luvrolife

I'm an aircraft mechanic. I was back to work in three months, but that had more to do with my previous knee surgery rather than my VSG. After the bariatric surgery I felt surprisingly good. With each week that passed I saw the scale move down and that supported my mood to skyrocket.

Thank you for this reminder! I find myself, at a plateau, tempted by sweets, trying to differentiate head hunger from real hunger and fielding conversation about my recent WL. This time of year is a great marker for dealing with all of the above and your article aids me in putting it all into perspective. THANKS AGAIN!

I'm not sure how "easy" it is but for me I see how this is a time to learn your body and read its signals or in other words, "listen to it"! I've been to enough WLS meetings and work with more than a dozen people who've gained a significant amount of weight after Surgery. It tends to start in the 2nd year for many. I guess that's why they call it a tool. Now that you have the method to get the weight off, you have to learn how to use it and listen to your body to assure you keep it off. Maintenance is hard for everyone who loses weight, that's why time and again I hear it's a life style not a diet. That lifestyle requires vigilance and daily commitment. Really no different than any other goal we achieve in life. For example, I can't have great credit and the opportunity to make my money go further, if I consistently make choices to spend beyond my means. I do know of someone who actually died from a gastric bleed after stretching their "pouch". They were on a cruise and had to be helovac'd out to the mainland...He actually had been sliding back into bad eating habits, during his third year without looking back. It was a terrible, as his wife was not allowed to go with the helicopter, so by the time she arrived she got the tragic news he didn't make it. I'm using this time to put a plan in place, (food and exercise) and find ways to stick to it. Best wishes on developing your routine! Vanessa

I had my surgery the same day CheleLynn45. There is much to get accustomed to isn't there? I went to Thanksgiving at some long time family friends that I haven't seen since the summer. When I walked into the kitchen, the husband remarked Whoa...where's the other half of you?! It was nice to have my body changes acknowledged...but the interesting part is not everyone says anything....and I like it! I have noticed now that people want to be closer and engage with me more. It's not like I was a pariah but the interesting thing I've noticed in people's behavior is if they think you're more successful at whatever in life they decided is important...they want to engage with you and are more endearing...like yesterday, I went to see my NUT and she was smiling the whole time, telling me how great I looked, made a compliment that I was smart, fun and cool. Then before I left she was hugging me. We always had good productive visits before but her happiness at my progress made her feel so much closer to me to express it. It was a nice surprise, but a surprise nonetheless.

My surgery was Oct. 27th and I'm approved for FMLA until the end of January! I have a very physical job and I have severe osteoarthritis. My knees are in terrible shape which is the major reason I submitted to having a VSG, after enduring arthroscopic surgery to repair a double meniscus tear. Thankfully between my Sick Leave Acct and State Disability I can afford to take time off to heal rather than worry about the "job". I spent decades worrying about everyone and everything else and not enough about me. Those days are SO over for me....

Sometimes I truly believe clueless people are So self centered they need to see how their behavior is basically Bullying! .....and then I think up scenario's like this: I'd make a Craigslist "Free" Giveaway post and then make a print of it and put it on their school Bulletin Board in their Faculty Room!..... asking for help to find and give these to some "DESERVING" "NEEDY" or UNDERPRIVILEGED soul at this Holiday Season....Let's REMEMBER this is the season of Giving! Ooooooh if she gave up an ugly Christmas Sweater amongst the Treasures, I could then caption it :GREAT WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT!!!! I'd definitely be sure to include lots of and LOL's!......It seems to make all sorts of rudeness completely palatable.