Who's Post Op the longest - ThinnerTimes

Pokey757 · 02-03-2005, 08:50 AM

I am searching for people who are post op like 6-10 yrs out. I want to know how they are doing.

Pokey757 · 02-03-2005, 11:46 AM

Doesnt anyone else find it strange or even a little scary that no one who is 6 to 10 years out is ever posting? I must admit this really freaks me out. I dont want to do something this drastic and then be "gone" in 10 years.

bridgetgirl · 02-03-2005, 11:53 AM

Different folks get burned out on suppot and forums that's all. Suzanne is a an active poster and monitor and she is 3 years out...... at the east county support group meeting Dana was there and she is 5 years out... they are out there... just moved on in their lives without support... thats my take on it.

Esouza · 02-03-2005, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pokey757

Doesnt anyone else find it strange or even a little scary that no one who is 6 to 10 years out is ever posting? I must admit this really freaks me out. I dont want to do something this drastic and then be "gone" in 10 years.

Well yes and no. Here's the deal. Some do move on after they get their lives back I'm sure. I've been around for almost 4 years. I've been active all over the place as far as support groups. I've met few over 4 years out. Most of them that I have met were hurting and had gained most of their weight back and returned for some type of support. I did meet a disturbing group of women on time. There were 6 of them I think. This was a couple of years ago. They were friends and all had the surgery about the same time and were all about 5 years out with one being 7 years out. Out of the 6 one was doing well and had maintained. The one 7 years out had had a revision after gaining all her weight back and had lost less than 50 pounds after the revision. The others had gained their weight back and were all hoping to get revisions. The disturbing part was that they all got together once a week and binge ate and junk food at one of their houses. This was a weekly thing that had done for a while. I got to experience this and was scared as hell. lol No joke. Now mind you this is a small group compared to all the people that have had surgery. The hard part for me is what is considered a successful WLS patient? From what I've read/heard from the medical field is that a person that has lost 50% of their excess weight. ok great... that would have still put me over 300 pounds. For me that was far from being successful. Also I considered the length of time. I mean lets say I hit goal for a week, month, year, and started gaining again? Is that successful? I'd love to meet some folks also. People like vitalady and her husband are long term but had a different type of WLS surgery and had complications they had to deal with. If you get some info please share.

melanie hirschorn · 02-03-2005, 01:46 PM

i'm two years out. am a size 2 and maintaining between 120-125. i lost 120 pounds. i just don't have time to post and being further out i have different issues than a lot of the people who post on here as newbies and not being as far out. a lot of people are dealing with food issues of what to eat and how much, etc. being two years out, food really isn't an issue with me. it has become a lifestyle change.
melanie

Dara · 02-03-2005, 03:06 PM

I have a female cousin who is six years post-op and has kept the majority of her weight off. She has regained about 20 lbs. of 100+ lb. weight loss. However, I have also heard plenty of horror stories of WLS patients regaining all of their weight.

There's good and bad in everything. Frankly, the only person I need to worry about is me...I am in charge of my own destiny. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

MaryClipper · 02-03-2005, 04:04 PM

This is a fairly new forum, less than a year old, for Dr. Callery & Potts patients, so most long term pts don't know about it. Also you will find that most people if they are not having issues related to WLS are getting on with life. They are not as consumed with the subject. I know many people who have kept the majority of their weight off, so they don't feel the need for support.

Esouza · 02-03-2005, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaryClipper

This is a fairly new forum, less than a year old, for Dr. Callery & Potts patients, so most long term pts don't know about it. Also you will find that most people if they are not having issues related to WLS are getting on with life. They are not as consumed with the subject. I know many people who have kept the majority of their weight off, so they don't feel the need for support.

Agreed but there is something about giving back too. With that you will also help yourself.

So I was ready to give up the whole WLS thing. I was pretty sick of it. I mean I was tired of the "WLS Patient" label and wanted to leave it to leave behind me. I told my OA sponsor and he said "Hey.. It's your cross to bear." You wanted this surgery and you have done well. People (pre-ops) need to see that. It gives them hope and you have to share your experience. He was right. As hard as it is for me too look at my before photos and share them I do. I used to speak before I moved and it was tough. Yet there is always someone that is helped from it. The after pic I posted that was taken a week or so ago is cool but embarassing. I share those and then I get an email from a 500 pound girl that is in her early 20's. She is crying and tells me how she had no hope of ever looking normal. After seeing my photos she is going to do this and do her best to make success happen. The way I can help pre-ops the most is to make sure I take care of myself. Got that whole circle of life thing going. lol

Cheers

Blueyz · 02-03-2005, 06:03 PM

Ed~

You are too cool. To touch someone like that and inspire others is a wonderful feeling. My sister was inspired by me and is in the process of getting approved. It makes me feel great that she is going to do something to better her life. I am keeping my fingers crossed for her. She really needs help. Can't wait to finally meet the famous ED on Feb. 17th.

watergirl · 02-03-2005, 07:20 PM

Nicely said, "The way I can help pre-ops the most is to make sure I take care of myself. Got that whole circle of life thing going. lol"

Paying it forward!