Pre Op to Post Op....remember when?
I've been itchin' to throw this out for a while but, scared of the replies, decided against it 'til now. I don't know when or if I'll ever get to have surgery due to finances but there is something I want to know from those who have crossed over to the other side.
I've been obese since childhood. I've gone up and down but even when down I was still big. The lowest I got was a 35in. waist for about 10 minutes back in '03 and even then I was chubby cause I'm short. I can't seem to convince my brain or heart that I could ever be anything that would resemble "average". I think a key reason I've failed so many diets and workout attempts is because I don't beleive that my body can be small because it never has been....never.
What I want to know is: Before surgery or even right after...Did you, to your core, beleive that you would never, through any means, see an average size body in the mirror? That you would never see a face without at least a double chin?
I guess I'm looking for hope. Because even the thought of surgery doesn't seem to convince me that it is possible to become height/weight proportionate or to not need hypertension meds.
I've been obese since childhood. I've gone up and down but even when down I was still big. The lowest I got was a 35in. waist for about 10 minutes back in '03 and even then I was chubby cause I'm short. I can't seem to convince my brain or heart that I could ever be anything that would resemble "average". I think a key reason I've failed so many diets and workout attempts is because I don't beleive that my body can be small because it never has been....never.
What I want to know is: Before surgery or even right after...Did you, to your core, beleive that you would never, through any means, see an average size body in the mirror? That you would never see a face without at least a double chin?
I guess I'm looking for hope. Because even the thought of surgery doesn't seem to convince me that it is possible to become height/weight proportionate or to not need hypertension meds.
Lane, That s a very good question. I suspect most WLS patients experience what you are experiencing. It comes from the “I’ve tried everything and nothing has worked" past we have. Add to that some of the forum posts from folks who were unsuccessful in shedding their weight after WLS. It leaves that little bit of doubt that you might be one who fails.
The key here is to understand that Lapband or RNY are tools to help you achieve that ideal weight. They are not guarantees. You still have to want to see that change more than anything you have ever wished for. Change of diet and exercise is so so hard. To be successful you have to change your lifestyle.
That is where you can prepare yourself better now than ever. I know once I made my commitment I began my exercise regime right away. I also changed my eating habits as best I could. I knew taming my diet would be the hardest thing. My Lapband has been a great tool for me in restricting my diet.
As I approach 2 years, so much has become everyday for me. I am maintaining, but I also struggle at times. Loosing weight is hard even if you have had WLS. Our world is full of temptations and it’s much more comfortable at times to fall back into comfy lazy habits. My advice is make as many changes as you can now. They all may not be successful. It will prepare you for the pos-op challenges and changes you need to make.
Tom from Ohio
The key here is to understand that Lapband or RNY are tools to help you achieve that ideal weight. They are not guarantees. You still have to want to see that change more than anything you have ever wished for. Change of diet and exercise is so so hard. To be successful you have to change your lifestyle.
That is where you can prepare yourself better now than ever. I know once I made my commitment I began my exercise regime right away. I also changed my eating habits as best I could. I knew taming my diet would be the hardest thing. My Lapband has been a great tool for me in restricting my diet.
As I approach 2 years, so much has become everyday for me. I am maintaining, but I also struggle at times. Loosing weight is hard even if you have had WLS. Our world is full of temptations and it’s much more comfortable at times to fall back into comfy lazy habits. My advice is make as many changes as you can now. They all may not be successful. It will prepare you for the pos-op challenges and changes you need to make.
Tom from Ohio
Follow my journey to a happy, healthy, active life at TomBilcze.com
WLS didn't just save my life (off BP meds, Sleep Apnea machine and GERD meds), but it gave me my life back.
I can't recall how many times in recent days I've said, "Oh yeah I forgot that I loved to do ......" I have gotten a second chance and though it's not been easy- it's been worth every bit.
I was 10lbs away from being 400 pounds, with a BMI of almost 60 and last week I rode a roller coaster and in the upcoming weeks I'm going to be riding a HORSE!
This is a personal decision, and not an easy one to make. But I hope that if you do decide to take the plunge- you can achieve your goals if you work your chosen tool!
I can't recall how many times in recent days I've said, "Oh yeah I forgot that I loved to do ......" I have gotten a second chance and though it's not been easy- it's been worth every bit.
I was 10lbs away from being 400 pounds, with a BMI of almost 60 and last week I rode a roller coaster and in the upcoming weeks I'm going to be riding a HORSE!
This is a personal decision, and not an easy one to make. But I hope that if you do decide to take the plunge- you can achieve your goals if you work your chosen tool!
:Danni >>>AIDS/LifeCycle 10 & 11 Finisher: 545miles on the bike in 7 days <<<
HW390/SW340/CW 208/GW170
Hey Lane,
I was obese since the age of 8 & had my surgery at 39. Both sides of my family are obese. I had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and chronic female issues. All of that and diabetes runs rampid in my family. My whole life I aways felt hopeless about becoming healthy and (oh... I didn't even dare to say... skinny!) I tried soooooooo many different types of diets including hypnosis and failed every single time. I had years and years experience telling me that I would never get healthy.
Until I made the decision to have my RNY surgery. Something in my just clicked and I just got that anything is truly possible in my life and my choice to use this very powerful tool called WLS was just the tool that I needed to completely shift my confidence. Once I got serious and had my 1st meeting w/my surgeon I was 1000% confident the entire time that my surgery would be a success and bigger picture that I will be able to release all of the unwanted pounds and become the healthy vibrant person that I've always dreamed of being.
