Hello,
I’m a 30-something-year-old woman with a complicated health history. I have PCOS, Hashimoto’s disease and a few other problems. I decided last year to get gastric sleeve as I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I have Anthem BCBS PPO and they say WLS is supported by my plan thankfully. I’ve started my 12-week behavioral group therapy course and I have my 3rd meeting in a few days.

I fought having this kind of surgery as I thought I was cheating and honestly I was afraid of being judged. I needed to grow up it seems and see this for the helpful tool it is. I’m afraid but excited because I’m ready to live the life of my dreams. I have lofty hiking plans that I need to be in good shape for.

I’m glad to meet all of you as we are all on this journey together. If you have any advice or tips or words of wisdom, I gladly welcome them.

When you lose a lot of your excess body weight, you'll have a lot of new found energy for hiking. Don't think of WLS as cheating. I think some people's bodies work against them and the WLS evens the playing field. Almost all my relatives are extremely overweight. There's a combination of bad genes and bad nutrition in my upbringing working against me. My advice is to forget all those bad habits and less nutritious food you used to eat. Establish a new plan. Avoid sugary drinks, fried food, and processed foods. Create new favorite foods. You'll find 6 weeks on a liquid diet will allow you to forget all your old cravings and really reset your likes. As you add in nutritious food, your brain will crave these new foods. It is really easier to prepare all your meals at home. Avoid fast food restaurants. Bring a sack lunch to work everyday so you control what you eat and stick to your plan.

On 01/18/2021 at 18:17, California Guy said:

When you lose a lot of your excess body weight, you'll have a lot of new found energy for hiking. Don't think of WLS as cheating. I think some people's bodies work against them and the WLS evens the playing field. Almost all my relatives are extremely overweight. There's a combination of bad genes and bad nutrition in my upbringing working against me. My advice is to forget all those bad habits and less nutritious food you used to eat. Establish a new plan. Avoid sugary drinks, fried food, and processed foods. Create new favorite foods. You'll find 6 weeks on a liquid diet will allow you to forget all your old cravings and really reset your likes. As you add in nutritious food, your brain will crave these new foods. It is really easier to prepare all your meals at home. Avoid fast food restaurants. Bring a sack lunch to work everyday so you control what you eat and stick to your plan.

Thank you so much for your advice. I’m trying my best to break those bad habits: eating fast food and cutting out processed food.

I no longer see WLS as cheating, but I still have to keep it from some people. I have very judgemental family and friends. Given the pandemic keeps me away from socializing and I haven’t seen my family or friends in a long time, this helps me transition more easily.

I workout every day by either walking or lifting weights. I can’t wait till I forget the sugar cravings! Thanks again for all your words of advice.