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A New Reality

Wow! It's been four weeks since surgery. Time has really flown. I was also release to go back to work today. I'm very fortunate to work from home, and my employer is very supportive and gave me the time I needed to heal. I'm actually back two weeks earlier than scheduled.  It was a good day!

I really took it easy this week per Doctor's orders. I mainly cleaned up around the house and started cooking again. I really enjoy cooking - especially trying new recipes. I use Pinterest religiously, and I was happy to pull out one of my favorite recipes to bring to a deck party with some friends. They love Almond Butter Cups and cornbread so I made both.

I hadn't made items like this in a while, and I'm a huge fan of cooking from scratch since that's how I was raised, and I feel it's a wonderful, healthy option. When I had lost a good amount of weight earlier in the blog, I made so many good meals. I was flirting with clean eating. I completed a Whole30, and fell in love with the power of Paleo eating and sweet potatoes. I now realize as I gained weight, I lost a lot of passion for cooking in the kitchen because I had gotten so big that it was physically taxing to cook.

Cooking from scratch requires lots of work - prepping ingredients, chopping and slicing, shopping at various stores. I stopped a lot of that and mainly focused on items I could quickly get to the table, which did both me and my husband a disservice.  With the weight I've lost so far, I've found my passion again. I contemplating returning to Paleo/Keto as a food methodology.

Eating is such a large part of our social functions. My family always celebrates birthdays, anniversaries, and just being together with food. When I get together with my friends, we always bring a dish to share and we enjoy noshing as we catch up with each other. My husband and I enjoying dining out. As a bariatric patient, I'm entering a new reality where I must be comfortable with my limits.

I've eaten out since I've had my surgery with my husband. We had Mexican (my favorite) and I thoroughly enjoyed the $2.00 refried beans I ordered and took home to eat for the next few days. I've eaten with my family and small pureed dinner with them. I had a ball at the deck party and happily ate a tablespoon or two of Buffalo Chicken Dip and Hummus (Yes, please!) My friends are wonderful and asked specifically what I could have. Luckily, those two dishes are common at our gatherings

My fork wasn't that big!!
I ate with my tiny utensils and tiny bowl and laughed the night away. Of course, they were curious about my surgery, and I happily told them my steps. My friends are amazing and supportive, and I appreciate the interest they showed because I know they are concerned for my health and well-being.

It's unfortunate that many bariatric patients hide their surgery because of the negative feedback and stigma applied that we are taking the "easy way out." People try to talk them out of it, or they won't be supportive of their decision. I've made it no secret that I felt that way at that point. Now, I feel it is my duty not to hide. If a person wants to know, I'll tell them. If a person has negative points that they want to share with me, they won't like my response. I don't deal in negativity so take that shit somewhere else. I don't care if people stare as I eat with my tiny utensils or ask for a take out box as soon as my food arrives. This is my new life. My new reality. And I welcome it.

HW 361 (circa 2006)
SW 278
CW 259
GW 160 
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