What a difference a decade makes

[Guest guest]

Hi, all.

Today is the 10-year anniversary of my BPD (no DS): April 17, 1991.

When I waddled into the OR 10 years ago today, I was 22 years old

(barely) and weighed 320 lbs. I'd been overweight and obese and clinically

morbidly obese and then clinically supermorbidly obese for my whole

life. My first dieting experience that was noted was Overeaters Anonymous

when I was 5 years old. At my intake appointment with my pediatrician when

I was 18 months old, under " eating habits " my mother noted " always wants

to eat. " I suspect I had an undiagnosed satiety disorder.

I felt trapped and limited by that awkward supersized body. I still

exercised (loved to swim) and did my best to eat sensibly and

nutritiously, but as I dieted and dieted, the pounds (when I did manage to

lose them) continued to pile on. I was terrified for my future because I

believed I would continue to gain and gain.

So, 18 months after my mother had her BPD, I had mine. I had borderline

high cholesterol, the early signs of gallbladder disease, and a family

history of high blood pressure and diabetes (though at 22 my blood

pressure was fine and I didn't yet have diabetes), dyspepnia on exertion,

and an irregular menstrual cycle.

Because I was so young and an avid exerciser (swam a mile a day most days

and also did water aerobics), my recovery was easy and fairly rapid. I

left the hospital in four days -- standard hospital stay at that time for

that procedure was 5-7 days (my Mom was in for 7). I stayed with my Mom

for a couple of weeks and let her baby me before moving back to my own

walk-up apartment. At my 3-week appointment, my surgeon said I could go

back to work right away, but I told him I wanted to take another week off

(and he'd said I could) because I wanted to find a new job. And so I

did. And a few weeks after that, I moved 120 miles away from San Diego to

my college town. And two years after that, I moved to the SF Bay Area,

where I still reside.

I lost 100 lbs in that first year, and stopped losing after that. My

actual weight loss, or the fact that I was still large-sized (size

18-20) was never an issue for me -- I was grateful to no longer be

morbidly obese or fear becoming MO again. I joined a Master's Swim team

and started doing competitive swimming.

About 7 years out, I noted that I'd had a slight weight regain: instead of

220 lbs, my range was 230-240. Which was actually fine with me.

About a year and a half ago, I started paying attention to some niggling

chronic health concerns: frequent diarrhea and gas, athlete's foot,

frequent halitosis, an anal fissure that wouldn't heal, and dark circles

under my eyes. I simplified my diet and limited it to flesh protein

(mostly chicken, fish, eggs, turkey) and vegetables, nuts, seeds,

herbs. Nothing processed and absolutely no dairy or wheat (eliminated

nearly all grains except for millet, quinoa, and brown rice). Amazing to

me, I quickly lost 30 lbs and have continued to slowly lose another 10,

bringing my weight down to just below 200 lbs -- 198. Before surgery I was

pushing the outer limits of Lane sizes (26/28/30). A year and a

half ago, I wore a size 20/22. Today I wear a size 14/16 and those are

getting pretty loose.

Last year I was diagnosed (finally!) with severe anemia, which was quickly

resolved with a series of iron infusions. I also re-established contact

with my surgeon (Wittgrove of Alvarado), and have also seen Dr. Rabkin for

after care (since he's closer to home and covered by my insurance). I

consulted with him last week for a wee hernia I've given myself from doing

intense abdominal workouts.

I also started taking supplements that are designed for malabsorbers which

I absorb much better than the Costco-brand supplements I'd been

taking. All of my blood levels are currently stable and in the normal

range. Hallelujah.

I'm continuing to slowly lose weight, much to my surprise and amazement

-- and shock at times: I'm currently at my lowest adult weight -- I've

never been this " small " as an adult and the change is taking some

adjustment, since it's so unexpected this far out.

Since regaining my health last year, I've also ramped up my exercise

program and am now training for a triathlon, which I plan on completing in

the Fall (unless I end up needing to postpone that for a hernia repair --

which at this point seems unlikely). I hope it doesn't sound too boastful

to say that I am the picture of health and am often complimented on my

healthy glow. It's a new joy to be complimented on my athleticism: last

week my swim coach told me that if i were an undergraduate, she'd be

recruiting me for the swim team! I nearly wept when she said that --

that's the first time someone's seen me as an ATHLETE -- and not as the

little fat girl struggling to keep up.

Wherever you are in your process, I wish you the best: the best care, the

best of luck and health.

Warmly,

Sharon

sharon@...

Open BPD, Dr. Alan Wittgrove, San Diego, CA

320 lbs then, 198 lbs now

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Sharon/sharon.html