Need ALL opinions! (repost from Main Board)

No matter whether you are pre-op, non-op, or post-op, please read my story here and let me know what you think. I am collecting ideas. _________________________________________ In January of this year, I weighed 368 pounds, and had sleep apnea, extreme back pain, extreme menstrual pain. I couldn't walk long, couldn't stand for more than a minute...so I finally decided I could not take a minute more, and called and scheduled a consult with a surgeon. In February, I had that consult. I had lost four pounds (through cutting out some garbage) and was seriously considering the Lap Band. The surgeon assured me that I was a good candidate, but gently explained that he is simply not seeing the kinds of success long term with the RNY as he is with the Lap Band in patients with a high BMI (over 60.) He was afraid that I might not lose enough to alleviate my pain, and I gave that a lot of thought.  Eventually, for this and many other reasons, I came to think the RNY was a better choice for me. In March, during testing, they discivered I had a ventral hernia, gallstones, diverticulosis, and what may be a ventral hernia. They also discovered that I had lost another 5 pounds. Having lost 9 pounds, I decided to give a lifestyle dietary change a real shot-- which I have really never done. ( My family is all obese and keeps dieting themselves fatter- and I didn't want to be in that group-- couldn't afford to be.) Using FitDay to help understand my diet, I have reduced my calories to around 1300 a day, and less than 25%fat, and 30%+ protein--- no sugary stuff, no sweets, cakes, bread, etc. My intention was to lose to help the surgeon  by losing some of the visceral fat on my organs.  At 1300 calories, I get plenty to eat, don't feel hungry-- and have lost 23.5 pounds in a relatively short time. Now I am in a quandry. It appears that my virginal metabolism DOES respond to lifestyle dietary changes, and it's been a couple months that I have maintained it-- and it's not so hard for me to do. I think I could eat this way for the rest of my life. I still have the psych consult and the nutritionist visit left. I am torn between believing that I, like most people, probably can't maintain this forever and need surgical assitance, and a ****iness (from weight loss!) that makes me think I might one of the lucky few who might actually be able to do this for life without permanently rerouting what's an essentially well-functioning body. Needless to say, this is really confusing me. I would like the input of every living human being-- I am hoping it'll help me understand where I am more fully. Thanks!

I am an former WLS patient.  Had a LAPBAND that failed.  The one thing I can tell you about the whole experience is that even with WLS you must make the same lifestyle changes to be successful.  I still had to commit to eating healthy proteins and veggies.....not soft foods that would go through the band and/or pouch easily.  I had to commit to exercise.    It sounds like you are making those changes and having success with them.  The key either way is commitment.    I am not opposed to weight loss surgery.  While I had to have my band removed, I lost nearly 100 lbs and I learned so...so much.   In the end, all I can say is that WLS has risks....(I'm sure you know that) and if you are accomplishing weight loss without the surgery and by sticking with your plan, those risks of complications are eliminated.  Not to mention the $$'s--I was self-pay and am very concious of the cost of weight loss surgery.     Good luck on your decision and your journey.   I am happy to answer any questions about my experience if you need to.   

Hello Shari! Your story is eerily similar to mine.  In December I had very much the same physical problems you describe.  I was unable to walk very far at all and I mean just walking across the house would wind me.  Walking out to my car was an effort.  When I went to work, I had preset resting points where I could sit and catch my breath just getting to the office from the garage.  Standing for any length of time was difficult unless I had something to lean on. I do not want to have surgery, for many reasons, so I decided to try to make the lifestyle changes you describe.  Initially, in December/January, all I would do was make my own meals, which was a big change from what I did before where I ate McDonalds on the way to work and ordered delivery at night.  I had to use one of those scooters just to get around the grocery store.  I also started using my recumbent cycle and I can tell you, just 10 minute sessions were difficult. Fast forward to today and I have been on a 1500 calorie balanced diet for 42 days.  Since March 21, the first time I weighed this year, I've lost 26.5 pounds.  I ride my recumbent cycle 2 times a day for 30 minutes each, and, most importantly to me, I am *walking * again.  I can walk almost half a mile without stopping now and I'm trying to get to 8/10 of a mile by the end of the month.  Last week, I went to the movie theater-- something I haven't done in years.  Success engenders success and I am eager for more. I think the weight loss surgery is a tool that helps many people find that early success that motivates them to continue on, but I think it is continuous education and the support that you can find in groups like this and anywhere else you can find it that help make the lifestyle change permanent.  If anything, if you are experiencing success and motivation right now without the surgery, perhaps you should try continuing without it; you may surprise yourself.  If you find ultimately you need it, you can always do it sometime down the road. Truly I wish you continue success!

