I'm glad I did this because...

My health issues such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea have resolved,

I have the endurance to do the things I want to do... I was able to do all of the flowers for my son's wedding (with a bit of help), set them up, and still dance the night away with some energy to spare.

I can shop anywhere my pocketbook can afford... I am no longer limited by what will fit, but by what I can afford. It's incredible to be able to walk into any store (except plus size only stores) and be able to find more clothes to try on than they allow in the dressing room at one time.

My choices in life are no longer limited by my size... I used to decide what I was going to based on my endurance and whether I would 'fit'. This is no longer an issue for me so deciding what I want to is easier... for example, flying is no longer uncomfortable since I easily fit into an airline seat,

I can eat whatever I want in moderation... I was worried when I had my WLS that I would have to give up all of the things that I loved to eat. I have been very fortunate and have found that I am able to have almost anything in moderation. For me moderation is the key and one that I hadn't found before. The size of my pouch helps me to practice moderation, as do some rules I set for myself which require that I always have at least 2 ounces of lean protien, followed by complex carbs ... I can have whatever else I want in the room I have left over ... a couple of bites of this or that is usually all I can handle. It allows me to enjoy, without deprevation or going overboard.

I have realized that being accountable for my actions will allow me to sustain and maintain the incredible losses and gains that I've realized with my WLS. In order for me to make sure that I'm being true to myself, I weigh myself everyday ... not because I'm obessive, but because I want to be sure that I don't develop ostrich syndrome that was a factor in my getting where I'd been before. I also log what I eat ... the good, bad and ugly. No one else sees my log. I don't post it publically so I am absolutely honest with myself. This allows me to see when I'm making questionable choices and make corrections so that I can continue to enjoy the successes related to my weightloss.

It has affected my family in positive ways beyond my on weight loss. My daughter is has lost weight weight and is learning to control her own weight. My husband has lost weight and is going to undergo WLS to complete his own transformation... My family will be healthier, living longer and better because of the decisions that I have made and the impact my decisions have had on their own decisions to care for themselves. 

Are there reasons you are glad you did this too?

I don't know how you knew to write this today - but all weekend it seems like a ton of people have asked me what my "real" reasons for having WLS were. It was always because of the Diabetes and now that it has been beaten into submission everything else is pure GRAVY.

I feel so good that I can hardly stand myself. My Aunt swears that I'm contagious. I'm truly the life of the party. My energy level has soared after 39 lbs. I cannot imagine what I'll be able to accomplish when I'm under 200 lbs. I've joked around that after all these years I'll find out that I had ADHD - I've never paid attention like I should have and I'm really scatterbrained. I'm beginning to think that may actually be more the truth than a joke.

I can't believe I like to exercise. Actually I feel that's the reason that I'm no longer on the anti-depressants that I've taken daily for the past 6 years or so. I really look forward to taking a 30 minute walk during my luch hour and even bad weather last week didn't dampen my spirits - I just walked inside. While everyone else is running for the vending machines to beat the 3:30 slump and try and stay awake until time to go home, I find my walk has invigorated me and left me rarin to go.

I didn't think it was possible to have a life without caffeine. Or sugar. Or fat. Or fried foods. Or lots and lots of carbs. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm????

I now get hand me down clothes. I had no idea what that was like. As a kid I was the one producing the hand me downs - never receiving them. Just today I was given bags of clothes my 3 different people. I've just moved out of 24's into 22's and todays bags contained 22's down to 14's. I went from not having a pair of jeans this morning to now having more than a dozen pairs in assorted sizes. Cost = $0 Esteem = Priceless.

My kids are eating much healthier. My Mom is in on the cooking healthy (not everything has been a family hit). She loves to look at my food log and see exactly what and how much I'm eating. Even the folks at church are really excited about my new way of eating.. There are about a dozen that are either diabetic or are doing the sugar busters diet that know whatever I bring or my Mom brings to carry in dinners will be healthy for them as well.

Life is good and I think my Aunt is right - this is contagious.

- Iris

Hi Iris,

I think your Aunt is right, your enthusiasm is contagious. I'm delighted that you are seeing su*****redible benefit from the enormous life changes you have been making and I'm glad that they are spilling over to your loving family.

I wish you every continued success and you make your way on this amazing, life-changing journey.

All the best,

Barb

Well, I am quite thankful today. I am happy that I had surgery and that I avoided many of the potential probems that I most likely would have had. My mother died an early death (car accident) and was morbidly obese. I think of how her life would have been easier had she not had to deal with the excess weight. Her weight most likely played a big role in her death. Although I do believe that when it is our time...it just is.

I attended the funeral today of a friend who was SMO and was denied surgery a few years ago because they didn't feel she was "ready" for it. Who knows. She had recently called me to ask me questions about my bypass surgery.  I believe she was reaching for some help but was unable to get it. I do know that she had a surgery (hernia repair) and never recovered from it. She started to recover but then took a turn for the worse. She knew and had resolved the fact that she would not make it home from the hospital. They removed her from life support the other day. She was 55.

It is a known fact that people who have excess weight suffer complications from their weight and I am just thankful that I have bypassed that.

I am thankful that I have met some amazing people on this journey. I am so happy for that. You don't know how much that has meant to me. I have many things to be thankful for. Even in the midst of some sadness here lately I believe I am truly blessed to have been given this opportunity with surgery and the incredible people it has brought into my life.

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. It's really terrible to lose someone at such a young age.

I hope to see you next month.

Hugs,

Barb

I'm so thankful for the timing of your post today.  My surgery is on Wednesday and I'm a bit anxious...but TOTALLY EXCITED!  I've learned so much from you and others on this Board.  THANK YOU!

Lisa

You are soooo welcome. We all learn from and support one another.

Wishing you every success as you launch into this new life,

Barb