how has WLS changed you? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Baron Patrick · 02-23-2006, 09:40 AM

Hi Everyone!

I'm curious as to how the surgery has changed you emotionally, spiritually, and even your job (professionally). Have you found new/more opportunities than ever before? Are you more at peace with yourself? Are you angry over things? Have you changed friends? Please don't hold back, but don't say anything your not comfortable with either!

Peace and Blessings

ready4achange · 02-23-2006, 10:12 AM

Hi Baron,
I am just starting my new life. So far I have enjoyed it. I did start out slowly because after I came home I had to go back into the hospital because of an infection. I was in a week. The only complaint with that was the Nurses ! A couple were really nice and then I had one or two that needed to choose another profession. But I am doing well now, I have more energy , walk at a faster pace without huffing and puffing. I still get a little winded but I expect that after all these years not exercising. Since I am mostly a stay at home person, ( don't work but I do watch my 1 y.o. grandson , which is a job in itself) I don't have many friends. I have three sisters ( one I haven't talked to since 98 when my mom passed , but that is a story initself) One lives in VA and the other lives in MD. She just saw me last weekend. I didn't get much of a reaction.
I still don't see much of a loss myself. And I don't get much comments , or compliments from my family so I really can't say I have changed alot. I am so glad I decided to take this journey the only regret so far is that I didn't get it done sooner !

Gina · 02-23-2006, 10:23 AM

Baron I am 9 weeks out. I feel freer than I had since I was a teenager. Physically I have more energy than I know what to do with. i am having a ball with clothes and shoes. I exercise and I am finding that I like it, and I miss it when I don't go to the gym.

For me though the changes internally are amazing. I used to be all about others, and while that is a nice trait, I have learned to focus on me more. That is not to say that I have become selfish, I have just learned the word no.

I am stronger mentally I have, since the surgery, dealt with long standing family issues. Things that I just didn't feel like I could deal with before. I have set boundaries with my family and I stick to them. That is something new and sorely needed.

My relationship with my husband is better than ever, he is constantly touching me and feeling the new shape of my body. This man has been with me since we were 13 and we will have been married 21 years come March. He has seen it all with me. I am thrilled that he is enjoying the new me. He is as happy with the WOW moments as I am.

Basically I feel like I have been given a do over and I am thankful for it.

I do not miss any food, if I can't have it, big deal. I am happy with the role that food plays in my life now. It is a fuel force not my best friend. Food no longer controls me. In fact I have to remind myself to eat.

I know that I am still early out, but the changed that are in my life are amazing and I WILL be strong enough to finish this journey and be better for it.

SAMI'S GRAM · 02-23-2006, 10:31 AM

Very good question. When I first had the surgery, I would say, "I'm still the same, just weigh less". But, now at almost 7 month out and near goal, I know that is not true.
There is a "lightness" (no pun intended) about me. I'm happier. I don't worry as much. I don't agonize over problems. I'm proud that I faced a decision and triumphed. I don't mean that I triumphed by losing a lot of weight. I trumphed in that I decided as it says on top of this forum. . . it's time to be healthy and I did something about it!
I've gone back school and will be trying to enter an LVN program in a couple of years. I decided that I wanted my work to be something I enjoyed, not just a paycheck.
Now, some of these changes I believe are due to my "advancing"

age. But, my surgery and the aftermath have changed me forever.

Martha

Wildeblnde34 · 02-23-2006, 10:51 AM

Great questions, I can't wait to read evryones posts.

Chrissy
current/goal
255/130

newbetterme · 02-23-2006, 11:20 AM

Wow thats a great question. So much has changed in 1 1/2 years yet some things havent.

Emotionally-I am so much better. My depression (mostly self-esteem issue) is 95 % better. I am happier with what I see looking back at me from the mirror. I smile more. I am less afraid of being out and being seen. I am more confident in the person I am.

Professionally-I like my job still but now the reasons I used to love my job dont hold true anymore. I would like one with more public contact. I want to see and talk to people where as before it was perfect cause I saw no one and my only contact was via telephone.

