Cross post from the Men's Forum...

A man on the Men's Forum posted this (he is cross posting it from another forum).  It really is a great read (it's from a woman).  I thought some might like it.  Brian THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!!! By: Leilani [Original draft: June 2004 -- Revised: January 2008] That's the sentiment (scenario) that comes to mind when I hear some of the comments from those who've already had the surgery. In case you haven't made the connection, that's a line Tom Hanks made famous in the movie "A League Of Their Own." Resorting to tears or just giving up every time the going gets tough isn't going to help anyone. Or maybe you're just sick of taking vitamins, or getting in protein is hard and water doesn't taste good, etc. That kinda' thinking is NOT going to make you successful or keep you healthy. ENOUGH already! It's time to LOVE yourself enough to get "TOUGH" with your aftercare. Your long term health truly is worth it!! Success comes with a backbone, NOT a wishbone! First and foremost, you have to keep it POSITIVE. As with everything in life, if you think you can't - you WON'T! Simple enough? I have to wonder when "we" (as adults) finally take ownership for our actions, our life and our health? We have been given a gift, a second chance to actually LIVE life again instead of merely existing on the sidelines. It's up to each of us to do that as healthy and productively as possible. We're ALL statistics waiting to happen and the insurance companies are chomping at the bit. The bean counters are eager to drop Weight Loss Surgery ("WLS") from the policies; some already have. Don't you know that any negative feedback thrown into the mix only strengthens their cause? I may not be able to control every thing that happens to my body after WLS, but most things I can. I CHOOSE to take control and I will be a positive statistic when the numbers get counted. We live in a spoiled society, expecting everything in life to come with a buncha really cool choices. Well, guess what? When it comes to your health, you're not always going to get a choice. You either DO IT and stay healthy, or you DON'T and your body pays the price. The way I saw it, I had a 90 day healing and adjusting period after surgery. My 'super morbidly obese' body had more then enough stores to survive the learning curve. In turn, it gave me plenty of time to heal, adjust and learn. For those of you OVER 90 day's Post-Op, the probation period is over - its time to get serious and LIVE what you've learned. * You say you can't get in enough liquids through out the day, don't like the taste of water, or just keep forgetting? -- TOUGH! It's not an option anymore. Find a way to do it, get suggestions and tips from others in support groups, message boards, etc. Read, learn and JUST DO IT!! Why do you think there is a choice here? * You say you don't like the big horse pill type vitamins, or the tart chalky chewables? ...or it's, just too many to bother with? Maybe you just can't remember to take them? -- TOUGH! You gave up the option NOT to take vitamins when you agreed to have your insides rerouted. FIND a way; crushed, minced, chopped, liquified, in a shake, etc. No exceptions, your health depends on it. * Protein is a must. So you can't get it all in via foods and you don't like the way the shakes taste? -- TOUGH! Either get it through your meals (and there are a many food choices out there) or supplement with protein shakes and bars. Trust me, I don't drink my protein shake every morning because I think it tastes like a chocolate blizzard from Dairy Queen. It seems the only people that believe that are selling it. I've tried many varieties over the last 5 years. I'd even venture to say 25 of the top sellers/flavors have crossed my lips. For the record? I've yet to find one that is as 'delicious' as boasted by the distributor. So what. My first two years post-op, it was a daily routine, 2 to 3 a day. My HEALTH dictated that I needed "X" grams of protein per day and I did NOT have the pouch capacity. Even now, as a 5 year PostOp, if I'm not getting enough from my meals I supplement with a shake. 'Nuff said. This surgery is a gift, I owe it to me and everyone else fighting the approval process, to do it right! I will continue to choke down my vitamins, my water and my protein every single day, for the REST OF MY LIFE. Some days will be easier then others, regardless, no days will be missed. It's all about discipline. Create a routine, set a timer, develop a pattern, tie a string around your finger, glue a note to your forehead, whatever it takes. You're an adult - take responsibility! If this surgery doesn't slap a back bone into you, not much will!

Thanx for posting this Brian. It's a real eye-opener and so true. =)

Awesome, and I say AMEN!!!    

Leilani is great, I've know her for some years now. Too bad she doesn't post much on OH anymore but I do see her posting on other forums. She's good.

Shoot... WLS is/was a piece of cake next to controlling my type 2 diabetes.... Thanks for the post. Awesome.