I'm overweight! (Long post from a 4 year post op)

WOW!!! Thanks so much for your post. I'm glad some one has the courage to tell it like it really is for alot of us. I applaud you for honesty.

 Part of solving a problem  is identifying it and  I think you totally did that. Good luck on working on you. You are already a success story, keep  on keepin on.

 Take care and again, thanks!  

Hi Lorelei, WOW...thanks for reading the whole thing (and for the kind words).  I figured, I need to start living my life out loud again...thanks for listening! Rachel

Hey Rachel so glad to see you posting and glad you came out about how life is 4 years post op!

I know how hard this was for you to post, but the reality of life after wls is scary. Newbies and people who are waiting to have surgery need to know that wls is a lot of work, and you still have the same problems as they do not operate on the brain.

I have personally found that denial is so much more powerful now after wls than it was prior. We all said we would not become that one person who would not regain some weight as we thought those pounds were gone forever. Well we also found out that those pounds stayed gone as long as we adhered to the strictness of our orginal eating plan when we were a newbie.

I think carb**** us even worse after we have the surgery and once we become complacent and think we are the one person who has the control. We do not have the control....FOOD AND ADDICTIONS HAVE THE CONTROL!

Rachael as hard as it is for you to admit it to yourself and everyone who is reading your post, you my friend are brave and on your way to making a comeback and learning that addiction is much more powerful than ay storn or earthquake....it is a killer. I am proud of you and feel like you are willing to make a committment or should I say re-committment to working your tool and learning about who Rachael is!

Thank you forbeing brave and posting for all of us....we need those reminders and we are here to support you and everyone else!!!

  

Hi Janine, Thanks for the powerful words. I lurk a lot and see you out here being so supportive. You truly are an inspiration to me. While I don't know how supportive I'll be; I do know I can be a dose of reality to those with similar struggles.

Here's to the tool that gave me a new chance at a healthy lifestyle!

Kisses, Rachel

 

Yep... I am a fellow binge-grazer...I cannot eat the quantities of pre-op life, but I can eat more than I thought I would be able to. As soon as I finish eating, I am thinking about what I will eat next...

This is the life of a food addict! A compulsive over-eater!

Surgery didn't change my brain, habits, desires, comfort zone, etc... I have to "take every thought captive" every time I open my mouth... not easy... but the surgery at least got the weight off so now I struggle, I think, like a 'normal' person does...

Thanks for sharing rachel, and best wishes...

Lori

Thanks for the reply Lori,

I can remember when I was in a better mindset about my chances of keeping the deamons at bay, one of my favorite sayings was that this surgery evened the playing field.

I cannot express enough that while the surgerical side effects of appetite suppression were strong, I truly felt I was working on my habits, desires, etc... Now I realize they were only temporarily masked. I realize now, for my self, I will never be a 'normal' person when it comes to food. Not that its bad, its something I have to comes to terms with and stop resenting. Well thanks for coining the phrase "binge grazer" Its perfect and gave me a much needed laugh! Hugs, Rachel

 

 

 

Rachel,
I just wanted to send out a virtual hug. I cannot tell you how much you have inspired me over the years. You continue to inspire me with your honesty, thank you. I was just talking about you on Sunday. I remember when you told me half marathons were the best. When I was training I was like wow she is amazing these are so difficult then I completed the marathon and thought I love half marathons...Rachel was right as rain!
I thought it might help you to know people (me) are using your words to empower them and your honesty continues that power.
Thanks for being real and stating the truth about food addiction and the jealousy of watching others eat and eat. I experience this weekly.
Happy posting and know you are a weightloss SUPER STAR. I am proud of you
WEIGH to go,
Lynn

Hello Lynn!

What can I say, you know you've been and inspiration to me as well. And yes, half marathons are the best. I just need to get my butt in gear to run one (I can at least say I'm ready for a 5k any time of the day!)

Super star huh? Well to that I will say something I've been practicing since wls...thank you!

xo,

Rachel

 

Hi Rachel..  THANK YOU>..  Thanks for putting it out there.. and us.. that are years out.. .know how hard we work & how every bite is SOO overanalyzed.. and I too think about how you talked about marathons and such.. I am training for Rock n Roll right now but I know I am looking forward to doing halfs.. I think that is going to be much more fun than running for 6 or 7 hrs.. cuz thats a LOOONG friggin time..  kudos to you for taking care of business.. Remember to pat yourself on the back though.. cuz in 4 years as a pre-op have you EVERY KEPT OFFF 80lbs?  YOu are strong wonderful and a great honest role model..  Take care Helen

Hi Helen! Yeah...rock n' roll marathon was my favorite full. I ran it three times. The first year they had it, they allowed people to run it as teams (each person doing a leg). Mine was about 5 miles of it. Then I did it on my own and then again with my DH! Unless they've changed the course, watch out for the 18-19 mile...lots of UPHILL. I remember weaping openly at that point! For halves, I recommend Long Beach. Flat course and near the ocean. Usually in October...you'll be ready for that one after RNR. Good for you! As for keeping the lbs off. Sadly, I'd lost 75lbs on my own in the past and kept it off for nearly 10 years (till babies came along). But I was a lot younger then. I appreciate the kudos and the support! Take care too, Rachel