Great Advice... (from another member)

Oct 06, 2015

Hello all! I can't believe it but, tomorrow is my 3 month surgeriversary! As someone recently posted on their 5-month anniversary post, I am in awe of the results I have gotten and how much I have changed my ways. I am thankful pretty much every day that I was able to have this surgery and can only hope my success continues. I wanted to share some of my victories and things I have learned, so far.

Number-related Victories:

• I am down 73 lbs. since my highest weight ever (2-weeks pre-op, right before liquid diet start).
• I am down 52 lbs. since my surgery.
• I have lost a TOTAL of 35 inches off my body in the last 3 months - most dramatically 10 inches off my waist and 6 off my bust and hips.
• I am officially "just" obese, not "morbidly" or "clinically" so.

Non-scale victories:

• Being able to fit into clothes I haven't worn in about 3-4 years.
• Having so much more stamina when it comes to walking and standing. I went to a rock festival this weekend and had no issues walking and standing for hours at a time! Previously I would get knee and/or lower-back pain.
• Being able to sit Indian-Style again, and being totally comfortable.
• Taking up less "space." I commute on mass transit every day and always felt so awkward when someone couldn't sit next to me on the subway because no one wants to sit next to the "fat lady" taking up 1.5 seats. Now, I'm in my seat just fine.
• Being able to paint my toes and shave my legs without weird maneuvering of my body.
• Not feeling like I may break the chair I sit on if it seems particularly flimsy.
• Feeling more confident getting into booths and chairs at restaurants, and seats in the theater, without the mental prayer of "please let me fit in there!"
• Being able to more easily get in/out of my low-to-the ground car.
• Looking for opportunities to walk more or get more steps in, when pre-op, I was looking for any excuse to NOT walk an extra block, or have to run to the supermarket again, if I forgot something.
• I can sleep through the night without having to wake up to empty my bladder like 4-5 times  a night.
• I actually don't dread when people take pictures of me and put them on Facebook. I used to untag with a quickness as soon as any picture of me was posted.
• My wedding ring finally fits again!
• I have a lot of extra room now when I use my bath sheet after washing! It used to barely close.
• I can bounce right up if I sit on the ground/floor, with little to no struggle.
• SO many, many, many more....

Things I Learned:

• Everyone's journey is different. Don't let the naysayers, especially some in the WLS community, get you down or discourage you because your plan is different than theirs (and my plan was/is pretty different than most). If I follow my medical team's orders, I WILL get results.
• Related to the above - people gain weight for different reasons. What works for me may not work for someone else. That doesn't mean that either strategy is "wrong" but that we each have different ways of coping.
• I am 1000% comfortable eating my current diet for the rest of my life. I do not really miss processed carbs at all and I know that, as I can eat more volume I will only add in things like vegetables. I am eating now how I plan on eating pretty much forever, with adjustments made to total calories and volume.
• To NOT assume something is wrong when nothing is wrong! I have had 0 issues with tolerating food, 0 gas pains, 0 issues with foaming, vomit, or pain post-eating. That is OK! Try NOT to question when nothing is wrong!
• I can stick to measuring and tracking food much better than I thought (90 day streak as of today on MyFitnessPal).
• I need to stay away from some WLS communities that encourage too much "tolerance." When people post pictures of them eating Cheetos and claim they're "on plan," it has a tendency to trigger my cravings.
• My eyes are still bigger than my stomach and I just HAVE to order something small in restaurants. Soup or an on-plan appetizer. I cannot eat more than one.

So, I know this has been a long one, but I am too excited not to share! I especially am grateful that a community like this exists because even if I don't post, I read, and just staying "in touch" with the WLS community as a whole keeps me more accountable. I have gotten some great advice here, and met some truly inspiring people. Can't wait to post another awesome update in 6 months!!!

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