This post helped me get through...Thanks Leilani!

This post helped me when I was first out, I thought I would share it "TOUGH"......love! "There's noooooooooooooo crying in baseball.....!!!!!!" That's the sentiment (scenario) that comes to mind sometimes when I hear some of the comments from people 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 is NOT going to make you successful or keep you healthy. I see so much whining sometimes that it's hard to decipher the kids from the adults. ENOUGH already, it's time to get "TOUGH" on YOURSELF!!! 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 in it. 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? ...it's, just too many to bother with? Or 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 to get them in; 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 gazillion food choices out there) or supplement it 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. Ive tried many varieties over the last 2 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!!!! I still drink one every morning. My HEALTH dictates that I need "X" grams of protein per day. If I'm not getting enough from my meals then I supplement a shake. 'Nuff said!!! I've actually walked the walk and reached my goal. Yep, I've stumbled a few times with my food choices and you know what? I'll trip a few more times. BUT, some things I will never fail at -- Vitamins, H20 and Protein. 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. Leilani ~*~ [revised 1/6/2005]

Leilani, Thankyou so much! I have printed this out & will keep it with me until it becomes routine. It is so right on! Linda

Michele, I meant to thankyou for reposting Leilani"s great post! Linda

possibly a bit too much tough love in that posting.I would hope that folks can come to this site for a safe harbor...Just a thought.I am a newbie...Patsy

Michele, hun thanks for posting ~Hugs~ It does help at times but I do have to add that I agree with Patsy, just a little to much tough love. If it was that easy to suck it up and just do it we wouldn't have been in this spot to begin with. I would not want to shy away others if we all said tough and positive things ALL the time. There are many ups and down to this surgery and trip. This is a rough journey and takes time to learn and grow, some get it faster and others need to take more time. that is just the way it is. That is just my thoughts hun and I am not saying anything bad, just stating how I feel about it. ~Hugs~ Thanks again.... Debra P 285/215/125??

Great note. You know, before we all had this surgery we were told what we'd have to do the REST OF OUR LIVES. Maybe some believe it and some don't. Regardless, it's our new way of life and it's what we've chosen. All I can say is WLS is the best thing that's ever happened to me and I'm only 4 months post-op. I feel better than I ever have before and I'm starting to look better too. Taking vitamins, drinking water and eating/drinking protein every day is a small price to pay for the new me. Take care everyone and have a glorious day!

To be honest that post almost made me cry. I am not taking it personally or anything but to be fair for those who have struggled a great deal w/ our WLS (like myself)sometimes things are easier said than done. I have tried to keep up w/the eating, water, vitamins etc and keep a positive happy outlook on everything. . I sure as hell try and I am sure others who are struggling try like hell as well. Like I said I know this wasn't directed at me and I am not taking is personally. I am just giving a voice to people who might be kind of hurt by this "tough love" approach to WLS. Try going through what I went through and spend a day in my shoes and see how "tough" one would be.(That isn't comment isn't directed at the orignal poster just generally speaking). If this surgery doesn't slap a back bone into you, not much will. I like this quote though. Take care. Tavia 255/120

Tavia, I still struggle everyday to get all the protein, water and vitamins in. I just stopped vomiting on a daily basis. But I'm not quite at that 3 mo mark yet. I think the post lets you know how important it is to do those things, that we have made this HUGHE choice & changed our insides, so doing what we need to do is really the only choice. I don't think it means if you've been having physical problems you're in the same boat. I think its directed at people making excuses for not doing what they need to. And those people will ultimately fail. You're not one of those people Linda