So you decided to have weight loss surgery.  You go through whatever pre-op program your insurance company or your doctor requires of you.  Now it’s time, the day has arrived and your mind is spinning in so many directions, the thoughts just keep coming one after another:

• What if this doesn’t work?
• What if this does work?
• What am I doing to myself?
• Can I do this?
• Will I do this?
• Why will this be different than all of the diets I have tried and failed at?
• Can I live with never eating ………again?  (you fill in the blank)
• Will it hurt?
• I don’t really have to exercise, they just have to say that to me right?
• I’ll just eat less of what I’ve always eaten and I’ll be just fine, right?
• They just told me all about that vitamin and supplement stuff to scare me in to eating right, didn’t they?

I could go on and on.  When I look at these questions, I see a wall being constructed.  What do I mean?  If you “think” it may not work, then chances are that it may not work.  Questioning your ability to “do this” sets another brick in the wall.  I can’t and I won’t and not being able to eat my favorite foods and not having to follow the instructions my doctor has given me.  Those are ALL just bricks in the wall.  The surgeon is a skilled professional who will make changes to your stomach to help you eat smaller portions and be physically satisfied longer.

You, me, WE are the ones with all of the power after the surgery.  It is our daily action plans that help us get to success, whatever the word means to each of us individually.  It is our daily actions that interfere with that journey as well.  Hmm, a double edged sword.  You bet!  It all lies in our ability to empower ourselves to make the choices that will move us towards our goals.  The first step of the process is to set those goals, and make them a reality.  What does that mean?  Set a goal that you can actually reach in a a reasonable period of time.  Then take the actions necessary to get there.  Where do you want to be at on your first surgiversary?  Let’s say that’s 75 pounds lighter and done taking high blood pressure medication.  Are those reasonable expectations?  I don’t know, ask your doctor.  If you get a go, then next step is to look at what it will take to get you there.  Fifty two weeks and 75 pounds to lose- the math says that is an average of 1.44 pounds per week.  Can I do this?  Yes or no?  How committed am I to doing this?  The high blood pressure meds are another thing.  I would ask my doctor when I should come back to talk about reducing or eliminating them and set that schedule.

OK, you have done the easy part.  Now comes the question - What steps do I have to take to lose 1.44 pounds per week?  I am not going to answer that one, you are the only one who can, it is your journey.

Here is how my journey went:

• I got rid of all the junk food in the house before surgery
• I kept no drink pitchers, bottles or containers on the table at my house no matter who was over for dinner
• I planned my breakfast and lunch for the work week on Sunday
• I always had bottled water with me everywhere I went
• I had lots of good options in my house for dinner
• I had lots of acceptable “snacks” like cheese sticks, jerky, protein bars, yogurts for emergencies once I was allowed them on my meal progression
• I took my vitamins faithfully from 1 month before surgery and still take them today, 10 years post-op
• As I lost weight I began moving more, walking more
• Once I lost 100 pounds I started an actually exercise routine of “moving on purpose” swimming laps in a pool and have built on that to where fitness is part of my lifestyle
• I began having my gym bag as part of my standard what’s in my car (along with an extra bottle of water, a tuna “kit” and a can of protein)……I committed to NO EXCUSES.
• After a large family dinner at my house I would send everyone home with the carb ridden leftovers and keep the protein sources for myself.  (On Thanksgiving that meant the pies and the stuffing and the yams left and I kept the green beans and the turkey)

I am anything but a perfect weight loss surgery patient.  Over the past 10 years I have had my ups and downs.  I am human.  I have managed to lose 250 pounds and I suggest to all of you just getting started, or those of you who may have had some regain to just get out of your own way and quit building those walls.  Knock ‘em down with positive action and get your goals!