The difference between newbies and vetarans

I like the journeyman or -woman, or even as Kim said "transitional".  There IS a difference in our actions, in-actions, reactions for the most part.

You are still in the time frame where you may be still losing weight, albet slower and more than likely haven't experienced that knawing hunger (some get, others not) or the scale really showing a gain.  It's also possible as Kim said that those in the "transitional state" haven't seen vitamin deficienies are large tweaks in what and how much they take, RH, etc.

You are actually in that period where I was between.....that what now period.

The "what now" period sums it up exactly! No longer charging toward onederland and goal, scale blazing and full of wild-eyed enthusiasm, and just starting to worry about mainentance: "can I maintain?, etc"

We could also call this the  "Now, now, don't panic" phase of development.

You can say gone forever as long as you are willing to back up those words.  I found a way that works for me, everyone has to find their own way.  I don't eat certain things that I feel made me fat, like Ben & Jerry ice cream, I refuse to let it ever pass my lips again.  I have lots of food rules, I eat very little and like it that way.  I was at my bf's bar last night eating dinner, I had a burger and some fries, I cannot even eat a half of a burger if I have fries.  My bf's brother said that is such a waste of food, honestly to me its a miracle that I can eat so little and feel satisfied.  When I got home from taking my dogs out I ate a protein bar and that was all I had all day long.  I never felt hungry or deprived or like I went without anything.  I choose to not eat during the day because that works for me.  I want to stay at 139lbs until I don't care anymore.  Then I will probably free fall into fall oblivion.

I think there is also the compacent side of being a vet.  For Newbies, you still remember/still are very heavy and maybe on meds, ...and why you did this.  The farther out you get, you get use to the new body, new you and it's no longer "new" but a part of you and a part of your life.  You get comfortable in your body and forget about how awful it was to be big, so bad that you had surgery to "fix" it.  That's when it's most important to remember, otherwise it is so easy to relax and let old habits creep back in, old thought patterns (well, it's only a couple of pounds, I'll start a diet tomorrow...).  Newbies don't have to work so hard to remember the reasons they had surgery.  I think I need daily reminders (I still have all my before pictures hanging up since they are family shots from important events) so I never forget why I went through this and never go back to what I was.  To remind myself to maintain and keep focused.

If that makes any sense.

The reason I post on these boards is so I don't get full or myself and forget where I came from.  I will never be like everyone else and I have to be ever dilligent otherwise I will be miserable.  Even ten pounds hurts my arthritic hip.  I have a constant chronic painful reminder, that never went away but gets even worse if I gain a few pounds.

I don't think there are any vets here (as in those of us that are at least 4 years out) who are complacent.   I think complacency is for those in the transitional period (years 1-4) and vets who have disappeared and are "living life" as they put it when they come back (thereby implying that those of us who are still here don't have one )!

I have to fight every day to maintain my weight and health - Every day I have to consider everything I eat, every day I have to make sure I get off my ass and get out and exercise and I consider it a miracle every year when I put on last winter's jeans and they fit!!!!!

I come here almost every day to get and offer support because I know that if *I* don't I might not be so mindful and "living life" to me would involve eating all sorts of crap that would make me unhealthy and regain ...   Can you tell that phrase ****** me off?

 Gee, I pissed off Sin Kim!  Didn't think I could do that.  

Though I totally agree with you.  I'm not complacent, but I can see myself getting that way if I'm not vigilant.  Old habits are so easy to fall back into.  That's why I'm on everyday, even if I don't always post or answer (which I haven't had much time to anyway).  

Oh, and even though I'm on here everyday, I'm still "living life".  I assume everyone on here is living their life, just include OH as part of that.

You didn't **** me off  - I'm just grateful not to be ignored or told how mean I am 

Complacency is a big reason for regain - we see it on here time and time again - because as much as we hear how hard this surgery is (blah blah blah) - the first two years and weightloss IS the easy part (I can hear heads exploding as I type that) - it's the subsequent years, when complacency and "living life" kicks in, that are the hard ones!

Most of us are very gung-ho in the beginning - following our diet (for the most part), joining gym, zumba and spin classes etc etc but how many people are doing that after 5 years?   I'll bet as many as are still only eating 4 or 5 of their children's fries LOL!!!    (with Lora being the exception   Man, I admire her tenacity and will power)

Oh, I'll never ignore you and I've never thought you were mean!  You're one of my favorite people on this board. 

"Complacency is a big reason for regain - we see it on here time and time again - because as much as we hear how hard this surgery is (blah blah blah) - the first two years and weightloss IS the easy part (I can hear heads exploding as I type that) - it's the subsequent years, when complacency and "living life" kicks in, that are the hard ones!

Most of us are very gung-ho in the beginning - following our diet (for the most part), joining gym, zumba and spin classes etc etc but how many people are doing that after 5 years?"

That's exactly what I was trying to say but couldn't think how to phrase it.

 

Thanks Nik for posting on this topic.

I'm only 2 months out from RNY, but I'm almost 30 yrs out from VBG. I'm a newbie/vet chimera!

I remember the ecstasy of rapid weight loss from my first go round, and I remember hitting the wall and backing up too. I spent almost 30 years in hell and beating myself up about why my surgery didn't work (oh, and my results were "typical" for VBG.) Now I wonder why I waited SO long to do this!

While I am a newbie to RNY and am SO happy to be losing, I'm also really scared that I'm going to F@$% this surgery up too. I've been wanting to post about this, but it feels so wimpy at this point for me to be thinking and wining about potential failure - and so far ahead. I'm trying to live in the moment and just enjoy where I'm at now (the compliments, the clothes, the newfound energy and health) but I also realize that it's not all magic. I'm also trying to really learn the new GOOD habits along the way.

My problem is that it's been very easy for me so far. I've dumped twice, and deserved it both times. My pouch has not hurt from eating more that I should have (when I thought about it, it was more than I needed) and I have not vomited. It makes me nervous, given my predisposition to "pu****" I'm trying to stick to the recommendations and my surgeon has been very happy because my loss is more than the typical revision at this point. But not as much as the true surgical newbie. So I'm nervous, and I needed to say it out loud (or in writing) I guess, because I'm hoping that being here and a part of all this will help me stay more honest with myself. I thank God for you true vets that are there to show us the way!