My surgery is on the 19th...

I'm still in bed and it feels glorious. I'm able to sleep on my sides reasonably comfortably which is how I normally sleep. My outing Friday was nice but yes I was definitely tired when I came home. Ended up dozing on the couch with a movie on.

I do have a gym membership and I'm thinking about going tomorrow if only just to walk the treadmill.

and same, I'm trying not to set expectations for myself. I know stalks will happen and sometimes I just won't lose as much as other times.

Congratulations!!!

I remember I had a Gastric Bypass Manual from my hospital that was on line that I printed out and for probably a year to year and a half I would take it out of my bed side table and read it! Get scared and put it back away! Too bad back then I did not have this group! Stay with OH. It took a co worker having the surgery to inspire me and go for it! As many say my only regret was not doing iT sooner. Love it and all it has done for me.

not easy but so worth it.

I love hearing that you still are so happy with your decision. I have a friend who went through this process and she says the exact same thing!

I am looking forward to a healthy future! What are the best things you have done over time to ensure your success?

Staying off junk, wine, carbs , sugars and things that I ate prior to WLS. Following the rules from the beginning that we are taugh****er 64 to 100 ounces, min 60 ounces protein a day, vitamins and for me exercise. Limit eating out. When I do not exercise I tend to gravitate to other bad habits... but everyone different. Tracking my calories for me I lose at 1000 -1100 calories this far out much lower calories in the beginning.

You can absolutely put all your weight back on you have to really watch it. Year 7 and 8 I put on 20 lbs and then 40. Due to life and stress. I lost 15-20 like 3 times the past 2.5 years, just like prior to WLS you can yo yo. Surgery does not stop this if you go back to old ways but you definitely can't eat as much and I don't dump but suffer from Reactive Hypoglycemia which helps me not stray very often. To me a 40lb gain is doable vs 130 I lost.... I have 15 more to be back and I need to buckle down and DO IT. Not go back again. Added exercise again first of year and it is keeping me motivated along with some personal motivations coming in Spring. I need to learn not to eat from emotions or stress like everyone else. When I do have a very stressful day now I allow myself that day to have 1400-1500 calories and I maintain on the scale in the morning...not my 1000-1100 losing calories. Foods are all acceptable foods and tracked though none of the junk etc. that way I am controlling it a bit and next day go back to my losing calories. When I gained my 40 that was not something I was doing. Good strategy for me.

Eating out became a problem and habit too .... going out on Friday and Saturday and sometimes middle of week with my husband and sometimes kids.... not fast food (not a fast food fan luckily) but good places we like. Cut it out except for special events and don't miss it. A lot of $$ too.

Thank you so much for writing back. I think another thing that will help--and is helping--is reaching out to others in a community like this. I totally understand working on not "eating feelings" and stress. It never did work for me--I ate over stressors countless times--and I doubt my problems would ever be solved by eating over them in the future! :)

I love the strategies you shared as well as your outlook! Applying what we learn for a more positive outcome seems simple but can feel difficult at times.

I am looking forward to saving money on food. I also want to journal now about what led me to surgery so that I have one more place to look to remind myself of all I have been through due to weight issues. Perhaps reading and re-reading my story will be a deterrent to returning to old ways. I think the thing I am most scared of is regaining weight. (And I haven't even lost it yet! LOL!)

Thank you so much for sharing your story and what works for you. It's a huge help and I am totally stealing your strategies! They are great ones!

Thanks and good luck to you! You will love it!

Yes this is a great place to learn and read and keep WLS front and center which helps you stay accountable. I did not have support early on as my hospital did not offer and helps to come and look every day.... even looking at old posts... I do that or google a topic ... someone has usually had a problem with etc.

Thank you so much! Have a great weekend, and whatever the spring holds, I hope it will be amazing for you!

Thank you and I wish you wonderful success! Your great attitude and personality will carry you in the first couple months when you could second guess yourself. I think it is a wonderful gift we have but still not easy! Have a nice weekend!