BariatricEating.com Health & Nutrition

I get to live life!

I asked my post op friends that if they could let the world know just how their bariatric surgery changed their life, in only a few words... what would they say.

This section is not meant to talk anyone into having bariatric surgery that isn't ready or at the right place, but to give you the honest emotion of what it really did for us. You already know about the nuts and bolts, but this is the heart.

I have a new confidence in myself. I love the way I feel healthy and more and more fit every day. I love it when people tell me there is a glow about me that they've never seen before or "OMG you’re getting so skinny"! What a rush! I love that my little tool has given me back control over my life. NO MORE FAILURE, ONLY SUCCESS!
– Tami

Bariatric surgery has allowed me, for the first time in many years, to wake up each day with a feeling of hope and enthusiasm for living. It has brought me from what seemed like the depth of desperation to a newfound optimism that I have finally found something that will work for me. My doctor gave me the tool...it is now up to me to use it. I can do this!
– Betty

My WLS has given me a second chance at life, physically and mentally. I am no longer trapped inside my body, slowly dying, from depression and all of the physical things the excess weight was doing to my body and spirit.
– Tiffany

I believe that bariatric surgery gave me a second chance to live life the way I was meant to live it!! I have more confidence in myself and have done things that I never thought I would be able to do. I have more fun! My latest victory was to run a 5k race. My goal was to finish in less than 30 minutes and I did! Now I have signed up for a 10k that I will run on Sunday. The sky is the limit!
- Kate

My bariatric surgery has taught me the value of nutrition. I feel good because I eat foods that are good for me. I can't believe the crap food I used to eat. No wonder I never felt good.
– Jennifer

I am alive again! I can dance, play and shop with my girls, enjoy everything around me. My health is back and I am a winner! I wouldn't be here without the tool my bariatric surgery has given me to use!
– Beth

I am a new person. I feel better than ever and I look better than ever. I love the fact that I'm satisfied eating good food and I don't have the horrible cravings for the bad stuff. But most of all I feel worthy of the attention my husband has always showed me and I love wearing sexy new clothes and lingerie.
– Wendi

I can walk up the stairs and still have enough energy to go to work. I can jump on a trampoline with Vaughn. My diabetes is GONE. My hypertension is GONE. I can go for walks with my family. I had WLS to get healthy—and I am getting there!
– Helen

I don’t wake up feeling sick & tired anymore! I am able to play in the park with my child without having to sit down! I fit in my car, I can wear my seatbelt & I fit most anywhere! Having people look me in the eye and not look down on me for being FAT! Living a life and having control over my eating for the first time!
– Kimmy Sue

I feel private joy. I feel peace within myself that I never thought possible. I am able to accept my faults and realize I am not perfect, nor do I need to be perfect. My life opened up and I fell in to it, and I discovered the amazing woman I was waiting to become!
– Lisa

WLS brought joy back to my life It gave me the ability to help teach my children the value of good nutrition and exercise. I realized this morning during my commute that I SMILE to myself. It gave me a more intimate and loving relationship with my husband and it has brought me all of these wonderful people on the BeforeAndAfterHelp.com message board that answer questions and encourage so many of us every day.
– Dianna

It has given me back the life I wanted to live but only dreamed about before surgery. I was trapped in a prison of flesh & fear. The light is back in my husband’s eyes as well as mine. I even returned to school! I finally did something that worked for me; no more fear of failing yet another diet!
– Melinda

In the 10 months since my RNY, I have never felt so free. Free of the tyranny of my hunger. Free to fully enjoy life with dramatically improved health and sense of well-being. Free to dance and sing, laugh and cry! Free to manifest my true self that was hidden under my fat suit.
– Marsha

I have learned that giving up harmful foods is nothing compared to the benefits of better health and self esteem. I have found out that I am worthy and deserve all the wonderful things life has to offer. I thought the toughest thing would be to give up the way I self-medicated myself with high carb, high fat, and high sugar foods. The hardest part has been giving me permission to LOVE ME; I AM SPECIAL!
– Paula

