Hell, nice to "meet" you all!

Hello everybody,

As a newbie on this forum, I figured the polite thing to do is to introduce myself. So here goes nothing – if you can call nothing 275 lbs of questions, doubts and curiosity ;-)

I’m 32 years old, living and working in Montréal. I’ve struggled with weight issues all of my life – I think I was 5 when my mom forced me on my first diet and my life has since been a continuous yo-yo circus (too bad you can’t sell tickets to the spectacle of failed serial dieting, I’d be filthy rich!).

WLS had never entered my mind as a possible solution until recently. My mother brought it up first a few months ago and of course, since the idea came from her, I rejected it immediately (yup, I have weight-related mommy issues, doesn’t everybody?). But then, a good friend of mine with whom I’d shared some of these struggles (our friendship was cemented by our 12-week liquid diet on Optifast), decided to get the VSG procedure – she actually had her surgery yesterday with Dr. Gagner. Her decision got me thinking so these past few weeks I’ve been researching the topic and trying to make up my mind. I’m still not 100% sure that I would go ahead with WLS but at least I’m thinking about it.

Of course, like anybody going through this process, I have a boatload of questions, some of which I’ll need to answer for myself and some that I hope the members of this forum will have the kindness to answer for me. I’ve been reading your posts these past few days and I’ve found it very informative and interesting.

I guess my main fear regarding WLS is the possibility of weight regain afterwards. I know that weight issues (at least for me) are as much, if not more, psychological as they are physical. And while a surgery such as VSG – which is the one I’m contemplating – removes some of the physical obstacles I know it doesn’t solve the mental screw-ups. I’ve been an overeater, and sometimes binge eater, almost since the day I was born and no diet, self-help book or therapy has ever « cured » me of that. I’m also a « social eater ». You know how you have friends with whom you go dancing or camping or to the movies? Well, I’m the friend with whom you eat, drink and make merry but always around a table.

Of course, there’s also the fear of the restrictions after the surgery, such as the limited liquid intake. I’m a drinker, a water drinker that is. On an average day, I probably drink anywhere from 6 to 8 litres of water – add to that coffee, the occasional glass of wine, Perrier, and I can safely say that there’s liquid going down my gullet almost every waking minute. So the idea of having to wait 30 min before and after a meal to drink water really scares me, as silly as that might seem (and no, I don’t have diabetes, even though excess thirst is one of the symptoms).

Anyway, this is getting quite long, so I’ll conclude by saying that I’m really glad to have found this forum and I’m looking forward to some interesting exchanges. I’ll probably post some of my questions soon.

Cheers,

Monica

P.S. Je parle aussi français.

Hello Monica:  well you are 32 and I am 72 an by hell or high water I am getting the surgery, I have decided 100 % in favor of it.  My son had it and has lost over 100 lbs. He looks 20 years younger.  I don't look my age and my Dr. has sent in my referral and he is all for it.  Now Being so young I don't have 5 years to wait. 5 min. would be much better.   The waiting period in Quebec is so long.  I was wondering if a person could travel somewhere else and have it. Like the Us or Ontario. I am 222 lbs so Inedd to lose at least 80 lbs.  50 would be good enough for me. I think it is time for me to look after myself. I have raised 6children plus 3 I adopted and I have 23 grand children and 22 great-grand-children. I think by now it is my time to shine.   Doris

(Btw, the "Hell" in my title is actually "Hello" - sorry for the misspell!)

Hi Doris,

I have to say that I'm really impressed with your determination! How long were you told the wait would be? When I called Sacré-Coeur, they told me 1.5 year, which, even at my relatively young age, I find way too long. However, if you're willing to self-pay, you can have it within weeks. I have a friend who just did this and she had her appointment in less than a month. From what I've heard, the cost varies between 15 to 22 K, depending on the procedure.

And you're right, you've given a lot, now it's your time! Good luck with everything!

Monica

Well hello girls and so nice to see new faces posting!
Monica- welcome to this wacky journey. My struggles with weight loss go as way back as yours and today I have for the first time in my life hope in succeeding at this struggle. I am almost at goal and my fears of regain are ever so present. I am not fighting them though but rather using them to keep me on track and honest about the limitations of this procedure. This is also giving me a chance to workout the psychological issues. Mine were not issues of binging but rather covering myself behind a layer of fat in order to feel protected from relationships. That took many years to finally figure that one out!LOL. I know I am doing so much better in that area as I don't have this overwhelming feeling this time to hide from others. I am finding that for the first time in my life I feel comfortable in my body. This is why I am hopeful .
We are all pretty much newbies here as none of us posting is a veteran yet so we are learning together and reaching out to the oldies on other boards when need be. Feel free to ask away. Although my procedure was RNY, many others have opted for the VSG procedure. For myself, the RNY procedure had better stats passed the ten year mark for weight regain. I also felt I needed the tool of malabsorption to succeed. Do alot of research and then ask many questions. You'll know which surgery is right for you if you decide to go with WLS. This does change your life and your social eating habits....but for me it is worth it. Good luck and do keep posting.
Doris, so proud that you are finally thinking of yourself. As most women, I am sure you've been there for everyone else in your life. Good luck in your journey and I hope you won't have to wait too much longer.

Hi, welcome to the newbies on the site!! like Brenda said, it's good to see new posters...we are sooo tired of the old ones!!!LOL

I had the vsg feb 2 2010. I cannot believe how my life had changed since then.I can now walk without pain in my knees( was using a cane before) my hbp is way better, and my sleep apnea is almost gone. I am 120 pounds lighter, I am feeling better and loving my new self... I can now wear cute summer dress and heels! ( not too high,  but not my usuals flats!).

I too fear regaining weight,  since the vsg is quite new, we don't know the long term outcome... But I think that like all wls, it is only a tool, to help us regain control on our life, and after, we have to learn and work on our eating habits, exercises and psychological aspect...  I wonder if I will be able to do that by myself when my tool will get less useful... Hope I will have had time to learn good eating habits, and exercises and will continue to work on it. With the VSG, you eat small quantity and you lose, but it is always possible to eat often, and to binge, and it is possible to eat small quantities of high caloric food, and sabotage our tool. We have to choose wisely what we eat. But it is really easier than following a diet without surgery...

What I like about my VSG is that I can eat almost everything...there isn't any no no foods... But when I eat bread or pasta, I become full very fast, and cannot eat enough proteins...
As for the social aspect, I never restrained myself from going to resto or social gathering, I choose what I eat, and I always bring home the rests, and have lunches for 2-3 days! You just have to talk more than you eat!

I too was a huge water drinker, and drank during meals. I found that difficult in the beginning, but I am used to now and it is ok. I don't miss that at all. The benefits of having lost 120 lbs really outcomes those restrictions!

Congrats Monica and Doris, for taking the steps to a new healthier life!
Don't hesitate to ask any questions, it is the best way to make a good decision!

Diane