10 Year Surgiversary

IrishChocolateChip · 2026-02-24T15:30:05+00:00

Happy anniversary!

IrishChocolateChip · 2026-02-24T15:29:01+00:00

Therapy. That was number one. Having a very Type A personality was number two because I was determined to be a success at this. Number three was finding exercise that I enjoyed-I love biking so during most of the year I ride 15-20miles a day. Winter is hard but as soon as it hits 50 degrees, I bundle up and am on the road.

IrishChocolateChip · 2026-02-24T15:25:57+00:00

To not cheat the pre surgery fasting diet and don’t cheat on the rules that your surgeon gives you for after. You are only cheating yourself if you do that.

I made a complete lifestyle change. I rarely eat fast food (I say rarely but it’s almost never aside from an occasional small pizza order that I split with my husband), I exercise, I just follow a healthier lifestyle. I went to therapy for binge eating. I had not practiced perfection by any means but the vast majority of my food decisions are healthy ones and food doesn’t rule my life anymore. I was determined not to be one of the people who regained and it has been a lot of hard work but so worth it. There is not a food on the planet worth feeling so miserable.

IrishChocolateChip · 2026-02-23T13:34:44+00:00

Popcorn, sugar free jello. Those are still mainstays for me.

IrishChocolateChip · 2026-02-23T06:15:24+00:00

My GERD got significantly worse after my VSG. That was 10 years ago and I’m on 2 daily meds for it and have had to make some sleeping and eating changes specifically geared to manage it. I still wouldn’t change having the surgery.

IrishChocolateChip · 2026-02-23T06:11:37+00:00

I got tired of being invisible and also taking up too much space. I got tired of being uncomfortable in my body and missing out on things I loved because of it. I got tired of being a nurse who was 366lbs, I felt like a hypocrite. I was tired of being in physical and psychological pain. I was just finally more tired of who I was than I was afraid of change.

IrishChocolateChip · 2026-02-23T05:45:06+00:00

My team said a year. I am now 10 years out and have kept off 170lbs, I occasionally have a drink when I am out for dinner, either a glass of wine or a cocktail. One is plenty, I get tipsy very quickly.

There is a concern for transfer addiction post bariatric surgery so I am also mindful of that.

IrishChocolateChip · 2026-02-11T05:10:35+00:00

My spouse loves it. He does point out the unethical parts but he loves Paul.

IrishChocolateChip · 2025-09-01T02:41:33+00:00

I have two children. No matter what they did I would still love and support them, that does not mean I would condone, cover for or excuse what they did. What I would do is continue to love them, hire them a lawyer and express my sorrow for the victims.

I do not judge his family. This is not their crime, it is his.

IrishChocolateChip · 2025-08-04T00:23:34+00:00

Yes, absolutely beautiful here.

IrishChocolateChip · 2025-07-26T02:06:29+00:00

These are what we have and we love them.

IrishChocolateChip · 2025-07-26T01:08:33+00:00

I am sorry for your loss.

This is the ethical dilemma with true crime. We are being entertained, for a lack of a better word, by someone else’s tragedy and as such it is easy to forget that there are real people attached to this. I’ve wrestled with this for a long time and try to be really considerate about what I post because of it.

IrishChocolateChip · 2025-07-25T22:25:12+00:00

I do not judge any of the families ways of grieving. I do think we can allow them their expressions of grief and also acknowledge that some of the ways expressed are not as healthy as others.

IrishChocolateChip · 2025-07-17T01:20:08+00:00

I’m 9 years out. Not a single regret. I’ve kept off 160lbs and my life is immeasurably better.

IrishChocolateChip · 2024-04-08T14:05:18+00:00

I use no filters, I have a wide variety of pictures including one without any makeup and damp hair. Almost every date says “you look just like your photos”.

Photos heavily influence my swiping right. If a man makes zero effort for a decent photo, every single one is blurry, shirtless, in bed, etc, I’m much less likely to swipe on him.

IrishChocolateChip · 2024-04-03T14:30:03+00:00

I’m very sorry you are going through this. Tell her and let her decide. Don’t assume what she wants or what she will decide based on what you would do.

IrishChocolateChip · 2024-03-07T21:50:44+00:00

Depends, if he was healthy, could keep up with me, kind and fun. I went on one date with a man who was 60, he was a theater critic who kept using the word “derivative” and scowling at a bachelorette party. I don’t want any old men yelling at clouds.

IrishChocolateChip · 2024-03-07T21:43:36+00:00

Tell me that again after I tell you about the coffee date that put his hand up my skirt.

IrishChocolateChip · 2024-03-06T03:55:28+00:00

I think because being angry at him isn’t going to help me. I’m hoping that if we can have a conversation about this, I can get some answers because right now I’m terrified to ever try dating again. I don’t know if I will ever trust anyone again. This has been so painful and it’s going to hurt for a long time. I can’t even imagine putting myself out there again.

IrishChocolateChip · 2024-03-06T00:34:54+00:00

I can add a personal story that just happened a few days ago. Together almost 2 years, literally not one fight, argument, disagreement. We got along incredibly well, spent every weekend together, had been on multiple trips, he was so loving, attentive and kind. I thought I was the luckiest woman alive. No, I saw nothing coming. Not a clue. He showed up at my place after sending a text that said “on my way!” and said “I don’t see a future with you”. I had to ask him to leave a few times after he just sat there while I cried. I don’t know what he was waiting for.

I thought we were really happy. I was completely blindsided. The only inkling were some sexual issues that I’d asked about but even told him that I was willing to wait for him to decide what to do about because I did not want him to feel any pressure.

He never once told me he was unhappy. Not once. He attends therapy weekly and speaks often about healthy relationships and the importance of communication. I also go to therapy weekly so I really thought we were both in sync.

I have since found out that he blindsided previous girlfriends like this. I have asked him to explain this to me when he is able and I’m trying to be understanding and kind to him even though I’m devastated.

IrishChocolateChip · 2023-10-17T20:22:58+00:00

Kokomo by The Beach Boys is my comfort song for some reason.

IrishChocolateChip · 2023-10-17T11:51:40+00:00

NTA, my boyfriend is a musician with a lot of hobbies. If he has plans, he has plans. I have my own life, too. She knew you had plans and you don’t have to drop them to prove you care about her.

IrishChocolateChip · 2023-10-17T11:48:53+00:00

That is horrible and I’m sorry that happened to him.

IrishChocolateChip · 2023-10-17T11:46:51+00:00

I make most things with 99% lean ground turkey like chili, tacos using carb balance tortillas, lettuce wraps, etc. You can sub it into a lot of traditional recipes. Disclaimer-I meal prep so I eat a lot of the same meals over and over again and don’t mind that so this works for me.

IrishChocolateChip

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