big medicine - grr

Hi andy! Yep, I know what you are talking about.  I've been on a WLS forum for almost a year, submitted for ins, got denied due to ins. exclusion, decided to self pay, got the funds, had a surg. date, then had to back out at the last minute due to DH's cardiac issues.  So, I had the chance to mull over the following: At the end of say one year, WLS or Non-ops lose about the same ammt.  The WLS folks still struggle as the Non-ops do with "head hunger", losing the last 20 or so pounds, gaining wt. back,  and of course the obese still have the physc issues to deal with.  Iam not against WLS at all, I just know for myself, I needed to take a break, and see how I do on a healthy eating plan before I continue to pursue WLS. I know alot of WLS folks go ahead with the surgery, and work on thier "issues" during losing the wt.  which is still an ok way to go.

I watch Big Medicine every week, but I try not to let any of it **** me off...because, as we know, it's a reality show, and I'm sure those meetings are set up for the cameras. I related to the girl's story. But I wouldn't be surprised if the surgeons really DON'T think about emotional issues much. In general, statistics about weight loss success oversimplify the struggle. Yes, it's hard, but it's not like that explains it all. Now, I support WLS for SMO people, or those who otherwise have extremely urgent health issues, but doctors in general just LOVE to quote those statistics and say flat out that surgery is the ONLY way one can lose weight and keep it off. Really! Statistics never mention what percentage of weight loss "failures" have or have not sought intensive therapy or support (for those who can't afford one-on-one therapy, or can't access it for whatever reason). It frustrates the hell out of me! Sometimes I hold back my thoughts on therapy in public because people still get offended by the opinion, as if the need for it means you're "weird" or whatever. That couldn't be further from the truth, and it boggles my mind that most doctors don't address this!

I have yet to see this Big Medicine show you all are talking about. But what I can say is I totally agree with several points that have been made. I was totally against WLS 2 years ago. I felt it was an easy out and that I was being lazy by not losing weight myself. Fast forward to this year when I found out I have high blood pressure. It was like, hello, so you are concerned that it would be lazy to get WLS but you are still being lazy and not doing anything to take off the weight. So I started the research and the process to get approved for WLS. And I say strongly that I am soo thankful, whether or not I even end up getting the surgery. I had ignored myself and my body for so long. This whole process made me go to the doctor regularly, get a psych eval, sleep study and basically gave me a whole lot info that I would never had had if I had not been into it. I am now seeing a therapist because although I was approved in my psych eval, he said I had self-esteem issues. Its been very uncomfortable to go but highly enlightening and has shown positive results in relationships of those around me. Its also help me see that I need some coping tools for the times when Im weak or sad or emotional or stressed or.... pre or post op surgery. I am glad that my insurance made me do this six month preop diet because its given me time to think and process and also act on what I am about to do. Wow. That was long. Lol. It may not be entirely clear to anyone else, but boy did I need to get that out.....