It is hard to put into words how much better I feel. No more medications & blood sugar testing. I am able to walk around without hurting and loosing my breath. I look great. My health has vastly improved. Clothes shopping has never been so exciting. I have energy; something I never had before weight loss surgery. I waited too long to do this. I am deeply indebted to those who made this possible.
– Roxanne

I must say that right after I had my weight loss surgery, I questioned it. Mentally, it was quite an adjustment and not an easy one. Now I am so grateful that I was blessed with this tool and the opportunity to change my life. With time it has allowed me to be disciplined and best of all healthy. I feel great and I am beginning to really believe that I look great too.
– Yelba

Bariatric surgery is not just a tool; it is a golden key to a whole new life. I went from being diabetic with high blood pressure and unable to walk more than 10 feet under my own power to not haveing diabetes or high blood pressure at all and I walk everywhere with just the help of a cane. Bariatric surgery is a gift for a second chance.
– Melody

So many little things have made a big difference. Such as, getting to the closest set of hooks on my bra, being able to wear knee high socks and not have them roll down to my ankles. It's just the greatest little things that make me feel good; like my butt fitting in a regular seat on the airplane. Life is now wonderful. I am so glad I did it and only wish I had done it sooner!
- Lisa

After over twenty years of struggling, I had proven to myself that I could not do this without intervention. The risk of surgery was minimal compared to the fact that I was almost guaranteed to die from morbid obesity. I really had no choice.
- Cheri

WLS was finally able to help me reach my goal of not only a smaller body, but optimum health both physically and emotionally. In losing the weight I regained my joy!
– Linda

I feel as though I have been given a new beginning on my life. A part of me that I can share with my children has been allowed to come though the surface. I have regained confidence and a renewal to my self esteem.
- Janet

Things I can now do: Sit on the floor and get up without help Wear the seatbelt in my car without it choking me Drive without the steering wheel rubbing a hole in my pants Walk down stairs without my ankles giving out Walk upstairs without an asthma attack Rollover in bed Touch my toes Tie my shoe without sitting down Have my daughter sit on my lap; now that I have one!
– Nancy

FREEDOM! To do whatever I WANT to do, not only what I am limited to due to my weight. PEACE OF MIND that I am as healthy as I can be, not worry daily that I'm going to die an early death due to co-morbidies. CONFIDENCE without the nagging feelings that I am being judged by my size!
– Lil

This is the first time that I can remember I allowed something to be just about me. That is exactly what this journey has been. I feel stronger, healthier and greet each day with confidence and much more self esteem. As other folks have stated, I feel as if I have been reborn and given a second chance at life. I am now ready to go out and actively give of myself to the community.
– Pamela

I am more confident when going out in public, whether it’s to the grocery store or a big fund raiser dinner at my husband’s school. I have a general feeling of good health and much less pain in my knees, ankles and hips. I’m sleeping better and quieter for husband too. My diabetes is gone! I am taking less meds than before; down from 12 different pills a day to 3 including my vitamin. Life is truly wonderful now.
– Cathy

I have gained: energy, motivation, free time, like-minded friends, comfort in my own skin, enthusiasm, hope, emotional health. I am a better, more focused, more involved parent! I have eliminated: depression, obsession with food and weight and my Fat Clothes.
– Susan

It has definitely given me an inner peace and self confidence that had been missing in my life for so long. I love life now. Even the daily chores that I do I look at from a different angle now. They are no longer burdens but gifts as I can now do them with ease and I thank all the powers that be that I was given the opportunity to have my life back. I had missed the old, happy me.
– Ellen

I'm off the medications that were killing me. I get to wander the wilderness again. I'm no longer being "catered" to by the people I work with. My female, anorexic-looking boss would insist that I not move my own furniture or supplies. I am regaining control of my life. I am regaining the ability to care for myself. I'm probably going to be playing with my grandchild in about 2 years. At this point I may actually meet my great grandchildren. I carry laundry up and down our stairs for my wife. I can breathe unrestricted. It's really hard to describe how much all this actually means to me. I have gone to being one of the living instead of dead man walking. I realized I misspoke above. I'm feeling so young these days I forget which generation I belong to. I'm hoping to have a "great grandchild" in a few years as it is my granddaughter who is getting married, not my daughter. I am hoping to one day meet my "great great grandchild."
– Dana

