Gastric Bypass | 2 year anniversary post-op

February 7, 2009

Today marks the two year anniversary of my gastric bypass ROUX-en-Y procedure. I have stayed within 10-20 pounds of my lightest weight since hitting it over two and a half years ago. At my lowest I was 190 and this morning I weighed in at 205. I’ve recently gotten up to 212 and have started working my way back down by counting calories and getting back into working out.

At this point, post surgery, I can say that my life is pretty close to normal. Here are some of the big differences between before and now:

    • I don’t drink soda – Supposedly other GB patients do but the logic is that it’ll help to expand your pouch and why would I go against what the surgery did for me? I’ve also had to get creative with my cocktails. Used to love Crown & Coke but now substitute with cranberry juice. Hey, it’s not manly but it tastes good!
      You can beat this surgery – As my weight gain shows, you can beat the GB pouch. With not paying attention to what you consume and by eating all day long you can put back on the pounds fairly easily. Going back to what I was would be the single biggest and most expensive failure of my life, and I can’t let that happen!
      Learning to embrace the misery – When I say that I don’t mean having the surgery, I mean when you eat too much or something that you shouldn’t, I have learned to embrace the sick feelings and understand that this is why I had the surgery because I couldn’t control myself before.
      I’m still crazy – I wasn’t so naive that I thought when I lost the weight it would solve all my problems but I did think it would dramatically help them. Superficially, I do get the compliments and extra looks (and it doesn’t hurt) but that doesn’t solve the issues that I still fight within my head. I’m as hard as ever on myself and can’t ever be okay with my looks or abilities. Something I still work on today. Thank god for my wife, her Masters in psychology has allowed me to be the patient a number of times now and I think she secretly loves to continually figure me out.
      Transparency about the surgery has reaped rewards – At the beginning of my presentations I do a recap of who I am that include my family, stuff I love to do, and “something you don’t know about me” where I pop up a picture of a before/after shot of me (see below). For one, their faces are priceless when they see the picture but also I always get people that come up to me and discuss their stories about their surgeries or of their family/friends, it has been a great icebreaker.

      My GB Progression

      The ultimate question is, “Would you have done it again?” and that one is the easiest one to answer for me. In a heartbeat.

    • UPDATED: Hah, I told you I’m going crazy. It’s been two, not three years since my surgery, oops.

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    • Stacy
      Brad,
      Thanks so much for sharing your story. I will be 2 years post op in July. I have hit that 10 pound bounce back from my lowest weight and have been really beating myself up over it. I now know exactly what I need to do. Thanks again and may God richly bless you.
      ~ Stacy
    • Amy
      Brad, I as well came across your site. I will be two years post op on July 17. My highest weight was 282 and my lowest was 156. Today I am 166 and those extra ten pounds that I have put back on are really bothering me. Do you have any suggestions or ideas that could help me. My first thoughts for trying to lose those extra pounds plus about 6 more are to go back to protein drinks for two meals a day and walk/run more.

      Like you I also had demons in my head, but through having my surgery and losing so much weight, I was able to release those demons, and figure out why I was overweight to begin with. Praise be to God for that.

      If I may answer to Cassandra...you go girl. I am very proud of that fact that you are having surgery. At first you will wonder what you have gotten yourself into, but trust me in the long run you will be glad that you did it. Your energy levels will increase as you will not be carrying around so much extra weight. I actually crave running, although I cannot run very far, but hey I'm doing it just the same. As for your hair, yes you will loose some it and you will probably cry about it, but just remember to get all of your protein in and that will be a big help. Good luck and God bless.

      Amy
    • Cassandra
      Dear Brad,
      I came across your site and I thoguht maybe you could help me for my up and coming gastric bypass. I'm excited and scared at the same time. I am 35 yrs old and have been very over weight most of my life. My weight is now affecting many areas of my health. I know that some of these areas will be relieved with the surgery. But I think my biggest concerns are, Will I lose my hair and will my energy levels increase? Do you have any insight that you think might help me out?

      Thank You,
      Cassandra
    • I am so incredibly proud of you! You know I love you the same at any size or shape. I'm thankful you are healthy for our family now :)
    • @Everybody - Thanks so much for the encouragement! I tell my story not only to encourage others but also to have people like you to hold me accountable. So don't be afraid to send me a note to do so, thanks again everybody!
    • Thank you for sharing this personal story. It's a wonderful testament to your courage and determination.
    • Many props Brad... working with GB surgeons in New Jersey, it's awesome to see your success and hear your story. Have enjoyed knowing you over the past year and looking forward to rockin' it again this summer.
    • Brad,

      Wow. Takes courage to deal with those demons. Congratulations.
    • Wow... Two totally different people. I wouldn't recognize you at 250+. Amazing.
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