Six and a half years ago I decided to take control of my life. I was quickly approaching 400 pounds and felt awful. I made the decision to have gastric sleeve because I knew I had to do something to improve my health. It was the best decision I ever made. I lost 160 pounds and felt absolutely amazing. The first year was like a honeymoon stage. I felt better, looked better, and just enjoyed life more. However, that feeling didn’t last. I started to make little mistakes that affected my journey. It did not do much damage at first, but it eventually caught up with me and I experienced significant regain.
Life got the best of me and I started stress eating again. I put unhealthy foods back into my diet and started to go back to old habits. I started eating fast food again and quickly got addicted. I knew that I needed to stop but it took over my mind again like it did before the surgery. I was so successful the first year, but as the years went on it got harder and harder to stay focused. You hear people say it all the time, but the surgery is just a tool. It will not do all of the work for you. You have to make positive changes in your life if you want to be successful long-term. Take the time to do the things you know you need to do to be successful. Go to your surgeon appointments, get your bloodwork checked regularly and go to therapy to talk through your feelings. Find ways to eat healthier and get creative with the foods you make. Start working out. Do NOT drink soda and stay away from fast food. Take the steps you know you must take to keep you on track.
I have so much anger that I made so many mistakes. I share this with you not to scare you, but to make you aware that you can go back to where you were. The surgery is an amazing tool, but it won’t protect you if you start making unhealthy choices again. It is hard for me to face the fact that I messed up. However, I have learned from my mistakes and try every day to be the best version of me I can be. It is not easy. I fight my food addiction every day. Sometimes it wins, sometimes it doesn’t win. It will be a battle I have to fight for the rest of my life.
I messed up. Big time. If you messed up too, please hang on. You will see brighter days. You CAN do this. You CAN get through the hard days. You CAN win. If you fall, get back up. Don’t let your demons take over. You are strong. You are resilient. You got this!
6 comments
Thanks for allowing me read your story. I had the gastric sleeve July 1, 2020 and I have been struggling mentally. I love food. I have to stop think that I can still manage those old eating habits, which I can’t go back to. I have not found a good protein shake. I am now drinking Ensure(yuk). HELP!!!!!!
I just had Gastric Sleeve surgery. Your sweet cravings sound like me. I have depression and anxiety issues.
Seeing a shrink and he really knows what prescriptions help me stay stable. I can also see a counselor if I want to. I use a place called Compass Health in Camdenton , Mo. I used to use Burrell Health in Columbia, Mo.
I stay very close to God. I find one type of prayer very helpful to me: Soaking Prayer. Just Google it.
Good Luck and God Bless you and give you the grace to forgive yourself.
I just had sleeve gastric surgery I am beginning this journey
Thank you for sharing your struggles Kim. I know it wasn’t easy. I’m in the early weeks post surgery and I thought I was really prepared. The reality is I feel underprepared. I thought I had worked through all of the mental stuff, nope. Although I’m not hungry, I still think about food way to much. You videos were ahelp to me when I was researching and learning and now I have had VSG, I find the ones helping the most are your struggles. Hugs and thank you!
Just the message I needed. I have lost 110 pounds from the pre diet and surgery combined and since the stress of the corona virus I find myself stress eating again
Not enough to gain but I am not really losing weight and I am so embarrassed to go back to the bariatric. Practice