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What have you learned about yourself that made you a grad? As a grad I have learned that I have incredible focus and drive and am able to reach my goals despite the challenges that happen along the way. When I was MO, I considered challenges to be a major set back and gave up right away. What makes you tick in post-op life that was not there before? Although MO, I was successful both personally and professionally, mostly I credited these to my good nature, willingness to work, charm, and as always noted by others the notion that I had "such a pretty face!" (as in the rest of you is rather ugly). What makes me tick now is my clarity of vision...I see myself as a normal person. I no longer talk myself out of getting the things I want and deserve. As a normal person I am just like everyone else...in theory. What makes me tick and sets me apart now is that I am no longer a victim of morbid obesity. I am a recovering survivor. I no longer let food, situations or people determine the outcome. I take full responsibility for my successes and my challenges. And unlike many normal people, for the most part I am not OK with good or better...as a grad I deserve the best. Did it come on like a bolt of lightning or did you slowly figure it out? As the layers slowly went away, the prize inside was revealed. Karen (who mostly likes these questions...this series was a doozy!)

Thanks for you thought provoking questions. We all need to delve deep and keep the plan in front of us to make it work. What have you learned about yourself that made you a grad? I've learned a new awareness of food/exercise. I calculate the nutritional value, calories, protein, etc of food BEFORE it goes in my mouth now days. I know this is my last chance to live a normal life and I don't intend to blow it. I've learned that being healthy and a nice size are more important to me than food. I don't want food to ever be in control of my life again. I've figured out that I'm in control of what goes into my mouth and how many calories I expend on exercising. Making the right choices are up to me. What makes you tick in post-op life that was not there before? I've been given a tool that makes it possible for me to lose and keep the weight off. I have a slow metabolism, thus I can only eat 800-1200 calories if I want to maintain my weight loss. Mind you that's with working out 7 days a week and some days twice a day for 45 minutes. Without my tool I don't think I could eat so few calories without feeling deprived, as I've felt on every diet I've ever been on. With the tool I don't have to diet I'm satisfied with small quantities of food. All I have to concentrate on is making sure the right foods go in my mouth. Did it come on like a bolt of lightning or did you slowly figure it out? My thinking has evolved over the months as I lost weight. I went into the surgery with the right attitude but a fear of failure. Every pound I lost gave me more confidence that I could be successful at keeping the weight off this time. At 22 months out and having been at goal for several months I still worry about regain, but my confidence continues to grow each day. Maybe it's good not to be too confident though because the fear keeps me thinking and working the plan.