Four years ago when I started thinking about WLS I weighed options made choices and swore to myself this was my new chance in life   my second chance...... even though I knew the battle would take my mind to focus and believe in me I knew  had it deep inside to complete my mission.......
Since my surgery I have fought demons, fought food, won battles, cried ,smiled.and dreamed.
I have looked at life differently because the first 40 years and mostly my recognition of being the fat kid was painfull...... Why are people so cruel?  My momma told me to respect , love and understand..... maybe we sould all live by that.....
I have heard skeptics about what I have done to myself, of coarse these are the same celebrities that live on  botox and plastic surgery.... I have seen alot of success and now as i get further out ,,,,,alot of failure......Its not what I have seen so much anymore but more of what I have learned.. Here are some of the things I have learned I hope each of you can add a few things..

1.) I am human ...... If we forget this we will fail from the begining
2.) Misery and pain make me crave........ I hurt I eat.
3.) I have to exersize...... the surgery was a tool it for the most part s gone ....
4.) The scale is my most important tool..... I do not use it every day but I must once  a week......
5.) Dont put it in my mouth unless it is benificial to my body.
6.) Watch for cross addictions....after four years I have seen a few from alcohol to sex .
7.) Believe in yourself!!! If you dont no one else will.....
8.) Find support and use it ........ From Obesity help to monthly meetings....... My greatest support  having a non structured meeting with friends you have met and becomeing life long friends..
9.) Let your clothes be a gage if you jumps size .....um guess what...
10.) Even though weight is important how do you feel? My body tells me more about me than any scale.
11.) The one thing I live by is this, It was told to me a DR. and It sunk in and it is making me now realize even more

" You have done the most drastic thing in the world to loose weight, There is nothing more drastic, it is yours, Your choice, if you fail or if you suceed the power is up to you , but there is nothing else.."

I went out MOnday and got  a new gym membership and have been preparing myself to finish what I started , I feel I am a success< I am proud of me, I will do this ..........No excuses

Hi Kala...welcome to OH.  You have a great doc....we love him!  Ron's advice says it all.  We are here for you!  We have a meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month where a group of us get together and just sort of talk about a little of everything and try to help with any questions/problems out there.  If you are interesed PM me your e-mail and I will add you to the evite list.

Again, welcome and good luck to you!

Once again a great post!
1.My first recollection of being obese and recognizing it is..my mother saying that I would be pretty if I lost weight.

2 What embarrased me... not being able to wear "cute" clothes. No way to hide that.

3 What I want right now is... to be healthy and not look like a wrinkled bag of bones...seems I traded one problem for another one.

4 My biggest success...is making it this far, I am truly thankful everyday for what has been given to me, Afraid to share because, I just don't trust it.. Will it last? Can I keep the weight off? Have I done the right thing? Will I regret this when I get older? And the biggest, did I fail because I could not, or would not do it without surgery? Hmmm....lots to think about.