Thank you, TMB!!
Where else would one go if they need people who could understand just what they are going through or been throuh?
Looking around at the things that each of us have been through to get us to where we are today-- whether you are pre-op or post-op-- we have something that will always bond us together-- weight issues, food addictions, and struggles within our own skin-- our unique journey will forever be ours!
Its the stories of personal preservation, triumphs, goals, struggles, failures and successes that will forever mark our journeys in life. It's the common treshold to what it means to truly understand what people go through in life, but each their own!
I am so glad that at times of need I can turn to the Texas Message Board (TMB) Family and get the support and encouragement that I need! Thank you for being the ones who I can turn to in the desperate hours when I think NO ONE understands. Others just do not "get it" they try to understand, but they don't. And, that is NOTHING against them! They just have not had to struggle with the addiction to food-- emotional eating-- head hunger-- psychological effects of WLS or the opposite psychological effects of being SMO or the like.
Thank you!
People nearest and dearest to me here STILL, after 4 1/2 years, CANNOT understand how consumed I am with what I eat, taking vitamins and doing WHAT I MUST to remain successful. They DON'T understand why OH and ALL of you on the TMB are such a big part of my life. I've heard comments like......"Dana, you need to live", YOU let OH consume your every thought. NO, it isn't OH that CONSUMES my thoughts, it's the FEAR of FAILURE that consumes my thoughts. AND, it's people that UNDERSTAND that fear and can RELATE to what I am going through that I NEED.
I don't understand how people that have had WLS do this ALONE. I see it here on OH where post-ops leave their support system then come back depressed and upset because they've gained XX lbs. I HONESTLY believe we MUST always be ACTIVE and PROACTIVE. We MUST continue to have our SUPPORT system in place to help us get over the humps on this unique journey.
I don't know about the rest of you, but there is JEALOUSY in my life from people I love that I spend time with my cyber family. Again, they don't get it. The bonds we create on-line are truly special; I've tried time and time again to explain it to them IDK what else to say to them, I really don't. BUT, I have to do what I need to do for ME.
I'm HONORED to have such AMAZING IRL and cyber friends that do "GET IT".
Thanks to ALL of YOU for being part of this journey I've chosen to be healthier and happier with myself.
Hugs,
Proximal RNY Lap - 02/21/05
9 years committed ~ 100% EWL and Maintaining
www.dazzlinglashesandbeyond.com
I can relate with you! I get the comments like the following:
"You are not fat now, you need to just eat"
"You don't have to watch what you eat it's just food"
"You are skinny, you need to just quit worrying"
Those statements just stun me! Because, I don't feel skinny, I do have to watch what I eat, it's not just food, and I feel fat! It' not just food, it got me to fat! It's my comfort-- my safeguard when I did not want to deal with emotions and fears and then it was my enemy... .
I do believe that our support system is the most important thing post-op!
I am so consumed with food... However, I do know that I need to change that and that being educated about nutrition and having a healthy relationship with food are the two things that I am focused on.
I am learning how to separate myself from "food" but identify myself with me!! I had always allowed food, weight and size define me as a person! Whether or not I was "worthy" of being accepted by others, if I were good, or if I was successful.
The gift of fear is wisdom.. I use my fear of food to establish a healthy relationship with food-- I know it's something I need to work on!
The people in my life just think that the surgery fixed everything-- and maybe I thought it would too-- if I were "skinny" then everything would be perfect. It's not!
Thanks for replying!
Laura
HW/SW/CW/GW
339/311/155/150?
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
Great job! 
