My Journey & Second Thoughts

Since beginning this short journey, (July of this year only) I have jumped through many many hoops.  I've been to 4 of the modules, seen the dietician many times, had the mental health check, been going to acqua size twice a week, joined belly dancing once a week, wearing my pedometer, keeping my food journal (for the most part), been seeing the exercise specialist and generally changed a lot of my habits.  I have only lost a few pounds so far and feel frustrated. 

I keep thinking that it will eventually catch up to me and the pounds will slip away, but they haven't. 

I did the mental health check yesterday and got the green light that I will be refered to Weight Wise, but now I'm having second thoughts.  I don't want to withdraw from the program, cause maybe this is just a glitch in my thinking and I'll be sorry later, but I keep hearing about soooo many complications that others have been having.  Everyone that has had these say they would still have the surgery no matter, but I'm second guessing if it's for me. 

Did anyone else have this thinking process?  Any ideas would be helpful.  Thanx all. :)

Hi,

If you're just starting on this journey, be patient. All I can say is one day at a time. Stay with Weight Wise. It's not manditory to have surgery. I was in the program for a little over a year before I got to the surgery part. But in the mean time, I learned a WHOLE bunch, I've changed a WHOLE bunch and I've lost a WHOLE bunch (over 80 lbs).

If you dedicate yourself to the program and to the lifestyle changes, you will succeed. The power of Positive thinking will take you anywhere you wish and work to go.

What helped me to learn the most was the 10 week mentorship group meeting through the pschyc. It was fantastic!!!! Thats where most of my behavior changes happened.

Whenever you feel down, just remember what the outcome will be when you reach your goal!!

Melody

Nancy,

When joining the Weight Wise program I was asked if I wanted surgery and I said at that very first visit NO, I want to find out what is wrong with me and why I can't lose this weight on my own. The things I learned about weight loss and myself were crazy but in a good way.
It wasn't until I learned that I have a metabolic disease due to the PCOS that I lean more toward surgery. It was one of the biggest decision I have ever faced and had to deal with in my life. The clinic is amazing and there is never no pressure to have surgery. They are all there to support you and help you find your way.
I'm so glad that I was accepted into the program and that I have chosen to educate myself before having the surgery done. At almost 1 month out I know that I have made the right choice and that it's going to better my life, health and allow me to be who I always wanted to be. Somehow over the years I'd lost the person I was and now that person is slowly coming back.
As for complication, it can happen to anyone with any surgery. You can have gall bladder surgery or a tooth pulled and end up with a deadly infection. It's all a risk, just like crossing the street is a risk.
Follow your heart but I'm hoping that you'll consult with the team first before making any rash decisions. Good Luck my friend.

I like keelan did the same thing,< I could do this on my own,,and I did but then i hit a wall and didnt think i could go another 40 yrs being over weight.. MO.. I was 410 when ii started 2 yrs ago.. I can honestly say you will go through so many different feelings emotions.. My best advice Go to the program... Ultize the supports they have.. You will be more than ready when the time is right.. Wether  you decide to do surgery or not.., You dont have to do surgery , I believe that when its time it will be. 


I went to WW yrs ago ( over 15 ) and i wasnt ready. I was referred and sick and tired of being sick and tired  March 2008 accepted 2009,., I had surgery Aoril 2010.. And Im constanlty amazed where my jorney has taken me.. Use the supports .. I know that  this          Gift a Tool I have to work with daily.. If I dont i will go back to the old Me.. But remember., : Surgery is a Tool and it will be successful.. Its ok how you are feeling but remember why  you started this Journey.


Karen

When I first started I didn't want surgery.  

I DID want to be referred to WeightWise and it's been awesome. 

After a year at clinic I finally said hey...I want someone to talk to me about surgery.

I'm tired of being tired...and I've noticed how MUCH my life has changed with only a 40lb weightloss (which took me 2 years to lose by the way).  IT's so slow.  PLUS, I still feel like I could eat large portions, and I struggle with feel satiated. So I really wanted to know more about the VSG (sleeve) surgery.  Despite my eating being improved and my activity increasing greatly i've not really lost much more weight.  HOWEVER...before I was too tired to do housework, to play with my child, to walk to the park, hip and joint pain.  NOw I walk to and from the school 1-3 times a day, I have energy to do a few things around the house AND do my hoop fitness.  I'm nowhere near 10k steps a day...but i've gone from 800 steps to an average of 5000.  Huge non scale victory for me.  Some days I have 7-8 thousand.  I WILL get to the 10K.  Despite the extra activity...I have not really lost much more weight I seem to be in a holding pattern, or I lose two, gain it back, lose/gain...  Maybe my body has levelled out, part of the obesity/hormonal/metabolic problem.  Surgery will help with that.  

