100 Days

It's been just over 100 days since my surgery!  Can you believe it?!  The time has flown by so quickly and for that, I am grateful!  I'm down over 60 pounds and feel great.

A good friend asked me if it has been easier or harder than I imagined.  To be honest, I think it has been much easier than what I had envisioned it would be like pre-surgery.  I have never once regretted having the surgery.  It has been a fantastic tool for me.  I still have to do the work and I always will, but it has made doing what I need to do, well, doable.

Why?  Here is goes.

Things that are easier:

1. Sickness.  I swore I would get sick and throw up and not feel good.  I was so not looking forward to that aspect of the surgery.  I thought I'd take a bite and be running to the bathroom.  This happens to people.  But for me... NOT.AT.ALL.  I have felt great.  There has not been one tiny ounce of nausea.  No sickness.  Nothing.  I got VERY lucky with this one.

2. Eating.  I swore there would be things I could not eat anymore.  I'm sure there are - sugars and such.  But everything that is on my plan, has been fine.  I'd heard so many stories of people not being able to eat chicken or lean beef or drink milk, etc.  Nope, not me.  I've been able to stomach (haha) everything.  I did have a bite of pot roast once and I thought that might not be the best thing for me, but I never liked that anyway, so that could be it.  Other than that, everything has gone down just fine  - including all restaurant food, which is great!!

3. Being around yummy food I can't eat.  I swore this would be soooo hard too.  It was always my downfall in other diets and such.  But this time around, it hasn't been an issue.  I had really tried to mentally prepare myself for this aspect of surgery.  It's one thing when you can sneak a bite and get over a temptation, but I can't do that.  I do not eat at anytime other than my small meals.  I use to graze and eat when I'd like or when I got hungry.  I cannot do that anymore and this is a huge change.

One of my WLS friends asked me how I deal with being around food that I cannot have right now or not eating between meals.  I told her honestly, that it is easier now, than it has ever been in my life.  WHY?  Because I simple DO NOT have the option of eating certain items.  Could I?  Maybe, probably. But is it on my meal plan?  NO.  Do I want to risk eating something before my stomach is ready?  Nope!  It's just not worth it.  If I'm tempted, I say a little prayer, offer it up and walk away.  Now, I do think that this will be harder come next year.  Very hard.  It will be something that I will have to be very vigilant about.

4. Eating my small amounts while others are eating away.  I was unsure how I'd feel about eating around others.  I have my tiny 1 and 2 ounce containers and they have a regular meal.  I was afraid I'd feel awkward.  I might have been a little awkward at first, but now it does not bother me a bit.  It also does not even phase me if I just sit and drink my water while people eat a meal.  My lunch friends and I will go out to eat at times.  I tag along to be social.  I usually bring a protein bar or my water and just talk while they eat.  They have been so supportive and it does not bother me at all.  They all had delicious looking food the other day and I drank my water.  I think it bothers them more than me.  There have been times that I've ate while we were out as well.  I just tend to eat mid-morning and late afternoon, so a normal "lunch" time does not fit in with my eating schedule.  Since the rest of the world does not revolve around me and my eating schedule (it's shocking, I know!), then I just adapt and roll with it!

5.  I'm sure there are other things... but you get the idea.  :)

Things that are harder:

1. Eating.  Sometimes I just do not want to.  I still have no hunger.  I do not skip meals, but sometimes, I'm just not interested.

2. Cooking.  Goes right along with # 1.  Sometimes I'd rather just eat some cheese than cook a tiny tiny meal.  Luckily, Doug and I are able to share meals and can now eat a lot of the same things.  It makes it all easier! We ALWAYS have leftovers!

3. Keeping my pants up!  Hahahaha!  But seriously, this is GREAT!!!  One week jeans will fit great.  I'll put them on the next week and they will be falling off by the end of the day.  I dry all my jeans on high now - I never did that before.  It's almost like I skipped this size when I was gaining weight.  I have a ton of clothes just a size or so lower and a ton in larger sizes.  So, I just have to get creative.  This is a good thing!!!

4. Ummm... I've got nothing else!

EASIER wins!  This is NOT the case for everyone, but I have been a case of 'best case scenario' for everything.  No complications, no nothing.   I have adjusted to everything with ease.  It's not always easy and it's not always perfect, but for the most part all is good and I am blessed!