wake up call

teerex39
on 3/15/08 9:00 pm - Eagan, MN
Hey all Just got done reading a post  on the mens board thought I would share it with you.  It's straight forward and down to the point. 
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!
Sandy .
on 3/15/08 9:44 pm - MN
Wow, that is good.  Thanks for posting.

~ SANDY ~             5'9"  HW 291/SW 274/GW 174/CW 155 
                          Starting BMI  40.4 Extremly Obese  ~   Current BMI  22.8 Normal

Lindaanne
on 3/15/08 9:55 pm - SSP, MN

Its all true.... its all mind over matter.... how many things are there that we dont want to do?  Dont feel like it?  Or its too hard....  We just do it.   No one loves going to work but we dont slide a few days and then  go in and give it our all?  No we would get fired..... so if we can muster the strength everyday to wake up and go to a job we can find the strength to lengthen our lives and live it the way God wanted us to. Healthy and "in the game"

Thanks T for posting this...

Start Weight - 263
       Current Weight
  135 and making it work for ME !
 

Lori J.
on 3/15/08 11:02 pm - Minneapolis, MN
Yep - I agree with this post as well.  I'm a 5 year post-op and most of my road has been pretty bump free, but there are days I wish I didn't have to swallow a handful of vitamins and watch what I eat, but hell...that is the price I signed up for.  And really a small price to pay (for me) to get my health back.  I have creaks here and there...a sore tailbone and lower back, but I'm doing pretty well and am thankful and grateful for my health.  There are even days I don't think about ever having been a fat person.  I'll never forget...but it doesn't consume my life anymore. Thanks for posting this.  We have a lot of new people (and old-timers like me!) to this goofy world that will benefit from it! 

Lori J.

It's better to be imperfectly happy than perfectly unhappy. 

lisajoy
on 3/15/08 11:09 pm - Lakeville, MN
Thank you Troy!  I love it!  I printed it and it will be in my WLS three ring binder!


Start Weight: 256
Today: 171
Down: 85
Still want to lose: 31

BMI 30.4


Connie D.
on 3/16/08 12:01 am
Thanks Troy......someone posted this on another board recently. It is a great article!! I have bookmarked it for future reference. Hugs, connie d
barbk
on 3/16/08 8:24 am - Eagan, MN
Barb Johnson (PNC nurse) read it at group when I was in my pre-op stage.  It REALLY struck home about how much we struggle to get the surgery and then don't follow the program.  I loved it and have always thought of it...... XXOO


Fitness is not about age or a size -- it's really about an attitude and life style!!!
Life is not measured by the number of breathes we take, but by the moments that take our breathe away~~

Most Active
Recent Topics
Valleyfair
kimtree · 0 replies · 1745 views
All In The Family
Darla S. · 1 replies · 1331 views
Any feedback on Park Nicollet?
SNCplus2 · 0 replies · 2813 views
10+ years out -
Darla S. · 2 replies · 2835 views
×