Loved the PMRI meeting but now I'm torn!

Hi, I hope that this doesn't strike you as too negative.. but I don't agree with lots of folks who say,.. "you won't want to eat ____ again".. or "you'll just love exercising".. sorry, but for me it's a constant struggle, it's not that I don't want to not want certain foods, and I love how I feel when I exercise, but I can honestly say, that I don't "want" to exercise all the time. It's a battle that I hope I will stay on top of for the rest of my life, I feel sooooo much better than I did 7 mos ago, so again, it's a personal choice for each of us. But not always a piece of cake, no pun intended! LOL Good luck, T

I know that this is a major lifestyle change. I have been overweight most of my life. I know the surgery alone will not heal the reasons why I fill up with food. However, I am so tired of being morbidly obese. I want to be healthy more than anything, so I will be uncomfortable and make the changes neccessary for success. Actually, I am having my surgery up at HUP in Philadelphia. However, because I want to get all the support I can, I attend both support groups. I'm driving up to Philly and I'm going over to PMRI. In addition, I saught out and have begun psychological counseling. PMRI has psychologist that are used to dealing with obese patients with eating and body image problems. Like most have already said I do research in any way I can, talking with post-ops and professionals, reading other patients journals, reading books and cookbooks, etc. I'm also trying to make as many changes I can before surgery. For instance, I began taking Pilates class, and this is the first type of exersize I actually like in a LONG time. Its good to get out how your feeling. Many have felt like you. If this is for you, you'll know, and make the changes to succeed. Much love, Renay Books: Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1569244537/qid=1092887636/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-6734947-2259258?v=glance&s=books Before & After, Living & Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060567228/qid%3D1092887699/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-6734947-2259258 Weight Loss Surgery, Finding the Thin person Hiding Inside You http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1932205306/qid=1092887744/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-6734947-2259258?v=glance&s=books

Oh! I forgot to mention that my surgery is not until 12/13/04. Take care, Renay

The Gastric bypass surgery is a tool for a long-term lifestyle change. It helps to "engage will power" that most of use have not had before. Yes, It is Low-sugar, lower fat,high protein, with exercise as a minium of 3-4 days a week, but the exercise does not have to be going to the gym, It could be biking or rollerblading with your kids, gardening, or going for a brisk walk with someone.Changing thinking is the key. As part of a long-term lifestyle change you need to change how you think and feel about food and exercise/activity level. you need to be thinking " I want to improve my health", "I want to feel better"..... Changing how you think and feel helps with the behavioral changes. I made an observation that I found might be helpful. I observed my niece and nephews(4,6,& 8) eating dinner, On a small plate, they ate more meat, some veggies, some fruit, some bread/grains, if the do eat potato chips, the mommy or daddy only gives them a small quantity. After the surgery you are both parent and child(stomach wise). I have heard 2 views concerning the eating of less nutritious foods, One says never,never eat non- nutritious food ever again out of fear of gaining back the weight; The other view of less nutritious foods is one of moderation( You take a small portion, eat only 1/4 to 1/2 of the portion, enjoy it, not feeling deprived, You don't eat the other half. It helps to resist taking liberty too often. I have seen normal thin people use both approaches to keep their weight off,so it should work for someone who has had the surgery.--- If you have the surgery, get use to throwing away food!!!-- besides you can't send it off to the starving kids in Africa that we were told about as young kids!