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!
-----
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 
With all due respect, who do you think you are? We just went through surgery, for heaven's sake - we know the deal! I'm glad that you are willing to drink your neighbor's toile****er to get thin, but you need to understand that not everyone is as ****sure as you are.
I should probably not be responding. That post made me angry. It is judgmental and harsh. Mind your own business and worry about your recovery. Leave my recovery to me.
And one more thing...stop acting like we owe the surgeons something. They are paid HANDSOMELY for this surgery.
I'm with Tom.
I love her products and books, but yeah, that article irritated me as well. I'm sorry she hates the word "tolerate" but some people, like me, just can't consume protein supplements derived from whey or casein, which is almost all supplements. It's not as simple as having "icky stomach, weakness or whining."
And yes, the docs are paid very well for the surgery they perform. Find me a surgeon who will waive his fees for someone who doesn't have insurance coverage and then we can talk about "owing them something".
Hi "Triple-F Chick"! First off, I loved reading your profile. Your list of what you want to accomplish is awesome and I KNOW you will accomplish every single thing on it!
As Julie points out, I'm sure Susan Maria knows there are those who physically cannot drink shakes. It is a rant, so it's not the place to be all PC or anything like that I can understand her frustration, because I'm sure she sees a lot more of those who are simply not doing what they need to do BY CHOICE. You know?
Anyway, I didn't want to cut anything out from the rant, but my main point was how we must never forget about our vitamins and protein. Whether you drink it or eat your protein (there are definite differences of opinion on that front!) is not the point. But always make protein your priority.
You all just began your (wonderful) journey. I've just celebrated my first year anniversary and I'm here to tell you... there will be times when you will want to come back and read that rant, because the more time passes, the easier it becomes some times to forget what we need to do... we ARE in fact just human 
I know I personally appreciate reading stuff like this to help me refocus and stay on track. Do I agree with every word? Nope, I don't need to. I just need to take from it what will help me on my journey
Hugs to you all,
Angie
http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie
As Julie points out, I'm sure Susan Maria knows there are those who physically cannot drink shakes. It is a rant, so it's not the place to be all PC or anything like that I can understand her frustration, because I'm sure she sees a lot more of those who are simply not doing what they need to do BY CHOICE. You know?
Anyway, I didn't want to cut anything out from the rant, but my main point was how we must never forget about our vitamins and protein. Whether you drink it or eat your protein (there are definite differences of opinion on that front!) is not the point. But always make protein your priority.
You all just began your (wonderful) journey. I've just celebrated my first year anniversary and I'm here to tell you... there will be times when you will want to come back and read that rant, because the more time passes, the easier it becomes some times to forget what we need to do... we ARE in fact just human I know I personally appreciate reading stuff like this to help me refocus and stay on track. Do I agree with every word? Nope, I don't need to. I just need to take from it what will help me on my journey
Hugs to you all,
Angie
http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie 
Tom,
I guess I didn't have a negative reaction to this post, because I'm trying desperately to help a fellow WLS patient, (I'm her angel) who had the surgery 1 week after me. She has really had an incredibly difficult time. She doesn't want to eat and drink on schedule. She doesn't want to take her vitamins. She just doesn't want to do any of it. Consequently, she has been in the hospital 4 times for dehydration and kidney issues. She is back in the hospital now, our surgeon did another surgery on her, an exploratory surgery, because she couldn't find any physiological reason for her problems. It is so hard for me. I haven't had any particular problems with this surgery. I don't think it is "easy", but, I really prepared for this surgery and have turned out to be pleasantly surprised with how well I've done. I've never thrown up or had anything go wrong. I've got a "can do" attitude. Maybe, I would feel differently had I had a host of issues, I just don't know. I went into this expecting more problems.
All I know is I so wish I could get this message to my friend, in a way she could be open to, and not offended.
Not sure what to do!
Lori
384/332.5/170
I know how you feel. I know a person just like her... who maaaaaybe is getting it now, after a couple of hospital stays post-surgery due to her neglecting to do the right thing. I talk to her frankly. I'd much rather she be "offended" than be nice and then feel responsible because I didn't let her know how I felt about what she's doing to herself... you know?
My opinion, even though you didn't ask... What I would do: I would print the rant, print the "pouch rules for dummies", http://www.wlsfriends.com/pouchrules.html, print the "10 simple rules" http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie/10rules.htm and any other good reads I can find. I'd probably put them together in a nice little binder with cute pictures and stuff so it's more appealing, maybe even in a basket with some yummy sugar free treats I would print them and give them to her, realizing that what she gets out of them is entirely up to her, but feeling much better knowing that I have done my part.
Hugs,
Angie
http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie/
What I would do: I would print the rant, print the "pouch rules for dummies", http://www.wlsfriends.com/pouchrules.html, print the "10 simple rules" http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie/10rules.htm and any other good reads I can find. I'd probably put them together in a nice little binder with cute pictures and stuff so it's more appealing, maybe even in a basket with some yummy sugar free treats I would print them and give them to her, realizing that what she gets out of them is entirely up to her, but feeling much better knowing that I have done my part.
Hugs,
Angie
http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie/
AMEN TOM...I feel you can't judge anyone we made a decision to do this. I eat meat I don't need her stuff. It's a ploy to depend on her & our weeknesses! Hey I cheat hell ya. If I had a day from hell sure I will but to make me feel like **** No I WON'T Tolerate THAT!!!!!!! I get up the next day and drink my water & eat my chicken! But I do see people and some want to be a stick, me truly want to be a healthy THICK girl! NO stick 4 me. I will eat to make sure I dont get to skinny! TAKE THAT from my FAT!
I have to agree with Angie and Susan. I feel that people need to take responsibility for their own body and future. There is enough misunderstanding with the "normal" population, thinking WLS is the "easy" way out and why don't we just diet and exercise. We need to do all that is required to be successful.
I could care less about the doctors and surgeons who preform these surgeries. I am a RN and have never cared to much what doctors think. They simply provide a tool to help us help ourselves. Most all are concieted and unsympathatic to our problems.
It appears that that article was written just to get a rise out of people and stir some emotions!
We must reley on our friends, family and most importantly ourselves!
.................Jen
Most Active
Recent Topics
