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My Three Year Surgiversary!
As I write this I’m two days away from the three year surgiversary of when I had my gastric bypass (by the time it’s posted it’s two days later). Three whole years. I really struggle to believe it’s been three years since I had it done but then again at the same time my life now feels more and more like things have always been this way. The whole process started near on four years ago really and if you had told me then where I would be now, I wouldn’t have believed you.
I would say that having gastric bypass surgery and everything that came after that defining moment has been one of the most transformative things I have been through in my life. I say that because it’s transformative physically, mentally, inwardly and outwardly. Literally nothing in, around or about your life is left untouched by the changes bariatric surgery brings to your life.
I will never forget my life before gastric bypass surgery and nor do I want to. It adds to my lived experience of what life is like and gives me understanding and compassion for people in a similar place that I would never have gained any other way. While there’s much I think I would like to change in my past I’m not sure that I actually would if I was given the chance. It all led me to this point and while this journey has had its ups and downs it has been an incredible ride.
Year one was a whole new and ever-changing kettle of fish. I had this brand new, tiny tummy that I needed to gently lead through various dietary stages until I got to the point of figuring out my new and permanent normal. I didn’t imagine or expect it would happen but I reached my goal weight within that first year and I really felt I had everything all figured out.
Year two was a little bit more challenging in that I realised that my goal weight was not a point of being done. There was no special voodoo magic that was going to hold my body at my goal weight for the rest of my life without me taking control and doing the things I knew I needed to do. Who knew that a chocolate bar a day was not helpful in managing your weight? (I know, for a seemingly smart person, sometimes I am really stupid.) This was the year that I really got into running and events and I completed my first half marathon!
Year three has been different again. It’s seen my weight creep a few kilos above my goal weight. For a while there it was climbing for no apparent reason, no matter what I did exercise or food wise it still did whatever it liked. Then my body reached its happy point and I’ve been hanging around 68 kilos for about six months now. It took me a while but I have made peace with this number and my body seems really happy here. I knew that my weight might settle somewhere I didn’t want it to but it still took a lot of getting used to when it happened.
This third year has seen me continue on with my running and fitness efforts and I did my first ever 12k running event and I managed to do it in less than the goal I had set myself based on predictions from my training. That was such a great victory for me and I so love the feeling of being so fit and still can’t get over how much I enjoy exercise and running. I don’t think I ever imagined I would do some of these things and my body and how capable it is still takes me by surprise.
The early days after my surgery were tough. I didn’t count on how tired I would be and how hard the adjustment to this new life would be. Looking back at those early days now though I can’t really remember much of the details apart from the fact they weren’t the most fun. All of that was so worth it though because my life is better than I imagined it could be and who wouldn’t give almost everything for that!
How far out from weight loss surgery are you? Do you have a special way you celebrate your surgiversary? Could you have imagined the point you’re at now? Comment below and let me know I’d love to hear how it’s been for you.
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Congratulations. That is simply fantastic.
I look forward to being at the same point. My surgery is booked for 27 March and I can’t wait although I know it will be hard.
Thank you Donna! It will come around quicker than you imagine. The countdown is on for you! Good luck I hope it all goes well for you.
Wow! Three years! You absolute star 🙂
Thank you Sam xx
Well done you are such an inspiration, I’m 12kg short of my goal but getting there and yes its been life changing..love so many things about y new body..keep up the posts i love them
Thank you Robyn. I’m glad to have encouraged you on your journey! You will get there, just do the right things and it will happen. There’s no stopping me, thank you for reading, you have no idea how much I appreciate your support xx
The first time I met you Melissa I was inspired by you, like you wouldn’t believe!! I wanted what you had… A new healthy skinny life. You have continued to inspire me along they way and I must say Thank you! Your right it is a hard road and one hell of a journey coming up 2 years now in March for me seems unbelievable. Looking back I am constantly amazed how different my life is I love being fit and like uou love running… who knew???? Congratulations on your three years you have done so well x
Thank you for your kind and lovely words Joye. I’m so glad to have played a part in encouraging you on your journey. You have done so incredibly well and I really admire you and all you have achieved, you should be really proud of yourself! It’s amazing how far we have come and changed.
I’m not sure if you are even still reading these three years on, but I am 4 days post-op and it really helps to hear that it’s normal to feel as crappy as I do now, that it will get better! Thank you for that!
Hey Sara, I am still reading them! I hope your recovery is going well. Those first few weeks can be tough. Life will be so much better in the near future and you have no idea the amazing stuff that’s going to happen. Best of luck xx