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

Wow! Humbling words -- thank you. I pray we both benefit from this post

Stepping out of the shadows to say thank you, again like many others have stated. I am struggling with not wanting to gain weight, or more than I have. I was really sick last yr (take your vitamins) from a vit deficiency and have long lasting physical problems from it, plus my knees did not get better with RNY, and have been told not to walk much. With being sick I did get to a point that I looked sick, I was too skinny, and was told to EAT!! Well now about 30lbs heavier it is so hard not to gain any more. It is a constant struggle and glad to see I am not alone with it. Its hard to explain to others that have not had to go through this and for them to understand the fear. I did not do all this to be fat again. They say its great, yeah I lost about 200lbs, but I do not want to gain any of it back!!! I was always in denial that I had a food addiction, even after an alcohol addiction took its place and nearly killed me. I am just now realizing that its all an addiction. It SUCKS!!! Thank you again for posting and helping others realize they are not alone.

Tanya, Thanks for your frank reply. You too helped me realize I'm not alone and the 'self outing' was indeed a worthwhile step! I pray that we both learn to get a leg up on our addictions. I also pray that your health has returned and is a good as it can be! Rachel

I am a newbie to the site, but not to the concept or to addiction.  As a spouse of a WLS grad of 7 months who is doing well, but still being challenged by the thoughts of destruction that have attacked us all in the past, I have been reticent to join as a WLS possible candidate.  My addictions permeate to so many aspects of my life, work, recreation, spending, and food, that my old addictions seem minimal.   Well, what I realized about two weeks ago and your email confirmed, is that at some point failure is just a real possibility.  So what.  It cannot stop me from doing the right thing and taking the necessary steps to correct my actions on a daily basis.  It does not mean I won't slip occasionally and have to find my way back to the path, but the important thing is getting back on the path. Having this site and the friends here as a way to guide me back to the way I want to live and need to live, will be a beacon of light in the dark, the darkness that is always lurking out there. Thank you for sharing your moments, it really helped me.

Hi! I have to say you hit it on the head! I've said in the past, I didn't choose having surgery over figuring out why I was morbidly obese, I had the surgery in addition to figuring out why. Bottom line, when I decided to have surgery, I was in my mid 30's. I had sleep apnea and was sleeping with a cpap, out of control blood pressure, high cholesteral, and many more comorbids.  I needed an aid to keep me healthy enough to, as you said, get back on the path.

I'll tell you, I'm not one to recommend this surgery; it is such a personal choice. But I've yet to regret my decision.

Wishing you well on your decision,

Rachel