Unchartered territory is a great way to phrase it!

I hear you! I gained weight as well and started getting back into old habits. It's a tough lesson to learn. I also think about my friends and family who I consider to be "normal" weight. Their weight fluctuates - the difference is that they get it under control. Congrats on doing just that!

Great perspective!

No regrets here.  I am thrilled with the results.  Like others - I'm not at my ultimate goal, but if I stay here, I'm ok.  I am off all meds except for one and no longer sleep with a CPAP machine.  I feel great and am more active than I've been for a very long time.  My recommendation for you, like others *****sponded, is to do your research and find the best option that's right for you.  there is no perfect WLS and there is no easy route to any of this.  It's a lot of work, but worth it all in the end!

Thanks!  I warned my husband about my mood swings today when he got home from work... and he's decided the safest place for him is in the basemen****ching arena football!  Probably a very smart idea!

Joni -
Thanks!  It helps to know I'm not alone!  I hadn't even thought it could be all the meds.  today's my first day without pain meds, so maybe it's my body coming off of that and trying to get back to normal. 

Cool!  I've heard others say great things about it!  I've been tempted, but haven't felt like I could splurge.

Great quote - thanks for sharing!

On Saturday I had to have emergency surgery for a hernia and have been home recovering this week.  Today I'm an emotional wreck.  I've been crying at everything and my emotions are completely out of wack.  When I'm not crying, I get angry really quickly.  I finally kenneled my poor dogs because I was getting angry at them for doing things that are just normal dog behaviors.

So... I'm curious - does anyone else go through this?  I've had surgeries before and never had this emotional outburst before.

I agree with Kristi - keep doing your breathing.  did they give you one of those machines with the ball in it?  If you have any doubt - call your doc!

he says either is fine.  I still do chewables

I did this for myself to remind myself why following the rules is a good thing and thought I'd share:

When I don't follow the rules and snack all day or eat too many slider foods
- I feel yucky the next day
- I don't sleep as well
- My negative self-talk gets really loud
- My energy level drops
- I'm never satisfied with anything that I eat and I start obsessing about food, which results in me feeling like I can't focus on anything

When I do follow the rules and eat good dense proteins and healthy food choices
- I feel positive about myself
- I have a lot more postive energy
- I sleep really, really well (sometimes I make it almost all the way through the night)
- My clothes fit better, even if the scale is the same 

So what about you?  What happens when you follow the rules or don't follow them?