Pardon the dumb question, but.......

Is this site primarily for folks who are going it without surgery, in combination with surgery or both?  Thanks, Linda        

Hi Linda, This site is for people who need help battling obesity.  The site caters to those who use surgery, and those who don't.  The forum you posted this question on is for people who chose to battle without surgery.  Hope that helps 

Hi Janina, I usually lurk around the lap band site as I am in the pre-op testing stage.  My surgeon wants me to lose 13lbs on my own.  I don't have a date and only have a few more tests , so I'm kinda looin for a place to gather encouragement and insight in my quest to lose the weight on my own.  I am not doing well at all.  13lbs seems like 100.  It's good to be with those who understand these struggles.  Thanks for responding. Blessings, Linda          

Hey Linda, welcome to the Non-Surgical Board!  You said that your surgeon wants you to lose thirteen pounds on your own.  Did he recommend that you go on some sort of Bariatric Diet plan, or just with regular diet.   Seems to me that if you can lose thirteen pounds with just a regular diet and no supervision, then you're on your way to not needing surgery.  But if you are a candidate for surgery, then they need to give you some help. I guess my question is, what sort of diet are you planning to be on to lose this thirteen pounds? Mary

Hey Mary, Thank you!  That is my point exactly!!!  I'm like, excuse me, but if I could do this on my own, I don't think I'd be looking into WLS.  Although I've been told that if I can't gain the control to lose 13lbs I will probably fail at WLS as well.  I took that with a grain of salt. None of us got this way exersizing control.  Some seem to forget where they came from.    The dr. gave me no guidance.  He just said that getting out of the super morbidly obese catagory (by losing 13lbs) would elimate additional risks.   I saw the "nut" and she basically gave me a choice of seveal diets all involving shakes or meal replacements.  Since I had some protien powder @ home I opted to use that up first.  I have had little success.  I don't know how I managed to lose and regain the same 100lbs all these years and now have absolutly no control in shedding 13 lousey lbs!!! I just don't get what's wrong with me.  I so wish I could afford to go to a camp where I don't have any say in what I eat for a time.  It's like the fatter I am, the less control I have, more depressed and crave all the wrong stuff.  Tonight, I made a big pot of chili ( I know it's full of carbs) and stuffed myself so that I wouldn't be tempted to cheat at the roller rink where I took my girls.  It actually worked.  I was so full and then I drank tons of water and I wasn't even tempted by the candy and goodies. Unfortuanately, I won't lose like that either b/c it's just too many carbs for me.  I'm just sort of at the end of myself and need to get some support .  Actually, I need to be locked up for about 3 months.  Sorry, I'm rambeling.  These sites have a theraputic affect on me and I go into blab mode.  Then I feel guilty and have this overwhelming desire to pay all those who kindly read through my garbage.  Thanks for responding.  All/ any advice or tips are appreciated.   Be blessed, L:in           

First I want to thank you for the prayer.  I don't mind it at all!  Next I want to say that I have experienced this feeling you're having of needing to be locked up in a camp eating just what they give you.  We want our choices taken away so we do the right thing because the right thing isn't always obvious or easy.  Have you tried looking into www.settingcaptivesfree.com <-- bible based one on one study and counseling for all sorts of addictions.  It may help you grab some control.  My 80 lb loss to date is a direct result of prayer and a desire to walk in obedience.  I've been working on one thing at a time and I've got a long way to go.  I took a leap of faith and stopped taking insulin.  Praise God my sugar has been in the target range and I've lost quite a bit of weight as well. I did it with a modified Atkins.  I say "modified" because I keep my carbs as close to zero as possible which in turn controls my blood sugar. Have you looked into this?  I actually find it more satisfying than filling up on carbs just to get hungry again in a fairly short amount of time.  I can go all day without eating if I don't deliberately look at the clock and get something to eat.   Like you, I was considering lap band.  I woke up the day of my appointment with the surgeon and just didn't go.  I started at 310...  been fighting with some fluid.. so between 225 and 235 let's say at this point.  (This morning it was 230).  In the first two weeks I lost about 15 lbs. If you can't do the meal replacements or protein powders exclusively, you may want to look into this.  I suspect your surgeon is trying to reduce the amount of fat on the liver to make the surgery easier. I'm not pushing the Atkins... I'm just trying to throw out an idea here. God Bless! Lori

