3 Things I Struggle With After Bariatric Surgery
When I decided to have bariatric surgery, I knew it wouldn’t be an overnight fix—and I never expected it to be easy. What I didn’t realize was just how much of the journey would take place after the surgery. The mindset shifts. The mental rewiring. The constant learning and unlearning. Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond grateful for how far I’ve come. But even now, well into my post-op life, I still struggle with a few things. And if you’re in the same boat, I want you to know you're not alone.
Here are the top three things I still wrestle with and how I’m learning to navigate them.
1. Losing the Last 20 Pounds
I used to think the hardest part would be the beginning, getting through the liquid phase, managing the pain, adjusting to a whole new way of eating. But truthfully? The hardest part for me has been the end, or rather, the tail end. Losing the last 20 pounds feels like running a marathon and tripping right before the finish line.
The scale moves slower now. My body is more comfortable where it is. And the truth is, I have to work harder for every pound than I did in the beginning. I’ve had to shift my mindset from chasing a number to chasing how I feel. Am I strong? Do I feel energized? Am I moving my body in ways that I enjoy?
This final stretch isn’t about perfection, it’s about persistence. And that’s what I remind myself on the hard days.
2. Eating Slowly
This one feels like a constant lesson. After surgery, slowing down while eating is essential, but let’s be real, it’s not easy. Life gets busy. I get distracted. Sometimes I forget and take one bite too many, too quickly and suddenly I’m miserable.
The struggle with eating slowly is more than just a habit; it’s a reflection of how rushed and reactive our lives can be. I'm learning to treat meals as moments, time to pause, breathe, and check in with myself and God. That means putting my fork down between bites, chewing intentionally, and reminding myself that food isn’t a race.
I’m not perfect at it. But I’m getting better.
3. The Fear of Eating Too Much
Even now, this fear sneaks in more often than I’d like to admit. I’ll sit down to a meal, even one I’ve carefully portioned, and wonder: Is this too much? Am I going to feel sick? What if I stretch my stomach?
It’s a fear rooted in control and perfectionism. Bariatric surgery taught me how to listen to my body, but fear tries to override that voice. The truth is, I won’t always get it right. Some meals will leave me uncomfortable. But I remind myself that one meal doesn’t undo all my progress. One full stomach doesn’t mean I’ve failed. This journey is about grace and learning, not shame.
Bariatric surgery changed my life but it didn’t erase the mental work. These struggles remind me that this is a lifelong journey, not a quick fix. And just because something is hard doesn’t mean I’m doing it wrong. It means I’m still growing.
So if you’re facing similar struggles, I see you. Keep going. Give yourself grace. And remember - we didn’t come this far to only come this far.
Love you all,
B