Question

This may sound like a stupid question, but does your life after WLS become all about the eating?  I don't want to have to constantly think about what's going in (and coming out) for the rest of my life.  Do you ever get to the point where it's - ok, it's breakfast and I'm having X, then lunch comes around and it's Y, does anyone know what I mean?  I don't want it to consume my whole life, but I understand that it's important to get all the water, in, etc.  I just don't want to be thinking about food and what I can and can't have 24/7.

Therese

At nearly 5 months out, I can say that while I am not constantly thinking abouat what to eat/what not to eat, I am much more mindful of what goes into my mouth, and I find that I need to do more advance planning.  For example, if I'm going to be out and about all day, I need to think ahead about what to do for lunch, since the old pre-op standbys of fast food or grabbing a sandwich do not work for me.  There will be a day when half a sandwich will be an OK choice for lunch (maybe) but not now. 

Planning ahead and thinking about schedules for food, water, and vitaming/mineral supplements is in fact, a way of life for many of us post WLS. I look at it as almost a spiritual practice, being mindful of self-care.

Those who are further out may have other thoughts.

Here's my thoughts and I'm nearly 6 years out and have maintained pretty well since my 150 lbs loss.  My life is NOT all about WLS anymore.  Actually most people don't even know or ask about it.  It's not all about me anymore.  There are people in my life who never knew me fat.  I don't dwell anymore about what I eat, I am mindful of it, but now it's second nature and most folks don't even know I've had WLS when eating with me.  I eat bun-less sandwiches, but will order french fries.  Do I finish the fries?  Probably not.  I eat the protein out of salads first and leave a lot of lettuce.  I'll order eggs benedict and only eat one egg and some of the muffin and stir the plate around a bit so it doesn't look like I'm leaving so much.  My handful of vitamins per day are second nature too for me, as is the Miralax! 

So for me, I've gotten into the routine and gone on with life.  I may break a rule here or there, but my judge is my scale and no one else.  My health is good and I look pretty good if I say so myself.  I try not to obsess about everything that goes into my mouth.  I've had enough guilt associated with food to fill a lifetime...and I'm done with it.  I try to eat healthy, but if I get a fat gram or carb into my mouth...it stays there.  If I over-do the sweets, I dump and wish for a bullet.

Everyone will find their way somehow in this wacky WLS world.  Some get lost along the way, but most of us will do ok.  We may not stay at the all time low weight we hit, but if we can maintain at a healthy weight and are happy with ourselves, I call that a success.

Great responce Lori!
 Very inspirational!  I know WLS will always be a part of me but it will not consume my life. I think and hope I will be "mindful" eating, and it will be second nature to make those healthier choices.

Yes Lori!  I love that response!  I love that you are six years out and give us your perspective!  Thank you for that!  
I would also say that BEFORE wls I was thinking daily what my plan would be for food.  I usually could not follow through with that plan.   At the end of the day I felt frustrated and as if I had failed yet AGAIN!  Now, I think about it and still plan but I end up feeling good at the end of the day because my tool helps me be successful!   

Excellent post,  nothing else to say thanks!

Being pre-op, I don't have any experience with "the tool", but I would like to share what I hope to feel and get out of the surgery.

I completely agree with Lori about mindful eating.  I do want to use and respect my tool as well as do my part to achieve weight loss (eat right/exercise).  Yet, I do not want it to consume my whole life and become obsessive.  In trying so many "diets", I feel that I've been obsessive enough and obviously that type of behavior (for me) has not been very successful.  After surgery, when in maintenance, if I want a couple fries, small bite of cake - I don't want to feel like a complete failure for doing so.  I actually would find that to be a success versus eating all of the fries or the entire piece of cake.  Also, my psych (Lana Boutacoff), supports this as healthy, mindful behavior.  If the scale goes up a pound or two...that is my signal to get back to basics or add some exercise.  But my point is that I will not be so hard on myself if that happens.  I am human and want to enjoy my life!  I will be glad to have a tool to let me know what works and what doesn't.

I know wls will be a part of me for the rest of my life, but it will be joining all the other great things I have going as well - like family, friends, etc.

Stephanie

Hi Therese

Great question. Here are my thoughts from someone who is over 6 years out......

I feel pretty much the same way as Lori. I don't obsess about food any more but am mindful of my choices because I know that I have to make WLS patient choices. This is why, for me, I STILL think of myself as a WLS patient. For me, I have to keep focused on this because when I don't, that is when I start to struggle with making sure that I make the right choices. The hardest part of this journey is the mind games and I know that if I can handle the emotional part of this journey, then the physical part will follow right along.

I don't normally watch Biggest Loser, bu****ched it the other day and cried when I saw Ron, who had had Gastric Bypass and regained all of his weight. For me, I know that I have to keep "my head in the game" or know that for me, and for any of us, we could be right where he is.
My .02 worth.

(It's going to be 53 degrees here today )

Have a great week!

Peggy

Thanks to everyone for their responses (except Peggy, for the "It's going to be 53 degrees here today comment!)  JK.  I found them all very helpful and I feel the same way Lori does about the obsessing and was hoping it wasn't going to continue.  Being mindful of what goes in our mouths is a good idea anyway, even moreso after WLS, I guess.

Therese

Hi Therese

You've too funny.......I won't rub it in, but we actually made it to 61 degrees  LOL

Have a good week!!

Peggy