If you think you've conquered a WL battle and "cured" yourself at 3, 6, 12 or 18...

Alison,

I know of the woman and her book, didn't see posts criticizing her so not sure what was said that made you feel she was attacked. I would like to read it though and will look for it.

I'm only 5 months out and I do not find one thing easy about this- I did not get 6 months of no hunger, sugar calls my name daily, and I live in fear of failing. This was a life long battle and still will be for me no matter what the scale says.  I do not feel I have this beat, that its the easy way out or magic.  And now that I am thinner, I' m seeing old, wrinkles etc etc.....

Which brings us all back to finding out peace- with WHO we are on the inside, with our life, our past, our present and our future- our spirituality, our ability to forgive and to not be paralyzed by traumas- and that is NOT to negate those traumas, because though I think we are all wounded, we are certainly NOT all wounded to the same degrees. Some people have endured some really horrible things- some manage to thrive in spite of it- some don't.... but no, weight loss is not the answer to it all.

I'm happier to be able to cross my legs and to work out, and wear regular clothes- mainly because I think I am not a walking advertisement for what I cannot control- I wore it... like a stamp on my forehead, where as others can hide their illness or impulses etc etc-  I felt it branded me, and labeled by it- and with that came stereotypes and judegements  (but those come in the other way too- the dumb blond etc etc). And I just feel better, sleep better, diabetes in remission- all of those are blessings to me.

I feel that physically healthier can help me tackle emotional health.... but it is not a cure for all.  And if she or anyone walks in expecting weight loss to be a cure for all that is wrong with their lives, they have unrealistic expectations and it sounds like perhaps her surgeon gave her the ds because he didnt thiink she'd be successful with vsg, or it wasnt around then.  I understand bitterness from feeling mislead- but her experience is not everyones, yet is valid as HERS.  Perhapshaving this surgery at close to age 50, well... I didn't have the expectation it would make me happy.  I expected it to be a piece in a very very complicated puzzle of my life.   Looking at why I use food (am driven to food) to make up for lack of comfort, love etc etc... is something I am committed to looking at.  It will I fear, be a forever thing, not a now I have this conquored thing.

I take your heed- and I try not to be judgemental in my life- learned from experience and past judgements- they usually come back to bite you in the arse!  There by the grace of God go I......

Take Care- you will always be a rock star to me- yet you have nothing to live up to...Its how you fight the fight, and not just a destination. It's a journey to feel whole and fix our selves- often our hearts- and I wish you love and peace and that you will learn to be your own best friend and cut yourself some slack- I dont mean on weight loss rules- but I just think you demand perfect from yourself. So much easier said than done!   I sure hope to meet you some day..

still want that disneyland meet up and i have a pass :)

Thanks for a thought inspiring post-

Christina

Just for the record, I couldn't be happier now that I've lost 100 pounds!  I finally feel like my outside matches who I am on the inside!!!  I don't feel like I have this in the bag, but I am thrilled wíth the results!!!!

I don't fault anyone for speaking their mind. Everyone comes from a different place. It does appear that he surgeon failed her by not making sure she was well prepared. There will always be people who have some type of negative outcome from any decision they make. WLS is just one example. I know she has been criticized for what she wrote, but it is her experience.

As for your own journey, you have been a success story. You are just in the middle of a set back. Life throws us curve balls, so I know you will swing, and if you miss, you'll swing again. No strike-outs here. It isn't easy when pain from the past rears its ugly head. We all have it, some just have it worse than others. I know you will get through it, you are strong enough. It just might not look like it right now.