Experts Please Help: How do you know your sleeve is "full"?

[MegInNOLA 531]

Hi Shae and Phyllis:

So many similar experiences here! Shae, it was my post you quoted, and I'm both sorry for the emotion evoked and happy that it provided a new perspective for you. Childhood patterns are so ingrained that we don't even realize they're there much of the time--as adults, we sometimes don't stop to think about something in a new way or with fresh eyes. I, too, grew up thinking about food in a "now or never" way, until I realized a couple of years ago that as an adult, I can basically have whatever I want, whenever I want. As a fat person, that wasn't necessarily a good thing, but post-sleeve, that's a GREAT feeling--I can have what I need when I need it, and I won't have to do without, so I don't need to stuff it in now. There's a tie in there between physical satisfaction and emotional satisfaction--one can't give you the other, but we try to use food as a placebo.

Phyllis, me, too, and that's a big part of why/how I became fat in the first place. I felt safe and protected in my fat suit. It kept me physically isolated and emotionally isolated (and therefore safe). The emotional healing, for me, came before I started even considering the sleeve. I saw a counselor for help in getting through, getting past, and moving forward after YEARS of trying to not think about it, and it made a world of difference in my outlook on life and in my wanting to be healthy and strong, and in my wanting to be able to trust fully and have a great relationship with my husband--he's a great guy, and I knew I needed to do some work so that I could be truly, honestly available for that relationship. As I worked and healed the inside, my outside did not match (I didn't need my fat suit any more!), and that's when I started the process of researching the sleeve.

There's a lot of emotional/physical hunger confusion; it's not hard to understand why--but when you start thinking of them as separate, somehow things get much more clear. Hugs, ladies, and best wishes in your sleeve journey! I know that getting the sleeve has been both a culmination of getting rid of the past hurts and the beginning of a healthier, happier future for me.

[Shae 44]

Please don't apologize! They were tears of finally understanding me and why I do things that are unhealthy. They were good tears. I am so grateful to you.

Shae

[Shae 44]

I just ordered both books. A perk is that while reading these books, I won't feel the need to eat or munch on something! Thank you for hte suggestions.

Shae

[Soon2BMiniMommy 92]

Thanks so much, Phyllis! I appreciate the feedback, especially the book recommendations! I had to laugh at the pumpkin pie irony....I was trying to find something festive for Thanksgiving for my ticker and while I was looking, that was the only thing I could find. I thought it extremely ironic for a weight loss ticker! Lol. I am lucky that I don't like sweets, only savories, so it's not tempting, but I may be offending others....I hadn't thought of it that way I was thinking it was funny! And no, I don't think you're being forward at all! Any and all comments are welcome and I appreciate honesty above all.

Thanks again, Phyllis!