Weight loss surgery pretty much forces you to change your eating habits. You need to eat less, eat more slowly, focus on Protein, and limit the junk food. That’s already a big change if you’re used to eating out, eating too much, and wolfing down your food.

But weight loss surgery usually leads to many more changes! For example, for me, it has made me much more active. I didn’t dislike exercise before getting the band, but now it’s easier and more fun. Another change in my life is to stay in much closer touch with my doctor; I know that health is nothing to play around with, and I don’t like to take chances. I also find that I do better with some of the “little” things for health, like choosing less process foods instead of prepared foods.

One other change that I have noticed gradually is that now I spend my time with people who are healthier for me, both physically and mentally. I didn’t make this change consciously, but now I see that I tend to spend more time with people who value health, and more time with people who are positive and who support me. I don’t tend to spend much time with people who influence me to eat bad foods or who bring me down.

So, besides changing your eating to comply with your WLS diet, what other changes have you made or noticed since losing weight?

I went from being pretty much inactive to running 15-20 miles a week and completing races of up to a full marathon in length (training for my second now) and doing yoga 3-4 times a week.

I also put myself first a lot more and take time for myself and spend money on myself. I try new things and am more outgoing and confident.

This will be redundant, but expressed a bit differently:

* I am SO much more responsible for my self-care now. And that includes everything from brushing my teeth twice a day to planning meals and shopping for groceries to finding creative ways to moving more and being more active.

* Our home is SO much cleaner, neater, and uncluttered than it was two years ago.

* My husband's stress levels are much lower, since he doesn't worry about my health anymore. That is HUGE -- for both of us!

* My ability to address other difficult areas of my life has also strengthened, including managing household expenses, financial investments, tax preparation, retirement planning, etc.

* I'm incredibly more relaxed, less stressed and less irritable than I was two years ago, due in part to some recent changes in our lives, but largely due to my recovered health and control of my weight and renewed confidence in my ability to control aspects of life I have long wanted to control.

* I'm sleeping so much better than I did two years ago. And my husband and I go to bed at the same time and sleep together every night -- I no longer stay up late watching TV and sleep in the recliner or on the living room couch. That's so important to both of us.

I have become more involved in my health as a whole. I maintain constant contact with my surgeon as well as my PCP. My food choices have also rolled over to my family in making smarter choices and limiting the processed carbs.

So far I've noticed a drastic difference in energy and can't wait until I'm able to keep up with my 4 year old (well, mostly lol).

Edited January 18, 201610 yr by jj7481

The biggest and best change ive noticed is im actively involved and enjoying my life. I used to always sort of sit back and just watch as my kids and husband did so many fun activities. I never wanted to join in because either I felt too fat and thought other people would judge me badly or I physically couldnt do the activity. Since my surgery and all my weightloss I am like a different person. Im enjoying life so much! Its such an awesome feeling to be able to keep up with my family! I recently went ice skating with my kids which I havent done in 20 years. Before the surgery I would have just sat and watched. I have so much energy now im always looking for fun active things to do! Soon my family might not be able to keep up with me! Hee hee!

• I take exercise a lot more seriously. I was always active, but now I plan and make it a point to exercise every day even if it's just going for a walk.

I am more in tune with my body. I think about drinking enough Water, ad eating good, whole foods.I practice better self care. I am no longer afraid to say "No" to people. I make taking care of me a priority and I don't neglect me out of fear of letting down someone else.I am much more fiscally responsible. I march to the beat of a different drum proudly.

Besides all the health and exercise related changes I have decided to have a change in jobs. Between 3+HR daily commute and work( Bay Area traffic) I was away from home over 13+ hrs a day. That prevented me from having a more balanced lifestyle. Miss my work family but I think it's time I became more worried about my own health and well being and spend more time with my loved ones.

Such great wisdom and insight being shared. While I pack for my surgery on this Thursday morning, I look back at what I have accomplished since starting this journey and realize that it is truly just the beginning of a new life for me. I sometimes believe having this surgery gives me a reason to put myself first but never at the expense of others, love myself with healthy food intake and learn to appreciate my what my body can do. And what a great site and how very helpful it is for me and others as we all go through a version of this process.

Well, I've dropped 320 pounds that you'll never see on my ticker. Divorcing my abusive wasband is the hardest thing I've ever done, but long overdue. WLS gave me back my self confidence. I've learned that I'm worth a happy life, and as difficult and uncertain as this phase of my life is right now, I have nothing but hope for a brighter future.

Oh, and my dog gets walked more now.