I cringe everytime I hear someone use the word "journey" when describing any life realted event - not just for WLS. I've never felt comfortable using the word... so I'm not knocking anyone that likes to use the word. But I finally found my word - adventure. What's your favorite word to describe your "adventure" in WLS?

I think for me the word is challenge...that is what motivates me...I'd like to say adventure because that sounds so positive...but in reality I think of it as a challenge I'm working through....maybe so I can get to the adventure? I find myself getting more and more melancholy as my date approaches...maybe it is because I know that in 2 more days I have to start the 2 week liquid diet...anyway...challenge sums it up for me!

This... is my LIFE. I had a procedure, I go on journeys, I have adventures. But this is my LIFE!

????journey .. I like that!! I am 2years and one month post op and it is just that!!

Until I get to goal this is a journey for me. Maybe when I get there I can start having some adventures that are a little more fun than this.

Struggle. The struggle is real, people! LOL

Seriously though, this is "my ride". And I'm enjoying it.

Adventure. I was handed a blank map the day of surgery.

Well, get ready to cringe my dear. Journey it is for this diva.

Journey is ok. Path is good. Choice though is what I use. We all have choices we make every single day. They can't all be good choices can they? But .. Oh.. 95% of the time I'm in control enough to make good choices for.... food...........Exercise ...words I sometimes don't think through enough. But that's 5 % I'm trying dammit. Oops

I'm definitely with you on that one. It truly was an "ordeal" those 1st 10 days post-op! I can definitely say it was some of the worst pain I've ever gone through, but I'd do it agian in a second to get where I am today. :-)

I am on my 5th day out - today the word is "ordeal", LOL!

It truly was a challenge. But I have to say that the pre-op diet was so much harder than anything I have gone through post-op. Hunger and cravings disappeared from the 1st day post-op. The pre-op diet was a constant battle with my food cravings. Even though I knew I wasn't physically hungry, my brain kept telling me I needed to eat. Hang in there, words can't describe how much better life is post-op. It was worth every minute of stress, excitement, pain and hassle.

I think for me the word is challenge...that is what motivates me...I'd like to say adventure because that sounds so positive...but in reality I think of it as a challenge I'm working through....maybe so I can get to the adventure? I find myself getting more and more melancholy as my date approaches...maybe it is because I know that in 2 more days I have to start the 2 week liquid diet...anyway...challenge sums it up for me!

I have two... "Life Change" and I don't ever want to go back!

Never cared for the word journey either....i don't have a word for it....

I had surgery to correct something that was not right, then after which I began to live a new life, learning my new relationship with food and eating....

I would not call any type of surgery a journey, but a means to "Fix" something, make it right, back to normal.

I cringe everytime I hear someone use the word "journey" when describing any life realted event - not just for WLS. I've never felt comfortable using the word... so I'm not knocking anyone that likes to use the word. But I finally found my word - adventure. What's your favorite word to describe your "adventure" in WLS?

*LIFE*

having my WLS of choice gave me my life back

i am not being dramatic...i could not put my socks on

i had trouble wiping my ass and i could hardly walk

i was losing my life day by day..my surgery saved me

and when i saw it was (working) that spurred me on to

help it...LIFE...what a great thing.

Taking Charge. That is what I am saying. I am going to have this surgery, no matter how terrified, to take charge of my life again. I will overcome my fear of food change and TAKE CHARGE to become the person I want to see in the Mirror. With this new tummy, I am empowered to TAKE CHARGE of my future and stop letting food and failed diets take charge of me.

I know my "word" is probably unpopular and some might roll their eyes, but it works for me on a couple levels. I call my experience "recovery."

In a very real physical sense, I'm still recovering from the surgery and the dramatic weight loss side effects of the first six months. Some peoples ride down is smooth and easy, but not mine. Reading about it ahead of time is nothing like living it.

Deeper, I am recovering from a lifetime of unhealthy use of food as an emotional numbing agent and my weight as an emotional barrier to meaningful relationships. I am recovering from those behavior patterns because my buffer and my numbness are being stripped away as the pounds melt. I have to deal with things like emotions and relationships now instead of hiding.

I also never want to forget where I was and where I'm coming from, so calling it recovery reminds me that its not a dream, it's not a magic fix and life isn't going to be all roses and butterflies when I hit goal. I could end up living large again if I'm not diligent.

Some people need the optimism of inspiring language when talking about their experience. I need a reality check.