11-months post-op (long)
Hi everyone,
It seems a bit strange to post an 11-month follow-up. I’m not sure
how helpful it will be to others - as by 11 months, most folks have
learned how to deal with the ramifications WLS or have “thrown in the
towel” for good. However, there are a couple of things that might be
helpful to those still early “in their journey.”
Just to give you some perspective - my collar bones stick out a lot.
My ribs can be seen easily when I take a full breath. And, I can push
the hanging skin away and feel my pelvic bones. My bra size has gone
from 46DDD (bulging) to 36D (loosely comfortable). Thank goodness
that we can buy underwire support bras and control top pantihose.
Recently, I select elbow-length sleeves as my upper arms jiggle with
every move. (And yes, I have exercised 5-7 times a week for at least
9.5 of my 11 months post-op. I exercised before that - but not at a
gym.) The skin has shrunk some, but not enough! I have significant
loose skin on my thighs, lower abdomen, and upper arms. I have a
smaller amount of loose skin above my navel and at the bottom of my
tush. My boobs are smaller and droopy but still require a D cup.
For me, the emotional issues did not “hit” me until about the 9th
month post-op. (I thought I might be immune to these issues because I
had breezed passed them - up to that point.) Before that, everyone
was amazed and supportive of my weight loss. I heard nothing but
compliments, congratulations, and encouragement. I have a fairly
“upbeat” personality and relaxed in the positives that I was getting
at every turn.
Then I “broke 200 lbs” and really started looking REGULAR (at the
8th-9th month post-op). I was wearing Size 14s ane 16s at that point
and I believe folks (especially women) began to see me as a kind of
threat or something. At that point, I began to get negative feedback
from some. There also seemed to be jealousy from obese folks. I was
totally un-prepared for this reaction. I had to “come to grips” with
who I was and how I was interacting with my new world.
It has taken me a couple of months to re-balance myself and adjust to
the new reactions I get from people who have never known me as obese.
I am a new, and in some ways, different person than I was 11 months
ago. I am more of a participant in life. I can buy regular sized
clothing at most any store in town (at this point Size 12s).
However, the reality of living as morbidly obese continues to be a
part of me. I like to say that my OBESITY IS IN REMISSION now - but I
haven’t forgotten it. I still have to make healthful food choices -
everyday. I still have to exercise 5-7 times a week. I still have
another 20+ lbs to lose.
Depending on how much weight you have to lose, I believe that these
emotional issues may “hit you” either sooner or later than they “hit
me.”
Next month, I will make my 1-year anniversary. I may be 7-10 lbs
closer to my goal by then - perhaps close enough to look - in depth -
into plastic surgery. My surgeon guessed at 7 months - that I would
make MY goal (of 150 lbs) by 1 year post-op. Well, I will not quite
do that - but, if I lose some skin weight with plastic surgery, I will
be very close.
No matter where you are on your journey, there are things to learn. I
wish everyone the best along the way. The road is not easy and there
are often bumps in your way. But the result is soooooo worth whatever
trials you endure. It takes persistence and patience. We all want to
be thin an hour after our surgery. It takes a bit more time than that
- but with a positive attitude and dedication, you will be successful.
Keep on keeping on,
Susan H
5′6″ tall and 54 years old
Lap RNY on 4/2/01 at Alvarado, San Diego - Dr. Julie Ellner
Pre-Op 325 BMI 53 Size 26 or 3X
Today 178 BMI 29 Size 12 or Sm/Med
(a loss, to date, of 147 lbs)