QOTD-Monday-

I like your answer to number 9.  I think that might be the point where a lot of people have problems, as we get complacent.  That is the point I am at too. 

1.  What is the ONE thing that pushed you into having WLS?  I was huge and unhappy. I hated buying clothes and hated the way they fit me...or didn't fit me...

2.  Did you do a lot of reseach or just jump in blind?  I actually have been a member of OH for years, and I'd done years of research, lurking, posting, etc. I knew pretty much everything to expect.

3.  How did you decide which surgery to have?  I actually went into Dr. Nick's seminar with my mind made up against RNY, only wanting VSG. My insurance only covered RNY or Lap Band, and with the research and advice plus success rates from my doctor, I decided on RNY.

4.  Did insurance effect your decision?  Yes. VSG was the more appealing option for me, and quicker results, and that's what I wanted. Unfortunately, insurance did not cover this procedure.

5.  What ONE thing would you tell Newbies looking into having surgery?  Research, research research. You may think vitamins are a joke, or something you can skirt around and take here and there, but can you pay the ultimate consequence if you do not follow your post op nutrition guidelines. Make sure you also know what your triggers are... I had a cousin wanting lap band, but her way of dealing with emotions was with ice cream...in her case, luckily she went with RNY, but had she gone with lap band, she may have definitely not had the results she wanted.

6.  What one thing would you tell Newbies to do BEFORE they have surgery?
Get smaller plates and utensils. Take before and after pics, and take measurements. Document everything! Also stock up on your vitamins, protein, etc that you will need after surgery.

Also, get a good support system. This is essential to your success.

7.  Did your taste buds change after surgery?
Nope. Like Dee said, right after surgery, sweets were sweeter, but that has faded.

8.  What foods (if any) CAN'T you eat now?  Ice cream (I've only tried two or three bites, and this was enough to do me in), chocolate milk, cereal with milk...never tried milk by itself, because I just don't like it... But I'm wondering if I have a sensitivity to milk? LOL... Cheese doesn't affect me though.

Also, can't do bread really...it swells and makes me uncomfortable.

9.  Any regrets?  None! I haven't lost all of my weight or made it to goal yet, but I'm only about 25 lbs away from being as close to goal without plastic surgery... I've got tons of loose skin. :-(  So I guess my only regret was getting this big to begin with!

10. What is the ONE BEST thing that happened because of you having surgery?
I am now in an 18...some 16s! I haven't worn an 18 since I was 14 yrs old! I'm super excited by this... I didn't think I could ever get down to a semi normal size...I've been obese since I was 9. :-(  But in 14 months, I'm down 10 sizes, and 108 lbs! I love activity, I love water, I am very much conscientious about my food choices...and know how to read a nutrition label. LOL

1.  What is the ONE thing that pushed you into having WLS? I wanted to quit smoking without gaining 50 lbs.

2.  Did you do a lot of reseach or just jump in blind? Tons of research. My mom had DS in 1998 and had many complications. I did lots of research to try to ensure I had a happier outcome.

3.  How did you decide which surgery to have? I was pretty anti-DS based on my mom's experience. I knew I could outsmart a band and eat around it. RNY was the best option for me.

4.  Did insurance effect your decision? No.

5.  What ONE thing would you tell Newbies looking into having surgery? Keep researching until you find something that tells you that is the right surgery for you. You will find something that speaks to you and your behavior as a solution.

6.  What one thing would you tell Newbies to do BEFORE they have surgery? Research.

7.  Did your taste buds change after surgery? Definitely.

8.  What foods (if any) CAN'T you eat now? Any liquid/semi-solid dairy **** cream, milk, yogurt, etc. Thank God I can eat cheese!). I can no longer eat anything with peanuts. I dump like a mad woman.  OK, not as bad as Liz, but still pretty bad.

9.  Any regrets? Not a single one.

10. What is the ONE BEST thing that happened because of you having surgery? I make 4x the money I did pre-op.

 1.  What is the ONE thing that pushed you into having WLS?   I was a border line diabetic....didn't want diabetes

2.  Did you do a lot of reseach or just jump in blind?   I usually research and not jump into many things blindly.   Want to know what I am getting into before jumping in.

3.  How did you decide which surgery to have?    I had choice at the time between RNY and Lapband.   I knew that RNY would work better for me.

4.  Did insurance effect your decision?    No 

5.  What ONE thing would you tell Newbies looking into having surgery?  Do your research on the pros and cons of every surgery.....get peace of mind that you chose the right surgery for you.   Use your tool to the Max !!

6.  What one thing would you tell Newbies to do BEFORE they have surgery?   Get counciling so you will mentally be prepared for what is coming post op.

7.  Did your taste buds change after surgery?    Not as far as proteins but I now eat and LOVE foods that  i hated pre op

8.  What foods (if any) CAN'T you eat now? rice

9.  Any regrets?   NO WAY !!!!

10. What is the ONE BEST thing that happened because of you having surgery?   I am now a normal size person after living most of my life in a morbid obese body.



Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Finally getting around to Monday's QOTD on Tuesday afternoon!

1.  What is the ONE thing that pushed you into having WLS?  Seeing the scale at 294 and knowing it was going to keep climbing past the 300 mark.

2.  Did you do a lot of reseach or just jump in blind?  I did research off and on for about 5 years.

3.  How did you decide which surgery to have?  When I found out about the VSG and attended my surgeon's office seminar.  I wasn't going to have LapBand or RNY, is was VSG or nothing for me.

4.  Did insurance effect your decision?  Nope.  I was self-pay because I was determined to have VSG

5.  What ONE thing would you tell Newbies looking into having surgery?  Explore ALL surgery types.  It ain't a one size fits all kinda deal here.

6.  What one thing would you tell Newbies to do BEFORE they have surgery?  Make a list of all the things you want to accomplish by having surgery and keep it handy.

7.  Did your taste buds change after surgery?  Some, but not enough to worry about.

8.  What foods (if any) CAN'T you eat now?  There ain't nothing I can't eat and TRUST ME I've tried it all!

9.  Any regrets?  I have no regrets.  I only wish that King had been more involved from the beginning.  Not that he hasn't been supportive, but sometimes he just doesn't "get it".

10. What is the ONE BEST thing that happened because of you having surgery?  Making acquaintances here and having some of those turn into friends for life!