5 year surgiversary

[N2DVN]

This group has been invaluable to me the past 5 years.

Someone asked me privately about the worst things to consider about the surgery. I want to share my answer with everyone, in case someone else has the same question but does not know how to ask. . . The hardest part, I believe, is overcoming the mental aspect of the journey. The surgery is a tool but you have to be willing to work with the tool. It's one thing to say that you want to lose the weight but it's another to commit mentally, especially if you are an emotional eater. Everything you "know" about how to eat will have to change. I switched to only using a small plate for my meals. That has really helped me. I had to start eating protein first and then veggies, if I still have room in my 3oz stomach. Think about what a 3 year can eat. That's the same amount of food that I can eat, period. Yes, still only 3 oz!

A KEY to success is a wonderful support system. I was blessed. People who have the surgery and don't have supportive people behind them usually have a harder time with everything b/c they do not have mental peace of mind. Many end up fighting with their loved ones when they should be focused on their body and journey ahead of them.

I thank everyone who has been there for me the past 5 years, especially my amazing husband! I will admit that I did not share news about the surgery with everyone at first. I did not want to deal with people who would be negative about the surgery, especially avoided people who would think it is the "easy way out". I only wanted supportive people to know. I am very thankful that no one tried to sabotage me or railroad my efforts. Sadly, I can say that not all of my sleeve buddies were so lucky.

[N2DVN]

Sorry, forgot to share 16251241_10210902682859152_1304969209_o.jpgphoto!

[Ann2]

Thank you, Val. What an awesome post!

Five years out and five pounds below goal. WOW!

[Christie13]

Happy anniversary! You look amazing! Congrats on all your success!

[jamma]

Congratulations, thanks for the inspiration!

[ghost_ryder]

You must feel amazing. I am only in the beginning relatively and I already cant believe how much better I feel. Our support systems are very important and you are so lucky to have a great structure.

[Luna354]

Happy anniversary! I love hearing success stories, especially those long term! Thank you for sharing.
You not only look amazing in your current pic, you look confident and comfortable! Congratulations!

[jerzeygirl]

You have and will always be an inspiration to many. I remember when we were all "newbies" trying to find our way, and look at you now Thanks for sharing and my one question is, "Where in the world did those 5 years go..."
Continued success!

[rodmartir]

Congratulations thank you for the feed back.

[N2DVN]

You have and will always be an inspiration to many. I remember when we were all "newbies" trying to find our way, and look at you now Thanks for sharing and my one question is, "Where in the world did those 5 years go..."
Continued success!

HEY, Jersey Girl!! Glad to see you on here! Life is so much better now. The past 5 years have flown by. Thanks for always being supportive! Looks like you have ROCKED your sleeve!

I can say that I truly have some life long friends that I met via the site. We were all there for each other from the beginning and still support each other, mostly on FB. One of the ladies actually works for the same company, so, we get to see each at work every now and then.

[N2DVN]

BTW, I STILL have my gallbladder!! Woohoo! Thanks to research that I did pre-op, my primary doc agreed to prescribing Ursodiol. I truly believe that taking it for the first year absolutely enabled me to keep my gallbladder. Maybe this piece of info could help someone else.