I started at exactly 40% BMI (which means I couldn’t lose any weight in the months leading up to surgery because i needed my insurance to foot the bill).
Here are but a few of the positives:
I lost 7 pounds on the 10 day pre-surgery diet and I’ve lost another 62 pounds since surgery day on February 6th.
I’m 5’7” and I’ve gone from 253 pounds to 184 since January 27th.
I went from a size 22 to a comfortable size 14, and the good news is I figure I have another 30-40 pounds I’ll lose before I’m finished.
I’m 50 years old and I’m in better shape than I’ve been in since I was 28
I can now work a 12 hr shift (ALL of it on my feet) and not be in agony at the end of the day.
I can shop in the non-plus size section of any clothing store.
I don’t chronically worry if I’m going to “fit” into any space.
I no longer feel as if people are watching or judging me based off of my weight.
The negatives:
Eating and drinking have to be planned to an extent.
Every morning I know what I’m going to have for the day because I planned it out BEFORE I woke up in the morning. There really isn’t ever anymore free-styling food. Best have a plan.
I have to be somewhat careful of when I time my food/liquids or it hurts.
Nothing brings you into focus faster than accidentally taking a huge swig from your water bottle right after you’ve eaten lunch.
Don’t worry.... all of us have done it and while it hurts like the dickens, it won’t cause any lasting damage.
I have to convince friends and family that it is “okay” to eat with me or around me.
So many people in my life still apologize to me when they order somethings “sinful” at a restaurant. Yesterday a coworker brought a box of Doughnuts in and then apologizes for the next hour.
Here’s the deal.... the cravings for these kinds of things almost completely disappear and you find yourself not caring in the least that there’s a box of Crispy Kremes on the back counter because you’re trying your best to figure out how you’re gonna drink another 24 ounces of Water and eat a boiled egg in the next 2 hrs.
Holidays and special occasions are going to be a bit different.
Anyone who tells you any different probably never had family who likes food, or something else weird like that, but the reality is that it WILL be different.
Honestly though, now that I’ve gone though a few things like this, I’m HAPPY that things are different. Now instead of hanging around eating and drinking and all of the self-loathing that goes along with its, I can focus more on people and the party and not be chained by the food.
Yes.... if it’s a special occasion , have a bite or two of cake. Who cares if you eat a tiny bit?
Thursday on the 4th I’ve got a wedding to attend and I fully plan on grabbing a slice of wedding cake and grabbing a glass of wine. I’ll more than likely eat 1-2 bites of cake and drink ALL of the wine, but it will be so much fun to dance in my size 12 dress that I can now fit into and not have to always keep an eye out for the person taking pictures so I can run and hide.
This time I won’t care if someone takes a photo of me because I will be having a blast and looking great!
