Sorry to butt in, but...
...I would like to share this month's rant from Susan Maria. I think we all need to read it. I can honestly say that while I may not be so good with the food sometimes (but I think I am most times 
, I take my vitamins RELIGIOUSLY, and I make sure my protein intake is AT LEAST 80-100 grams a day. Take your vitamins, please. And don't forget: Protein is KEY for us. Not enough protein=muscle mass loss. If nothing else, think about this: The HEART is a muscle. Does that give you a good perspective of what can happen if you neglect your protein intake? I sure hope so!
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http://store.bariatriceating.com/thismonthsrant.html
I just had the privilege of spending a week attending the American Society for Bariatric Surgery annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. Engaging in casual conversation with the top surgeons in this field, discussing vitamins, protein, calcium, and compliance issues was an opportunity that I won't soon forget. I was as excited to meet some of the 'famous' surgeons as I would be if Mick Jagger stepped up to my pink and black BariatricEating.com booth.
Now... why this is a rant!
These surgeons cannot fathom that after they save our lives that we have the audacity to be picky about nutrition! The way many of them see it is that we are NOT living up to our part of the deal. They perform life altering surgery to save us from a certain early death from morbid obesity, their office staff does battle with our insurance company to pony up tens of thousands of dollars to pay for our surgery as it is surely the only means by which we will survive, yet we are lackadaisical about putting a small pile of vitamins and minerals into our body every day, and are boldly noncompliant with protein requirements.
The docs are even more incredulous about our pickiness with protein. When I would give them a taste of Vanilla Very Berry or Fuzzy Navel, their eyes would have a twinkle and they would love the taste but they would question as to why this was even an issue. It is cut and dry with the surgeons; they think it is a given that we do what we are supposed to do. These are no-nonsense men and women; when something is broken, they fix it. Some of them could not believe the letters and stories I related to them and had no idea that noncompliance was so widespread.
Here is a message from your surgeon...
Pick up the protein drink, the calcium, and the multivitamins and take them. There is no negotiating, there is no looking for a compromise, and there are no valid complaints about graininess, taste, or smell. Pick up the glass and drink the protein. Chew the tablets. Swallow that mouthful of calcium or vitamins. Period. We saved your life on that operating table, now do what you are supposed to do to maintain the health we have worked to give back to you.
Fortunately there are drinks that taste good but as I have said before; if in order to be sitting here in size 10 jeans I had to drink a glass of toile****er every morning, I would gladly do it. In fact, if I had to drink a glass of water from my neighbor's toilet every day I would do it. Why is this so difficult to comprehend for some of you? Do you take the label morbid obesity so lightly that you don't think you have to perform certain tasks, that you have a responsibility as a post op. Look up the meaning of MORBID. That should be enough to scare you. Why would anyone not do what they were told when given a new lease of life with so few strings attached?
I used to think that making pre-ops jump through hoops for weight loss to qualify for surgery was cruel but I have changed my mind after a year of speaking to thousands of pre and post ops. With so many people facing insurance rejection, how can we make sure that the ones who will not hold up the end of the bargain are put at the end of the line for approval? I think that strict compliance goals are a great way to weed out the disobedient. If you can't lose 10% of your body weight before surgery, you don't deserve to have it. If you can't stop smoking, you don't deserve this procedure. If you can't manage to choke down vitamins, calcium, B-12 and protein; too bad, let someone have the surgery that will. We all can mange to stick to a program short term. We are all experts at losing weight. We just can't keep it off; which is where the surgery comes in. It gives us the means of control we lack.
As you can tell, this is NOT the week to write me an email and tell me that you cant 'tolerate' the taste of your protein, or that you cant 'tolerate' your chewables or your stomach feels 'icky' when you drink your protein. I have little lenience for weakness and whining. It will take a long time before I allow much room for the helplessness that I so often hear. I can't stand the word 'tolerate'... it is pure baloney. About 3 years ago I read a 'tough love' essay by an OH member named Leilani, and one line in particular resonates in my head; 'If this surgery doesn't slap a backbone in you, nothing will', as it is so true!
Just do what you are supposed to do. Figure it out and make it happen. Thank goodness we have products that make it easier to stick with the program but the bottom line is that it shouldn't even matter.
Ciao,
Susan Maria
-----
Angie
http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie
, I take my vitamins RELIGIOUSLY, and I make sure my protein intake is AT LEAST 80-100 grams a day. Take your vitamins, please. And don't forget: Protein is KEY for us. Not enough protein=muscle mass loss. If nothing else, think about this: The HEART is a muscle. Does that give you a good perspective of what can happen if you neglect your protein intake? I sure hope so!
-----
http://store.bariatriceating.com/thismonthsrant.html
I just had the privilege of spending a week attending the American Society for Bariatric Surgery annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. Engaging in casual conversation with the top surgeons in this field, discussing vitamins, protein, calcium, and compliance issues was an opportunity that I won't soon forget. I was as excited to meet some of the 'famous' surgeons as I would be if Mick Jagger stepped up to my pink and black BariatricEating.com booth.
Now... why this is a rant!
These surgeons cannot fathom that after they save our lives that we have the audacity to be picky about nutrition! The way many of them see it is that we are NOT living up to our part of the deal. They perform life altering surgery to save us from a certain early death from morbid obesity, their office staff does battle with our insurance company to pony up tens of thousands of dollars to pay for our surgery as it is surely the only means by which we will survive, yet we are lackadaisical about putting a small pile of vitamins and minerals into our body every day, and are boldly noncompliant with protein requirements.
The docs are even more incredulous about our pickiness with protein. When I would give them a taste of Vanilla Very Berry or Fuzzy Navel, their eyes would have a twinkle and they would love the taste but they would question as to why this was even an issue. It is cut and dry with the surgeons; they think it is a given that we do what we are supposed to do. These are no-nonsense men and women; when something is broken, they fix it. Some of them could not believe the letters and stories I related to them and had no idea that noncompliance was so widespread.
Here is a message from your surgeon...
Pick up the protein drink, the calcium, and the multivitamins and take them. There is no negotiating, there is no looking for a compromise, and there are no valid complaints about graininess, taste, or smell. Pick up the glass and drink the protein. Chew the tablets. Swallow that mouthful of calcium or vitamins. Period. We saved your life on that operating table, now do what you are supposed to do to maintain the health we have worked to give back to you.
Fortunately there are drinks that taste good but as I have said before; if in order to be sitting here in size 10 jeans I had to drink a glass of toile****er every morning, I would gladly do it. In fact, if I had to drink a glass of water from my neighbor's toilet every day I would do it. Why is this so difficult to comprehend for some of you? Do you take the label morbid obesity so lightly that you don't think you have to perform certain tasks, that you have a responsibility as a post op. Look up the meaning of MORBID. That should be enough to scare you. Why would anyone not do what they were told when given a new lease of life with so few strings attached?
I used to think that making pre-ops jump through hoops for weight loss to qualify for surgery was cruel but I have changed my mind after a year of speaking to thousands of pre and post ops. With so many people facing insurance rejection, how can we make sure that the ones who will not hold up the end of the bargain are put at the end of the line for approval? I think that strict compliance goals are a great way to weed out the disobedient. If you can't lose 10% of your body weight before surgery, you don't deserve to have it. If you can't stop smoking, you don't deserve this procedure. If you can't manage to choke down vitamins, calcium, B-12 and protein; too bad, let someone have the surgery that will. We all can mange to stick to a program short term. We are all experts at losing weight. We just can't keep it off; which is where the surgery comes in. It gives us the means of control we lack.