Spiritually-I think that has improved. In trying to improve my health both mental and physical I have begun seeking some spiritual guidance and redicovering my faith.

Socially-thats where the problem lies for me. Dating is difficult for me. Having been overweight my whole life I think I failed to learn certain "dating" skills that a lot of young women learn as they grow up. Also, being the fat girl in a pre-teen, teen and post teen dating situations I had and still have a deep mistrust of men. I am working on this but old habits are hard to break. I can say that I have met one or two that have proven that not all men are liars, out to get laid and can see beyond your boobs.

The things that havent changed for me are my values. Somethings still hold true for me and now as a person with a little more confidence I realize that I dont have to settle or compromise what I feel strongly about.

Friends- I have lost a few due to jelousy or fear I dont know. I have a few tried and true who have always been there. On this all I can say is if they are willing to walk away and not be supportive of any attempt to improve yourself, let them go.

Family-my family does treat me different now, but then I treat them different. I have a voice and an opinion and I speak my mind when I have something to say. My mother was the biggest supportor of this surgery while my sister was against it. My sister eventually came around and is now one of my biggest supporters. She sees the change in me not just the physical one.

Bottom line.....the decision to have the surgery was one of the best decisions I have made in my whole life. The good the bad the emotional ups and downs if I had to do it over I would be right there in line again.

veroniquetalk · 02-23-2006, 01:40 PM

I am much more self-assured now. I found myself volunteering for a committee at work that is making a huge decision in the direction we will go in and I have taken a lead in researching a lot of things. I would not have done that in the past. I flirt more

I smile more. I know what I value in life more than ever since I had to weigh whether or not this surgery was worth risking my life for or not.

Mysticgirl29 · 02-23-2006, 04:06 PM

well yesterday was my one year anniversary and I have lost 156lbs and I have many mixed emotions as far as how it has changed my life. For one I feel oh so much better my Reflux is gone my high blood pressure is gone, high cholosterl gone. I have way more energy and I do so so much more than before and I now have a sex life again with my hubby...LOl :-) but then there are other things like people that came into the store where I work a millions times before I had WLS surgery and it was yeah hi ring me up and now it is like the same people will now go out of there way to talk to me now. I want to know why could they not talk to me before was the fat girl not worth their time worth their conversation?? My friends are calling all the time to ask me to go out and stuff now and they didnt before ..were they ashame to be seen with me. This really hurts but at the same time back then I probally would have told them no I tell them no now because I have no time to spend with my kids as it is becasue of work.
And my job ...I worked just as hard then at 326lbs as I do now.. I unloaded trucks and put out freight and all just as good back then. But now I voice that fact to everyone that I dont understand if I could empty 8 uboats , run register and take out the trash and it is only me and one other person here why is it you guys are only doing one uboat and not taking out the trash. So before I guess because I was big I deserved to be punished and do all the work now I am like wait a damn min I am tired of this you guys are going to start working to!!!! So I guess my weight loss has made me relize that I am worth more I have more self esteem and respect for my self and I tell people hey I am not going to be used any more so Thank you Dr.Afram so so much. I could go on and on for pages and pages but I will stopr here :-)

SD_Johnsons · 02-23-2006, 05:52 PM

A lot has changed for me professionally. I work in the mental health field and also hold certification in addiction counseling, which is hard to teach behavior modification when I was actively in an addiction (food) myself. I have also overcame some of my own anxiety and depression just in the past 3 months which is also helpful when dealing with indiviudals with depression and anxiety. I no longer feel like a hypocrit (sp?) I also enjoy the gym now and look forward to being one of those people who are up early in the morning running and nobody is chasing them.

Dyann · 02-23-2006, 06:00 PM

Energy is a huge mood elevator. Having more energy has meant so many things for me, my family, my profession. I am happier when I am not dead tired. I am sleeping better than ever. I am more patient with people.

I have also learned it is OK to take care of me first sometimes where before I wasn't even making the list. I ditto everything Gina said