8½ years of lots of tears and lots of cheers here- what a trip it's been!

Anne, thank you so much for this. What a gift you've given to us all, especially those of us who are still in the earlier stages of our journey.

The last two paragraphs really spoke to me:

"Don't give complacency even the tiniest opening. Please consider that bounce back is not a given. Please consider that regain is not a certainty. Thinking these things gives our heads permission to believe them and our behavior to act accordingly and they are truly absolutely not true.

Self vigilance and discipline were not and are not by any means my favorite things to do but I do know I must not give my mind room to weasel. Period. Surgery truly does not operate on our heads. I must do the work if I want the results."

The part I bolded is especially inspiring. So many people say that bounce back IS a given and that regain IS a certainty that I'm afraid I'd come to believe and even expect it and it really affected me negatively.

Thank you again Anne.

As you quote: "What if I fail?" "But oh my darling, what if you fly?" It does seem to me flying doesn't happen without the intention to and then the practice of learning, darn it all anyway.

My goodness you're doing well! I think perhaps those of us older ones (I was 58 when I had my RNY done) know that for us there isn't much time to correct mistakes. Keeps me on my toes.

Thanks for your acknowledgment! !!!

Oops, sorry, I was 59 like you. Math has never been my strong suit.