As you can tell, this is NOT the week to write me an email and tell me that you cant 'tolerate' the taste of your protein, or that you cant 'tolerate' your chewables or your stomach feels 'icky' when you drink your protein. I have little lenience for weakness and whining. It will take a long time before I allow much room for the helplessness that I so often hear. I can't stand the word 'tolerate'... it is pure baloney. About 3 years ago I read a 'tough love' essay by an OH member named Leilani, and one line in particular resonates in my head; 'If this surgery doesn't slap a backbone in you, nothing will', as it is so true!
Just do what you are supposed to do. Figure it out and make it happen. Thank goodness we have products that make it easier to stick with the program but the bottom line is that it shouldn't even matter.
Ciao,
Susan Maria
-----
Angie
http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie Well, I will keep my reply short so as not to say what I'd really like to say but for one thing I won't be buying from her again.
Let's get one thing straight. *No one* swooped down like a knight in shining armor to save me from myself and frankly I resent the implication. I am a consumer and I made an informed decision to have this surgery. My surgeon (who thankfully does NOT have the pompous Dr. God attitude or I'd have told him to kiss my fat a$$ and kept my money) has done thousands of these surgeries so really it's no big deal to him. *We* are the ones adjusting to a new lifestyle, busting our butts at the gym, taking all these supplements. *We* are the ones who put our lives on the line for this. No surgeon came rushing into a burning building to save us like a damsel in distress. *gag*
We are also the ones paying premiums on insurance so they can get paid and buy these great houses, cars, boats, whatever than doctors buy. What do they think the insurance company just hands out free money because they feel sorry for us. Hello where do you think that money comes from??? US!! WE pay for it!! We're the customer and without us whiney pathetic fat people they wouldn't have a job to complain about!
This kind of attitude is why I have avoided the medical industry for years and took 2 years to decide to do this surgery. I am an informed consumer and no surgeon is more commited to this than the patient. Get real. Poor babies if patients are such a pain in your backside then get out of the industry! *I* alone am responsible for me and if I screw this thing up then it's me that has to live with it, not my doctor, so I hardly think he is more concerned about it than I am.
This article just further promotes the incredibly offensive notion that fat people are fat because they lack self-control. BULL! I gained my weight because I have PCOS and regardless of what I did it wouldn't move. Some people have been heavy from an early age and their bodies are just very efficient.
Take just about any thin person and try to get them to make the changes we have made particularly as far as protein and supplements and I bet 9 out of 10 couldn't stick with it. It's tough and how DARE Susan or these pompous surgeons she talked to have such a condescending attitude!! What it's ok because we are/were fat people. Yeah well they can kiss my fat arse too. Thank GOD not all surgeons are like the ones Susan Marie apparently talked to. I'll say a little prayer of thanks that I found one who is a normal, geniunely nice person.
Yeah I know I said I'd keep my reply short but remember I'm a fat chic who lacks self-control so did you really expect me to stand by that?? ;) I realize this will probably either get deleted or I'll get flamed and that's fine, I realize I am stomping all over a sacred cow here but oh well. It needed to be said.
Wow.. I think you read a different article than I did!! Still good you expressed your opinion. I guess when I read the line about the surgeons saying they couldn't fathom how we could be so picky about nutrition I took it as Susan educating them that about tastes, protein, and good products to help us stay in compliance with our programs.
I loved her tough love matter-of-fact rant and I think her as well as the surgeons are right on target.
I am willing to do whatever it takes to **partner** with my surgeon in maximizing my results. It is a partnership to me. We might be responsible for ourselves but I see the surgeon, his staff, and general program as my guide. They run the labs to make sure I am healthy every year and answer all my questions about nutrition. They gave me the meal plan to follow. They have enabled me to network with other patients that have had the surgery with my same surgeon. I am so incredibly thankful for that opportunity. My surgeon is a "god" to me! He also happens not to have the god like attitude but rather a very pleasant personality. However, even if he was pompous I wouldn't care. He did his job and continues to do it and as a partner in this journey I continue to do mine. If I had to eat dirt I would do it at this point. I'm so very thankful that Susan Maria's site has all the wonderful products that help me to stay on track with my nutritional needs so that I don't have to eat dirt! Her customer service is phenomenal. I love the personalized messages on the orders, freebies, and variety of products. I plan to continue to use them for a very long time.
