Why I didn't have WLS...and my story
I just want to begin a conversation...last summer I was approved for WLS and got very close to having it. I weighed at an all time high last summer of 452 LBS. I'm tall- for a female-6 feet to be exact and have big bones (yes, I really do-lol.) I was really into it, went through all the BS- testing, nutritionist etc. Met a surgeon. I suddenly had a change of heart- For some reason, I had a gut feeling that I should not go through with this. I live by a rule that I always go with my intuition. I just had this in the back of my mind that something would go wrong. I quit the nutritionist- she wasn't telling me anything I didn't already know anyway. So, I backed out of WLS.
I decided to do this on my own without cutting up my insides and subjecting myself to serious complications. Reading some of the memorials on this website did play a part in my decision. Leaks, bowels collapsing, comas, malnutrition, infections. I decided I'd rather live just fat than to take that risk. I began to take control- I cut out ALL fast food (if I have to get something on the road, I'll get a small chili from Wendy's) and simple carbs. Just from doing that, I've dropped 74 LBS and right now weigh 378.6 LBS. I recently joined a gym and go 30 minutes on the treadmill, weight lift and in addition walk 30 minutes at night around the neighborhood. I eat vegetables, protein and salads and cut out midnight snacks. I'm fast forwarding this weight loss! I'm also taking the Alli pills- they help clean me out, I love them.
My goal then was to get under 400, now my goal is to get under 300, and I'm proud of myself and all the "plumbing" in my body is intact! My clothes are falling off me, I can begin to feel a collarbone, my shoe size has gone from 12 to 10. Not a big deal for most people, but when you've weighed into the 400's, it IS. My wedding ring has become very loose, I'm married to your stereotypical blond buff he-man kind of guy. The only weight he is concerned about is how much he's lifting. lol. I'll be thin at 200 LBS.
I was curious if anybody else here has had the same thing, a change of heart about WLS. I truly think I made the right decision for myself. I can't bash or blame others for their choices in life- I realize some folks are so big they are immobile, or have life threatening diseases that would require super rapid weight loss..thus WLS. But just in the back of my mind I know there was a reason I shouldn't have gone through with it. Maybe I'm lucky enough to be here to share my little story- too many maybes and what ifs. So who prefers to lose weight and get healthy the old fashioned way?
I decided to do this on my own without cutting up my insides and subjecting myself to serious complications. Reading some of the memorials on this website did play a part in my decision. Leaks, bowels collapsing, comas, malnutrition, infections. I decided I'd rather live just fat than to take that risk. I began to take control- I cut out ALL fast food (if I have to get something on the road, I'll get a small chili from Wendy's) and simple carbs. Just from doing that, I've dropped 74 LBS and right now weigh 378.6 LBS. I recently joined a gym and go 30 minutes on the treadmill, weight lift and in addition walk 30 minutes at night around the neighborhood. I eat vegetables, protein and salads and cut out midnight snacks. I'm fast forwarding this weight loss! I'm also taking the Alli pills- they help clean me out, I love them.
My goal then was to get under 400, now my goal is to get under 300, and I'm proud of myself and all the "plumbing" in my body is intact! My clothes are falling off me, I can begin to feel a collarbone, my shoe size has gone from 12 to 10. Not a big deal for most people, but when you've weighed into the 400's, it IS. My wedding ring has become very loose, I'm married to your stereotypical blond buff he-man kind of guy. The only weight he is concerned about is how much he's lifting. lol. I'll be thin at 200 LBS.
I was curious if anybody else here has had the same thing, a change of heart about WLS. I truly think I made the right decision for myself. I can't bash or blame others for their choices in life- I realize some folks are so big they are immobile, or have life threatening diseases that would require super rapid weight loss..thus WLS. But just in the back of my mind I know there was a reason I shouldn't have gone through with it. Maybe I'm lucky enough to be here to share my little story- too many maybes and what ifs. So who prefers to lose weight and get healthy the old fashioned way?
I bet you feel great. Sure seems like you are taking all the right steps. A while back I faced the same decision, and I too decided that surgery wasnt for me. My girlfriend and I have become gym rats sence and just can't get enough. We now eat much healthier and are also on various supplements. My girlfriend took Alli for a little while but said that it wasnt meeting her expectations. I helped her research some different options and we were finally able to find the right one. She tried it out for a few weeks and loved it soo much that now she has me taking them. I dont want post the name on the forum in case the're some rule against it but If you dont mind I'll shoot you an email with a link to the site. We are both so happy with the results that we've even gotten some of our friends on the waggon. Well I'm off to the gym now, by the way how often do you train, just remember that too much fun can become addicting.
Train hard. Eat well. Live happy.
Train hard. Eat well. Live happy.
I was going through the motions of getting WLS in April 2004 when I decided it not only scared me to death getting my insides rearranged, but I wasn't sure I could stick to their extreme measures food plan afterwards. I went to OA, and have been there since 2006, and am slowly losing weight the "old fashioned way" by making small lifestyle changes very gradually. I still haven't incorporated regular exercise, but that will come next.
I'm 5 foot, 1/2 inches tall, and currently weigh around 272 pounds, which is close to being 160 pounds overweight for me. I would have probably died before I reached the weight you were once at, but then you're six feet tall! Good luck to you - I admire and commend you for your efforts!
Denise Phares/kitties4
I'm 5 foot, 1/2 inches tall, and currently weigh around 272 pounds, which is close to being 160 pounds overweight for me. I would have probably died before I reached the weight you were once at, but then you're six feet tall! Good luck to you - I admire and commend you for your efforts!
