17 plus one...ponderings 3 months post op

Today is my 3 month surgery anniversary. I've been pondering things I've learned in the past 3 months. I've listed 17 things...because it's the 17th, but I could easily have listed 47 (for the 47 lbs I've lost so far)....just thought I'd share. Please feel free to post your 3 month ponderings as well!!! 1. WLS is not the easy way out. 2. Losing 47 lbs feels great....but the weight didn't "melt" off, I had to work for every pound. 3. Exercise makes me happy. 4. Exercise is still hard to fit in. Surgery did not fix the constant time crunch in my life. 5. Following a regime of healthy eating can be stressful. 6. Water can be very satisfying. 7. Stretch marks are great because they mean my skin is still elastic and helping to reduce sagging "leftover" skin. 8. Eating to live rather than living to eat is wonderful. Freedom from addiction is wonderful. 9. God uses different means and tools to mold us and make us. Many times answering long term prayers in different ways than we ever imagined. 10. Surgery is not for everyone. 11. Surgery was right for me. 12. High heel shoes don't hurt any more (well....not as much anyway). 13. If feels great to run on the treadmill without injuring myself. 14. Surgery does not fix the "whys"...why I ate too much, why I depended on food for comfort, why whatever...etc.... 15. Americans eat too much. Fat Americans don't eat any more than skinny Americans. That's something I think I didn't understand or really see until after surgery. I understand the whole dynamic of calories in (eating) and calories out (exercise), and I understand why people get overweight....but, in my humble observation, there REALLY is, must be, a genetic component to obesity - a metabolic issue - whatever - that impacts why fat people are fat and slim people are slim, because in general, all Americans eat too much. 16. The smell of food is as satisfying as the taste of food. 17. The spicier, the better. And one to "grow" (shrink?) on: Did I mention that WLS is not the easy way out? This has not been easier than any other diet or health regime I've ever been on before. It's much more difficult, because it's for life. My life depends on my eating healthy. What makes it "easier", if you can call it that, is that much of the choice involved has been removed. I MUST eat healthy, otherwise 10 years from now I'll be suffering. The thing is, I've found much freedom in that lack of choice....not sure if that'll make sense to anyone who hasn't been through this...but there you go! Thanks for listening! Margaret

Margaret- Happy anniversary! Today is also my 3 month milestone as well. I found your list very insightful and it really reminded that I need to work on my 2 major shortfall areas... exercise and taking my supplements daily. Thanks for sharing, Belle

Wonderful post Margaret! I will have to chew on the things that I have learned at get back with you.....Thanks for posting this too...I can't wait to read what else others have learned!

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing...I feel very much the same way you do.... Best wishes, Lura

I just wore heels and they weren't that bad- I said to myself - why haven't I been wearing these shoes... Now that I've read your list- of course the shoes are more comfy with 68 less pounds on them. Thanks for making me notice another positive from this surgery!! Holly

Woooohooooo happy anniversary!!!! You have come so far....keep up the great work!!! Anna