What was your...

A few things come to mind... When I went for my 1-week post-op check and found myself 19 pounds HEAVIER???  I about freaked out - until I was told that's normal, from the IV fluids and from my getting all my water in from the get-go.  Wish I had known that before I went in - I could have saved myself that moment of excruciating terror! The "sigh" factor when eating, as explained by nurse Barb at PNC - that we all have a signal from our bodies when we've had enough to eat.  We may not FEEL full, but our bodies have a way of letting us know "hey - you can stop now, I'm good!"  Mine IS a sigh - but some people will burp, or hiccup, or their nose will run.  You just have to watch for YOUR body's sign!  And then put the fork down and walk away from the table! Another good nurse Barb-ism?  Staying behind the boat.  Meaning that if a "boat" symbolizes the rules for post-op, and we're skiing behind it, following the rules closely, we'll have a pretty smooth run.  But if we test the waters, try a run outside the wake by eating naughty things, we may have issues - rough water.  But we can ALWAYS get back in behind the boat, where the water is smooth!  (gotta love analogies!) But my ALL TIME FAVORITE QUESTION, bar none, was asked by Tracy D. during her LD - at a PNC support group meeting, she asked  - "Is brownie batter considered to be a liquid?"    Dang, that was GOOD!!!

My all time favorites are words of wisdom from my  doctor when she was telling me about life after surgery : The first "after this surgery you have to live your life like fast food is poision-  it could kill you.  No more Dairy Queen either not even a taste - ever". Her second is better regarding dumping "You never know when it is going to happen, you can eat a hershey's kiss, you might even have two but the third or the four one could be the trigger that puts you in the bathroom for the rest of the night". I am two years out- I have never "dumped" and I have never ever thrown up or had the foamies.  She instilled the fear of God into me and I am forever grateful.

I am with Nicole on this ....... I  heard this first from Linda Anne ...."Nothing Tastes As Good As Skinny Feels." I never forget it. When I think I want to cheat I think of this. Hugs, connie d

Hmm... a few things: This is  just a tool... you don't work it....it won't work (especially with the band!) Tom Jones...my doc... told me that this is a lifetime change.... so he said not to overdo it like I did all the previous times....but to  just LIVE healthy. Live as healthy  as you can and enjoy your life....  instead of dread every change and dread every mistake and dread not eating 'yummy' food. I realized.... to hell with that food..... it  ruined my life.... it's not worth it. That was a huge step for me. I had the typical feeling of "you mean I won't ever be able to eat _____ again??!!" Now I think.... who cares...? So I don't eat pasta anymore..... I won't die without it.

This isn't really a question - but something my husband said to me that rang so true and was a "duh" moment. I was fretting about telling my skinny bosses at work about needing time off for surgery - I kept thinking I should tell them I'm having a hysterectomy or some other mystery illness instead of WLS.  Well my husband laid it on the line (lovingly...not mean-like)...he said "honey it's not like they don't know you're fat".  Duh - who was I kidding?  Hello? of course I needed WLS at 300 lbs.  So - I just walked in the office and told them my plans.  Everyone was very supportive and happy for me. Sometimes you just need a dose of reality.