Smanky

We all have, which is why for most of us, this was our last remaining option. I can't add anything to what Catwoman said, but just know that we've all been there. Most of us hit rock-bottom before opting for surgery, I know I sure did, physically and emotionally.
I liken my surgery to having a co-pilot, or "the adult in the room", or my latest favourite analogy: the monkey that sits on my shoulder and slaps me upside the head any time I think I may wander off my plan. It works! I absolutely love my shoulder-monkey, which has successfully stopped the single main reason I always failed: self-sabotage.

Coming back to this topic, because now I've started getting the "don't lose any more weight!" and "you're not going to lose any more are you?" comments from people. Super awesome. They never would have dared say "you need to lose weight!" when I was morbidly obese, but now that I'm a normal BMI (not underweight - normal) suddenly it's ok to comment. 😑
I know there's a bunch of factors going on there, it's a rich tapestry of psychology to unpack etc etc, but it's interesting to see how you escape one type of social scrutiny only to wander into a different one.

Also loving those analogies Smanky 😍

I love that analogy so very much. It’s like a form of self parenting. I am going to journal about this and make a little sign for my surgery /weight loss success self care box. 💜

We all have, which is why for most of us, this was our last remaining option. I can't add anything to what Catwoman said, but just know that we've all been there. Most of us hit rock-bottom before opting for surgery, I know I sure did, physically and emotionally.
I liken my surgery to having a co-pilot, or "the adult in the room", or my latest favourite analogy: the monkey that sits on my shoulder and slaps me upside the head any time I think I may wander off my plan. It works! I absolutely love my shoulder-monkey, which has successfully stopped the single main reason I always failed: self-sabotage.

We all have, which is why for most of us, this was our last remaining option. I can't add anything to what Catwoman said, but just know that we've all been there. Most of us hit rock-bottom before opting for surgery, I know I sure did, physically and emotionally.
I liken my surgery to having a co-pilot, or "the adult in the room", or my latest favourite analogy: the monkey that sits on my shoulder and slaps me upside the head any time I think I may wander off my plan. It works! I absolutely love my shoulder-monkey, which has successfully stopped the single main reason I always failed: self-sabotage.

We all have, which is why for most of us, this was our last remaining option. I can't add anything to what Catwoman said, but just know that we've all been there. Most of us hit rock-bottom before opting for surgery, I know I sure did, physically and emotionally.
I liken my surgery to having a co-pilot, or "the adult in the room", or my latest favourite analogy: the monkey that sits on my shoulder and slaps me upside the head any time I think I may wander off my plan. It works! I absolutely love my shoulder-monkey, which has successfully stopped the single main reason I always failed: self-sabotage.

Ah yes, the "big boned" classic! I truly believed it myself for most of my life. Looking at my body now, I can see that I have broad shoulders, but my bones look pretty standard-issue to me.

We all have, which is why for most of us, this was our last remaining option. I can't add anything to what Catwoman said, but just know that we've all been there. Most of us hit rock-bottom before opting for surgery, I know I sure did, physically and emotionally.
I liken my surgery to having a co-pilot, or "the adult in the room", or my latest favourite analogy: the monkey that sits on my shoulder and slaps me upside the head any time I think I may wander off my plan. It works! I absolutely love my shoulder-monkey, which has successfully stopped the single main reason I always failed: self-sabotage.

you do have to comply with your clinic's program or you'll eventually regain weight (although a 10-20 lb gain once you hit your lowest weight is very common - and almost expected. I planned for that when I set my goal and went a bit under goal to compensate)
that said, I'd never been able to lose weight and keep it off. I was over 200 lbs overweight, and I lost 50 or 60 lbs God knows how many times, only to gain it all back. I got the surgery (in my case, bypass) because if I couldn't even keep off 50 lbs for more than a couple of months, I knew there was no way I could lose and keep off 200 lbs. BUT...this actually worked. I did actually lose all that weight - over 200 lbs.
Your stomach will be a lot smaller so you can't take in a ton of food AT ONE SITTING - plus, most people lose their sense of hunger for a few months (up to a year) after the surgery. Having no hunger makes it much easier to lose weight. Once the hunger comes back, though, which is does for most of us, it'll be more of a challenge. You're still not going to be able to eat a ton of food at one sitting, but you might start grazing or eating mindlessly if you're not watching yourself. So that's when you have to really make sure you're continuing to comply with the program.
people gain weight back because they stop being compliant and old habits start creeping back in. As before, you still won't be able to eat as much as can now AT ONE SITTING, but if you're snacking all day, yep - you'll be able to take in a lot of calories. The examples I always use is that before I had surgery, I could eat half a large pizza for dinner. No way could I do that now. It would be physically painful. All I can manage is 1-2 pieces. BUT...if I ate 1-2 pieces at 5:00 pm, and another 1-2 pieces at 7:00 pm, and 1-2 pieces 9:00 pm, (which would be easy to do), I'd end up eating half the large pizza. So THAT'S what you need to watch out for.
the surgery in and of itself shouldn't exaggerate depression. If you're feeling depressed, though, it'd probably be helpful to work with a therapist. A lot of us do - both for that or to deal with eating issues (unfortunately, as they say, the surgery is on our stomachs, not on our brains).
where are you living in NC? I lived there for 10 years. I went to high school in Raleigh and when to college up in the mountains. My brother still lives in NC, so I still get down there occasionally...