Thanks, Bert.  I'm going to keep on doing what I am doing, but finish the RNY program as well. By the time I have a date scheduled (late summer?) As much as I'd like a Big Answer, I'll have a better sense of what I can do alone, I think in a few months-- it's early to tell. I stopped just shy of the scooter. I sure could use one--- when I take a half mile walk, I cry for the last quarter mile-- but I figure that's where the rubber hits the road for me, and I don't want to GO there.

8/10 of a mile is my goal too--- it's one lap of my apartment complex. Weird similarities! Best of luck to you!

 

Weirder than you think, lol!  It's two laps around mine.  You say almost 40;  I'm 37.  Maybe it's that feeling that life starts again at 40 that's got me going.  I'm currently thinking about this as my 3 year plan; two years to lose the weight and a year for the surgery to fix everything up after!

Here are some statements based on my opinions/experience: 1.  You don't say how young you are, but you look no more than  like 25 years old. Given that, if I were you, I would try on my own for another five years or so. Get a daily exercise thang going, even if it's only 20 minutes a day, work up to an hour someday. 2.  At age 35, if I were still at 40- 60 bmi, I would run and get the lapband.  To me, rny is dramatic loss at first, but then it's back to square one:  Eating right, exercising, etc.  Lapband affords people a new chance for as long as you have it if you follow band rules to the best of your ability.  3.  If your pain from obesity-stressed things gets real bad, get the lapband. It is extremely hard to lose once a person is over 40 bmi. Perhaps impossible when you cannot move around. As has been said, remember, first and foremost, you must change lots of habits regardless, wls or not.

Aren't YOU cute! I'm almost FORTY! :) Pain's already BEEN bad, for over a decade.   Thanks for your ideas!

-S.

Hi again Shari,      As you know, I already posted on the main board, but I'll add one other thing.      An overriding theme in your responses to people in your original thread was the question of whether or not people regained because diet/exercise stopped working or because they reverted to their old habits.  The simple fact is that diet and exercise never stop working; it's we who stop working.  As long as the motivation to lose weight/be healthier stays stronger than our impulses to eat excessively due to self-comforting/boredom/depression/seeing food as a reward/etc..., we stick to our plans.  So the trick is finding a personal path to maintaining that motivation.      So yes, if you continue to eat 1,300 calories day after day, month after month, you will eventually have a very tiny BMI.  But do make sure exercise is a part of your equation.  Longterm calorie deprivation does slow the metabolism unless you're doing some form of cardio/resistance training.  And major weightloss (from any method) is a significant risk factor for osteoporosis unless it is paired with exercise.      Once again, congrats on the 23.5 pounds and good luck.  We 're here to help in any way we can.

Thanks! I am working out 3x a week, and am increasing as my body allows, because I know it's CRUCIAL! Gotta move to lose-- I hear you! :)

-S.

Sweeties it is all babysteps no matter where or how you start out.....the most important thing is that y'all finally decided that you are worth it!!!!! It is real easy when you get to a certain weight not to consider yourself important let alone human enough to put yourself first and foremost in life.....thank god all of us posting on this site have finally realized it!!!! I've always been a little on the chunky side and never paid mind to it because I was healthy and I always thought downright sexy.....a woman has got to have curves!   Anyways after having the most beautiful baby girl....I lost myself and have finally realized that I needed to get out of that new mommy funk and take care of myself no matter how tired I was.....doesn't do her any good to be overweight and out of shape or dying of a heart attack within the next ten years.....(I'm 36 by the way) No matter what you decide to do to take control of your lives, it is all good!  Do your homework and find the right fit for you nutrition and exercise wise!  It does get easier and baby YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!