After almost 2 years of no weight loss after my surgery I was about ready to give up. Now, yes, I have lost over 100 pounds and I have kept them off but I never hit my "goal." I started reading up on things about surgery and one common thing that I saw was people putting the pounds back on. Umm, no! I refuse. Then I started really thinking about the people I know that have had bariatric surgery. I know people who have had the lapband. I know some that have had gastric bypass. Oh, and I know some that have had the vertical sleeve done. Out of all of those people I can picture maybe 5 in my head that have kept a majority of the weight off. So why did they go through all of this major, expensive surgery and allow themselves to get back to where they started? Why? I start looking at their pictures or seeing them in public. They are back to where they started (even a few at a higher weight) because 1.) they didn't utilize the tools given to them and 2.) they didn't change anything.
The Tools
The biggest tool we are given with this surgery is the surgery itself. You are told from day one that it is not a fix-all. It isn't going to make you skinny. It isn't going to make you healthy. It is a tool that you have to use in conjunction with the other tools to reach your goal and maintain it.
My next favorite tool is actually my doctor. I mean he is the one that led me through the process. Why is he a tool? I keep my follow up appointments so that I hold myself accountable. I don't want to walk back in there having gained a ton of weight. I go every 3-6 months and I honestly think that has helped me keep myself accountable.
Another tool is a very guided way to eat. You don't drink 30 minutes before or after eating. You eat high protein. You eat smaller portions. Oh, let's say that again. YOU EAT SMALLER PORTIONS! So knowing you should feel like crap if you eat too much, only put the amount you "need" on your plate. If you over eat constantly then you are going to stretch your stomach back out and you will continue to overeat. Then guess what? You are back to where you started. Back to being morbidly obese. Back to not finding clothes that fit. Back to not fitting in the seats...
Chewing is a big deal too. They tell you to chew 30 times before you swallow. Now yes, 30 times may be a bit much on some things but I promise if you start counting, you will slow yourself down and be full a lot faster.
Support is another tool. I often wish I had more support from my family. Although a lot of them have had the surgery they are of little support. I sometimes feel like it is a competition or an "I'm better than you" or "this isn't working for me so I don't care if it works for you." I have found support through a few friends. I have found a few websites. I'm not one to go sit with support groups and talk but may in the future venture in that direction.
Okay, so back to what this is really about...
I changed my mind because I'm not going to be the statistic that gained it all back. I have gotten back in the gym. I even hired myself a personal trainer. Didn't want to spend that money but hey, I just had $50K+ surgery. What is this small amount compared to that? I'm back playing tennis which is a sport I loved to play when I was younger. I had to change my mindset. I had to realize that food is truly an addiction to me and I've had to find ways to manage that addiction. I am not using the excuse "I've just always been this way." I'm this way because I, yes I did this myself. I can blame others all day long but I have to be the one to step up and make the change. I have to be the one to hold myself accountable. I have to be the one to keep from being that huge statistic that regains.
The Tools
The biggest tool we are given with this surgery is the surgery itself. You are told from day one that it is not a fix-all. It isn't going to make you skinny. It isn't going to make you healthy. It is a tool that you have to use in conjunction with the other tools to reach your goal and maintain it.
My next favorite tool is actually my doctor. I mean he is the one that led me through the process. Why is he a tool? I keep my follow up appointments so that I hold myself accountable. I don't want to walk back in there having gained a ton of weight. I go every 3-6 months and I honestly think that has helped me keep myself accountable.
Another tool is a very guided way to eat. You don't drink 30 minutes before or after eating. You eat high protein. You eat smaller portions. Oh, let's say that again. YOU EAT SMALLER PORTIONS! So knowing you should feel like crap if you eat too much, only put the amount you "need" on your plate. If you over eat constantly then you are going to stretch your stomach back out and you will continue to overeat. Then guess what? You are back to where you started. Back to being morbidly obese. Back to not finding clothes that fit. Back to not fitting in the seats...
Chewing is a big deal too. They tell you to chew 30 times before you swallow. Now yes, 30 times may be a bit much on some things but I promise if you start counting, you will slow yourself down and be full a lot faster.
Support is another tool. I often wish I had more support from my family. Although a lot of them have had the surgery they are of little support. I sometimes feel like it is a competition or an "I'm better than you" or "this isn't working for me so I don't care if it works for you." I have found support through a few friends. I have found a few websites. I'm not one to go sit with support groups and talk but may in the future venture in that direction.
Okay, so back to what this is really about...
I changed my mind because I'm not going to be the statistic that gained it all back. I have gotten back in the gym. I even hired myself a personal trainer. Didn't want to spend that money but hey, I just had $50K+ surgery. What is this small amount compared to that? I'm back playing tennis which is a sport I loved to play when I was younger. I had to change my mindset. I had to realize that food is truly an addiction to me and I've had to find ways to manage that addiction. I am not using the excuse "I've just always been this way." I'm this way because I, yes I did this myself. I can blame others all day long but I have to be the one to step up and make the change. I have to be the one to hold myself accountable. I have to be the one to keep from being that huge statistic that regains.
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