Re: It's been a year already - wow!

[Guest guest]

Wow, where did the time go? Today is my one year anniversary since having the

procedure. While we all celebrate those " special occasions " differently, I have

spent this morning reevaluating just what is different now a year later.

My entire outlook on life has changed. While having the procedure has changed

my physical health, it has done much more about how I think, feel and act in

life. I spend time now reflecting on how I view myself and others in my life.

All of this teaching me how to handle life's challenges and problems.

Since having my surgery a year ago, how I handle stress, relate to others and

even make decisions has changed. I have come to realize that physical health to

me is a balance between all aspects of life: social, mental, spiritual,

emotional and economic. I have come to realize that there are some things in

life that are beyond my control.

In the past I would deal with stress by eating. What has changed for me is that

I now realize that stress is a normal part of life. Instead of using " stress "

as an excuse to eat, I now use it to provide me with energy, motivation and

challenges that can be rewarding at times. Since my surgery, I have lost 149

pounds over the past year. I could never have done this on my own.

At 41(date of surgery), I was developing secondary conditions as a cause of my

morbid obesity. I no longer suffer with diabetes, hypertension, chronic back or

joint pain. CPAP, donated that to an open clinic in the area.

What a difference a year can make! While I still have more to loose (a lot

more!), the improvement in my quality of life has improved dramatically.

At 42, I have a new sense of confidence that I have not felt in years. I now

realize that I do have abilities and weakness but by accepting them, I can build

on them and only improve myself. An area that I still need to work on is

accepting compliments. I have difficulty accepting kindness from others after

all the years of degrading remarks about my weight. Positive strokes are

helping me getting over this issue.

I have found that you have to make time for family and friends. These

relationships need to be nurtured; if taken for granted they will not be there

to share life's joys and sorrows. I have learned to give and accept support,

for when a family or friend relationship is put to the test, they often thrive

the best.

Through many different ways, I volunteer being involved in the community which

gives me a sense of purpose and satisfaction that paid work cannot. As we do

here on the list, finding strength in numbers means so much. Sharing a problem

with others who have had similar experiences may help find a solution and for

me, helps me to feel less isolated.

What is the most important thing for me is I have learned to identify and deal

with my moods. I have found that food no longer is an acceptable way to deal

with stressors of life. No matter whether it is a major life event, long term

worry or even the daily hassles of just traffic jams, rude people or those

technical glitches that irritate us all there is a way to still be at peace with

yourself!

Over time I am learning who I am, what makes me really happy and finally,

learning to balance what I can and cannot change about myself.

So, as you can see, I have learned to look at life differently over the past

year. I cannot thank Dr. Rutledge enough for being the skillful and talented

surgeon that he is. His surgical skills and procedure has given me a new

outlook on life! (Numbers, how much you weigh ... mean nothing without a

quality of life) My quality of life is more rewarding to me than the numbers!

(Yes, I still say throw out the scales!)

I have no regrets about having this procedure and do recommend it to anyone that

has an issue with morbid obesity. Have a great holiday season everyone

[Guest guest]

I coudn't have said it better myself. Congratulations!

Dave from Michigan

[Guest guest]

<< I have spent this morning reevaluating just what is different now a year

later. >>

Thank you, so much for sharing your victories!

[Guest guest]

Well said Beautiful Lady. You're an inspiration to us all.

Janie

> Re: It's been a year already - wow!

>

> From: APEXKAS@...

>

> Wow, where did the time go? Today is my one year anniversary since having

> the procedure. While we all celebrate those " special occasions "

> differently, I have spent this morning reevaluating just what is different

> now a year later.

>

> My entire outlook on life has changed. While having the procedure has

> changed my physical health, it has done much more about how I think, feel

> and act in life. I spend time now reflecting on how I view myself and

> others in my life. All of this teaching me how to handle life's

> challenges and problems.

>

> Since having my surgery a year ago, how I handle stress, relate to others

> and even make decisions has changed. I have come to realize that physical

> health to me is a balance between all aspects of life: social, mental,

> spiritual, emotional and economic. I have come to realize that there are

> some things in life that are beyond my control.

>

> In the past I would deal with stress by eating. What has changed for me

> is that I now realize that stress is a normal part of life. Instead of

> using " stress " as an excuse to eat, I now use it to provide me with

> energy, motivation and challenges that can be rewarding at times. Since

> my surgery, I have lost 149 pounds over the past year. I could never have

> done this on my own.

>

> At 41(date of surgery), I was developing secondary conditions as a cause

> of my morbid obesity. I no longer suffer with diabetes, hypertension,

> chronic back or joint pain. CPAP, donated that to an open clinic in the

> area.

