What is Back to Normal After Gastric Bypass Surgery?

It is common for new WLS patients to ask, "How soon after surgery will I get back to normal?" This is understandable. We've spent a lifetime dieting for the short-term ? the 30-day diet, the six-week program, the lose-ten-pounds-over-the-weekend diet. Remember thinking, "If I can stick with this plan for just 10 days, then I can go back to normal."

The diet industry has conditioned us to think long-term lifestyle changes are unnecessary to accomplish weight loss. We are impatient and demanding, we want a quick fix. Expectations are unrealistic and result in failure, disappointment and self-loathing.

But weight loss surgery is for life.To that end, we must re-define normal:

Normal is living without co-morbidities: asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, heartburn, and knee and back pain.

Normal is feeling your body in motion, walking up stairs briskly, and bending to tie your shoes.

Normal is playing children's games on the floor and getting up without struggling.

Normal is hearing compliments about how great you look.

Normal is ACCEPTING compliments about how great you look.

Normal is fastening an airplane lap belt and pulling it tight.

Normal is enjoying clothes shopping.

Normal is the thrill of amusement park rides.

Normal is waking up early to jump on the scale ? and thrilling at the number.

Normal is living without the incessant distraction of food and the relentless hunger.

Normal is feeling proud ? not ashamed ? of your body.

Normal is savoring food one bite at a time, not ravaging it.

Normal is having the power ? the tiny tummy - to control eating behavior.

Normal is eating three meals a day and not snacking in between ? and doing just fine.

Normal is feeling immediate discomfort when too much food, or the wrong food is consumed.

Normal is taking vitamins every day.

Normal is drinking water ? lots of water.

Normal is enjoying exercising!

Normal is boundless energy.

Normal is a positive outlook, not fearing the doom of an early, miserable death for obesity related health complications.

Normal is eating lean protein at every meal.

Normal is declining doughnuts or pizza ? and not feeling deprived!

Normal is making healthy eating and behavior modification a lifestyle for the whole family.

Normal is quality food, not gluttonous quantity.

Normal is taking responsibility for your own health and wellness.

Normal is respecting the science of your body, respecting the tiny tummy, and respecting yourself.

Normal is constant attention to weight maintenance.

Normal is feeling deep compassion for the obese.

Normal is being scared of the rapid transformation your body makes.

Normal is bouts of anger over years of self-loathing, discrimination, isolation and suffering.

Normal is the occasional departure from the rules that results in dumping or vomiting.

Normal is a rapid return to appropriate eating behavior.

Normal is seeing, for a time, a stranger in the mirror.

Normal is freeing yourself from obesity's prison.

Normal is understanding that the pre-surgical behaviors and habits were unhealthy, destructive and abusive.

Copyright ? 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.

shuttle to Midway Beardstown .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

Google’s scam detection features, powered by artificial intelligence, are a significant step forward in safeguarding Android users from fraud.
The FBI has issued a warning that scammers are impersonating doctors, police and banks using spoofed numbers as "smishing" texts surge nationwide.
Communities with unreliable internet service stand to gain after Amazon's Project Kuiper launched its first full batch of satellites into orbit April 28.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says unsubscribing from spam might actually backfire. Learn when to avoid it and stop junk effectively.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how the first nonstop beating heart transplant, called zero ischemic time, at Taiwan hospital changes surgery.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson: FBI warns of "time-traveling" hackers.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about a soft, vine-like robot called SPROUT that aids safe survivor rescues in collapsed buildings.
Health insurance giant Blue Shield of California confirmed it had been sharing private health data of 4.7 million users with Google for three years without even realizing it.
Delta and JetZero’s blended wing body aircraft marks a meaningful step toward a cleaner, quieter and more efficient future for air travel.
Recent reports show many common passwords can be cracked in literally seconds. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how to strengthen your passwords.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Iron, a robot that stands 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 154 pounds, combines advanced artificial intelligence with human-like movement and exceptional vision.
Hertz, the rental car giant, recently confirmed that customer information was exposed through a cyberattack on one of its software vendors.
There are a number of features with AirPods you may or may not know about to take your listening experience to the next level. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.
These 35 Chrome extensions have privacy and security concerns. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says to delete them now.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says 329,000 mph fusion rocket promises to be fast, disruptive and enable deep-space missions.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says a new autonomous AI is a game changer that also raises privacy risks. Is your data safe?
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says robots and drones are revolutionizing fruit farming with faster picking and smarter handling.
Landmark Admin revises May 2024 cyberattack scope to show twice as many people were affected. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives tips to help stay safe from an insurance data breach.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how Yamaha’s hydrogen outboard motor could revolutionize boating with zero emissions.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how to memorialize or remove a deceased loved one’s Facebook account and protect their digital legacy from misuse or scams.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says an Apple Watch saved psychiatrist Amanda Faulkner by detecting deadly leukemia early.
Scammers and fraudsters are increasingly targeting the most vulnerable, especially nursing homes and the personal data of their residents. Kurt the CyberGuy has safety tips.
Infected USB flash drives can spread malware among multiple organizations in ways that can easily bypass traditional security systems.

Pathological Eating Disorders and Poly-Behavioral Addiction

When considering that pathological eating disorders and their related diseases... Read More

How To Measure Body Fat

When it all comes down to losing or gaining weight,... Read More

Rating The Diets: A Mindless Exercise?

There has been a recent surge in the experts weighing... Read More

Cruisin to Lose

Recently, I won a family cruise on the Regis and... Read More

4 Tips for Fast Fat Loss Part III

Fat Loss Tip #3) Proper Meal FrequencyMeal Frequency (i.e., the... Read More

Weight Loss for Good ? The 80/20 Rule!

Have you ever thought, "I just can not seem to... Read More

Easy Weight Loss -- 5 Steps to Lose Weight

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

The One and Only Way to Lose Weight

There is only one way to lose weightThere really is... Read More

Are Low Carb Diets Good for Everyone?

What's a Low Carb Diet Really Mean?When I hear low... Read More

Fighting Obesity - My Pyramid Dietary Guidelines

If you are fighting the battle of the bulge (overweight... Read More

Weight Loss and Dieting Secrets ? What You DONT Want to Know!

Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More

Dieting - Healthy Dieting Tips

If you are among the millions of people searching for... Read More

Compulsive Eating Signs

Compulsive eating is characterized mainly by periods of impulsive bingeing... Read More

Diet and Exercise Evolution: Water: 65% of Your Body Cant be Wrong

The Liver The function of your kidneys is to filter... Read More

Children of Gastric Bypass Patients at Risk for Eating Disorders

As parents who've had gastric bypass we face many challenges... Read More

Atkins Diet Plan - Whats The Catch

The Atkins diet Plan breakfast can usually composed of eggs... Read More

Snacking, Fear, Greed and the Gastric Bypass Tool

Do you remember nodding your head with understanding during your... Read More

How Not To Lose Weight

Who really wants to lose weight? None of us, right?... Read More

When a Parent has WLS: What to Tell Our Chubby Children

We know that children are becoming obese at an alarming... 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

Eating Tips

Make sure that no more than a quarter of your... Read More

Are Your Co-Workers Making You Fat? Avoiding Unexpected Treats

Taming the See Food Eat Food ResponseWhat happens when you're... Read More

Breakfast and Weight Loss

Some people think that skipping breakfast will help them lose... Read More

How Much Will A Tummy Tuck Really Cost?

The cost of a tummy tuck is something to consider... Read More

Im Freezing! Why Gastric Bypass Causes Patients to be Cold

Body temperature is the result of your body generating and... Read More

Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals ..