Caidkin
Does my WLS define me?
Oct 20, 2012
For reference I had my gastric bypass on July 2nd, 2012.I researched WLS's to death... to a fault at times. My biggest concern when considering WLS was possible complications, pain and recovery. (I have a Blog or whatever on my OH profile talking about this if you feel like you would like to read) Although directly after the surgery I felt like this WLS was going to define me. How could I keep up with this lifestyle. It was so overwhelming. The protein, the water, my heart wrenching breakup with food. How can I do this? How can I keep up. The vitamins? Ugh. It was like my life was no longer about living, but about adhering to this lifestyle. Of course I considered this prior to surgery. I just figured, well I'll have to do it and I'll just have to deal. Now in the reality, gawd could I actually do this? It's 4pm... how much protein do I have in, what about water? On top of this lifestyle I have a very stressful job, a husband, and two active young children. So is this my life now, WLS and the rest just flies by? What did I do? This surgery is going to be my life and my definition.
Then there is the mind F@#K of the surgery. Is everyone looking at me? Do they wonder what I did? What do I say? How do I answer questions? WHOA... my clothes are falling off of me. My face is sooo much thinner!!!! My ass is looking nice but I still instinctively avoid mirrors. I still pick up the 3x off the shelf and try it on. My mind cannot accept that my body is in an XL. I'm still me, but my body... is that me? This whole process, is this just me... my life now?
So at almost 4 months out, I am NO veteran. I do not have the time or the wisdom that years out provides, but I do have some newbie insight.
This WLS process, because it IS a process, a journey, does NOT define me. The first few weeks were hard, no doubt... but at the same time it was fun and amazing wrapped up in one skinny ball. I did feel at times it was taking over my life, but then everything just blended together nicely. Protein is no big thing now... it's just part of my day. I've worked it out the best I know how. My water and vitamins are easy peasy (thanx to nurse Kelly and her vitamin schedule.) I follow my body's lead. I've experienced a couple stalls and they were just what I needed. My mind goes through a lot accepting my new weight loss... so the stalls give me some time to wrap my brain around how I'm shaping up. Then I start loosing again. Honestly some days my life is so normal and I feel so normal... I remind myself I re-routed my organs. I eat like a normal person now and not like an empty pit. I go to lunch with my friends, I eat dinner with my family and I attend parties where there is food. I eat like the person I always wanted to eat like and life it absolutely fantabulous!
I know everyone’s experience is different and I'm not downplaying possible complications, head hunger and the mental process this is... but I'm saying for me... i am still me. A better and more confident me. Not a fat person who had WLS... just me... a cooler version of me, a better mom and a happier wife.
Good luck to all considering this journey! I hope my insight helps someone, somewhere :) Sometime!!!
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About Me
Canandaigua, NY
Location
35.1
BMI
Surgery
07/02/2012
Surgery Date
Jun 21, 2010
Member Since
