What are your thoughts on WW?

Went to a Weigh****chers meeting today to support my best friend. I liked what I was hearing...especially with the Flex Plan. In the past my Doc has mentioned that he has a couple of post-ops who swear by WW when they get to maintenance stage. After WLS it's obvious that I'll lose weight, but I want to keep it off, and I believe that the only way to do that is to make healthy eating choices...My question to you all...do you think I should wait until I am at goal to join, or start now? I'm wondering how my special needs (i.e. protein, 800-1000cal per day) will fit into the program...What do you guys think? The leader wasnt to familiar with WLS surgery patients...

I don't really have a comment on what you should do, but I do want to say I absolutely love their new commercial! - the one where the song by Cher is playing. If I didn't have WLS, I would consider rejoining (for the tenth time) just from that commercial - very inspiring.

hmmm, I haven't seen that one yet

Aliya, Hey whatever allows you to stay at your maintenace weight is a GOOD THING! WW might not allow you to join if you are already at goal. You might want to check that with them. I know that people that reach their maintenance stage become "lifetime" members and don't have to pay. They weigh in monthly and as long as they stay within a few lbs of their goal weight...they go for free. Not sure they want people signing up already there, ya know? You could join with 20 lbs to goal or something, perhaps? Kathy

Good Idea Kathy! Right now I'm 55 to goal, so I think I'm gonna do it. Thanks Aliya

I was thinking about this the other day also, cause nothing else, it will help give me some ideas as to what I can eat, but their proportions are more then what I can consume, so nothing else, I will be able to have leftovers for another meal. I know in a way though I feel like I am cheating them because I know that I am only going to go down in weight instead of gaining. I know in the past from being with weigh****chers that they tend to concentrate more on the calories, fats and fibers, they use them to see how many points the food is worth. I am thinking it really shouldn't hurt anything to go with them, because for the most part, you are just looking for the heathly foods to eat, as well as following the bariatric diet and making sure there is no or very little sugars or sugar alcohols. I think that I am going to call up my nurse at my dr's office and talk to her about it. Nothing else, it gives you another means of support while you are losing your weight, and maybe you might find that other people there are considering or have gone through the WLS also and you may be able to help each other out. Good luck, Theresa

Theresa, thanks for your thoughtful feedback...I felt the same way about cheating...Today I followed the flex program, and it was very easy for me to hit 24 points...very easy...hmmm, but its 8p and I've used my allotment and I feel very satisfied. I also made some very wise choices, so I'm going for it. I will also bring up the issue at tommorow nights support group. Aliya

Aliya, Please keep posting and let us know how it goes. I just got home from vacation and my daughter has been eating the smart choice meals and had me try them. I didn't even know they were weigh****chers until I got home and bought some for myself. They are delicious! (and one meal is 2 for me!) The only things I think you'll have to be a bit more careful of is NO sugar and make sure you get enough protein. Hopefully you can do this just through your meals and not have to use protein supplements (yuck) AND remember your vitamins Keep up the great work! Barb