Eileen Bellsey: "Life Is Good After WLS"

by Eileen Bellsey - © 2005

Surgery date: April 1, 2004.

Before WLS I weighed about 250 lbs and wore a size 22-24. I was divorced for 8 years and had not gone out on more than 2 dates in all that time. I am down and holding at 140lbs, wearing a size 6-8. Just had a consult with a plastic surgeon and as soon as I can, I am going to do the legs, thighs and tummy first. The doctor says I will get more bang for my buck with this one. My fiancée doesn't feel like I need to do this but I am doing it for me, for the same reason that I had my bypass surgery! I did it for me, and thank God that I did. I have a whole new life now, and have not regretted my decision once. I don't miss the desserts, the bread, and the candy. My life now is busy and full, with not much time to sit home and eat myself sick.

I came out to Nevada to visit my mom for two weeks, about 4 months post-op, and I am still here. I got a new job, which I love, a man who I love dearly, and whom I plan on marrying in December, and we just bought a new home that we are in the process of moving into. Life is good after WLS.

My rules that I follow faithfully:

1. Never, ever eat anything with sugar. Think of yourself as a diabetic, sugar makes you sick. Stick with this and you will never regret it!

2. Always eat carbs last, that is if you have room after you have had at least a glass or two of water with lemon and equal before your meal, you have eaten your protein, then your veggies and some fruit. This is the way I eat and it works. If I have room at the end of a meal, and still feel like I want to eat a piece of bread, I tear off a piece of the crust and it that. It works.

3. You have to find an eating buddie to share meals with. Portions are way to big for those of us after WLS! The plus is that you save tons of money..two do eat as cheaply as one.

4. People are nicer to you...there definitely is a prejudice against overweight men and women. It makes me sad that we are so judged by "normal weight" people.