Taking Stock

How are you doing? It's been a while since we all had WLS, it's been a long journey in some ways and a short journey in others. I'm interested to hear how everyone is and coping with things now. We are all at different stages in our journeys, all equally valid as each others. I am up and down like a yoyo, satisfied with my new reduced size and patient one day and completely fed up and frustrated with the snails pace the next day. When I look in the mirror I see a smaller person, I see a strange face, but I feel the same inside. I have so much more energy and moving around is so much easier - even little things like turning over in bed is easy now. Lots of things that I take for granted now, if I remember back used to be a struggle. I am much more in control of food now, whereas before food controlled me. I am making concious (sp?) choices over my food, and even when I don't make the right choice it is an informed decision and not a compulsive one. In the early days, every tiny wow moment felt huge and I rejoiced over so many things. I find now wow moments pass without me sometimes noticing them unless I make the effort - I am beginning to take things for granted which I don't want to do. Even though my weight loss hasn't been as fast as I would have liked it to be, I am so pleased with the results I do have I cannot be upset. I would love to hear your evaluation of your journey so far (no matter at what point you are).......

my journey is like an E ticket at disneyland... I couldnt want more. Coping is a little different for me know.. I am now looking at why I was overweight.. how to change my behavior so I dont go back up that scale.. As I get closer and closer to my goal the fear of going backwards is really looming in my brain. I have also been able to eat more and I'm not sure if i feel hungry, but I have noticed I want to eat sometime when I know I'm not hungry. I dont want to go back to what I was so that is really weighing on my brain now.. So in a sense.. maybe I should have looked at the psycological factors earlier but I didnt.. now I am trying to find better strategies for my future.. I do have more control over food but I sometimes feel like i could loose it if I let my gaurd down.. that doesnt make me happy at all. I do love the way I look and feel and that I can do more than I have been able to do with my kids.. I truely love my life now.. I am not chained to a chair in my house eating myself to death but living my life now.. it is so great. Yeah.. wow moments were fast and often back than and they have slowed down and in many ways I take them for granted now...I think its just because I am not sitting around all the time but living my life.. i will realize 2 weeks later.. hey did i really do that.. i did.. what a wow moment.. and than I will looke and I had more than just the one.. everyday is a wow moment to me and I look forward to each and everyone of them and know that I have earned them for all the hard work I have done to get where I am.. great question ruth..

I have up's and downs as well... I am very happy with my progress, but hate all the nasty skin its so gross that I look worse in shorts then before.. (so I don't ware them)...LOL I am excited at the way I can move and do more... For me the journey has been a very positive one.....

I agree with Jean...the journey has been a very positive one. yes, I don't like the skin issue but other than that it's been great. No complaints

The journey has been an exciting and wonderful experience for me. I honestly have a hard time realizing how far I've come in less than 10 months! Now, I'm finding out about the true addiction to food that I have. I find myself craving things I know I do not need and really not even "hungry" for. I also find I can eat more. No, no not nearly as much as pre op. I still eat MUCH less than pre op. I guess maybe I've grown accustomed to my portions and therefore they don't seem so small. In some ways I think I'm too hard on myself. Then that causes me to feel depressed. Then that feeling drives me to wanting to eat. At least I do have my tool to help me with that battle. I remember hearing/reading so many times pre op "This surgery is not a miracle cure, but a tool." Boy is that ever true?! The surgery definately did not cure the mental issues I have with food. Physically I'm much happier with myself but I know I'm still far from being "normal." Oh yes, I know I'm much closer now than I was 10 months ago. The excess skin on my thighs, arms, and tummy do bother me. But I remind myself it can be hidden under clothes. All that puffed up fat I carried around at 332 pounds could NOT be hidden. My self confidence is growing more and more. I finally go out to clubs and dance, flirt, and even have come away with a few phone numbers. Before I was the fat friend who sat at the table all glum and depressed and never daring to step on the dance floor. I'm amazed at how many clothes are in stores. I'm always so overwhelmed. I can't imagine what it will be like when I get down a couple more sizes. But it feels great to know I can go into most anystore and find something I can wear. It really is a shame how small the plus size selection is in stores. I just never realized how huge the "other" selection was I guess. I'm a much healthier, happier person thanks to this journey. The only thing I would do different is to have had it sooner. WOW, I can't believe I wrote that much. Thanks for the post Ruth! Mandy