Question:
Aever feel like they'll be the ONLY one who's had WLS and fails?
I believe it's engrained in me from 10,000 failed diets in my past. I am 5-weeks post op today, although I can feel a change in my clothing and I'm feeling better as I sleep, breath, walk, etc.. I still have a fear that I am going to be the ONLY patient on this WLS site that fails horribly with it. What if's....SCHEEZE !! Anyone else, in the beginning, ever feel the same way? I'd love to hear some feedback - I'm hoping this is somewhat normal. I haven't weighed yet - I want to make it until my 6-week check up to weigh but I have been measuring and as of last week, I was down over 26 1/2 inches. I started at 356 and I'm only 5' 4 AND A HALF inches short....I mean, tall. :) All kidding aside - any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. — Lisa J. (posted on May 14, 2002)
May 14, 2002
I felt the exact same way! I started out at 244 at 5'7 I had a BMI of 38
so I was so scared that I would lose a few pounds and that would be it. I
had open RNY on Jan. 3rd 2002 and this morning I weighed I am at 167! so in
almost 19 weeks I am down 77 pds!!!! you will do great! I found the best
thing was not to weigh myself everyday, but every Monday and that did not
make me so crazy. Good Luck and enjoy your journey!
— roshelle P.
May 14, 2002
I know exactly how you feel. I just had surgery on May 1, 13 days ago.
The night before last I spent an hour looking at the before and after
photos on this site. I could not believe that that would happen to me. I
have yet to feel that "I couldn't eat another bite" feeling, that
sense of fullness people in my support group talk about and wondered if I
would be one of the people who this didn't work for. Today I went for my
first post-op visit. I lost 15 pounds in 13 days. To be honest, I was
very disappointed. I spoke with both the doctor and the nutritionist about
it and they said that I was doing fine, was right on target. I got to
thinking about all the psychological preparation I had done before this
surgery and realized that I only prepared for the
"process"...preparing foods, planning menus, etc. Now I have to
start thinking about what I have "started" and know that I am
doing what I am supposed to do and the weight will come off. I remind
myself that my main reason for having this surgery was for my health, that
I could breathe walking from the parking lot to work, that I could move
more easily, that I could sit on people's outdoor furniture without the
fear that it would break. I don't have a scale because I couldn't afford
one that would weigh over 300 pounds. I am now below and still don't think
I will get a scale yet because I don't want the numbers to be my
motivation. I don't know if this helps you, but it helped me getting it
out :-) I just got home from the doctor and I need to do some deep
thinking tonight!
— Brenda A.
May 14, 2002
I know what you are saying. I have gained and lost at least 2000 pounds in
my life. I am loosing slower than most (59 pounds in 5 months) but my
doctor says that is normal for a diabetic female. I was obsessing with the
scale so bad that my husband took it away :( I was getting on it about 5
times a day and would get depressed if it didn't move or went up a 1/2
pound. Good luck, and big hugs. I can tell you that I still have 100
pounds to loose but I feel sooooooo much better. I'd be depressed if I
didn't loose but still happy....does this make sense?
— Terri H.
May 14, 2002
Boy, I certainly do. I am pre-op, but I am so sure that this will just not
work as well for me as it has other. I am afraid I won't be able to change
my eating patterns, and it will all have been in vain. I am sure I will
lose some weight, but I just don't feel like I could ever get down under
230lbs(I'm 5'10"). Well, since I am pre-op I will just have to wait
and see. Hopefully I will be wrong and I will have a fabulous loss, but
with all the failures so far I just don't feel like I could ever get near
my ideal weight of 160.
— Jennifer Y.
May 14, 2002
I can relate! I am almost 10 months out -- and for a long time I just knew
this "wasn't going to work for me!" I lost (and am losing) very
slowly...but I am losing! Started at 287.8 (5'6") and am now at
190.5. Want to lose about 40 more pounds. Keep the faith - and do what is
recommended (by your surgeon)...it can't not work if we do the right
stuff...at least that's what's been true for me. Best of luck to you!
Open RNY 7/17/01.
— blee01
May 14, 2002
Yes, I know how you feel, however, you aren't the one who has failed, I
HAVE already failed. I'm ONE MONTH post op and I've only lost 18lbs. I
knew this surgery wouldn't work for me, but the psychologist said if I
think it won't work, the it won't. So, I went into this with high spirits
that it would work. However, as you can see, it didn't. I've never lost
18lbs in a month before, but I have lost 12lbs in a month before on my own,
so I feel like now I've gone thru all this pain and suffering for a lousy 6
extra pounds. I'm eating between 400 and 600 calories a day, walking,
getting 45-60 grams of protein a day, and getting 20oz of water a day. I
know I need to up the water, but like today, I threw up for the first time,
ON WATER, I HATE IT and I just about feel like I HATE that I had this
surgery! So, if you fail, you won't be alone because I already have.
Better luck to you!
— Tina P.
May 14, 2002
This post is for Tina. Tina, you are only one month out and you already
have determined that you have failed? From your post you realize that you
are a light weight. You are not going to lose as fast as people who are
heavier. 18 pounds in one month is not a bad start.
— Lisa N M.
May 14, 2002
I know exactly how you feel. I am also 5wks post-op and feeling that it
won't work for me. I have lost about 35 lbs which I know is great but I
slipped last night and ate a bunch of nacho cheese dorito chips. I started
out as a lightweight (235 lbs)so I know that I will probably lose slower
but geeze....I want to lose it FAST. Hang in there, everyone says that you
WILL lose.
— Peggy D.
June 13, 2003
I AM a failure.....I'm afraid I have NOT followed my docs advice and I am
on an endless plateau. I haven't lost anything since I started drinking
alcohol last October. I was on the light side...needed to get down to 150
from 267. I lost 70 pounds quite fast but when I started drinking alcohol
last September it came to a crashing halt. I know it's my bad but can't
seem to stop. Not really exercising either which is also my bad. At least I
recognize the fault. Don't give up gope....it's really amazing how well it
works if you follow the instructions....
— Kate B.
June 13, 2003
I think many people not only start out with this fear, but they retain it.
I'm a year out and reached goal a few months ago, but this remains my
biggest fear and always will be. I have been fighting obesity since I was
about eight years old, and I'll be 45 next month. I really do NOT want to
go through weight gain yet again this time; I knew I had no more diets left
in me because of that, which was why I had surgery. But I could see from
the beginning that if I didn't change things this time, I could even blow
this chance. Hence the fear. =;-O<P>Having said all of that, I feel
very optimistic about this surgery now. It has helped me break some bad
habits, and to establish some really good ones. I have had a number of
"bad" eating days since I could eat more, and some bad ones after
I reached goal, but unlike every previous diet I've done over 30+ years, I
get "back on the horse" now whereas I didn't before. I believe
it CAN be different, and has been for many, many people, as post-ops. And
some who condemn themselves as failures are so harshly critical of
themselves that it takes my breath away (and breaks my heart). You have to
give yourself a break here, and celebrate every good habit change, not
throw out the whole notion of success with every "bad" choice or
plateau, and keep on fighting for your health. This is a wonderful
opportunity to do so; one bad day, or even a few bad months, doesn't change
that. Hang in there; you are much tougher than you think. ;~)
— Suzy C.
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