Am I doing the right thing? Advice needed please

Hi, 

I'm scheduled for surgery on Monday and I am freaking out that I am making a mistake.  I'm 5.2 and weighed 221 when I started this journey.  I've been on the pre-op liquid diet for 9 days and have already lost 12 pounds and its been fairly easy.  Is it likely or possible that I could just stay on this and lose the rest of the weight and not go through such a drastic step?  Anyone else have this thought?  Or am I dreaming?

All advice appreciated,
Jo

I have not had the surgery yet nor am I scheduled, Yet.  But...

You're right.  I have thought the same thing.  My rational for this surgery is to KEEP it off.  I have lost weight before and always gained it back.  I am doing this for the long haul.

You could live on liquids for the rest of your life but I doubt you will.

See you on the other side.  No one can decide what's best for you.  You need to think back and remember why you want/wanted to do this.

Sandy

You don't mention your age, which is an important factor.  220 lbs. was OK when I was younger but at 55 is was a HUGE burden and I for one, am glad I'm far below that now. At 5.2 (almost my height) 220 is a lot. If you haven't already tried, do try to lose it (and KEEP IT OFF)  by means of a diet first.

I am also 5'2", I was 218 at my first consultation in March 2010.  Pre-op I was 199, surgery day 194.  My higest was 240 in 2008.  I am 50 years old and struggled with my weight all of my life.  I didn't even know what a normal weight was for me because I only had a brief 1 year of anything close to normal in high school.  I was very diligent with my diet and exercise all of 2010, and I lost a whopping 20 pounds.  I knew it was time to do something drastic. 

Surgery was Nov. 16.  I met my goal of 140 on June 1.  I am currently 138.  I NEVER thought I'd really see the 140's, never mind the 130's!  I look great, feel fantastic.  I have never had a single second of regret or doubt in my decision either before or after.

While the pre-op diet has helped you shed 12 pounds, once you go back to real food, you'd probably gain it back.  At least that has been my experience and probably many other people's experiences as well.  Some people can do it with diet and exercise.  Some of us could not and needed that kick start. 

Good luck!

Could you lose the weight without surgery?  Of course you could.

BUT, how many time have you lost weight, and then regained it (and possibly more)?

There is NO MAGIC to having any form of weight loss surgery.  You still have to do your part by following your prescribed diet plan as closely as you can, and doing regular moderate exercise.  You have to make PERMANENT changes to your lifestyle.

Even with the sleeve (or a DS, RnY, Band, Plication) you can regain weight, if you consistently overeat, refuse to exercise, eat all the wrong foods, etc.

The surgery is a tool to HELP you peel off the weight and keep it off.  The sleeve is a VERY GOOD tool, and it will help you a lot in both getting rid of the weight, and in keeping it off.  But YOU are still responsible for what YOU choose to do.

You know you (and we don't).  You know full well if you can, or can not, take off the weight and keep it off without surgery.

Keeping it off is the challenge. Most of that 12 pounds is water weight lost which can give a false sense of weight loss. Ive been so tired of yo yo dieting I have to do it if I want to live a healthy life. Ive been able to lose lots in the past only to gain it all back and more within a few months.

Again only you know yourself, but I know me and I am tired of the struggle. I need a helping hand and the surgery will be that tool for me.

Good luck on your decision.

If we could do it with just diet we would have done so and kept it off.  My surgery was April 12th and I feel quite normal.  I don't feel any different other than not being hungry all the time.  I eat smaller amounts now without even thinking about it. 

You have a chance now to live your life like you were meant to live it.  Take this opportunity and run with it...you will do great and be so happy!

Good luck to you!

I look at it this way: If you have never dieted before and have been under an extreme exercise regiment, then the surgery should not be a first option. Those who never try will never know.


Now if you have and have failed to keep the weight off, then the surgery is a good option. We all know how to lose weight (some good ways, some bad ways), but majority of us have an extremely hard time keeping it off. With surgery, we still have to work damn hard to keep it off, we just have an added benefit of not being able to eat so much. But we must choose the right things to eat

Good luck in your decision

I would second everything OldMedic said.  Just know that all of us had these thoughts prior to surgery.  And I think all of us think it is the best thing we have ever done for ourselves.  It's human nature to second guess yourself.  Also, you could keep losing on the liquid diet, but how long do you want to be on liquids?

Only you can answer in your heart of hearts whether you can lose the weight and keep it off for a lifetime. Statistically, you can't, none of us could. That's why our doctors recommended WLS. It's perfectly natural to question the decision to undergo permenently altering one's physiology.

Speaking for myself, the decision to have a VSG was one of the best decisions of my life. The outcome has already been incredebly positive, and I'm only 3 weeks post-op yesterday. Stay the course, focus on what's really important in your life. If you are a person of faith, give it up to God and be at peace that He is in control.