by PATRICIA MILLER
CTFashionMag.com
Your eyes open. You made it through surgery. You breathe a sigh relief. Reality hits you. The days of splurges and decadent rewards are a thing of the past. No more fast food, chocolate treats and sadly, no more comfort food. The post-surgery rules may seem like mere suggestions at first; however, these rules are in place for a reason. Following them will not only aid in successfully reaching your goals, but they will also keep you alive. After surgery, there’s a time you can only drink liquids. This can seem like agony, especially, for one friend, who had surgery the week of Thanksgiving. Next, you add soft foods and gradually move on to solids. During this time, along with no bread (or pasta for fear of stretching your pouch) and sugar, carbonation is also not allowed. Consuming these items will cause unbearable pain and could cause serious damage to your new stomach and recovering insides. Medications may similarly be restricted. Nothing that will sit and eat away at the stomach lining. Simple medications, once taken without a thought, are now taken as liquids only. Your stomach is significantly smaller. The rules of absorption have changed. This new lifestyle is not for the faint of heart or for the lazy. It is an overwhelming commitment that can sometimes seem impossible. The good news is, if you focus on your goals and your reasons for having surgery in the first place, the challenge seems surmountable. Remember, your weight loss goals are not just numbers on a scale. Sure, watching them plummet is reassuring, but living a longer, healthier life is something that cannot be measured. Having a good support system in place prior to surgery will also make for a smoother transition. After surgery, it’s easy to feel you’re on a lonely path. Your friends and family are there for you, but they don’t fully understand how you feel physically exhausted from a 600 calorie diet or emotionally because of self images issues, addiction or the withdrawal of those addictions. It’s imperative you find support outside your normal comfort zone. You likely left the hospital with a list of groups and possibly attended a session prior to surgery. Find a group you like that is close to home to make it easier to get together. There are many online groups with helpful forums. Facebook has a multitude of groups just waiting for new members. My personal support source was YouTube. It’s amazing how hearing and reading the success stories of others can keep you focused. Any new lifestyle change comes with stumbles, falls, and complete failure. I guarantee someone in a group has been there before. Not only did they get through it, they came out stronger than before. All of a sudden, you feel less alone in your situation. Before you know it, I would say after the first year, life begins to feel manageable both physically and mentally. Again, this journey is about choices. Food choices, medicines, and even the friends you keep. Whatever works for you, stick with it and learn along the way. Someday you’ll be the one helping others. Maybe you have a column inside of you too. Blog about it. Share what you are comfortable with. Make it private if you need too. You’ll be amazed when you go back six years later and read the struggles and triumphs you had. Bristol Hospital has a great support group for all pretty and post op weight loss surgery patients . They share recipes, struggles, triumphs and give back to the community. http://www.bristolhospital.org/Services/BariatricProgram/Patient-Support-Groups-Events.aspx Patricia Miller is a weight loss surgery patient and advocate of six years. You can find her on IG @worththeweightmedia 