I can sum it up in one word, FREEDOM – Deanna I can walk for miles and miles. I now love shopping. I am off most of my medications. I can sit in that plastic porch furniture, and still have room. I have much better SEX! My hubby & I have room on the Harley. I have a better quality of life. Before I just wished I would die. Today life is GOOD...
– Peggy

I had my surgery in March, with almost no problems. Before my surgery life was okay in general, but I couldn't do the things I wanted as I was just too tired all the time. I have recently gone through some very stressful personal, financial, and family events and had to move from a home that I loved. Before weight loss surgery I would have eaten everything in sight from the stress. Thank God for my surgery; instead of gaining weight through it all, I lost 90 pounds and feel great both physically and emotionally.
– Elaine

Weight loss surgery has rescued me from the sidelines where I was sitting sadly watching my life go by. I have discovered many new things about myself, am finally becoming the ME I had slowly relinquished over the years. Now I have the confidence to hold my head up, breathe deeply, and get in the game; what a great game it is!
– Tracy

For me, weight loss surgery unlocked the prison I was living in for so many years. It unlocked the door and let me out so I didn't have to view the world through a crack in the blinds or see a bit of sunshine from the inside. I can actually FEEL the warm sun shining down on me for myself! I can LAUGH instead of hearing others chuckle. I can LIVE instead of exist. My every waking moment doesn't revolve around where I'll get my next fix of food. I don't need careful and cautious planning of my outings in order to avoid others; I can go out whenever I want! I don't need to know ahead of time if there are armless chairs available. When people are laughing, I'm pretty sure it's not at me! (And if it is, I really and truly don't give a damn!) Most importantly, I get to be a Mommy who will go outside with her little boy instead of keeping him a prisoner inside with her.
– Jennifer

Weight loss surgery caused me to GAIN. I gained the intelligence everyone thought I lost while I was morbidly obese. I gained the confidence I lost in how I look and move. I am still pretty new to the weight loss part, as I am only about 7 weeks out, but everything is falling into place. Weight loss surgery has also caused me to feel great, look better, and I can even cross my legs.
– Judy

I’m still pretty new from my surgery but I have already experienced MANY great benefits. I am off all my pre-surgery meds for diabetes, high blood pressure, & cholesterol. Praise God! I am down several sizes already and my goal is still a long way off, so I’m not buying too many clothes yet. I also enjoy being able to cross my legs and lean forward and not suffocate myself! And I enjoy my exercise classes now and I like getting stronger and feeling my muscles getting defined.
-Paula

WLS has made me a better mom. I have more energy to do the things that I want to do with my son. I can ride the rides at the carnival. I can run with him in the rain. He can’t keep up with me when we go walking. I’m healthier, I’m happier and, for the first time in years, people are seeing the real me.
– Sandy

I had my surgery 14 months ago and it has enabled me to fulfill my dream of being a nurse even though I finished nursing school before my surgery date there was no way I could have worked a 12 hour shift as heavy as I was. It has also given me my voice I am now more vocal when I need to be. I am so much healthier I no longer breathe hard when I walk somewhere and I have tons more energy for life and shopping.
– Denise

I am now able to be the person I want to be and do the things I want to do!
– Jo

My weigh loss has allowed me to appreciate the love of life I used to have when I was thinner, active and a horse trainer by profession. My weigh loss has made me realize with the renewed energy and mobility I have to NEVER to take my health for granted again, especially after surviving cancer. And my WLS has also freed me from the horrible guilt that would wash over me each time I made bad food choices. I LOVE LIFE, BABY!
– Cat

I am 6 months post op and have lost 74 pounds. Losing the weight has made me healthier as I am now off my diabetic and blood pressure medications. I look and feel better and have more confidence when dealing with others. I still have more lose but know that I can reach my goal and hopefully help others along the way in my journey. I’m willing to try things that I wouldn’t have before.
– Peggy