Denise Phares/kitties4
Greetings EX:
I, too, was scheduled for RNY WLS last July. I'd gone through all the testing, etc. and had a surgery date. Then 2 weeks before the surgery, I decided that it was not for me. I had heard that some people are nauseated and sick a lot after, and I already get motion sickness, so I decided that I'd take the risk of being fat than maybe being sick for the rest of my life. I also felt that spiritually it was not for me to change what God had given me in such a way.
My weight was 244, so I cut out fast food and ice cream (which was my big downfall), and started swimming. I lost 22 lbs. in less than a year without suffering. Yet, I allowed myself these bad habits again and have gained about 14 of those lbs. back. I'm so mad at myself!
I'm trying to wean myself from my bad habits and am exercising a lot now. Hopefully I can get back in gear.
I don't post on this board much anymore because I feel I have nothing to contribute, but I do read the majority of the posts each day. This is a wonderful, motivating site. Stick around...you'll learn a lot from some good, fun people!
Good luck!
Bren
I, too, was scheduled for RNY WLS last July. I'd gone through all the testing, etc. and had a surgery date. Then 2 weeks before the surgery, I decided that it was not for me. I had heard that some people are nauseated and sick a lot after, and I already get motion sickness, so I decided that I'd take the risk of being fat than maybe being sick for the rest of my life. I also felt that spiritually it was not for me to change what God had given me in such a way.
My weight was 244, so I cut out fast food and ice cream (which was my big downfall), and started swimming. I lost 22 lbs. in less than a year without suffering. Yet, I allowed myself these bad habits again and have gained about 14 of those lbs. back. I'm so mad at myself!
I'm trying to wean myself from my bad habits and am exercising a lot now. Hopefully I can get back in gear.
I don't post on this board much anymore because I feel I have nothing to contribute, but I do read the majority of the posts each day. This is a wonderful, motivating site. Stick around...you'll learn a lot from some good, fun people!
Good luck!
Bren
i too was going to have RNY surgery and went to see a bariatric dr in concord in aug 2007. i had done alot of researching and reading and i thought it was my best option. then i got their for the apt and my stomach was almost cramping it bothered me so much to think about them rearranging my insides. it hadn't bothered me up until that point, but suddenly it REALLY bothered me. so i changed my mind. i lost 35lbs on my own then before the holidays. during the holidays tho i fell off the wagon and ended up gaining it all back plus more. i'm now struggling to get back on track again and i'm determined i am not gonna screw things up this year like i did last year. this can be done without surgery. there are plenty of ppl on these boards that are proof of it.
Thank you for the replies. I knew that I couldn't be the only one who went through something like this.
Yesterday at the gym I weighed 376, so that's 2 more pounds gone since my post here.
77 more gone and I'll reach a milestone- under 300. Then I can actually use the scale I have at home rather than the digital one they have at my gym. I thank the owners sincerely that they have a "real" scale and not one that goes up to 280 and stops.
I went to a buffet last night and ate ONE plate of food with unsweetened iced tea. I was full, and I stopped. That was it. Prior to my losing this weight, I semi fasted (chicken broth, protein bars) for a few days to shrink my stomach. It worked. I'm heading in the right direction and find that as long as you put your mind to it, you can do it. Faced with temptation? Get away from it...and it will pass, and you will feel great about it. Truly get in touch with your body again. If you are not hungry, do NOT eat. Eat slow, and keep a conscious connection with your belly. Really chew your food, and make an effort to really taste what's in your mouth. Stop eating before that stuffed feeling comes. Get your mind to work with and for you instead of against you.
I'm rambling on and on because these are things I've been learning and applying to my life the past few months, and have had success with it. If I can inspire anyone, I will.
WLS was NOT my answer, I truly believe I would have been miserable and I do consider it dangerous. I do not bash WLS people. WLS takes incredible commitment and you are taking risks that could be deadly. I'm happy to be alive today and doing this myself. Congratulations to ANYbody out there who has lost weight no matter what route you took!!
Yesterday at the gym I weighed 376, so that's 2 more pounds gone since my post here.
77 more gone and I'll reach a milestone- under 300. Then I can actually use the scale I have at home rather than the digital one they have at my gym. I thank the owners sincerely that they have a "real" scale and not one that goes up to 280 and stops.I went to a buffet last night and ate ONE plate of food with unsweetened iced tea. I was full, and I stopped. That was it. Prior to my losing this weight, I semi fasted (chicken broth, protein bars) for a few days to shrink my stomach. It worked. I'm heading in the right direction and find that as long as you put your mind to it, you can do it. Faced with temptation? Get away from it...and it will pass, and you will feel great about it. Truly get in touch with your body again. If you are not hungry, do NOT eat. Eat slow, and keep a conscious connection with your belly. Really chew your food, and make an effort to really taste what's in your mouth. Stop eating before that stuffed feeling comes. Get your mind to work with and for you instead of against you.
I'm rambling on and on because these are things I've been learning and applying to my life the past few months, and have had success with it. If I can inspire anyone, I will.
WLS was NOT my answer, I truly believe I would have been miserable and I do consider it dangerous. I do not bash WLS people. WLS takes incredible commitment and you are taking risks that could be deadly. I'm happy to be alive today and doing this myself. Congratulations to ANYbody out there who has lost weight no matter what route you took!!
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