EYES WIDE OPEN

Good morning, friends. Here's wishing all of you a great start to the week with a commitment to embracing our new lives with all the passion we can muster. Do one thing today, just one little out-of-the-ordinary gesture that you would not have been able to do pre-surgery. Many of us are struggling; I took a day trip up to Maine with my husband this weekend and ate fish and chips, and slurped half of his McDonald's vanilla milkshake. I had more cookies in the past week than I've had in the past 5 years (cookies were never my thing but they sure satisfy now!). I am renewing my commitment with Mike and Connie today -- 3 healthy meals, at least 64 oz. of water, and my hard workout during my lunch hour -- and will check in later on my progress. Here's the thing, though. I have been researching lately on the web about regain after WLS -- something I didn't really do pre-surgery. In fact, I don't recall learning much about this critical issue at all - it wasn't discussed at the meetings sponsored by my surgeon, nor did I bring it up in my one-on-one conversations with him. Well, the information is out there and I figure the best thing I can do for myself right now is face it head on. The stories are staggering -- and terrifying. I've come across many people who lost all their weight, met their goals, had a tremendous amount of plastic surgery done, only to have regained everything by about the 3rd year out. As frightening as this is, I have to look at this realistically if I have a prayer of a chance of beating the odds and keeping my weight off. Look at it, folks. Start surfing and uncovering the stories and stats of weight gain after WLS. Share what you learn with us, direct us to sites that you have found, let's talk about it instead of ducking and hiding. And reconnect with the morbidly obese person that you used to be, remember what it was like to live that way. Share one thing with us that you DON'T miss from that time, living in that body. It will help all of us. This will unite us, bring us together full circle, so that we can stay strong together. Here's mine, and I invite you to join me. I NEED YOU. Hugs to all, Reenie I DON'T MISS.... Being the fattest person in the room, any room for any occassion and having to ignore the looks of horror or pity on everyone's faces... Hearing "Are you going to have a baby?" from an innocent child who doesn't know me... Telling my husband, "You go without me," when he was invited to a work-related function or party... The way I used to smell...

Reenie, Wonderful post. I'm going to take your advice and research. I don't miss standing up and having a white plastic chair stick to my butt. I don't miss puffing and panting after everyone when I walk with a group. I don't miss having people feel sorry for me and walk slower so I can keep up. I don't miss avoiding my reflection in the mirror because I hate the way I look. I was back on track yesterday and did well with food. Maybe a few too many cherries, but no crackers, breads, chips or other evil white flour substances. I need to work more on water, but that will be easier at work. Hugs, Connie

Great Post!! You are right, We have to make that re- commitment AGAIN, to keep the weight going in the right direction. I also got a book the other day that was written by an RN who had bypass surgery & has kept all of her weight off for over 5 years. She only eat 3 meals a day, does not sanck & drinks at least 64 oz. of wter a day & exercises. All the same stuff my Doc wants us to do as well. So there you go!! We (you too) all have to get our acts together & keep reminding ourselver why we did this and how we feel now. that the weight is gone. 1. I like be able to move & not get so @#$% tired after each step i take. 2. I like being able to wear my seat belt & not have to worry about that ticket because I could not wear the belt before. 3. I like not being the heaviest person in the room. 4. I am currently moving & working at the same time. No days off lately. Could not have done that at all before. Way too tired. 5. I like being able to by regulary sized clothes & not even look at those 3X & 4X sizes anymore. Now I look, but say you dummy not anymore TOO BIG. Marilyn, the Bearlady

I DON'T MISS; Lane Bryant - though they miss me they called the other day to find out why i'd not been at the store in over a year. And I don't miss paying full price for clothes too! Wearing black every single day - I LOVE color! Greens! Pinks! Red! Purples! I can now even wear white without looking like a ship sailing across the world. Getting a ache in my neck when hugging my boyfriend cause my tummy kept us apart.... Wearing flat shoes. Heels!!!!!!!! Boots with Heels!!!!!! also in colors! I don't miss passing a group of people and having everyone look away or right through me like i was invisible. I don't miss the pain in my knees and hips and legs and not being able to walk without breathing. I really don't miss hating how I look anymore. I love me now casue now I feel like I"m normal. I will admit that I miss a very good friend who had problems with me not being the same size as before. If she'd only waiting alittle bit longer she would have realized that I'm still the same person and can still go to the buffets and enjoy them as much as before. I just dont' eat as much as back then. But we could have still had a great time, lots of laughs, and sharing the things that happen in our lives. I still think of her as my best friend in the world. I've not seen her since the week before my surgery. I miss her. I've called and left messages and we've made plans but she never follows through. There is always an excuse why she can't come or i can't stop by. I hope someday she will be back in my life. I miss my best friend.

Hi Maureen; As always, your post is thought -provoking and on target! I've been doing better the last few days with only an occasional slip-up. I have been looking at info on people who have re-gained weight and it terrifies me because I see it happening to me if I don't get my act together. Things I don't miss: Constantly sweating..... I have to do some serious exercise now to break a sweat. Being the one making wise cracks about my fat body because it was less painful than hearing fat jokes. Watching everyone else out in the kayaks, because I couldn't fit in mine. Mike

NICE POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS POSTING GOOD THINGS FOR US. I'M NOT LOOSING WEIGHT AS I SHOULD. THAT IS WORRING ME ALOT. I DON'T WANT TO GAIN MY WEIGHT BACK. BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME GET SCARE. I'M ALWAYS READING ALL THE POSTINGS HERE AND KEEPING IN TRACK OF ALL OF YOUR WEIGHTS . I THINK I'M ONE OF THE LESS POUNDS HAS LOST. SORRY BUT I'M AFRAID. I'M 40 POUNDS FROM MY GOAL.