6 Month Post-op

An open letter to my team at WeightWise!

March 5, 2012

Dear Team,

I was in the Weight Wise offices today for my 6 month follow-up. I have a lot of time to think during my 3 hour drive from Fort Worth. I always think about the changes that have taken place from the beginning of this weight loss journey. The true beginning for me is from Dec 2010 when I was at my heaviest known weight of 285 pounds. I went through a couple of stages of the popular HCG diet and actually did really well the first time around but tapered off by my 3rd attempt and re-gained half the weight I had lost within months. 

November 2010 before I went on the HCG diet

I had my consult with Dr. Broussard on July 11, 2011. 274 pounds

the beginning...

He was my second consult and I knew coming in what I wanted. I had already decided on Gastric Sleeve Surgery and was ready for whatever it took to get me to surgery. I also was already prepared for all the pre-requisites there would be having heard about all of that at the info meeting prior to consultation. I didn’t care, my mind was made up and I was ready to do whatever I needed to do! It seems the process might be a little easier when you’re a self-pay patient as I’ve heard a lot of stories about those dealing through insurance! I’m so thankful we were blessed at the right time and able to do this and remain debt-free! 

September 13, 2011: Surgery Day. 253 pounds

Only pic I took of myself on surgery day

I was a bundle of nerves.  I can’t remember my pre-op nurses name, but she re-assured me that everything would be great! She told me she was Dr. B’s very first VSG Patient and a little about her story and success. She looked great and that was enough for me. The last thing I remember before going under was asking someone in the surgery room if they would be taking any pictures inside me?! I wanted to know b/c 1) I’m a Massage Therapist and the body is my business. and 2) I’m fascinated by the Body Worlds Expeditions and thought it’d be cool to see my own insides... probably better I didn’t though. Anyhoo, Surgery was great from what I could tell. I have a vague memory of coming out of anesthesia in my recovery room, seeing my hubby through blurred vision across the room. Waking up, sipping water, sleeping, waking up, sipping water, sleeping... and finally having to actually get up and move around. Over all the pain was very tolerable after the first day. My after care nurse was SUPER sweet! Wish I could remember her name too... Somebody find out and tell her thank you from me!

In the weeks and months following my surgery I have been through (I’m sure) the typical roller coaster ride that most bariatric patients go through. However, I will say that I truly have been blessed with a smooth ride! No complications, few mis-haps, and a lot of progress! 

Nov 2010 vs Nov 2011

I started training for a 1/2 marathon in November, only about 8 weeks post-op! I started out walking, but there was an urging inside that told me to run! So I began somewhere around an 18 minute mile walking and am currently averaging between 12/13 minute mile at a light run, walking as needed. Every Saturday the team does the longer runs, and every time I achieve a new distance I get emotional b/c I never was able to run 1 mile before, but here I am running 6...8...10... 12 MILES! the first time I ran 8 miles I was fighting the tears for the last two because I couldn’t believe I was actually running. It seems so simple now. Lots of people run. Young people run. Hell... even elderly people run! But I was never a runner... NOW I AM! I catch myself saying things like “it’s only 6 miles” or “I found my stride about mile 5...” I mean really, stuff that only runners would say. I have to give credit to Team in Training and my coaches and friends for helping and supporting me along the way! I WOULD NOT have done this alone!!! I could have, but I wouldn't have...

the runner!

   

After my first 10K! February 24, 2012

Some of the little things I think about from time to time or discover and either get emotional over or excited about... 


- Using a normal sized towel after my shower and it wraps all the way around me and closes at the ends! I used to use Bath sheets for that feeling... no more!

don't even have to hold it up!

-having people view me as a normal, healthy weight... I had a client comment on her own weight the other day in a way that made me feel like she didn't think I could relate to her being obese. She had never seen or met me before that day so how would she know that this time last year I was nearly 300 pounds?! This was an interesting pill to swallow for me!


-realizing at 185 that I was 100 pounds less than my heaviest known weight!

at 185 pounds holding 100 pounds of Brittney!

NYE 2011/2012

The dynamics of my marriage have also changed. We have had our moments in the 5 years we’ve been married. Moments where I would question if he was even attracted to me any more. The more I felt bad about my self, the worse it seemed that he felt about me too. My husband has been very supportive of my surgery from the get go. He doesn’t show emotion well, but I knew he was worried about me going into surgery and the healing process afterward. It may be hard for him to understand the mood swings or crying over food loss. But he is certainly enjoying all the rewards that come with this process! He tells me how pretty I am all the time, looks at me differently than before and likes to threaten me that he’s going to tell on me when I eat something I’m not supposed to.  I am actually 30 pounds smaller now than I was when he met me! So he is now getting to know a whole new version of me, as I transform! He has made it all about taking care of me for a while now and I’ll be glad to support him the same when he begins his journey to optimal health as well! 

Inspiring others: I never ever considered going into this that I would be an inspiration to others. Especially to those who are unable to go through this procedure. I’m starting to understand why, but it’s still hard to wrap my head around it. I want to encourage people to start somewhere, even if it’s just giving up soda’s it’s a step in the right direction. Sign up for a 5K and give yourself a reason to train! Having this influence on others give’s me extra pressure to succeed and stay on task. I’m much more of a goal setter now than I was before, and I have the motivation and confidence to achieve those goals now! I've never had so many people telling me that I'M inspiring THEM! This is very humbling!

6 Month post op, weighed in at 178!! 3/05/2012

So, as I sit here nearly 6 months post op and reflect on progress... I’m thankful for now having a life worth living! I’m thankful that what I’ve gained has been more than a tool for me but a tool to motivate others around me! I’m thankful that I can run! I’m thankful that I’m 25ish pounds from goal in such a short amount of time! I’m thankful that I can wake up every morning and like what I see in the mirror! 

       

6 week post op, weight around 225 (October 2011)

Dr. Broussard, I would like to say to you that I am forever grateful for the path in which you chose to pursue as a Bariatric Surgeon. You have been given a gift as talented surgeon and are using those skills to change peoples lives for the better. You have been kind and straight forward with me from the get go and I always look forward to making you smile when you open that door for follow-up! 

Chris, Always so energetic and uplifting! Even when I know you’re going to get on to me about the things I eat/drink or my lack of vitamins I still enjoy visiting with you! The program you have created along side Dr. Broussard has been amazing for me. Difficult at times, but it works! I hope to remain a long term success story that you all can brag about for years to come! 

Lauren, I’m so excited to have become a runner of these 6 months! I hated when I first started and you were telling me not to take it too fast! I’m content with my current pace and progress and look forward to running the relay with you in April!! Thank you for the motivation and encouragement!


This whole experience has been so great from the start with everyone at Weight Wise! I am right now at 175 pounds! Just 10 days from running my first 1/2 marathon. Running my 2nd 10k this weekend and I feel fantastic! I cannot believe the difference this has made on my life! ... and it feels like just the beginning!

Sincerely,

Susan Griffith