What I have learned after 3 years

 Hi Everyone,
 
What have I learned in the last three years since I've had weight loss surgery? This is the challenge that you will all figure out for yourself. Each and every one of us will learn what makes weight loss surgery work for us. Looking back the first month after weight loss surgery was the hardest month that I ever did. It was a total relearning process of how to eat the healthy way and to allow my new stomach a chance to heal. The biggest challenge I think was “head hunger." For me my head was always trying to convince me that I needed eat something more to eat.  Intellectually and physically I knew that I was full and didn't need to eat anything else. It was a battle because for most of my life I ate for all the wrong reasons. Now I have the tools to control this.  

For most of our life we ate for all of the wrong reasons and all of the wrong foods. There was always food at family events and holidays.  We ate when we were angry, when we were excited or happy, when we were frustrated or angry or mad. It was all about emotions, and not what was healthy for us. Now we know how to make healthy food choices for ourselves. We have also learned that we eat food in small quantities and are satisfied and I hope you never feel deprived. What I have learned is still 3 years later, I have to stop and think about what my head still tries to convince me. That brain still tries to send me signals from my “old thinking brain." I am in charge NOW and that feels great! I know for the rest of my life I can manage this.  

Nothing about weight loss is easy. We have ONE BIG advantage we have had some form of WLS and for me it was a sleeve. What I eat is always on my mind. I plan healthy meals and I shop for healthy foods. I crave healthy food now too. It does require effort and work on my part. I try 97% of the time to eat healthy and exercise. The ONE big thing I have learned is that I CAN DO THIS and I maintain my weight loss. I don’t have the fear that I used to have—will I regain the weight? I am willing to bet that sooooooooo many of us have done the yo-yo lose the weight and gain it back in our past. Before I had WLS, I thought what if I am the “one" person this will not work on? I laugh now because I learned most of us had that thought. We were so used to failure. Not anymore! I am here to tell you that it is very doable and you will be successful.   

Put yourself first and take care of you first. I wish you a very Happy New Years.   

Hugs,
Suzanne Sleeved 10/21/2008
Lost 105 pounds

Thank you for you inspirational words! I'm revising from the band to RNY on January 25, so this has been ever present on my mind. Reading about positive outcomes and how you've changed your life, even loving the changes helps pull that dark cloud of doubt aside enough to remind me that not only can I male this work, but I AM making it work!

Happy New Year!
Barb

Hi,

Awwww, your welcome.  I am always glad to help.  I try to post things that let people know that no matter what is going on, there is someone out here who has been down the same road. 

We all want a miracle, but honestly the best way we learn it to have to work hard at the weight loss.  We were given the tool, so now we have to keep using it. I am always here if you just need a little nudge or push forward.

Hugs
Suzanne

 A great post! 

To add my bit - I have learned that I am in control! Not my appetite, not my previous food obsessions. I am in charge. My band helps me to be this way but ultimately, it is down to me.

I like it that way!

I have learned that, for me, deprivation doesn't work. Balance does.

Kate

Hi,

Yes, that is really true, we are in control now and it is such a good feeling. The "head games" that our brain tries to pull on us keeps us on our toes.  I have to ask myself "do I just want to eat or do I need to eat?" 

I always wonder if other people talk to themselves the way I have!  Oh, well it works for me.  Thanks, I enjoyed your reply,

Hugs,
Suzanne