Hey everyone - still doing well and taking time to reflect each day on the wonderful gift I have been given.

My latest musing - I realized the other day that without this surgery I could have never lost weight (and kept it off) on my own prior to this surgery. Now, I am not saying that surgery is ALWAYS the answer and that NO ONE can lose weight without it. I am saying that for me, I know now that there would have been no way I could have been successful, which is why I have been overweight for the majority of my life.

But I couldn't SEE that until I got on the other side of the fence, so to speak. I had nothing to compare my experience to because I had been fat for most of my life - the way I saw food was skewed. Now, I have a "before" and an "after". It's just another realization that this was the right thing to do.

One of the things I did not expect was to feel "normal" so soon after surgery. This means I no longer have to "tip-toe" around my stomach (although there are some things I do not eat like donuts, soda and steak). I definitely feel full after eating a certain amount but because my stomach tolerates almost everything, it means it is very easy to eat too many calories. I realized the other day that chocolate chip Cookies (really, cookies of any type I imagine) go down way too easily. So this means that I have a hard time saying no. This further means I don't have them in my house because I know I will eat them if I do. And I am not sorry about that in the least, but it was something I had to recognize.

What is gone is the resentment of "I can't have this or that" or the strong cravings. The feeling that yet another attempt to lose weight will likely fail is gone too - I just eat as healthy as I can each day and exercise. I have been losing about 2 pounds per week pretty steadily, and I am okay with that. I don't worry anymore if I will be fat forever - I know it will be gone eventually and it will never come back. It gives me a sense of peace that I have never before had. I've got leftover packets of Protein shakes from past liquid diets. I keep them in case I need a quick meal because they actually taste pretty good. But knowing I don't have to LIVE on them ever again is priceless.

Best wishes and continued good health to all, whether pre or post surgery!

girl I am 5 months out..I totally agree with her post..I am also one that had tried everything an every way on this planet to lose weight an it just wouldnt come off..it was the best decision for me as well. yes getting thru the first month is the hardest. those were my surgeons words to me...he was right. but ohhhhh soo worth it!! I was committed to do this an ready. yea the week before I started getting anxous, nervous and my mind was going all over the place. its normal! hang in there. stick to your protocol an hang tough! definitly life changeing..I am down 88 an loving it! my mind is catching up...its lagging behind some but Im adjusting. mentally it takes alot of getting used to. emotionally the first month a lil tough. but I got thru it. have my dr follow ups an their support. hang in there...I dont regret anything I did. solidly stand by my desicion..

Edited December 10, 201411 yr by blondebomb