I have a tremendous fear of regaining the weight that I've lost. I was going through some recent pictures of the 3 family members of mine that have had WLS. Two had Gastric bypass and the (blonde pink shirt) had sleeve surgery 6 months before I did. All have regained weight, they don't look like they even had surgery. None of them ever reached any goal. These are current post (last week). The part that aggravates me is the excuses they come up with and the comments about how I'm just "lucky" that I lost so "easily". I see all the food post. It's not my place to call them out on the food they are eating. Seeing this can be discouraging at times but most of the time it makes me want to do anything possible NOT to end up like that. Maybe I'm wrong for using them as my motivation to succeed but it does scare me. I never know what to say when the remarks come in about how well I've done and all my so called "luck". What do you do?! I keep these pictures as my reminder of what can/will happen if I don't stick with my plan. Which just helped me stop at 6 1/2 Cheetos! Of course I've blocked all identity from the pictures for their privacy. Its not "luck" it's a constant "just say NO!" Attitude I have to food. It's not easy, it's never going to be easy. That's my reality. It's just a tool nothing more and nothing less.

My aunt is one In the green leggings that likes to send me pictures of food or say " I bet you wish you could eat this". She thinks it's funny.

You should send her a picture of some pants that you just bought and say, "I bet you wish you could wear these". I think that would be pretty funny.

I have a healthy fear of regain too!! I constantly remind myself that this surgery did not CURE my obesity- it just gave me the push to help manage it.

I agree with everything that Kindle said- her post was great.

They are trying to make you feel bad which absolves them from facing the facts that they are gaining/haven't lost because of their choices and actions.

It is hard finding the right balance during maintenance and it takes work. Every single day to live a healthy bariatric lifestyle which includes protein and small portions.

Your success comes from the hard ass work you have put into it. Example: just a few Cheetos instead of half the bag!!!

@@Elode, I can relate to your post. I originally didn't share my surgery with everyone, just those closest to me because I needed a support team.

Recently, I started telling anyone who ask. Not only is it freeing to be honest but it makes me accountable, since I KNOW a few people will be "watching" me.

I am not at goal, still struggling, so the fear is real. However, I am a glass 1/2 full kinda gal. I will not return to a size 20. EVER.PERIOD.

Stay diligent & keep your support team close. You will be the so-called "lucky" one.

@@BigViffer That literally made me lol!!

@@glitter eyes Exactly! I have o be present in the moment or I will eat a bag! Maybe not all at once but over time it will be gone!

@@Kathy812 Thank you! That's my plan. I was open with almost everyone in the beginning. I don't tell as much now though. I have all you guys if I need to talk!

@@Elode Are you seriously fat shaming your own family members on a forum just to prop yourself up? That is tacky as hell.

Edited November 14, 201510 yr by OutsideMatchInside

I hope you're joking because if thats what you got out of this post then you are sadly mistaking "Tacky" is making an assumption, missing the point entirely, obviously not reading responses and then posting an asinine comment such as that. Not one time did I call any of them "fat" but you just did. If you had read the title, this post is about my fears of regaining weight after WLS which is further implemented by the fact that I have close relatives that did and are in denial about it. I don't want to catch myself in that denial. Furthermore, I was stating that you have to be accountable and aware that you can and will gain weight if you don't do what you're suppose to do. I live a real life reminder of this. I see the affects of what can happen if you don't follow the plan. It has nothing to do with "fat-shaming" or "propping myself up". It has everything to do with the fact that I have a fear of going back to old habits and gaining weight. Example, the Cheetos I was speaking of....or did you even bother to read that? I struggle with making the right choices , it's not easy. There you go. I hope that clears it all up for you, and if it doesn't....sorry boutcha. I've explained more than I care to. Take it however you please. The last thing I would do is "fat-shame" anyone. I was fat a year ago or don't you remember? Take care!

@@Elode, thank you so much for this thread. I'm preop, so I'm trying to wrap my mind around what future thinking and choices will really need to be like. Threads like this are a huge help.

@@2goldengirl You're welcome! I knew it was always a possibility. Because I see it first hand. It's a constant battle. I didn't have any hungry for the first 3-4 months. I thought it would be that way forever. At that time I did think I was "lucky" but some of the vets where telling me to enjoy it while it lasts because it won't always be that way...annnnnd they were right! My hunger kicked back in with a vengeance. I can't eat a lot at once but there's nothing I can't eat. If I wanted to I could eat more than enough calories now to gain. It's all about making the right choices and following the protein first, basics. It's easy to stray from that. I stopped tracking my food for well over 3 weeks. Just stopped. No reason. Stopped focusing on protein, started eating more "junk". I had to catch myself and stop it before I regretted it. It's never-ending but having a smaller stomach defiantly helps! I wouldn't have been able to do this without it. I tired many, many things! I would do 100x over if I had to. It's the best decision I've ever made.

@@Elode thank you bunches for bringing a very real possibility to light that is easy to push to the backburner and just not think about. This is a very real fear for me as i tolerate all foods as well. I have to plan everything I eat on the daily or i find myself falling into old habits. I appreciate this post, among your others that I and so many others find insightful.

@@Joz31 Thank you and you're welcome. I think we all want to be successful. Just like with anything else there is positives and negatives. I know I personally would be heart broken if I let myself fail. It's just a reminder for me to not go back!

@@Elode -- Never let the relatives or anyone else undermine you or trample the gifts you give to yourself. When someone tells you that you've had "luck," stop them immediately, "It has nothing to do with luck. It's about desire, work and commitment." In the case of the relatives, precede that with "Oh, you know it has nothing to do...." I was unable to read through the entire thread. If they in fact send you pics of food, send them your legs-'n-killer-shoes pic.

Let them choke on their own sour grapes. I'll slap anyone who tries to take anything away from you.

I can use myself as a motivation. Although the technical failure was the reason mostly I was an equal partner in that. The pain of regaining was worse for me than being heavy to begin with.

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch LOL! Oh I most certainly get food pictures. I've learned to brush it off. It hurt my feelings and pissed me off a bit the first time but not any more. I would have thought they would be supportive since we all are WLS patients but it just didn't turn out that way. It's ok though! I like to keep positive people around that help to motivate me.