Happy Surgiversary to Happy!

Thank you, Steph!  You're so right - rational thinking doesn't touch the monkey!  I can't tell you how much I appreciate your cheering me on!

 As a pre preop your post couldn't have come at a better time!  I think about many of the things you've written here and I appreciate your honesty and insight!  I have been doing quiet well with trying to prepare myself,  getting off carbs and tracking everything..until yesterday ...fell off the wagon or in your words the monkey got me big time!  But today is a new day..new choices..I especially loved the first line of THINGS I TELL MYSELF .." A good plan followed imperfectly for the long term will work"...this helped me to reset my attitude and not focus on yesterday's failure.  

The scale might be a few pounds from goal for you...but I think more importantly look at what you've accomplished not only with the weight loss but more importantly all you have gained mentally and the great insight into yourself!   Turn and point a finger at that monkey and laugh at him..he'll feel even less powerful!  Keep up the great work!!

Good for you for all your preparation.  I weight-measure-record everything, good or bad.

It's a paradox.  I feel like I must strive to follow my plan every day, yet I have to be able tolerate some imperfection.  Good luck to you!

 I really liked this post. I also have the 'monkey' and its nice to see that the surgery doesn't fix everything. Its like a real perspective on what I can do to face it before and after. I just think this reality check was really good for me to read.

Congrats on your continued success :)

Surgery has allowed me to be satisfied with less food, and to not be hungry all the time.  It has not stopped that voice in my head that tells me peanut better fudge will fix it.  I have to participate in support groups to make sure I realize that's the monkey, and not some brilliant idea I just had.

Happy Surgiversary!!!  I love reading your posts.  That monkey sure gets around. He comes to my house ( not so much right now but I'm sure he will come back in the future). 
You are such a success story!!!!  Thanks for sharing!

You are well on your way to becoming your own success story!

Happy, you are such a gem! I've read your post 4 times today! I loved reading all of your posts when I was pre-op and now that I'm 2 months post-op your posts continue to inspire and encourage me.

I swear, I must have that same darn monkey on my back. He's with me all day long trying to tempt me or trying to justify why I should eat this or that. I am happy to say that I haven't listened to him once, but man he's loud!

Thanks for posting and happy surgiversary to you!

~Anna

You know, it was a complete game changer for me to realize that was my *disease* talking, not *me.* 

It's much harder for me to ignore "you deserve that, you might as well eat it" if I think it's *me* than if it's just an artifact of being a compulsive overeat.

 Happy, there is no one more deserving of success and reaping the benefits of this "gift of the sleeve" than YOU, my dear. You have been SO kind and supportive. You were a huge comfort and inspiration to me during my pre-op struggles. Thank you for paying it forward and reaching a hand behind you to those of us following your footsteps. We are all doing the Happy Dance with you!