Re: Acerbic wit

November 18, 2002

First, congrats on your anniversary, and on keeping the weight off. That's

an awesome success.

As for your question, I'd define a " honeymoon " period as the time, usually

lasting between 12 and 18 months, where the weight just falls off, you have

little or no appetite and you fill up on an insignificant amount of food.

Your clothes fall off your body, you find you actually start to feel

" normal, " people are remarking on how good you look, the opposite sex

returns your glances instead of looking the other way, etc., etc.

Then, for me at least, comes the period where you have to exercise, watch

everything you eat, get the nutrition in. That's where I am now, and where I

expect to be for the remainder of my life.

Some time ago, one of the many WLS articles I read quoted a nutritionist as

saying, " After a year or two, it seems the surgical patients are working as

hard as the nonsurgical ones to keep off the weight. But none of the

surgical patients have any regrets. "

That's me.

/john

Re: A new postie politician

> >

> > > In a message dated 11/17/2002 6:31:38 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> > > jwbry@... writes:

> > >

> > > > I wonder why this list is home to so many DS

> > > > patients struggling to take/keep it off if it's that magical.

> > > >

> > >

> > > Do you actually want a real response, or was this intended to be a

display

> > of

> > > acerbic wit?

> > >

> > > Kate

> > >

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

November 19, 2002

> Then, for me at least, comes the period where you have to exercise, >

watch everything you eat, get the nutrition in. That's where I am

> now, and where I expect to be for the remainder of my life.

>

> Some time ago, one of the many WLS articles I read quoted a

> nutritionist as saying, " After a year or two, it seems the

> surgical patients are working as hard as the nonsurgical ones

> to keep off the weight. But none of the surgical patients

> have any regrets. "

>

> That's me.

>

> /john

You know, I really want to respond honestly to this message, if for no

other reason than so that lurking pre-ops, or perhaps people who are

considering revision, will see a testimonial to the fact that one size

does not fit all when it comes to WLS.

My experience as a 3+ years DS post-op is valid. Just because I can't

say that I've struggled or regained, some people want to dismiss what I

say. " It couldn't possibly be that easy! " or " You're the exception! " , or

" You are wrong -- this is a 'tool' that must be 'worked' each and every

day forever! "

In my case, none of those things are true. Honest to God, I am not

struggling. Honest to God, I eat whatever, whenever I want, including

liberal sweets and fats and treats. Honest to God, I am not working

hard. This surgery *did* give me a get out of fat free card. What more

can I say? It's my reality. And it's the reality of hundreds of other DS

post-ops that I've interacted with for over three years now.

The trade-off, as said, is that we must be vigilant for the rest

of our lives about taking our supplements, getting our annual labs,

having them analyzed by someone qualified to interpret them (not a smal

dunk), and then tweaking the supplements as necessary to offset any

deficiencies if and when they arise. I take one prenatal, one iron, and

six Citracal+D every day of my life, without fail. I'm not foolish

enough to think that I can become complacent with my nourishment. That's

it. That's my burden, and I'm happy to shoulder it.

I wish this for everyone! Thank God, my body is *fixed*.

M.

---

in Valrico, FL, age 40

Lap DGB/DS by Dr. Rabkin 10/19/99

Starting weight 299, now 158

Starting size 26/28, now 10/12

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/M/melaniem.html

Direct replies: mailto:melanie@...

November 19, 2002

I'm a newbie here on the graduate list and haven't sent in an intro yet- will do

that a bit later.

I have to comment on your post. Firstly, I had an open RNY on September 27,

2000. On the day of surgery, I was 459 (highest was 480). I am now 199 lbs. I

have had a difficult time in regards to complications with plastic surger(ies).

I came to death's door far more than I care to think about. I digress, I am in

the same boat as you, fortunately. I eat what I want, when I want, including

fats, sweets, treats etc. The only thing I cannot tolerate is milk fat-- makes

me dump everytime. I can eat a few bites of ice cream but I know when to stop,

thankfully, because of my tool. I still do dump but I really do eat what I

want, when I want. Nothing is off-limits for me (with the exception of too much

milkfat).

I am very, very grateful as well that I've had this kind of success. I've

always said that I longed to be " normal " in the way I approach food--- not

obsessing over what I eat, when I eat it, etc. I finally am. My hope is that

this " normalcy " continues.

Warmly,

www.brandiland.com (before, during and now pictures)