I was sleeved on Friday, March 15th. I consider it the day I changed my life and I'm grateful for the opportunity. That day was hard, I remember waking up sore and feeling different. The next week was hard as well but each day was better than the past. Now I'm one week post op and I no longer feel like I took a beating to the abdomen. My incisions are sore and my appetite is taking some time to get used to but I'm prepared to take a lifetime to learn my new changes. I've been sticking to doctors’ orders but when I find myself being tempted too much to veer off, I'm beginning to close my eyes and find the place I want to reach... The place that I won't get to if I let those temptations take over. My family is supportive but not aware of the struggles I face when they cook fried food, stews, and pizzas in addition to bringing home fast food EVERYDAY! I'm thankful for the inner strength I've found to not let my old eating habits to take over.

On Friday, (exactly one week after surgery) my favorite cousins begged me to go out to dinner to celebrate a birthday the new tradition we started a year ago. I didn't want to disappoint them so I went. I figured I'd just order some soup or mashed potatoes and enjoy their company. However, I didn't realize how much they would ridicule me for something they couldn't handle and remind me of how much they love food! Fortunately for them, they aren't overweight like me nor suffering with the health issues I face... and fortunate for me, I don't love food more than myself nor did their discussions alter my drive, focus or compassion towards the decision I gratefully made. Although I realized that I was nowhere near ready to go to dinner. I did order smartly... I ordered grilled fish with mashed potatoes after one of my cousins (the RN) promised me that fish would be fine at this stage for only one night... I did taste the fish but veered back on track by only eating four spoons of mashed potatoes before getting full. I listened to my body and stopped. They continued to eat and I felt empowered to not let my mind overpower my body. Since we always talk the entire time we are together, the conversation helped me get through the rest of dinner with ease. Although I successfully made it through dinner, I WILL NOT GO BACK OUT TO EAT AGAIN BEFORE I'M READY!

Today is my follow-up appointment with my doctor. I agreed to not go out to buy a scale to prevent me from being addicted to my weight progress and comparing it to others. My NUT advised me that by only weighing in during visits, it would help me to be more surprised, successful and focused on the process instead of progress. I do know that I will still be obsessed but I won’t drive myself and my scale(if I bought one) crazy by weighing myself every day/ 10 times a day!!! Also my first weigh-in is in 8 hours too! Wish me luck!!