To diet or not to diet?
It was brought to my attention earlier that some on this board were criticizing me for my views on dieting. It got me thinking. I am always one to admit I am wrong when I feel I am. Let me point out how I feel on this topic and please give me your input. I am curious to know how others feel.
I lived my life on perpetual diet. I tried and failed so many times that the very thought of doing ONE MORE DIET made me want to seriously kill myself. I had measured, counted, dealt, starved, pointed, and exercised my way to almost 400 pounds. So, I decided to have surgery. I was aware that I would be restricted for the rest of my life and I was so ok with that. I welcomed it in fact.
At the point I am now, I cannot over eat. If I do I throw up, which is dreadful. If I eat too much sugar, drink pop, or overeat on carbs I feel like I am dying. I can never eat ice cream or drink a milkshake ever again. I have restrictions that are built in and save me from myself. I am happy with that and rarely complain.
I guess what I do not understand is this: If I could have stuck to a low carb diet before or been able to measure every bite I put in my mouth why would I have needed surgery? What makes me different now? Why do I have to diet NOW? They did not operate on my brain and I am exactly the same. I take good care of myself. I can run miles and feel great after. I do not smoke or do drugs. I am a social drinker who enjoys good wine with her steak. So, why can't I have some pasta or bread? I get my levels tested every year, and besides some lower B12 levels everything is perfect at 2.5 years post op. I get all my vites and my weight is steady. I am one of the healthiest people I know. I no longer have to diet, as overeating is not an option for me. My doctor is very happy with my progress as well. So, when I say "if I could have dieted, I would not have needed this surgery" why is that wrong? I see it as the absolute truth. I would have never put myself through this had I been able to successfully watch what I ate. Now, I eat what I want in MUCH smaller portions and do just fine with that. If I want some bread, I eat it. I do not get when the potato became the enemy.
I am interested in what you have to say.
Terri
Hi Terri,
I have not had my surgery yet. I will be going for my consultation tomorrow at the Cori Center with Dr. Wood. I have to say, your story has been what is plaguing me about whether or not to have the surgery. It seems like after surgery you basically have to follow an Atkins style of eating. My question is, if I can't stick to that diet now for very long, what will change post op? Like you said, I am not having brain surgery. I am worried that I won't be able to follow the way of life post op since I can't follow it now. My only hope is that the rapid weight loss will be motivating and keep me on the diet. And last night my dad said this surgery is the "easy way out" and why don't I just eat sensibly. Well I do not think it is the easy way out from what I have heard. You have to diet and exercise just like you would if you didnt have the surgery. So to that my dad said "then why have the surgery"? . My answer was the malabsorbtion. But, honestly I am not sure. Is that the right response? I have done my homework and read two books on this surgery and I still don't know the answer to that question, what will keep me on the diet post op if I couldnt stay with it pre op. Any advice????
Janet
I guess my concern is that the atkins way of life is not meant for "life". Even the good doctor says that this diet is not forever and that carbs have to be eventually incorporated back into the diet in moderation. Why do people think they are being forced to eat no carb diets forever? Are doctors telling people that? I know in the beginning that protein is VERY important for your health, but over time you can eat so much more and carbs are essential especially if you are an exerciser. I run and HAVE to have carbs in my diet. Your body burns them for fuel and an all protein diet is just not all that healthy for long term weight management. It just does not seem realisitc to me.
what are you talking about? The Atkins diet says induction is not forever, it has different stages that incoporate different types of carbs. healthy carbs. every surgeon and nutritionist i've been to and WLS diet i've seen incoporates carbs. But healthy carbs. not simple sugars and refined flours. You can't live without carbs and i've never met anyone who tells you that you should.
and i was told to add carbs at two months because to go without any would create a new eating disorder and i needed to learn to eat right. But i was also told to stay away from refined carbs and any idiot with a brain already knows why, it has nothing to do with WLS or dieting. The dieting part is simply to make sure i don't take in more calories than i burn as my body has a "memory" and i don't want to regain the weight.
I'm sick of reading on this board about people who fail at surgery and then having others get mad because they can't handle anyone talking about how they are succesful. I just got an insulting email cursing at me for my response in this thread. I don't see what i said to cause that. People should not ask for opinions if they already know all the answers and see any other thinking as a threat and an insult.
from now i'm gonna ignore these threads and focus on the people who want to do well not the ones who want to get a pat on the back and be told it's okay to eat crap.
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