3-2-ONEDERLAND!

Finally saw onderland today!  What a year this has been.  I would love to wax poetic about it being a fantastic year, but that would be inaccurate.  I have had many very difficult personal issues to deal with, but thank goodness, weight wasn't one of them!  My wls was the best decision I have ever made.  Was it a snap...of course not.  There is a learning curve.  Easy way out...not on your Nellie.  It Was the Smart way however.  I have had to take a very close look at how I deal with the stresses in my life.  I had basically given up.  Now, I'm making the journey back to a real existence.  I'm down 135 since surgery and 175 including the loss pre-op.  Those are numbers.  They really don't say anything about the process.  I have been better than some about staying calm with plateaus...calm has not been my norm in the past, but I knew all the fretting in the world wouldn't change the way my body was working.  Hair loss?  Some.  I have to admit, I had lots of hair to start so some loss was not a big deal.  It is growing back now and with a bit of the natural curl I had as a child!  Love that part.  My skin looks like a shar-pei puppy's.  Big deal...better that than a Mastiff's!  PS in my future...probably.  I would like my arms done and a tummy tuck.  Ashamed of how I look?  Not in the least.  These are my "battle scars".  None of these hurt like the cruel comments made when I was MO..  So I still have 30 pounds to goal.  I know it will come.  I know how to get there.  I know the worst thing in the world for me is snacking.  I work daily at only putting wholesome things in my body....organic and as few chemicals as possible.  Water is a must.  I have learned to love it.  Exercise is still something that requires conscious effort, but I do it all the same.  A total knee replacement this year slowed that a bit.  I am also trying to eliminate toxic people and toxic events from my life.  That seems to be the source of so much anxiety.  Having identified it, I feel must stronger.  To those starting the journey, all the best.  Do your reasearch, find support (both in person and onlline), then go for it!  There isn't a best way, but your way will be best for you.

WOW - congratualations on reaching onederland! That's amazing and I can't wait to join you! I'm having RNY tomorrow morning so I'm on my way. Your journey sounds so similar to mine this far - I've been seeing a therapist regularly since I went for an eval and dealing with alot of difficult personal issues. And I know that I've only just started a long journey, but it's a journey I wish I'd taken several years ago and one that finally has me excited about facing the future. Good luck to you and congratulations on a job well done!

All the best tomorrow!  You are doing such a good thing for yourself.