Looking at Surgery but would love to do it the old fashioned way....

I have read many of the other boards but this is my first time here.  One of my friends had WLS about a year ago...and of course has lost weight and she still can eat about anything she wants.  Prior to the WLS she lost 90 lbs. at WW and gained it back...she has been up and down over the years I have known her.  And I have been up and down but mostly up.  Anyway, I of course have wanted to lose weight a good portion of my life and I am tired of being overweight!!  And is finally because I want to be healthy and be able to do things!!  Not because of looks....But cutting up my insides and not being able to eat regular (even healthy) food just seems so extreme....I would love to be one of those who could just exercise and be careful what I eat and lose and keep it off.  I know I could probably lose some...but I don't have much hope of keeping it off...since I have done it before and it was soooo much work. I don't know if there is a question in here or not.....maybe just confusion... deb366

Oh, hey, i have been down this road of confusion myself. The way i've handled things in my life if there is any BIG doubts I back off of the decision.  There's always doubts with surgery if one has half a brain, but WLS can be a viable path given careful consideration.  For the right person, there is little risk and big benefits.   Staying fat is not an option, in my opinion. We tend to minimize the risks of being 100+ pounds overweight...and it is not always about co-morbids...how does a wheelchair sound cuz your back, feet, knees and hips cannot support your girth any longer? In your case, at least for now, sounds like you need to check out what you can do on your own. If you have not ever given a healthier lifestyle a serious go, now is the time. What most of us realize is that with or without wls, choosing right every day is still what is necessary.  You can do it!!!!  Welcome.

Hi, Deb!  I agree with Neecee -- before pursing surgery, take a critical look at your lifestyle.  That has been my biggest challenge. Also, weight loss via WLS is by no means permanent.  Plenty of people have outeaten the procedure or failed to make the necessary changes and gained everything back. While you're making a decision, please stick around -- hopefully you'll motivated by someone here!

Hi Deb, I also agree with the fine gals here who are all very inspiring to me.  Most people on here ended up thinking about surgery.  I looked into it more than once, my insurance would not cover it (exclusion on two different policies at two different points) and I considered doing self pay (financing).  I really worried about complications which would not be covered by insurance etc.  Then I started thinking about all of the money and that in order to lose the weight I really had to change my life just like when I lost weight before except I needed to really follow a plan of eating right for life rather than just a few years. I haven't lost a lot of weight this go around yet, but I am definitely feeling better physically and emotionally.  I've been exercising 5-6 times/week and eating proper fuel for my body.  I may not lose it as quickly as a post op, but I will enjoy the rewards just as much if not more. I hope you find peace with whatever path you choose. Beth

Thank you all for your great comments.   One of my frustrations is that I do eat generally pretty healthy....love fruits and vegies and I am back starting to do more exercise (just got back from walking the dogs!) but I am this point (maybe age?) where the scale just keeps going up.  And I know I could exercise more and it would help but I don't sleep well so don't have lots of energy....plus I am a great believer in exercise (it is how I have maintained in the past) but the number of hours it takes for me to lose that way is close to 10-15 hours a week.  And that does take some energy.. Well this all sounds like excuses, even to me...... I am lucky in that I do have health insurance that will pay for GB or Lap, right now, but it doesn't cover the Doctor I wanted- but I can change my insurance at the first of the year and be covered for that physician.   My friend says that WLS is a "tool" and you still have to use it correctly and still watch your food intake and exercise.   Anyway I am trying to pick up the pace of my exercise, I am working on limiting portions, and I have been to the doctor for help with energy (sleep apnea isn't the prob), and I currently am seeing a acupuncturist to see if that will help with weight and energy.   You have to be able to show that you can lose weight on your own prior to surgery and I figure if I do go forward with it I should be in the best possible shape and have the best nutrition I can before surgery. So still checking my options and trying on my own.  I did like some of the suggestion on other topics in this area....so am open to anything to help with energy and motivation for the long haul....thank you all again. deb366

I came to OH looking into WLS.  I believed that people who had WLS could eat whatever they wanted in small quanities and stay thin.

I learned that post ops have to eat good foods in moderate amounts to retain the weight loss, just like a non op would.  I learned that many post ops can NEVER have a piece of cake or an ice cream cone again in their life - ever. I learned that those who have the DS and are able to still eat what they want struggle with mal nutrition issues - forever. So I am here....  maybe I will have WLS someday, even if I lose 100 lbs on my own I would qualify...    but, for now I am going to eat well to live well. Welcome and good luck to you