> What a difference a year can make! While I still have more to loose (a

> lot more!), the improvement in my quality of life has improved

> dramatically.

>

> At 42, I have a new sense of confidence that I have not felt in years. I

> now realize that I do have abilities and weakness but by accepting them, I

> can build on them and only improve myself. An area that I still need to

> work on is accepting compliments. I have difficulty accepting kindness

> from others after all the years of degrading remarks about my weight.

> Positive strokes are helping me getting over this issue.

>

> I have found that you have to make time for family and friends. These

> relationships need to be nurtured; if taken for granted they will not be

> there to share life's joys and sorrows. I have learned to give and accept

> support, for when a family or friend relationship is put to the test, they

> often thrive the best.

>

> Through many different ways, I volunteer being involved in the community

> which gives me a sense of purpose and satisfaction that paid work cannot.

> As we do here on the list, finding strength in numbers means so much.

> Sharing a problem with others who have had similar experiences may help

> find a solution and for me, helps me to feel less isolated.

>

> What is the most important thing for me is I have learned to identify and

> deal with my moods. I have found that food no longer is an acceptable way

> to deal with stressors of life. No matter whether it is a major life

> event, long term worry or even the daily hassles of just traffic jams,

> rude people or those technical glitches that irritate us all there is a

> way to still be at peace with yourself!

>

> Over time I am learning who I am, what makes me really happy and finally,

> learning to balance what I can and cannot change about myself.

>

> So, as you can see, I have learned to look at life differently over the

> past year. I cannot thank Dr. Rutledge enough for being the skillful and

> talented surgeon that he is. His surgical skills and procedure has given

> me a new outlook on life! (Numbers, how much you weigh ... mean nothing

> without a quality of life) My quality of life is more rewarding to me

> than the numbers! (Yes, I still say throw out the scales!)

>

> I have no regrets about having this procedure and do recommend it to

> anyone that has an issue with morbid obesity. Have a great holiday season

> everyone

>

> > This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

> Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/07/1999 1:54:22 PM Eastern Standard Time,

APEXKAS@... writes:

<< Today is my one year anniversary since having the procedure. >>

Hi ,

You have many wonderful reasons to celebrate and reflect. Thanks for

sharing them with all of us.

[Guest guest]

What a great and inspirational one year update! Thanks so much for sharing!

in AL

MGB 8/2/99

54 lb. gone so far!

[Guest guest]

karen, I have watched you daily transform into a new you. You have been an

inspiration to me. Thank you for answering all the silly questions I threw

out your way. You have really done an awesome job. Thank you for the

update.

[Guest guest]

You have done so well in all the ways that really count.

How elated you must be just waking up every morning and discovering a new

day. I am so happy for you and your new life, your quest for knowledge, and

your rediscovering yourself.

Also, you have given a wonderful tribute to Dr. R.

HAPPY RE-BIRTHDAY!

God Bless,

[Guest guest]

thank you for your support ... I still laugh at some of the questions

that have been asked of me. One area that has not been addressed in this group

is that of sex! Yes, sex! I have been asked if my sex life has changed because

of the surgery. Being such a sensitive issue, let me just say that as my

self-esteem has improved ... so has other things. I have not found any decrease

or changes in my needs. Has anyone in the group had any issues or concerns in

this department?

Maybe it's the three vitamins a day... or the apple a day keeps me healthy,

wealthy and in my case, horny!

[Guest guest]

Hi , Happy Birthday!!! It is hard to believe that a year has slready

passed for us. At one year (thursday) I am down to 204 lbs and a size 14-16.

Not a day goes by that someone doesn't comment on my appearance. I can not

put in words how thankful I am to Dr R. I have a lot more self esteem as a

dietitian now. Congrats!

MGB- DrR

12-9-98 320 lbs , 5'11 "

12-7-99 204 !!!

At 08:06 PM 12/7/99 -0500, JVE123@... wrote:

>From: JVE123@...

>

>In a message dated 12/07/1999 1:54:22 PM Eastern Standard Time,

>APEXKAS@... writes:

>

><< Today is my one year anniversary since having the procedure. >>

>

>Hi ,

> You have many wonderful reasons to celebrate and reflect. Thanks for

>sharing them with all of us.

>

>

>>This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

>Please visit our web site at http://clos.net

>

>

[Guest guest]

<< Maybe it's the three vitamins a day... or the apple a day keeps me

healthy, wealthy and in my case, horny! >>

This is a recurrant theme from others as well. Whatever it is, our spouses

and significant others certainly are not complaining. That is something that

I heard from other couples...in a similarly genteel fashion. I'm pre-op, so

I'm just reporting " hearsay. "