Who here hates.........

the before and after pics? Honestly it makes me depressed. I think its GREAT for them but I can help feeling the green eyed monster when I look at how FAB everyone looks a year later. I know it is stupid and I shouldnt feel like that. I dont know sometimes I feel like gastric surgery is an easy way out for people. It works for EVERYONE in the begining so what does it teach you? I know complications and reworking your insides isnt an easy thing to do but once you do it your done. No more WW, medifast, la weight loss ect. From the class a friend of mine is taking she said the doctor told them that you have to be pretty dedicated to put the weight back on. Sorry I am rambling. I know its not nice of me. I just dont have ANYONE else to ramble too. My dh is sick of hearing about my weight so how can I complain to him? Somedays I feel like I am working my ass off and its getting me nowhere. Again I hope this doesnt make people mad...............

Hi Patricia, Look at my profile and scan down to the bottom to my before and after pics. I'm pretty proud of myself. Oh, did I mention I did it without WLS?? So can you!!!!!!!!! Have faith. It is all cumultative. If you do the math, even on a person that has lost 100 pounds in a year, it's about 2 pounds a week. VERY doable on a lifestyle change program. Have faith, redirect your energy to success. I know you can do it! Donna

Hi Donna , I am Ruthie .. I read your profile and sent you a email .. Hugs , Ruthie

I know how you feel... I don't think WLS is the easy way out though. It may appear that way, but they still have to diet and exercise everyday too! They can put all that weight back on if they don't follow the 'rules'. My DH is sick of me complaining too. I'm so frustrated, and I feel like I've got no one to turn to. I guess our husbands get the brunt of it on this issue. We just gotta figure our OUR sweet spot...the magic bullet for us that will help us lose the weight... :-)

i definitely know how you feel - i used to get insanely jealous when i looked at WLS before and after pics. but seriously, the non-op way is a much better solution for the long run in my opinion of course. i just went out with a friend who had WLS like a year and a half ago. yes, she's lost like 140 lbs or something rediculous like that bu****ching her eat was crazy. still not making good choices. will she be able to keep it off? not that i want to wish her ill, but it seems doubtful. you still have to do all the learning and behavior change or it won't last. and the long-term stats for weight maintenance is not that great - with rny, people will keep off like 60% of what they lose (DS has a little better long term results). go to my profile and see my before/after pics. like donna says, i think i have a whole lot more pride in myself for what i've accomplished because i've done it without surgery.

Patrcia, I know how you feel. It's really hard when you have friends who have gone the surgerical route and have lost 40 +lbs in a month and you have lost 3 lol. As far as no more WW or medifast, I must disagree. If that's the case then why are poeple like Rosanna Barr, Carnie Wilson, and Al Roker (just to name some celebrity example) all still battling the weight. WLS is hard is my opinion, it's not an understatement when you hear people say it's a tool. I will also say when you are getting jealous looking at the before and after pictures of wls patients, come to the non op board and pull up some of the pictures from here. I look at the pictures of andrea, dee mackie, diva, and soo many others I can't think of off the top of my head right now who went the non surgical route and LOOK FANTASTIC!!!!. They give me strength to know that it CAN be done without WLS! Just hang in there. I know I am. We can and will encourage eachother. Don't hesitate to contact me. Be Blessed Cam

WOW!! I am so impressed with all of you. NONE of you flamed me and actually understood what I was talking about. Thank you so much for letting me get that off my chest. Your pics look AMAZING!!! That is wonderful you do it with diet and excercise. You are right about the 2 pounds a week if you do the math. Its just I am tired of thinking about food CONSTANTLY. What am I going to eat? What should I eat next? God, I wish I could have a cookie. I am OBSESSED with food. I have heard that when you have had the surgery you are no longer hungry and that would be so nice. But honestly, who the **** wants to eat a 1/4 cup of food for the rest of there life? Who wants to dump if they break down and eat a cookie or something? At least dieting this way if you slip your health isnt at risk (well you know what I mean) I am so HAPPY I found this board. You all make me feel so positive. Thank you for letting me ramble and getting things off my chest. Its nice to know I can do that and not be flamed. HERES TO TWO POUNDS A WEEK!!!!!!!!! Pattie

Hi Pattie - I've thought of WLS and tried to get approved, but with no luck. My Mom and I are now going to start Jenny Craig. We have our first consult this Weds. Really WLS is so NOT the easy way out though. My sister feels the same way you do. Not only are they altering the way your system is designed, but it helps people control their food intake. Many people eat out of boredom or to suppress feelings. This surgery helps the physical part of that by making you sick if you eat too much, or things high in fat or sugar. I did saw a program the other day however that made a very valid point; WLS doesn't help the psycological side of eating habits, thus many people who have had WLS turn to some other addiction. Now that they can't eat to work out their emotions, many bypass patients (including ones that never touched alcohol before), have become alcoholics. The alcohol hits their systems so fast, but the buzz wears off just as quickly, so they continue to drink and drink trying to keep the buzz going. Now of course this isn't everyone, but I've heard it's highly recommended to see some sort of therapist throughout the WL process. So many WLS patients lose weight so quickly, they lose sight of who they are. They now see this attractive figure staring back and them and it's sort of like a high they can't come down from. Sorry, I get started and I just can't shut up Just wanted to share some things I've read about WLS with you, so that maybe you could understand it better. Have a Happy Halloween!!! Take care, Kelly

Hi Patricia, I only find the before and after pictures depressing on days that I didn't make good food choices. The rest of the time, those pictures give me hope and inspiration of what is to come, as I intend to get a firm grip as to why I became obese in the first place. I do plan on reaching my goal, no matter if it takes me 1, 2 or even 3 years. In my honest opinion, there is "no easy way" out of obesity. Granted there is a quicker way of losing the weight via RNY, with the added benefit of malabsorption and pouch size. Yet I cannot bring myself to re-arrange my insides to cure something that is going on inside my head instead of inside my gut. I'm really proud of those that have had surgery with whom have made the lifestyle changes to make it work for them. Lifestyle changes is the key to this, whether you choose WLS or not. The quickest way is not always the healthiest way! I've often seen on the main board where people are asking about "appetite suppressants and such" after they have had WLS. To me, that is scarey! I've been a member of this site for many years and I have seen a lot of things. I know I've made the right decision for myself. LOOK, now I'm rambling LOL. Keep up the hard work, it will pay off

Well i think you ladies are doing great and look good. Keep up the good job.. We will take every lost lb we can.. John