What do you think?

I am very active in several different on-line support groups, and I hear some of the most obscure thoughts.  Recently I spoke to a woman that shared information about her surgery and results she has had.

Now, here are a few of the statements that caused me to cringe.  I would like to know what you think of this.  I know how I felt, but am curious as to how you feel.  Also, how would you respond if you had heard this!

“I don’t do protein.”

“I ate oatmeal every day for four months.”

“I drank a mocha after my lunch today. I know I’m not supposed to drink with meals, but it makes my stomach feel better, Plus it gives me calcium.”

“I eat green beans when we go out, and I just don’t know what else to eat.”

“I cannot eat very much, I’ll just have a few bites of ….(fill in the blank, I can’t remember what she said but it was not protein).”

“I don’t count calories.  I am not worried about that.”

“I love to bake.  I bake three times a week and bring the goodies to my co-workers.”

So, what do you think?
Scott

These are just the thoughts of a preop so take them with a grain of salt, but if you read the main board much you see things like this all the time. It is very disturbing to me to see people doing things that will hurt them later on. I've been following the blog of one lady who just absolutely refuses to follow her doctors orders. She started eating soft food the day she got home from the hospital when she plainly posted that the doctor ordered full liquids. She has had problems from day one because she refuses to comply and is now getting angry at her doctor. Her pouch is refusing to accept anything but liquids now. I haven't said much because I'm preop but it really frustrates me to read about problems that are caused from noncompliance. I never address those posts however, because I haven't been there myself. I can only pray that my head hunger after surgery will not push me into doing foolish things.
I guess to answer your question, I am not yet in a position to respond to things because I'm preop. Afterwards, I would hope that I could patiently address the issues directly without offending the person involved. You are good at that, Scott. Take a step back and then state the truth with love. It will either be accepted in the spirit intended or rejected, but you will have tried to get the person back on track. That is all anyone can do.
Blessings,
Karen

Hey Scott
I hope and pray that I don't prove myself wrong but I think having to suffer through waiting these last 14 months to get to my surgery has made me be even more conscious about doing what I need to in order for my surgery to be as successful as possible.......when I see comments like that I wonder if these people haven't been educated about what they should be doing or just look at their surgery as a magic pill and just don't worry about the damage they could be doing by not eating properly.......I know I am in a panic trying to be sure that I have things that I need to do/not do written down........just my thoughts.........a very good topic Scott

Scott.

     What is the use of a tool if you never use it. It sounds as if they had wls for someone other than themself. If the basics of food education are not followed, then at sometime there is going to be a problem with thir health.

Phil

“I don’t do protein.”
You may be surprised that you "Do" do protein....  LOL  no Scott I did not mean to say dodo.... anyway,  protein comes in lots of forms such as Eggs, milk, cheese which by the way  the lower the fat the higher the protein density, peanut butter, tuna... etc.....  even vegetarians can get their daily protein requirements... 



  “I ate oatmeal every day for four months.”
Okay, great that sounds good to me...keeping in mind that portion control is essential and what else did you have with your oats?  Berries? what kind of fruit? how much dairy?  Just checking to make sure you are not suffering from a nutrient deficiency...  

 “I drank a mocha after my lunch today. I know I’m not supposed to drink with meals, but it makes my stomach feel better, Plus it gives me calcium.” Is this a WLS patient? If so, What is on your list given to you by your surgeon?  



  “I eat green beans when we go out, and I just don’t know what else to eat.”
Again, I have to ask, Is this a WLS patient? If so, What is on your list given to you by your surgeon?  



“I cannot eat very much, I’ll just have a few bites of ….(fill in the blank, I can’t remember what she said but it was not protein).” I am a WLS patient and this sounds like something I would say.....  LOL



“I don’t count calories.  I am not worried about that.”
I think this is where many of us trip up... Why is calorie counting so popular?  We love for things to be easy...  I do...  The easier the better...  But understanding the effects food has on our bodies is a little more complex...Food produces hormonal effects in the body. Some hormones say "store that fat" some say "release sugar" then you will have one that yells out "build muscle."   It is also extremely difficult to count calories accurately... So Imma thinking if I am gonna pick my battles I may put this one at the end of my list....  LOL   



 
“I love to bake.  I bake three times a week and bring the goodies to my co-workers.”  Hmm..  I try not to tempt my co-workers anymore than I would like to be tempted myself.  Maybe a new hobby could be in order.  From pottery to poetry, finding a new hobby can be a great way to add a little spice to your life.  Maybe it is taking up painting again or learning how to play the piano.  Or, you could do what Melinda is doing, buy a house and remodel every living square inch....  LOL

I think someone is setting theirselves up for failure. It may not pinch them immediately but it will eventually whether it be in the form of weight gain or poor health.

I just do not understand this kind of thinking! WHY would you go through the surgery, risk complications (including death - it does happen, although it is very rare), and then NOT do what you are instructed and taught?  It is mind-boggling to me!

Now hear this "WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY IS NOT A MAGIC CURE, PEOPLE!!"  It still takes dedication, determination, exercise and compliance with the doctor's and nutritionist's programs to be successful, especially in the long term.  What is so hard  to understand about that?  Pre-op you go to the seminars, see the nutritionist 2 or 3 times, do the liquid diet to shrink the liver and all this time they are explaining that you MUST FOLLOW THE PROGRAM and CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE HABITS!  Duhhhhhhhhh!!  

Every time I read a post-op  post about what they cannot eat fast food, or  Little Debbies, or pie, or ice cream, or whatever other junk food and how much they miss it I just want to say - GET OVER IT!! DO YOU WANT TO LIVE AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE OR NOT?!!
SHEEEEESSHHHH!!!! WHAT THE H*LL ARE YOU THINKING?! GROW UP AND USE THIS GREAT TOOL TO HAVE A HEALTHIER, HAPPIER, LONGER  MORE FULFILLING LIFE FOR PETE'S SAKE!!


Ummmm - sorry, got a little carried away. I'll step down off the soap-box now.  Carry on folks.

Hey Bamabob, why don't you tell us how you really feel about it....  LOL 

Well, I would Trina, but I'm sure I would get some folks PO'ed at me.   I just want evryone who has WLS to SUCCEED.  And I truly don't understand how someone can research WLS, go through the process, have the surgery, and thn not do what it takes to be as successful as they possibly can. Believe me, I understand addictions completely.  But I also understand that in order to beat an addiction, any addiction, you have to be dedicated and committed to doing whatever it takes.

I once went to a Weight W******* meeting years ago where we were instructed that we could only have one cup of popcorn each week as an optional snack.  

A lady in the room asked if that was BEFORE or AFTER it was popped.   I was stunned!   Can you imagine how much popcorn one cup of unpopped popcorn would make.?  

I had never heard such an crazy question in all my life.  Since then I've heard and seen many more. 

I think that addictions make us use all kind of excuses why we don't understand, when we really understand very clearly.   Surely there are not that many people out there who don't get it. 

I undrestand what I need to do.  I just addicted to Carbs and have a hard time staying away from them pre-op.  I am just waiting on the time when I can use the tool that has been given me to my advantage.  You will not see me pushing the envelope.    I am committed!