"I Messed Up": A Bariatric Patient Tells All...

Six and a half years ago I decided to take control of my life. I was quickly approaching 400 pounds and felt awful. I made the decision to have gastric sleeve because I knew I had to do something to improve my health. It was the best decision I ever made. I lost 160 pounds and felt absolutely amazing. The first year was like a honeymoon stage. I felt better, looked better, and just enjoyed life more. However, that feeling didn’t last. I started to make little mistakes that affected my journey. It did not do much damage at first, but it eventually caught up with me and I experienced significant regain. 

Life got the best of me and I started stress eating again. I put unhealthy foods back into my diet and started to go back to old habits. I started eating fast food again and quickly got addicted. I knew that I needed to stop but it took over my mind again like it did before the surgery. I was so successful the first year, but as the years went on it got harder and harder to stay focused. You hear people say it all the time, but the surgery is just a tool. It will not do all of the work for you. You have to make positive changes in your life if you want to be successful long-term. Take the time to do the things you know you need to do to be successful. Go to your surgeon appointments, get your bloodwork checked regularly and go to therapy to talk through your feelings. Find ways to eat healthier and get creative with the foods you make. Start working out. Do NOT drink soda and stay away from fast food. Take the steps you know you must take to keep you on track.

I have so much anger that I made so many mistakes. I share this with you not to scare you, but to make you aware that you can go back to where you were. The surgery is an amazing tool, but it won’t protect you if you start making unhealthy choices again. It is hard for me to face the fact that I messed up. However, I have learned from my mistakes and try every day to be the best version of me I can be. It is not easy. I fight my food addiction every day. Sometimes it wins, sometimes it doesn’t win. It will be a battle I have to fight for the rest of my life. 

I messed up. Big time. If you messed up too, please hang on. You will see brighter days. You CAN do this. You CAN get through the hard days. You CAN win. If you fall, get back up. Don’t let your demons take over. You are strong. You are resilient. You got this!