Running from the Fat Monster after Gastric Bypass

Many patients of gastric bypass report feeling fearful of succeeding at weight loss after a lifetime of failed diet attempts. In most cases, the fear of success subsides as a patient reaches goal weight and becomes comfortable in their new body. About that time the Fat Monster shows up to scare the hell out of patients.

I thought the fear of success was scary ? that is until I met the Fat Monster. The Fat Monster came into my life one night shortly after I achieved my weight loss goal. The Fat Monster terrified me with illusion ? in the darkness of night he convinced me that the weight loss was just a dream, that by morning the Little Fat Girl would be back. He convinced me that being thin was too good to be true. I was terrified.

The Fat Monster scared the hell out of me and I believed his frightening stories. Even on days when my behavior was stellar ? I followed the four rules ? I was convinced he could catch me. Many restless nights I woke frequently to run my hands over my body confirming he hadn't caught me that night. I needed to know that I was still thin. Many patients are acquainted with the Fat Monster ? after years of dieting failure it is common to believe this weight loss is too good to be true.

To this day the Fat Monster keeps me honest. Aloud I can say that looking and feeling great is my motivation to follow the rules, to exercise and maintain my weight. But deep down inside I'm on a dead run trying to get away from the Fat Monster. I don't ever want to return to being morbidly obese, I hated that life. So when I get on the treadmill I am literally running from the Fat Monster. When I eat my protein and take my supplements I'm building my strength to battle the Fat Monster. I am at war with the Fat Monster and I will never surrender; I am winning!

Other patients are battling their own Fat Monster. One woman believed the Fat Monster had occupied her bathroom scale ? she began weighing compulsively around the clock. She had a before work weight, an after work weight, before work-out weight, after work-out weight and on and on. Any fluctuation from normal caused immediate panic and self-loathing. Her husband locked away the scale and she nearly lost her mind! So, they came to a compromise. He would keep the scale - and the Fat Monster - locked away except for the once a week weigh-in. The physical act of locking-up the Fat Monster worked for her. She no longer weighed herself compulsively and her weekly weigh-ins showed she could very successfully maintain a healthy weight without round-the-clock vigilance to the bathroom scale.

Patients do best when they identify their own Fat Monster and learn what behaviors ? good or bad ? the monster is affecting in your life. Do not surrender control to the Fat Monster but use terror as a source of motivation in your healthy life.

Kaye Bailey ? 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved

Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.com

Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.

To subscribe to the LivingAfterWLS monthly newsletter "You Have Arrived" click on http://www.livingafterwls.com and enter your details in the subscription box.

recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..
In The News:

The iconic Mary Kay pink Cadillac goes electric with the Cadillac Optiq, available only to the company's top 1% of sales force performers.
Cybercriminals abuse trusted Intel driver to gain kernel access and shut down Windows Defender, enabling undetected malware deployment since July 2025.
Using email aliases for online shopping and subscriptions can protect your privacy by preventing companies from linking your activity across websites.
New research shows AI overlap does not equal job replacement, with knowledge-based roles seeing most integration while physical jobs remain least affected.
Scammers target seniors who avoid social media by exploiting public records like obituaries and real estate filings to steal personal information and money
Recovery team in Italy use AI-enabled drones to detect missing hiker's red helmet, leading to successful recovery after months of ground searches
Google Salesforce system breach exposes business data while scammers use incident to target users with fake security calls and phishing attempts.
Google announces Pixel 10 lineup with Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano AI, introducing Magic Cue, Pro Res Zoom up to 100x and satellite emergency support features.
C San Diego study reveals 86% of school safety companies monitor students 24/7 on personal devices, raising privacy concerns.
Users can now add their favorite outlets' coverage to the Top Stories section of Google search results by utilizing the 'preferred sources' feature. With just a few clicks, you can add Fox News.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS shows an unexpected frontal glow that Harvard's Avi Loeb says cannot be explained by sunlight reflection or standard cometary outgassing.
Receiving order confirmations for purchases you never made could mean your email address is being exploited in fraud operations targeting multiple retailers.
First wireless brain implant works with Apple's official protocol, enabling hands-free control of iPhones, iPads and Vision Pro through thought alone.
Data brokers sell personal details that scammers use to target retirement funds through fake financial advisor calls and convincing phishing attempts
Ten innovative tech solutions from gait sensors to smart pill dispensers help adults 65+ track fall risks and prevent injuries before they happen.
Meta AI internal documents revealed chatbots were allowed to flirt with children and engage in romantic conversations until the company was exposed by Reuters.
ChatGPT will avoid giving direct mental health advice under new OpenAI rules following instances where the AI model provided harmful or misleading responses.
Your phone tracks you in more ways than that little GPS icon suggests. Here’s how to find and clear hidden location logs on iPhone and Android.
Authorities in France and the Netherlands have been notified. Meanwhile, impacted customers are being told to stay alert.
Apple just rolled out a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature to specific models, following a recent victory in a legal dispute.
Kidney dialysis provider DaVita experienced a ransomware breach by the Interlock gang affecting 916,000 people in the second-largest U.S. healthcare attack of 2025.
A Chinese-made Unitree R1 robot walked Manhattan streets and shopped for shoes as part of KraneShares' $28 million AI robotics fund promotion campaign.
The ShinyHunters cybercriminal group breached Google's Salesforce system through vishing attacks, stealing business contact details and customer data.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

