I had roux-en-y gastric bypass in September of 1994

[grateful loser 4]

I am posting this to encourage anyone that has had or is thinking of having roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery. I had my surgery at North Florida Regional Hospital by Dr. Alex McGregor in 1994. He has passed since then, but I will forever remember what he said to me at my goal weight appointment when I thanked him. He said no, it wasn't him. He just gave me the tool...I am the one who did all the work. Wow....

I had many health issues that were resolved because of the surgery. I started at 229 lbs. 5'2". It took me about 9 months to lose 110 lbs. I had a good support system including a friend who also had the surgery back in 1988.

I will be 59 years old this coming October, and I am at 116 lbs. There were a few times over the years I gained some pounds back, but I got back to eating healthy again. Even with the surgery, to me, it's about eating to live, NOT living to eat. Also, I eat less processed foods, more "real and healthy foods.

I still have some favorite recipes from way back that I still prepare. Even my son-in-law loves two of them!

Anyway, I hope that something I have said today is of encouragement to someone.

[RJ'S/beginning 5,358]

I too have had the roux-en-y surgery almost 2 years ago... Today they use it to fix un-repairable leaks with the sleeve surgery...

It is wonderful to see a vet from so long ago and still in charge of their health these many years. Gives me faith that i too will be able to keep the weight off for the long run..Thank you for posting!

Edited July 3, 2014 by RJ'S/beginning

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

Wow! What a great success story you are! Inspirational for us newbies who still worry if it will work for them. It will work if we work it, right?

Thanks for sharing your story!

[healthyme1963 136]

Thanks so much for sharing your story! It's really nice to hear from someone who had the surgery so long ago and is still enjoying success. It's very encouraging to those of us just starting out.

[Tgarden 76]

Amazing success story! Thank you so much for sharing. It is so reassuring to hear from someone who had the surgery so long ago who is continuing to have a healthy lifestyle. I am 3 months out and already enjoying life so much more, I can only imagine what the next several years will bring. Keep up your great success!