Serious Reality Check

Hi everyone!  I had surgery just coming up on three years ago.  I have been reading a lot about people feeling down lately because of re-gain or not losing what they wanted.  I still have the last 20 pounds to lose.  Started at 320 at about 175.  I am 5'8 so 155 will be just fine with me.   Here's what I mean by reality check.  When we all first had surgery, the surgery was all we needed, it did all the work for us.  Well after 1, 2 and 3 and more years after surgery, it's basically back to square one.  We can eat more of a quantity and definitely more of a variety.  Ok we can't eat as much as we used to but we can most definitely eat enough to gain weight.   The reason I am posting is because I know the only way to lose the rest and keep it off is to do what we used to do to lose weight before surgery.  You have to eat less, eat right and exercise.  This is work and a lifestyle choice and we can't just sit back and think the surgery is magic and is going to do what it did right after we had the surgery.  We have to work at it for the rest of our lives.  The rest of our lives!   I hope I do not sound like I am being cold - I know I can say this to you all because we are all in the same boat.  Everything I said directly relates to myself. All of our success it up to ouselves - we have to do the work or there is no reward.  Good luck to everyone. Tracey  

This is very true!  Thanks for sharing and good luck on your last 20!

Thank you!  To you as well.

AMEN.....and thank you for sharing!! Hugs, connie d

Thanks!  I just want everyone to realize how hard this is!

Thank you soooo much Tracey for your reality check!!!  Much needed!  As is your presence around here being further out then most of us!!  Pop in more often and keep us updated on your last 20!!!  Congrats on such a fabulous job!!!!!

Thanks!  I do pop in but it's hard to always post, ya know?  I will try to keep everyone updated, maybe that will help with the last 20.  Thanks and great job to you also! Tracey

I also am 3 plus yrs out and totally agree with you.   No, I can't eat the amounts I could before surgery but I definitely could eat enough and the wrong things to gain again.   It's back to being very careful about what I put into my mouth and the amount of exercise that's done.   I still try to concentrate on protein first....I sometimes get down on myself but then remember where I came from...and the fact that within those 3 yrs I was pregnant and had a beautiful baby girl.   I gained 45 lbs with that pregnancy and am exactly where I was before getting pregnant.   I know I can do it!!!!    As my father once told me anything that takes hard work and dedication is well worth the effort.  

You are so right.  It is well worth the effort.  I know you can do it.  I know I can do it because I lost the 10 pounds I regained and every pound is tough - just gotta keep on going!  Good luck to you. Tracey

Hi Tracey So good to see you post. And, AMEN to what you posted about. I think as people get further out, they tend to do as you said, sit back and think the surgery will still do everything for us. This surgery is hard work and even harder the further out you are. Take care Hugs Peggy