Is WLS really for me?

I am in the sixth month of my supervised diet. I just had a session with my NUT to determine what foods I could and could not have after surgery. I left the session in tears! What do you mean I can’t have sugar for the rest of my life? What do you mean you highly suggest I stay away from breads and pastas for the rest of my life?

 

My reasons for wanting WLS: I am insulin resistant, have high blood pressure, PCOS and high cholesterol (my BMI is 37.1). I saw what diabetes did to my Mother; it killed her. I don’t want diabetes, but I don’t want to give up food either. I feel like food is my most trusted and reliable friend; hence my weight. If I go through this process, what will I do without food? I will be losing old reliable…

 

I am considering RNY at this point, but I am beginning to think WLS is not the right solution for me at this juncture in my life, but I also cannot continue to eat the way I eat or I will certainly end up with diabetes.

 

What would you suggest I do?

Research, research, research. You have to trust that you made the right decision and it looks like you are still in the shopping phase.

I cannot answer for the lapband as I had RNY, but I think you will have to monitor yourself after the surgery with any method.  It is a tool we are given, but it can be abused.  I was having some severe issues with my diabeties and that is why I made the decision to have the surgery.  I have been told I will be able to eat about anything I want eventually, but to use good sense.  I am already off all my medications but diabeties and am down to only one pill a day reather than 2 horse pills and insulin.  Only you can decide if WLS is right for you, but I decided I wanted to live, even if it meant sacrifice.  And I am very  happy with the decision and the results.  Based on your family history think long and hard before you drop the idea of WLS. 

Well, some people (about 30%) dump on sugar after RNY.  They get very, very sick if they eat sugar.  Now, small amounts of sugar are usually OK.  Like, I can eat one cookie.  But more than that and  I get so sick.  But even if you do tolerate sugar OK, eating a lot of it will not help you lose weight.  Did you think having surgery would allow you to eat anything you wanted and still lose weight?

Some people have trouble tolerating bread and pasta after RNY, but many people tolerate those things OK.  I see nothing wrong with eating those things in moderation.  But it's important to focus on protein first and since you'll only be able to eat limited amounts of food, that doesn't leave a lot of room for bread and pasta.  And eating large amounts of carbs will not help you lose weight.

Having RNY does not mean you have to give up food.  It does, however, mean you have to change your eating habits.  If you're not ready to do that, then I suggest you not have surgery right now.

Kelly

There is no reason you can't have sugar for the rest of your life but bread and pasta, that is certainly a possibility due to the WLS choice you have picked.  I couldn't eat those foods when I was banded but I can with a sleeve.

With that said, what foods got you fat?

Thanks for all of your responses. You've definitely given me something to think about.

Midwestern girl, funny thing you should ask that... The things I don't want to give up are the things that most certainly made me fat . How is that for irony? 

Yep, something we all relate to.

You will find that your relationship with food changes and it's no longer the center of your world.  But you can't understand that until you give WLS a try and see for yourself.

But seriously, I would rethink the band thing.  That's nothing short of a horror and a great way to lose half your excess weight temporarily.

Research, and if you feel led PRAYER, PRAYER, and MORE PRAYER helped me make the decision. It is not something to enter into lightly. (so to speak)

I felt the same way , but would not change my decision for anything. You find later that food doesn't rule your life anymore. I have not eaten the foods you are talking about since my surgery and don't miss them at all. It changes your way of thinking as well as your way of eating. I have found I now enjoy working out more than I enjoyed eating before.

Nate I feel like I could have written that post.  It describes exactly the way I feel.  Congrats!
hugs, Y