It’s given me the opportunity to live again. I’m not just sitting on the side lines watching everyone else participate in life. I’m a woman that can really be a complete wife and mother. I wake up to each day knowing I can do whatever it takes of me to get through the day because I can not because I have too.
– Denise

I was not taken seriously. Personal hygiene was impossible. The value of my medicines monthly was about $2,000. Lane Bryant was my designer. Surgeries were cancelled because I was too fat, risks too great. At the age of 60 I was born again. The meds are gone, I shop in Junior departments, and surgeries are now put off because I no longer need them. I respect myself, and because of that am now respected.
– Marcia

At about 9 weeks post-op, the difference the Lap RNY has made for me is already immeasurable. Let’s see, I can now breathe while bending over; bend over; walk up stairs, clean myself well – EVERYWHERE, and have gone from 3 pills to 1 (from over 245 mg a day to 5mg a day). I also have a neck, wrists, ankles, only 1 face and a much better chance to see my children reach adulthood. Hallelujah!
– Tiny

I had WLS because my husband did it first. It’s been a BIG adjustment, and I may not have really been mentally ready. But now, almost 6 months later, I feel better physically. I also look better, and I’m healthier. HOWEVER, WLS DID NOT CHANGE MY BRAIN, and I struggle every day to make good choices about eating and exercise. It has NOT been easy, but maybe that’s because I’m stubborn.
– Sally

For many years I was a thin girl trapped inside an obese body. WLS gave me the courage I needed to come out of my shell and begin to live again. My success is not measured by a number on the scale or a size on my jeans: it is measured by the feeling of love I feel for life each day. To become the butterfly that I was meant to be, I had to allow myself to fully emerge from the cocoon, I had to allow myself to fly.
– Teresa

WLS has freed me in so many ways. I can walk and walk and walk. I fit in the desks at school. I don’t have to pay extra for plus size clothing. I can easily cross my legs. I can chase my 15 month old daughter around without being winded. I am off all medications. And best of all, DH and I can get “closer” now.
-Jackie

I am only 5 months out and I can say the WLD has changed my life in so many ways. I can breath I can move I can find that “pretty girl” that was so many times pushed in my face “if I could only lose weight” I can sit on an airplane with out the embarrassment of having to ask for an extender belt and can put the arm rest down and not be so squished. I can borrow my daughters “fat” jeans…LOL I can try hard and have the support of so many friends that I have never met, and many I have yet to meet I can live.
–Jean

My surgery has changed my life. I am confident I will be able to maintain my weight for a lifetime once I get to goal. I went shopping last weekend and the first day I went I couldn't find anything to wear in the woman's department. Everything was too big on me!!!! It was an overwhelming experience for me and I cried in the dressing room. I started to look in the misses/ladies department and felt lost. It all looked so small to me. I didn't feel anything would fit me and that I was in an in-between sizes stage. The next day I tried again and even though I felt everything was too small for me, even in the largest of sizes, I started bringing in different sizes to the dressing room. I really felt they wouldn't fit. I kept having to go down in sizes and stopped at my size 16 pants!!! I cried again......tears of joy. Okay, my mind is playing catch up and I still have a hard time believing it but wow-e-wowie - do I feel like a million bucks! Couldn't be where I am today without my wonderful band.
–Suzanne

Forced portion control means: I do not eat without thinking, no overeating and thinking quality over quantity – every time! Looking “normal” has changed everything. Colleagues listen to my opinion, sales clerks ask if they can help me, and family members include me in more functions. Looking “normal” has opened many doors – personally and professionally. While some people strive for stardom, I was striving for “normal”. Maybe, since “normal” is so wonderful”, stardom will be next!
-Debby

I smile almost all the time. I am diabetes free, obviously healthier, more active, and eager to be around people and enjoy myself. I want to get out and do things: roller skating, hiking, and shopping! Truly the right choice, truly the best thing I’ve ever done. I love my life – and that’s brand new!
-Julie

I have one regret. I didn't do it sooner!
- Jode

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