Is it just me?

Pre-op, I was quick to judge people who posted questions like that but that soon changed. 

This is surgery on our stomachs not our brains.  The reality is that those foods will still exist post-op and the temptations are still there.  It will be a battle every single day to say no.  I am almost a year post-op and I have had chips, bread and pancakes.  The difference now is that I am mindful of portion sizes and there is that constant reminder of the 8 mths of pre-op testing and hardships that I had to go through in order to have this surgery and save my life. I can only hope that those  hardships will stay in the forefront of my mind for years to come--they might not.

There are some foods that I pray will never touch my lips again--sugar and soda--but I will never say those foods will absolutely NEVER enter my mouth again because although I'd love to promise myself that they won't--in all actuality I might have a weak moment and they could.  Food is my addiction of choice and I know all too well how hard it is to break the cycle of poor eating. 

So I've been thinking about this, and trying to think of the best way to say what I would like to say about it, but couldn't think of the best way.  And then I went back to the Lightweights Creed, which says it far better than I could!  

I respect the decisions of my fellow Lightweights, regardless of the surgery they chose and the nutritional/exercise plans they follow.

I will always be sensitive, honest and respectful when contributing to discussions on this board and in my PMs. I will never flame, demean, invalidate or harass others for their questions or decisions. I will remember, at all times, the difficulties and pain I went through on my own journey and be considerate of others when discussing theirs.

I guess my point is that it's important to remember that other people's struggles are not necessarily our own, and sometimes it can be hard to relate.  

OMG! I remember coming on the board before surgery and was just troubled by the people that bragged that they could eat cheetos and they were just months out of surgery...or I always remember the woman who could eat a footlong from Subway. It would miff me. Yep, not a good way to start their journey. I wonder where they are now?

The particular person who asked the question hadn't had the surgery yet.  I've seen it asked by those who have had surgery, but when I saw her post I just thought, you are not ready for this surgery if you're asking that.  I also have a friend who said she was approved for WLS but decided against it because she didn't want to give up steak.  I told she could still have steak but she would just have to chew the daylights out of it. 

Well, if she hasn't had surgery yet, she still has Fat Brain. Food is still really important to her and she has no idea what it's like to have to force yourself to eat as so many of us have to in the early days.

I actually think it's good that she's asking questions. Surgery is one of those 'no backsies things so it's important to understand what your life will be life afterward.

Personally, I try not to judge. There are some posts and phrases that drive me crazy, but everyone has to forge their own path in life so I think I need to be open to other ways of doing things.

Well, I got slammed pretty hard a couple of days ago because I confessed to having chips at 5 weeks out.  I didn't eat many and I have stopped.  It hurt my feelings somewhat but it also brought me back to accountability and I needed that. 

I will add that I have had no candy, no sugared drinks, and really nothing else at all that I know not to.  One problem/curse is that my surgeon is pretty liberal and apparently I have healed extraordinarily well, which for someone with type 2 DM is kind of unusual in itself.

My PCP did start me back on metformin yesterday since I can now swallow the pills when they are broken in half.  I think the insulin was part of my problem.  Taking it for 6 weeks rather than the oral meds ran my A1C way up.   I am feeling a lot more normal today. 

I appreciate punchynerd for posting the portion of the lightweights creed about respecting each other and our different ways of getting to our goals.  I may be losing more slowly than most of you but I am determined to work this tool to my goal, whatever it takes.

Kat70

My jaw doesnt drop, but my heart aches for these individuals.

It also saddens me to hear stories of people injuring themselves with food, or unable to abstain from fast food or sweets. I fear that their food addictions are not being address. We have been given a tool and we need to learn how to use our tool to the best of our ability.

It is a journey and I am so glad to have you lightweights with me to guide me along.

~Maria