prior to my surgery, I ride a motorcycle, workout everyday, and live my life to the fullest possible.
The one question I am asked that I always answer carefully is do you think I should have surgery? Would I do this again.....yes, should you.......only you can answer that. You have to make that decision for yourself. This is not a magic bullet, a quick fix, or an easy road. It takes determination, willpower, and the desire for change that is more powerful than the addiction to food that got us here. The one tidbit of advice I do give is ......... DO EXACTLY WHAT YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU TO DO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did I have set backs .....yes......did I require additional surgeries.......yes........did I have complications yes. However I stayed in communication with my physician, I did not assign blame, and I continued to move forward through the difficult times.
Now here I sit today, 4 years after surgery about to cry as I rehash old memories that I had forgotten. Would I do this again you bet because now I have a future to look forward to and live the life I chose not that is chosen for me by the restrictions that my weight and disability set for me. The only medication I take is my supplements that you must take EVERYDAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, and stomach medication. No pain pills or pain patches.
To ll who are sharing this anniversary date with me CONGRATULATIONS..........if you had surgery today and will share this date with me next year good for you and I look forward to reading your story.
The one thing I think about everyday....and the one bit of advice I was giving way back when that I consider my mantra is "Do something everyday that scares you" I lived most of my life hiding behind my weight.......I have unleashed the fear and boy is life great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tammy
1 comment
I weighed 270 pounds and was 5'6"...not a lot you say.....well I was in my late 30's had already had 2 serious back surgeries and was looking at disability for the rest of my life. I was educated, determined not to live on the heavy pain killers I was taking for the rest of my life and had no intention of spending the rest of my life sitting in my house wishing things were different. I stated investigating surgeons and surgery centers, interviewed several physicians, and toured several weight-loss surgery centers. I chose Dr. Christopher Evanson at St. Vincent Carmel as my surgeon and credit him for my success. He gave me the tool I needed to change my life. On May 11th 2005 I had my RNY and began a struggle to change behaviors that I had lived with my entire life. I had to change how i thought about food, exercise and day to day living. I had the help of a great team of doctors, nurses, and dietitians (which I recommend to everyone considering this surgery) to teach me the new habits and thinking that I would need for success. I learned that food will not fix depression, will not make me happy, and that I am in control of my behaviors that lead me to this decision.
Today my average weight is 135 to 140 and I wear a size 8/10. The only plastic surgery I had was a breast enhancement because I did lose all of my breast tissue and was a -A cup. I will be graduating with my masters degree as an adult nurse practitioner from Ball State University in July which would not have been possible prior to my surgery, I ride a motorcycle, workout everyday, and live my life to the fullest possible.
The one question I am asked that I always answer carefully is do you think I should have surgery? Would I do this again.....yes, should you.......only you can answer that. You have to make that decision for yourself. This is not a magic bullet, a quick fix, or an easy road. It takes determination, willpower, and the desire for change that is more powerful than the addiction to food that got us here. The one tidbit of advice I do give is ......... DO EXACTLY WHAT YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU TO DO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did I have set backs .....yes......did I require additional surgeries.......yes........did I have complications yes. However I stayed in communication with my physician, I did not assign blame, and I continued to move forward through the difficult times.
Now here I sit today, 4 years after surgery about to cry as I rehash old memories that I had forgotten. Would I do this again you bet because now I have a future to look forward to and live the life I chose not that is chosen for me by the restrictions that my weight and disability set for me. The only medication I take is my supplements that you must take EVERYDAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, and stomach medication. No pain pills or pain patches.
To ll who are sharing this anniversary date with me CONGRATULATIONS..........if you had surgery today and will share this date with me next year good for you and I look forward to reading your story.
The one thing I think about everyday....and the one bit of advice I was giving way back when that I consider my mantra is "Do something everyday that scares you" I lived most of my life hiding behind my weight.......I have unleashed the fear and boy is life great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tammy
