Top 10 inner-personal benefits of WLS - ThinnerTimes

Dyann · 12-28-2005, 12:35 PM

TOP 10 INNER-PERSONAL BENEFITS OF WLS

FREEDOM

Freedom from shame, guilt, ridicule, embarrassment, and worry.

Freedom to move without pain and struggle.

Freedom from the control of food.

Freedom to dream without limitation.

PEACE OF MIND

Peace of mind knowing our HEALTH is the best it can possibly be.

Peace of mind that our families will NOT have to go on without us.

Peace of mind that we've done all WE can to insure we are around to take care of those
who count on us being there for them.

CHOICES

To have unlimited options from which to choose everything from our clothing to our cars, to how we use our bodies and live our lives. Unlimited career options, relationship options, and all around LIFE OPTIONS!

FITTING IN

Fitting in any chair, any car, any booth, any seatbelt, any store, any bathroom stall, any bathtub or shower, any amusement park ride, any intimate position, any clothing we like, and most of all.........

Just plain "fitting in" to society!

OPTIMISM

Suddenly life becomes half full instead of half empty. We feel more positive about ourselves, our future, and our life. We react to the world in a more positive light because we are no longer prisoners of our bodies. As we release the demon of food that has controlled us for so long, we accept and forgive ourselves for our own weakness; releasing us to become more tolerant and forgiving of others. Therefore, causing us to feel lighter in body AND spirit.

DIGNITY

The dignity that comes with being able to: take care of ourselves, reach for personal hygiene, easily get out of a chair, couch, or car, walk a reasonable distance, not drip with sweat when everyone else isn't, tie our shoes, or pick up what we drop. To be able to climb stairs, or out a window, or pull/lower ourselves or someone we love to safety if a life depended on it.

SELF-CONFIDENCE

As we regain our confidence in everyday activities, our confidence grows in our ability to do and try things we've never done before. With each accomplishment, we can see further and believe in ourselves a little more. Life becomes an adventure! Dr. Robert Schuller calls this "The Peak to Peek Principle" and authored a wonderful book by the same name.

SELF-ESTEEM

With increased self-confidence we often see increased self-esteem... Our vision of our own self-worth. The more we feel able to contribute, the more we come to believe in ourselves and the value of our place in the world. When we value ourselves, we experience self-respect, increased self-worth or "worthiness", and a higher deserve level. All of which leads to healthier relationships with ourselves and others.

INTEGRITY

The journey of WLS, all that leads us to it and all that follows, is a test of our courage. When we are courageous, we challenge ourselves to our limits. We get to find out just what kind of "stuff" we're really made of. We may find joy in the discovery that we are stronger than we ever imagined. And we find acceptance in the realization that we have weaknesses we never wanted to face. All of this is OK! All of this opens us up to self-acceptance and honesty about who we really are. And when we know who we truly are within, we no longer need live in fear of being "found out" or fear of losing control to anything or anyone outside ourselves. We find the courage to live by our own convictions. And...we can honestly say to ourselves and the world, "Who you see, is who I am",
and THAT is living in INTEGRITY!

AND FINALLY to end on a lighter note, my favorite "superficial" benefit of WLS is..............

A WHOLE NEW WARDROBE!!!

From hat to shoes and coat to undies, NOTHING will fit anymore. So that means I get to design a whole new me on the outside to reflect the whole new me on the inside!

Enjoy your benefits everyone.....YOU'VE EARNED THEM!!!

coptergirl · 12-28-2005, 12:44 PM

What a great an inspiring post, Dyann! Thank you for sharing this!!!

Baron Patrick · 12-28-2005, 01:20 PM

Dyann;

That is a beautiful piece of inspiration.

Did you write this? If you did, you really have a gift!

Dyann · 12-28-2005, 01:35 PM

I would love to take credit for that, but it came from a link out in cyberspace. I felt it encompassed every reason for taking this risky step. Something that I needed right now as my day approaches. Each point is honest and true. Thanks for the props, but I will need to leave it as a cyberspace author.

Mavisavis · 12-28-2005, 02:55 PM

That was very well put. I have to say I had the crappiest of days yesterday. As I was driving in the midst of my funk (had 8 hrs on the road), I suddenly was overcome with gratitude about my surgery. It's harder now for me to stay focused on the negative because I received, and continue to benefit from a gift that is bringing me something I longed for as long as I can remember. Somehow, other things look smaller when I think about my new life. I remain greatful on a daily basis.

kennieinVA · 12-28-2005, 03:53 PM

Very nice, it gives me light at the end of the tunnel!

veroniquetalk · 12-28-2005, 04:49 PM

OMGosh! That is the most wonderful piece I have ever read that totally sums up how I feel about this surgery.
You know, I see a counselor for binge/ compulsive overeating. And when I was talking to her about the possibility of having this surgery before I had it she told me one of her patients summed it up best by saying that that surgery freed her mind from her compulsion/ obsession with food and that she was then able to use that energy and time to focus on the other areas of her life that needed work. This has been so true for me. It has been like this amazing weight has been lifted from my shoulders - and honestly losing that weight (the obsession with food) has been even better than the actual weight I have lost.

Dyann · 12-28-2005, 05:11 PM

I keep reading it over and over and it rings more true each time. Veronique...I wonder when you have the new time and energy to focus on other aspects, did you discover anything you were sublimating previously?

veroniquetalk · 12-28-2005, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyann

I keep reading it over and over and it rings more true each time. Veronique...I wonder when you have the new time and energy to focus on other aspects, did you discover anything you were sublimating previously?

Well, I have discovered that I never forgave myself for staying married when I really should have gotten divorced. The funny thing is that I had forgiven my husband for what he did but had never forgiven myself for staying.

I realized that I used my weight as an excuse for why people didn't like me when in fact part of it was probably because I was a pretty miserable person when I was overweight and probably not all that likeable at times.

I realized that I still believed some not so nice things my mom said about my life and possibilities even though I am 40 something and she died 8 years ago.

I was stuffing the feelings of unhappiness that I have in my marriage with food.

I also realized that I am basically a very nice person, kind to the vast majority of people, have accomplished a lot in my life and would like to be my friend

Dyann · 12-29-2005, 06:18 AM

What you said about using your weight as an excuse for people to not like you when you realize in retrospect that you were a miserable person is hard to admit. I don't think anyone wants to look back at their lives and feel like they didn't live it to the fullest. Life is so short and it takes strenght to admit what you did. But at least you now know how happy you are in comparison.