I am amazing! I had a gastric bypass 3 years ago to correct a previous surgery that was killing me. Literally. In 2005 I had VBG. The scar tissue was so bad I was unable to keep food down. I weighed 240 pounds but I was starving. The only foods that could get through the scar tissue are typically bad for me. My body was dying for nutrition. My adrenal glands were not working well. I was having iron infusions. And my thyroid was dysfunctional. My primary care physician determined all of that linked back to the VBG.
My journey following the gastric bypass 3 years ago has been a majority positive (like 99%). My goal weight was 175. I have wanted to weight 175 my entire adult life. I did not think I was going to get there…but I kept it as my goal.
For the first 2-years I got down to 185 – 190. I was satisfied with that weight. I felt pretty healthy. Would you believe the pandemic paid off? I developed a routine while working from home that included eating breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Seriously, eating is what changed everything for me.
I cooked and made sure everything I ate was healthy. I also began gardening for the first time in my life. It is great exercise (I have some muscles now from moving heavy stones used to build a patio and a fire pit!). The routine, eating on a regular basis, and moving my body was exactly what I needed. I reached 175 and could not believe it. BUT….because I continued my healthy routine, I lost MORE weight!!!! No kidding.
Today, I weigh 135 pounds. You read that right – 135! I wear a size 8. Most of my clothes are size small. I did not even know I wanted or needed to lose more weight once I reached 175...but my body did! With skin removal surgery, I think I would wear at least 2 sizes smaller.
I really do feel amazing. I feel that the surgery was so worth it. I would do it again and again and again. I would recommend it to anyone ready for the journey. Anyone ready to make that commitment. It is a commitment.
My commitment is to my health, to my family, and to living a long life. And I love to eat now. Food is not my enemy. It is my friend. I love to eat and cook for the first time in my life. I suppose all stories have pros and cons. I will tell you one of the cons… I do have malabsorption issues. I knew going into the surgery it was possible. I have not done well adhering to my needed vitamin regimen in the last two years.
As a result, I am getting iron infusions again. I cannot stress enough to others how important it is to take vitamins daily. And to spend the money necessary to get vitamins designed for bariatric patients. I can promise you after this experience with low iron I will be taking all the vitamins and supplements necessary.
Thanks BeLiteWeight!
RNY Bypass Revision
Surgeons: The surgical team of Dr. Jose Rodriguez-Villarreal, MD, FACS
*See Below
1-800-215-6497