I chose to go into therapy for 6 months before my surgery - not a requirement at all for me, but I wanted it. I figured that the surgery was only going to be a physical tool. But after being obese (turned into super morbidly obese @ 307 lbs w/51.1 BMI) that my biggest hurdle in getting healthy & vibrant was to deal with the emotional aspects of being fat so long.
I'm still in therapy 8 months post op now. And it's been wonderful. I'm really successful with my weight loss. 113.2 lbs permanently released so far and down from a size 28 to a 14 so far.
Surgery is a HUUUUUUUUUGE thing and is only part of the picture. I would strongly suggest getting a therapist that can help you shift your beliefs from "I'll never succeed" to "Of course I'll succeed!"
Take care & good luck, Lane!
~Maryn
I was obese since the age of 8 & had my surgery at 39. Both sides of my family are obese. I had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and chronic female issues. All of that and diabetes runs rampid in my family. My whole life I aways felt hopeless about becoming healthy and (oh... I didn't even dare to say... skinny!) I tried soooooooo many different types of diets including hypnosis and failed every single time. I had years and years experience telling me that I would never get healthy.
Until I made the decision to have my RNY surgery. Something in my just clicked and I just got that anything is truly possible in my life and my choice to use this very powerful tool called WLS was just the tool that I needed to completely shift my confidence. Once I got serious and had my 1st meeting w/my surgeon I was 1000% confident the entire time that my surgery would be a success and bigger picture that I will be able to release all of the unwanted pounds and become the healthy vibrant person that I've always dreamed of being.
I chose to go into therapy for 6 months before my surgery - not a requirement at all for me, but I wanted it. I figured that the surgery was only going to be a physical tool. But after being obese (turned into super morbidly obese @ 307 lbs w/51.1 BMI) that my biggest hurdle in getting healthy & vibrant was to deal with the emotional aspects of being fat so long.
I'm still in therapy 8 months post op now. And it's been wonderful. I'm really successful with my weight loss. 113.2 lbs permanently released so far and down from a size 28 to a 14 so far.
Surgery is a HUUUUUUUUUGE thing and is only part of the picture. I would strongly suggest getting a therapist that can help you shift your beliefs from "I'll never succeed" to "Of course I'll succeed!"
Take care & good luck, Lane!
~Maryn
Our little miracle baby boy is on his way!
Great question Lane - I NEVER thoght i would BMI. I set my goal weigh on the high side of overweigh. today I am almost 15 months out and i finally pretty normal. My waist has gone from a 62 to a 34. Shirts now run beween M and L (once again big difference ) I still a m having issues with my body but that is for another post... for the most part i am happy with the weight loss and how the body is looking.
480/435/180/230
HW/SW/CW/GW
Currently Looking into Plastics with Dr. Carden (in Mexico)
You have a lot of courage to bring up the subject.
The answers all will be different.
I am 68 and weighed 326 surgery day. I have been a bit higher than that. Fat for years. Since 1963.
At 326 lbs I taugh****er Aerobics..and still do at 213. Please go into the water of your local pool. Just walk thru the waist deep water if you don't want to swim to get comfortable in the water again.
Whatever size you are there is a bathing suit to fit you..really. And we can talk about that if you want. Even water walking is great exercise.
I no longer have high blood pressure.
There is no chance I will get diabetes.
I move like the wind...well maybe not like the wind..
The surgery went easily for me. I did not even have gas to walk off. It was a piece of cake for me.
Pardon the pun.
As for food, you will eat the foods you love again but in a different way . You'll be more aware and you will mostly make good choices for yourself . You are not going to be hungry..any hungryness. (at least I don't) it will be "head" hunger. It's a learning experience. It's completely worth it.
The answers all will be different.
I am 68 and weighed 326 surgery day. I have been a bit higher than that. Fat for years. Since 1963.
At 326 lbs I taugh****er Aerobics..and still do at 213. Please go into the water of your local pool. Just walk thru the waist deep water if you don't want to swim to get comfortable in the water again.
Whatever size you are there is a bathing suit to fit you..really. And we can talk about that if you want. Even water walking is great exercise.
I no longer have high blood pressure.
There is no chance I will get diabetes.
I move like the wind...well maybe not like the wind..
The surgery went easily for me. I did not even have gas to walk off. It was a piece of cake for me.
Pardon the pun.
As for food, you will eat the foods you love again but in a different way . You'll be more aware and you will mostly make good choices for yourself . You are not going to be hungry..any hungryness. (at least I don't) it will be "head" hunger. It's a learning experience. It's completely worth it.
I was very cautious about hoping for a normal weight before my lap band surgery and even for some weeks after. Now, 35 days post-op I am finally allowing myself to feel optimist about really losing the weight and keeping it off. so many diets in the past started with hope, even euphoria at the thought that this was the time I was going to succeed - and then i would gain the weight back. But this time really is different. the surgery is a big deal, the pre-op diet forced me to emotionally deal with not overeating and now I am watching myself really behave differently around food. this is working.
Dee
Dee
I never believed I could be "normal" weight! Like you, I've always been fat, really obese. Genetics was winning. I thought I tried and did most everything (hiking, dancing, canoeing). Not true, lots of life I gave up on or more often only partially participated in because of the stress and paranoia of the obesity! Even after 6 months of being "normal", I still shock myself when I go shopping, see my profile in a mirror, see the veins on my hands or put on "normal" size clothes. Now, I can't believe it will last. It never has! I am sure I will mess this up and regain!
I agree with everyone else. I got my life back, mostly because I don't worry constantly about how I'll fit, if I'll sweat, about finding something to wear . . .
It is worth continuing to hope and try!
I agree with everyone else. I got my life back, mostly because I don't worry constantly about how I'll fit, if I'll sweat, about finding something to wear . . .
It is worth continuing to hope and try!
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