Katcloudshepherd

Thank you for the article. It's so easy to listen to the siren call of food. Ignoring those sweet and dulcet tones saying: "I was ALWAYS there for you." "Come back to me". "You miss me don't you". "Just one bite". The hard work for me is in my head! So many days I leave work and want to go home and skip working out. I keep going to the gym because #1--I'm paying that monthly membership and not going is throwing money away. Secondly, I know I'll feel so much better after I work out. It amazes me how improved I feel and how much better I sleep at night. The better I sleep the easier it is to deal with my brain thinking I can eat whatever I want. Blessings, Kathleen

Thank you. I feel the tug of temptation but now that is what it is--a tug not a pull of a chain hooked to a semi-truck rig. It takes effort to keep doing the things I need to do but I can never go back. It takes effort to go to the gym when my mind is screaming "Take the day off!" To anyone that thinks the surgery makes it easy--they are so incredibly mistaken. Blessings, Kathleen

This doctor can pound sand as far as I'm concerned. My knees and back are so bad there is no way in Hades I could physcially execise that hard. The surgery gave me my life back. I want to see those contestants several YEARS away from the show! Without the restriction of surgery, how well did they keep the weight "lost" off? If you loose something you sure can find it again! I "released" my excess weight through the tool of surgery and the work AFTER surgery. Only through continuing to use the tool and do what I'm supposed to can I keep the fat released---otherwise it sure will find me!

Great Video!!!! I work out in the pool as I have severe joint problems and can't work out on land. I feel so much better after a good workout. I went to water aerobics for years and now do it on my own. I do water aerobics and mix in swimming laps. Works for me!!! I dont' give a rat's patootie how people view me in a swimsuit. I think that attitude comes with getting older. Fabulous at fifty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Katheen

FAB---U------LUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for your very creative revision of the song! Kathleen

Thank you for a VERY informative, excellent article. My brain is very difficult to "re-train" and so easily derailed Kathleen

I realize it's not scientific but I KNOW I'm a much better worker since having the surgery than before the surgery.

Very nice article. Thank you for being so candidly honest. Takes courage to do that. Blessings, Kathleen

I agree with B-52. It only took ONE time where I ate too much and threw up to cure me of EVER trying that again! I got the slimies once too. I don't know if it happens with lap bands or other WLS. It's where you eat too much and a mucous like substance comes up. Maybe twice is enough to create an aversion to eating too much? I'd like to see more research into the gut flora related to cravings. I believe my gut flora has changed since surgery. I don't crave sweets like I did before surgery--now I want savory, salty and high Protein foods. Thank you for sharing the information with us! Blessings, Kathleen

RJ'S/beginning, Lady, you have outdone yourself! Beautiful writing and so very true. I wish you a healthier fall and winter. Blessings, Kathleen

I believe there is a link between depression and your gut bacteria, (normal intestinal flora). I have no scientific evidence of this but I sure wish studies would be conducted. I also believe that your gut bacteria may have an impact on what you choose to eat. Again, I have NO studies to back this theory up but since I had the surgery and stopped craving sweets and thus stopped consuming sweets and carbs---my depression has improved. I know this is highly anecdotal evidence but I think our digestive system is so much more involved with mental function, how we feel overall etc. Blessings, Kathleen

vincereautmori, May I quote you? The last words in your post are ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS! "unfortunately for our naysayers, there is no surgery for ignorance." Absolutely profound! It not only applies to WLS but to so many other things. Blessings, Kathleen

Bravo, Bravo, Bravo BaileyBariatrics !!!!!! You are so very correct. My tastes have changed greatly since surgery. What I used to crave to the point of "I would go to war to get my hands on" is now of little interest to me. One of the blessings of the surgery . Going slowly with eating and finding out what your new sleeve can tolerate is something many people can forget. Kathleen

I'm not supposed to be snacking between meals per my doctors. I have used the low or no sugar Protein bars as something sweet if I get that craving--not very often but it does occasionally happen. Many Protein Bars are super sweet and have chocolate and Peanut Butter in them.

BaileyBariatrics, GREAT POST! Sugar is white poison. Your body has NO nutritional requirement for straight sugar. Your body converts simple carbs to sugar and that starts the vicious cycle of high blood sugars leading to more insulin being released by the pancreas to get your blood sugars into a normal range. This can turn into insulin resistance and its myriad of consequences. I avoid sugar because it has no benefit to my body. Thank goodness since the surgery my previous insatiable appetite for it has decreased. I'm so incredibly grateful for that. Blessings, Kathleen

Pippy's Mommy, WOW!!! You are truly an inspiration. I started to cry when I read about your childhood. I can so relate to you growing up in an alcoholic, abusive and dysfunctional home. Words can not express how thankful I am for your courage in posting your story. Overcoming everything you have speaks volumes for your intestinal fortitude. Blessings, Kathleen

Wow! Congratulations to all of you. Y'all look so GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know it was a long hard journey for many and I pray that I can have the surgery the 2nd week of December.