Wow Lori, You lost 2 more lbs since I last wrote to you (last night).     Thanks so much for your thoughtful response.  I will definately look into that site. I know that I need to allow God to deliver me from my food demons.  I always put them down at the alter only to pick them back up again.   I have tried Atkins in the past, but actually got "addicted" to the fats and went way overboard on them.  I believe that was my downfall.  I never actually went into ketosis even though I was not having even the alotted carbs.  I origionally started the diet after a friend lost lots of weight on it.  Bought the book and read it cover to cover in 25hrs.  Followed the diet to the "T".  Never lost more than a couple of lbs, never went into ketosis.  I would call the helpline and explain and the reps would say, well how much tuna did you eat?  I would say , about 2 or 3 cans with some mayo and they would say things like well that;s too much, you shouldn't eat 3 cans of tuna.  I got ticked because that was the point ,I thought , to eat as much protien to cause satisfaction.  3 cans of tuna if that's all you're having for dinner or lunch?   Please that's not hard to consume and I wasn't gorging. I was determined to make the "diet" work. I was advised by another rep to eat only bacon, eggs and fat.  It never worked.  I couldn't reach ketosis and I ended up giving up on it like so many other failed plans.  Recently, I began following  the WW core plan, but it  isn't working b/c of the "good" carbs.   I don't have diabetes, but there were 4 generations ( all the women starting as far back as my great, great grandmother who struggled w/ diabetes).  I have struggled w/ hypoglycemia since adolensence.  I was on a very low carb, low fat diet a few years ago.  It took me a year to lose 40lbs and then I just stopped losing.  It was medically supervised and the counsoler said that my weighjt loss halt was a result of the 1 diet rite I would have every other day.  I couln't keep it up and gained that 40 plus another 20.  Here I am!  Peolpe who go on WW lose and I do the same thing and stay the same.  Then I get the acusations that I've cheated.  I finally give up, go on a binge and then it hits me and I start all over. It is difficult at best, but I refuse to give up.  I am still not convinced that lapband is the answer, but I continue to presue it untill the doors to it are closed.  To date, I have gone through a number of tests and continue to do so.  My prayeri s that if God is not for thsis, He will shut the door.  Today, I am back to the minimal carb lifestyle.  I will take it one meal at a time and I hope I can join the gym this week.  I need to move! Congrats on not needing your insulin.  That sure is faith girlfriend.  I pray that you have continued success. You are quit an inspiration!   Keep up the awesome work.  To God be the glory! Linda

haha.. don't get excited about the other 2 lbs.. it's just fluid.  I put on 15 from  Friday to Sunday last week... 2 days... so I'm still working on getting that fluid off!  LOL Atkins isn't for everyone...  I must say that as a diabetic, I was hungry continually and this has all but eliminated my appetite.. so for me.. yes :)   I know at this point I couldn't get 2 or 3 cans of tuna in me.  IN the first week or two I could have probably eaten that much with no problem.  My max is about 6 oz of anything.. and sometimes I'm so overfull at 6oz that I just feel lousy.  I kinda see you as having the same problem with hypoglycemia when it comes to the starches and carbs..  you have to watch for that crash...  and it's hard to balance.  I had to watch 'em for the highs...  I feel a lot better now that my HIGH HIGH HIGH will hit about 130 instead of 500 or 600. I'm living proof you don't have to cheat to gain!  I put on 40 lbs with the same diet, just injecting insulin.  I also put on weight eating fruits and veggies (as directed).  I kinda feel like I'm "allergic" to them. You're quite right about the fact that if GOD DOES NOT WANT THIS SURGERY TO OCCUR, you'll get all sorts of roadblocks.  When I woke up feeling like my head was on fire the morning I was to leave.... I took that as "don't do it".  I have no choice but to walk in complete faith with this... I can't keep fighting Him like a spoiled child trying to get her own way on a daily basis.  I have so many more demons to contend with so I can't wait to get this one out of the way... (pssst.. I think I'm being taugh "patience").   Yanno... I can't help but think that it's still important to watch portions with Atkins.  It does say to eat until you are satisfied, but I think the meaning behind that is the expectation that you will be satisfied with less.   I wish you much success this time around.  At least you know up front what the doctor expects of you in order to get this surgery.

Hiya Linda!  There are people here who have had surgery.. people who are considering it, and people who opted for non-surgical methods. I think here.. we are all equals.. whether or not we've had surgery.  With or without surgery, we need support and information regarding our diets and a place to vent.  It's a safe place!   :) Welcome aboard!! Be Blessed! Lori

Hi Lori,  Bless your heart!    I read an earlier post about your weight gain related to possible kidney troubles.  I pray that you be totally healed from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet and that if God chooses to use doctors in your healing, He would give you  wisdom and direction to seek out the  best possibe medical proffessionals in the field.  I pray that you will experience 100% healing and renewed heath in Jesus name. Thanks for responding to my post.  I hope you don't mind me breaking out in prayer like that.   If you are interested, there is a prayer warrior team on another site. Just let me know and I will fortward the leader"s email.   Thanks again, Blessings 2 U 2, Linda