I don't want to be diabetic (runs in my family), tired, sore, or have hip replacement.  I don't want to gain my weight back, or have heart disease.  Certain cancers etc.  I MUST minimize these risks.  I would LOOOOVE to get rid of my cpap machine and no longer suffer from apnea (and the risks of having sleep apnea). 

Everyone seems to recover from surgery, it just takes time...I'm starting to embrace the fact that the rest of my life could be greatly improved if I dont' stay stuck and contribute to my illness. (mentally, emotionally and physically).  I hate the thought of surgery, hated each time I had to have a csection, and i mean HATE.  So I don't take the decision lightly...but I DO want to have the last half of my life to be as amazing as I can make it...and I don't think I'll lose the weight that I need to ON MY OWN. Nor do I think I could keep it off, without a tool.  I've been heavy since I was in grade school...and now it's time to live.

Even now, I still second guess...and get scared about surgery, but I get scared about alot of things every day! lol I'm a worrier.  No risk no change.  I need to change, my life depends on it.  :)

I am frustrated with only having lost 40lbs, so I understand...but it could be my body....your body...the obese body....part of the disease, right?

Go to the program, learn, grow...and you may just decide that surgery IS for you. 

You'll have support whatever you choose!!  You always have the right to choose.  You always have a right to question.  And I'm so glad that you are all here to support...so I do hope we can support you too!

Dreena

Hey there!  Chin up! I felt the same way.  I even withdrew the first time around and I have regretted it ever since.

I had the sleeve in May of this year with no complications at all.  I cannot tell you how much it has changed my life!  I fit places I never used to, I am into a size 22 jean when I have not worn jeans since university.  I am not as embarassed to be walking in public...I get less stares and snickers:)  I have better endurance and I am able to work out harder and more often.  Most of the time I feel in control of my food (once in a while I could eat the kitchen sink but I don't have the capacity to do so) It's an amazing difference and I don't regret it one bit!

But don't quit the program just because of the surgery.  Not everyone can have it, wants it or gets it.  But they are a wonderful support system that can help you to make healhier choices just for you!  It's a personal dietician and group of people whose only interest when you are in that room is you!  So stick to it.  You can decide about surgery later!

Wow, you guys are AMAZING!!!!  Thank you for all your support.  You are all right, I just need to continue on the right path, and it will all work out.  I am so glad I have found this site and met you guys.  I guess I have a lot of time before I have to make the final "surgery" decision, so I may as well take the time to reinforce all these good habits I'm learning. 

Thank you all again... :)

I'm going to echo pretty much what everyone else said. Continue with the program. You can decide on surgery later. My mom pressed me to have the surgery and I didn't want it when I started. My very first appointment, I almost cried - I was 360lbs. I never knew my exact weight before but now I did and it depressed me. How in the world did I get so big? I thought about that for weeks after my appointment. I started to use the ideas that I was given from Weight Wise and started to lose. In 1 year and 4 months I lost 43lbs. Honestly, that isn't a ton to me. But I was starting to feel better. My biggest non-scale vistory was the elliptical. When I started on it I almost kneed over. I could barely finish 10 minutes on level 1. Right before surgery I was at 45 minutes on level 15/16. And I started to feel better about myself.

I thought about surgery and finally decided that yes I would have surgery...and you are right. I don't regret it. But surgery isn't for everyone. And you can change your mind, for or against, surgery anytime. I suggest talk to your husband and weigh your options and GO TO THE CLINIC!

Thanks Adrianna......

My husband is set against surgery.  He has now heard all the complications people have had and doesn't want me to go through that.....but.....if I decide to go ahead with this, it will be for ME!!  Only I can make this decision and I know it.  I'll stick with the program, and see where it goes.  In the mean time, I have all you guys on my side and for moral support.  :)  (see, my positive attitude is returning... :)  Thanx )

Nancy,

My man wasn't on board with me having surgery either. Every time I left the clinic I told him what was happening and maybe sometimes he listened and sometimes he didn't but I was doing this not only for ME but for him and he just didn't realize it yet nor had I at that point.
I did put myself first when making the final decision but it's amazing that by making the decision I decided to be around longer for him and how this weight lost would make our relationship healther on a personal level.  There are things that we can do now that I wouldn't have been able to do before cause I didn't' have the confidence to do it.
Its obvious your husband loves you for who you are but it'll amaze you at how much more he can love you once you start loving yourself. Does he go to your appts with you? Sometime hearing the stats from trained professionals make it easier for them to understand and come to terms with the route you are taking.
Like I said I made the choice for me and it wasn't a difficult one, most of the feedback since surgery has been positive other than when I got dehydrated a comment was made "see if you didn't have all your gut removed you wouldn't be struggling with being dehydrated" to which I replied ummm it's not all gone I still got a little one so shhh, I don't want to hear it. I laugh about it now. Like hello I can't live with no gut.
Anyway Hun, good luck with trying to bring your hubby to our side. Neither of you will regret this.

Kee.