4 year Post Op check-in

Oct 12, 2011

Yesterday was my 4th surgiversary! Four years already! They've been growing years. I've learned a lot about myself. I still have bad days. I still eat the wrong things sometimes. I've had some regain, but I'm not unhappy. I'm still under the regain amounts I was given by my surgeon before surgery. The biggest difference in me is how I feel about myself. Don't misunderstand: I don't feel better about myself because of the weight I've lost. I feel better about myself because I'm working on myself ... instead of putting everyone else around me first and putting myself on the back burner.

These years have seen my mother have a few minor strokes and a major stroke related to diabetes; one of my children has experienced a serious bout with her bipolarism and developed a meth addiction. Living through both of these experiences (and we are still living it out) have been difficult and unexpected. At the same time, I am thankful for what I have learned through these trials. I appreciate the good in my life. I don't like the challenges, but they offer the chance for growth. 

These tough day-to-day challenges could very easily lead me to self-medicate with food. To be truthful, on occasion I've tried that. This tool makes it difficult but not impossible to do. So to keep from abusing myself in that way, I am learning to cope in healthy ways ... exercising to release frustration, journaling to deal with emotions, attending support groups, etc. These tools are SO IMPORTANT! 

So are the basics and getting my labs done on a regular basis. 

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