Attention all WLS 1 year folks...

So, life is somewhat settled and figured out by now, right?  Well, we mostly have it figured out, right?  OK, we know a few things our bodies like, don't like and what wonderful rewards have come from the surgery. 

But what I want to know is how many of you are getting so busy that you are forgetting that you had the surgery and so eating like you used to?  Or that hot cup of joe/tea with the treat you see on the table.  Then you eat it, remember that it is bad to eat and drink at the same time and spit it out.  Or do you eat it?  Are you still throwing up when you eat something icky?

What is your experience at this point of your life after surgery???

Hi Tere!
OK, I'll "bite" here... especially since we're about the same distance out. I am absolutely guilty of what you have described above. Sure, I've lost 120 lbs. this past year, but specifically the past few months I haven't been making the best choices of food. Of course the QUANTITY is obviously smaller... can still only eat HALF a sandwich, but sweets don't bother me and the only think I really dump on is white bread or ice cream. I almost wish I had a greater reaction to certain food, but I'm just not all that limited. I can eat nearly 2 cups if I really wanted to, even knowing I would be terribly miserable. I think because I now exercise regularly, like kickboxing 3x/week, I've felt justified, but I know I still need to choose better and get my protein levels back up. I get scared occasionally about losing muscle and not having all the nutriants my body needs. My 1 year was 11/11, but my 1 year appt. to have all my levels checked isn't until the second week of December, so I'm anxious to find out where my body is really at.
Great questions and good food for thought for us all. I hope others share!
Best wishes...
Shannon

Great questions Tere - I am almost 11 months out. 

I eat  a lot faster than I used to and am working to slow it down again.  Things taste better and I want to eat with my "taste" rather than my tummy.  I'm still maintaining my no sugar rule 99% of the time (candy, cookies, sweets of any kind)  But I'm drawn to potato chips in a way I have never been before - hmmmmmm?

I have found that I can't drink wine anymore without feeling like crap the next day.  Even if I just sip 4ozs over a long period of time............ that kills me.  I'd love to still have a drink now and then and not be cursed with a hangover that wasn't really earned.

I still remember to separate my food and drink, but need to drink more water.  I also need to remember my calcium and vitamins, I sometimes forget.  But am good with the rest.

It is hard to not slip into old ways and I have to remind myself every day to stay the course.  Some days I just feel like telling the "rational Me" to **** off, but win the battle most days. 

But I would do it all again to be the Me that I am this November, rather than the Me I was last November.  I am happier and healthier, that is the most important thing to me.

Oh Look at TERE, almost to the 100 mark!  You go girl, good for you!  Well done!

I don't care HOW busy any of us WLS people are, I believe it takes a special kind of stupid to 'forget' what we've done to our bodies, what we've accomplished as a result of the gift we've been given.  I will NEVER forget.

HOWEVER ~ that doesn't mean a lot of the old habits don't creep back in.  The nibbling, the mindless snacking, the less than stellar food choices...  It's a life-long thing, our battle with food.  But I will ALWAYS practice forgiveness with myself, because A) even the not-so-good choices I make are just a FRACTION of the quantities I would have gorged myself on pre-WLS, and B) that whole mentality of beating myself up for bad eating used to lead me to say "eff it", and subsequently binge on crap until I made myself sick.  If I can taste things, enjoy a few bites and know I haven't ruined myself, I'm more likely to be satisfied by those few bites. 

PLUS, my body still tells me when I've had enough, or had the wrong thing.  I just have to remember to pay attention to my signals (a sigh, or sometimes a hiccup).

And yes, I HAVE made some horrible choices (bakery goods?  candy?), only to come to my senses and spit out whatever evil thing I put in my mouth.  To me, that's about as low and disgusting as it gets.  But I won't hesitate to do it if need be!

This has been a very good exercise getting your thoughts on this topic.  Thank you for taking the time to answer.

It just proves that we are human still even though our tummies have been made smaller.

Let's remember, be merciful to others - kind and tenderhearted....Be thankful for the second chance and be a good steward of it.

Happy Thanksgiving all!