My Rant: Then vs. Now

[sherilynn 1]

Pre Band, I had a lot of concerns that were all 'unknowns' to me. But months out, I'm learning the band. The biggest revelation for me now that I'm at a very good restriction level (could this be my sweet spot?) is that I eat out of 'necessity' to fuel my body. I don't eat because I am hungry. I'm really not even eating because I THINK I might get hungry. My tummy has actually growled at me a few times in the last few weeks! I ACTUALLY ask myself 'Sheri, are you 'really' feeling hungry'? And almost all of the time my answer is no. Now, being diabetic, I am aware that I have to eat for the sake of my blood sugars. But at this point, I may be over medicated, as I am having very low readings consistently. I have a Dr. appointment next week. **This could be 'it'…possibly no more meds!?

My PRE band worries vs. now…

Then: I can't eat sushi (like a hog)!

Now: So what! I am satified/full on just a few pieces of sashimi

Then: I can't guzzle my water!

Now: So what! I'm never thirsty, b/c I am able to get in all my required Water, and then some. Might take a little longer, but so what!

Then: I can't have fun going out to dinner with friends/family.

Now: Bull! I go out and have a blast! I am now just very careful of what I order, as to avoid any stuck issues. But I'm able to go to any resturant now as I did pre-band. The only thing different is a cheaper bill! AND - I have lunch leftovers for another day or two!

Then: I can't have any carbonation!

Now: So what! I've actually 'tried' a sip or three of some soda. The gas isn't worth it to me. I was never a huge soda drinker in the past, so I can do without. I tried the 'shake out the carbonation' trick. Eck…that healed my taste for ANY soda forever.

Then: I won't be able to enjoy the holidays!

Now: Ohhhhhhh yes I will! Now, it's 'old hat', my limited intake. Folks around me still make a fuss; "Oh what can you have…what can't you eat". I can have ANYTHING I want. I just know I won't be unzipping my pants after a thanksgiving dinner! Ha!

Then: I have nothing to wear in my big full closet (everything too tight).

Now: I have nothing to wear in my big full closet (everything too BIG!).

For everyone considering the band, and everyone newly banded - there is no fear worse than the fear itself. There is nothing, in my case, that hasn't been 'worth it'. Doing without, for some of us, is often a cure for a better self. I promise you - it won't be 'easy'. But I also promise you, you'll be happy you did it...if not for the weight loss - but for your health.

[TerriDoodle 6]

VERY well said!!!

[Kat817 19]

PERFECT post!!!!

Kat

[blahblahblah 4]

Great post...good luck at the drs. this week!

Rain

[Brewa2000 1]

Hey, this is Great! Got a few more!

Then: Can I really do this?

Now: Yes I can!

Then: What will people think of me taking the "easy" way?

Now: Who cares! I'm improving my health.

Then: Will the operation cause me to be "laid up" for a while?

Now: A couple days, but not long before your back at it!

Then: What's the TOTAL cost?

Now: What's the cost of doing NOTHING or waiting?

[sherilynn 1]

The last time someone said to me, I'm taking the 'easy way out'...I said "No...the easy way 'out' is not doing anything and just dying of obesity".

[TracyinKS 7]

I Love This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GayleTX 1]

Great Attitude!!!

[nume130 0]

Thanks, I am in my preop diet stage and I have all those fears. I am trying to keep those nasty voices out of my head. I can't wait to get to the other side of this. I will do a then and now!

[stonersmom 0]

I love this. Great word of wisdom here!!:eyebrows:

[woodsk 0]

This is a very timely read for me. I just posted in the general forum about how nervous I am about my oct. 1 surgery.

Your post pretty much sums up all the things I am worrying about

[Missy0224 6]

That was very well said! Great post

[sherilynn 1]

Thanks, I am in my preop diet stage and I have all those fears. I am trying to keep those nasty voices out of my head. I can't wait to get to the other side of this. I will do a then and now!

Congrats on the preop diet; we've all been through it. You will see, once you 'cross over to the banded side' you have a way of shifting focus. You'll see that it's just NOT that important that you eat the WHOLE thing (whatever it may be). I was devestated at the thought of not being able to have my sushi. Now, I just 'deal with' what I can eat. I've made alot of altered changes. But I've really not had to give up anything - that I should NOT have been living with to start!

[sherilynn 1]

This is a very timely read for me. I just posted in the general forum about how nervous I am about my oct. 1 surgery.

Your post pretty much sums up all the things I am worrying about

It's funny how I never worried about anything that could possibly go 'medically wrong'. Didn't think about that at all. My worries were all food based. I think that is pretty sad of me. However, I educated myself on all fronts. Congrats on your upcoming surgery! Just think; 6 months from now - when it's 'old hat' for you - you'll be giving out advice to the newbies. And you'll be sharing YOUR then vs. now thoughts. I promise you, after bandster hell...and you have good restriction - you'll be amazed at how little 'food' really does/should play in our lives.

[woodsk 0]

Yeah the fact that all my worries are food related is pretty indicative of why I am in the situation I am. I look forward to being able to put that behind me and look at food as fuel and not an obsession