ElisabethC
I am 13 years post-op and its been quite a journey. Having the surgery was a major event in my life and it has forever changed me. There are many things they try to prepare you for prior to surgery but no information no pre-support group prepares you for what lies ahead. Everyone's expierence is vastly different and the journey is unknown. For the years that followed after my surgery has had many ups and downs but I dont for a minute regret my decision to have WLS.
On the day of surgery I weighed in at 475, and I am proud to say that I have kept it off for all these years. I often forget what life was like prior to surgery and immediately after but random memories surface and it brings a feeling of nostalgia. Its not to say that I miss being obese, but I do forget what life was like being that heavy. When I feel insecure now with my body and how losing all that weight is still a constant reminder due to the excess skin, I dont always stop to remember where I came from and that I should celebrate the transformation. Positivity and being happy with my weightloss is self-talk that doesnt always register with my self-esteem.
Regardless of the past, the future is what I look too and as I continue the journey I hope that with each day that passes I learn to love myself and accept what I look like because we are all flawed, and yet we are all beautiful.
Live~Laugh~Love
Elisabeth