**Partnership** is much more in my line of thinking. ;) No one did me any favors...I used my insurance benefits and paid for a new tool. I don't see my doctor as a "god" for doing my surgery any more than I see my mechanic as a "god" for fixing my vehicle. Professionals go to work and do their thing for a paycheck and come home and that's that. I guess having 2 professional parents makes me see things a little different. *shrug* The whole deal in the article about certain types of people "don't deserve" the surgery just infuriated me.
My thing is that people who are struggling to adjust to this new lifestyle and find a protein they can enjoy long term and everything else that goes along with WLS do *not* need the attitude of "Aw quit your whining and suck it up because you owe us". I haven't had anything to complain about so far but I can't imagine having problems and getting the attitude of "How dare you complain?!" rather than a supportive and professional "Well, let's see if together we can find something that will work for you." That sucks. *No one* fat or thin deserves to be talked down to. No one.
I don't know about the "god" thing 
But! I absolutely love my surgeon and do think he is touched by God though! He is so sweet and totally cares about what he does.
Now, as for the rant... I SO did not read it the way Tiffany did. I see it as the surgeons CARING about we following up the surgery with full compliance of the rules. I posted this rant because I get so worried and frustrated about people (and I know some!) who do not educate themselves before the surgery or simply choose not to do what they're supposed to and end up hurting their health instead of the opposite 
I don't understand it. I posted the rant to try to reach THEM... before it's too late, you know?
I believe Susan Maria may have met one too many folks who just plain have the wrong attitude... and she was venting about it. I didn't want to cut anything off from the rant, but the main point I wanted to get across is --- vitamins! PROTEIN! Please!
You guys are sorta starting this wonderful journey. I've just celebrated my first anniversary and I can tell you... one day you'll want to come back and read the rant... as time goes by, it sometimes get easy to forget... believe you me!
BEST WISHES TO ALL!!!!!!!
Angie
http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie
But! I absolutely love my surgeon and do think he is touched by God though! He is so sweet and totally cares about what he does.
Now, as for the rant... I SO did not read it the way Tiffany did. I see it as the surgeons CARING about we following up the surgery with full compliance of the rules. I posted this rant because I get so worried and frustrated about people (and I know some!) who do not educate themselves before the surgery or simply choose not to do what they're supposed to and end up hurting their health instead of the opposite I don't understand it. I posted the rant to try to reach THEM... before it's too late, you know?
I believe Susan Maria may have met one too many folks who just plain have the wrong attitude... and she was venting about it. I didn't want to cut anything off from the rant, but the main point I wanted to get across is --- vitamins! PROTEIN! Please!
You guys are sorta starting this wonderful journey. I've just celebrated my first anniversary and I can tell you... one day you'll want to come back and read the rant... as time goes by, it sometimes get easy to forget... believe you me!
BEST WISHES TO ALL!!!!!!!
Angie
http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie Ok so I guess the general consensus is that I'm a little on the defensive side, eh? LOL! Could be the former nurse in me too, I dunno. I'll just assume then that I took it wrong and be done with it. Besides, I can't stay offended when she has so many cool products. LOL! You're right, maybe we'll want to read it when all this gets to be old hat. Plus I'm going to be an angel soon when my neighbor/friend has this done...ew what if I turn into a ranting woman?? Eek! lol!
Plus I'm going to be an angel soon when my neighbor/friend has this done...ew what if I turn into a ranting woman?? Eek! lol! Tee hee... you're funny!
Hugs,
Angie
http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie
Hugs,
Angie
http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie Most Active
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