LapBand Surgery. The Rules of the Road...Part 1

When you begin the decision making process to have Weight... Read More

Easy Weight Loss -- 5 Steps to Lose Weight

Is it easy to lose weight? Yes. Losing weight is... Read More

Fad Diets, And Why Theyre Bad For Your Weight Loss And Long Term Health

If you're serious about losing weight and getting fit, you... Read More

Are You Controlled by the Urge to Splurge

I gotta confess: I'm completely addicted to crisps. Any kind... Read More

5 Tips to Keep Your Mental Health in Shape as You Diet

Losing weight and going on a diet can be quite... Read More

Not One Ounce -- Candy At Your House

Here come the candy canes. In our house, Santa always... Read More

Understanding Weight Loss

A pound of fat represents approximately 3500 calories of stored... Read More

Remembering The Titanic: Top Ten Weight Loss Mistakes Others Make But We Can Avoid

Patrick Henry once said, "I have but one lamp by... Read More

Breast Cancer - Another Obesity Victim

Obesity raises the risk of various types of cancer. And... Read More

Can Weight Loss Improve Your Health And Make You Feel Better?

Many people today are interested in weight loss and weight... Read More

Reading Labels

Reading labels is an essential part of any weight loss... Read More

Empower Your Shopping Experience

Healthy living begins with healthy eating and healthy eating begins... Read More

Diets May Have Long Term Side Effects...Do You Know What They Are?

To see the "low carb" diets on the way out... Read More

Dieters Need More Calcium

Women on diets need more calcium than normal to avoid... Read More

The Rumbly-Grumbly Tummy After Gastric Bypass

If you've been enjoying life after gastric bypass surgery you... Read More

Weight Loss with NO Dieting! The Five Mindsets for Success

Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More

Obesity - The Number 1 Health Issue in the US

Obesity is quickly becoming the number one health issue confronting... Read More

Body Dysmorphia: Mind Games After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Maybe you've heard about body dysmorphia ? it's a mental... Read More

Why is it so EASY to GAIN WEIGHT during the HOLIDAYS?

I'm sure you have pondered this question, for it is... Read More

The Crazy Amazing Diet Maker

This past Christmas Season, as most of us stuffed our... Read More

Your Eight Hormones and Weight Loss

If you find this article helpful, please forward it to... Read More

7 Strategies To Stop Eating Junk Food!

FACT: Obesity accounts for 300,000 deaths a year in the... Read More

Put Down That Brownie! Just One Bite Can Knock You Off Plan

It is very important for low carb dieters to stick... Read More

Little Weight Loss Goes A Long Way

From driving up your blood pressure and cholesterol, to increasing... Read More

A Better Body - 5 Easy Steps That Anyone Can Take

If only there were a 'better body boot camp', we'd... Read More

premium house cleaning Glenview ..