I’m almost 4 years out & while my bites aren’t as small I certainly don’t take mouthfuls. I don’t use teaspoons anymore but still use a buffet spork or a dessert forks to keep bites smaller. I also serve my meals on side plates & in small bowls. it’s still about mindful eating. There is also a physical concern for me too. If I take too large a bite or swallow too much I can end up with the foamies so another reason to be mindful.
Oh, & I still cut up my meat into small pieces when I’m at home. 😁

Coming back to this topic, because now I've started getting the "don't lose any more weight!" and "you're not going to lose any more are you?" comments from people. Super awesome. They never would have dared say "you need to lose weight!" when I was morbidly obese, but now that I'm a normal BMI (not underweight - normal) suddenly it's ok to comment. 😑
I know there's a bunch of factors going on there, it's a rich tapestry of psychology to unpack etc etc, but it's interesting to see how you escape one type of social scrutiny only to wander into a different one.

Sat down in the laundromat chair today for the first time in ages (Covid meant not loitering inside) and experienced not standing up with the chair stuck to my arse. In fact there was a good five inch space of extra room for... something five inches to sit beside me.
Which means all white plastic chairs are no longer my nemesis. I'm cool with them now. We hang out.

Coming back to this topic, because now I've started getting the "don't lose any more weight!" and "you're not going to lose any more are you?" comments from people. Super awesome. They never would have dared say "you need to lose weight!" when I was morbidly obese, but now that I'm a normal BMI (not underweight - normal) suddenly it's ok to comment. 😑
I know there's a bunch of factors going on there, it's a rich tapestry of psychology to unpack etc etc, but it's interesting to see how you escape one type of social scrutiny only to wander into a different one.

I will never understand this bizarre notion people seem to have that an "easy way out" for weight loss is a bad thing even if it did exist. Like... why does it need to be a struggle to be ok? Do we need weight loss to be some epic f***ing crawl across a flaming desert of despair to be acceptable to people who aren't involved? Does my head in.
Makes me inclined to answer "my own hard work" when asked how I lost so much weight. It's not anyone's business anyway.
Also: you look AMAZING! Seriously. And that top you're wearing is gorgeous on you!

Ah yes, the "big boned" classic! I truly believed it myself for most of my life. Looking at my body now, I can see that I have broad shoulders, but my bones look pretty standard-issue to me.

Coming back to this topic, because now I've started getting the "don't lose any more weight!" and "you're not going to lose any more are you?" comments from people. Super awesome. They never would have dared say "you need to lose weight!" when I was morbidly obese, but now that I'm a normal BMI (not underweight - normal) suddenly it's ok to comment. 😑
I know there's a bunch of factors going on there, it's a rich tapestry of psychology to unpack etc etc, but it's interesting to see how you escape one type of social scrutiny only to wander into a different one.

Ah yes, the "big boned" classic! I truly believed it myself for most of my life. Looking at my body now, I can see that I have broad shoulders, but my bones look pretty standard-issue to me.

Like who’s family ever made excuses when you were heavy? Like, girl you just big boned?!🤣🤣🤣🤣 Or but, you have a pretty face though!! 🤦🏾‍♀️🙄💀

I will never understand this bizarre notion people seem to have that an "easy way out" for weight loss is a bad thing even if it did exist. Like... why does it need to be a struggle to be ok? Do we need weight loss to be some epic f***ing crawl across a flaming desert of despair to be acceptable to people who aren't involved? Does my head in.
Makes me inclined to answer "my own hard work" when asked how I lost so much weight. It's not anyone's business anyway.
Also: you look AMAZING! Seriously. And that top you're wearing is gorgeous on you!

So true! The couch at my therapists office is getting bigger and bigger.😊 The world finally fitting is definitely a plus.

Yes to this one too! The bench stools at the airport that are bolted into the floor, with a metal back that I never used to sit in (I'd stand at the bench instead) are now super roomy and I could plop a child on my lap and still fit. No-Longer-Fearing-Chairs is honestly one of the enduring NSV high-points. 🤸‍♀️

This is the US website for MyProtein https://us.myprotein.com/ranges/myvegan/products.list - scroll down to the "Clear Vegan Isolate". That's Protein water, and you guys actually get flavours we don't!

Yes to this one too! The bench stools at the airport that are bolted into the floor, with a metal back that I never used to sit in (I'd stand at the bench instead) are now super roomy and I could plop a child on my lap and still fit. No-Longer-Fearing-Chairs is honestly one of the enduring NSV high-points. 🤸‍♀️

Yes to this one too! The bench stools at the airport that are bolted into the floor, with a metal back that I never used to sit in (I'd stand at the bench instead) are now super roomy and I could plop a child on my lap and still fit. No-Longer-Fearing-Chairs is honestly one of the enduring NSV high-points. 🤸‍♀️