New here - checking out WLS and saw this forum - advice please!

 Hi,

I am new to this site and the different forums.  Everyone has been so helpful it has been great.

I am 52, 5'3 1/2" weigh 217, BMI about 38.  I have tried every diet (as I am sure everyone here has as well) my whole life.  I have a meeting with a WLS 2-1 and am seriously considering that if I am approved by insurance.  One the one hand WLS seems like it will help me with my lifelong struggle.  However, at times I get so upset with myself that I cannot seem to stick to anything.  I am currently on WW online, but not following it.  I have joined and rejoined WW so many times to count.  I have done low carb, low fat, Jenny Craig and never can stick to anything.  I recently obtained the Eat Clean Diet book, but have not tried that.  In theory that seems like the healthiest way to eat.

My question to you all here is I really feel I should be able to do this on my own, but have not been able to.  What finally got you all to be able to lose weight and be successful without WLS?

Thanks for all your help!

Lynn

I am curious to hear the responses as well.  I have a lot of weight to lose, and I had finally thought that surgery was going to be the only way I could do this.  I can have the surgery done and it would be covered by medical, but the wait time is 4-5 years!!  My parents are willing to give me the money so I can have it done, but I am worried about failing the surgery (i.e. not making the changes necessary to make it work).

I have also tried almost every diet out there - WW, LA Weight Loss, Jenny Craig, South Beach, etc.  WW worked for me until I stopped going to the meetings!!

Whatever way I go, I can't do anything until May - I work in an accounting office, and I can't get time off until then.  So I am going to take the next 4 months and give it a real, honest effort.  I am even going to try to go for counselling to see if that can help.

Heather.

 Hi,

Your situation sounds like mine.  I see my surgeon 2-1, and there is a 3 month waiting period.  So I figured if I get approved it won't happen until May.  I have been reading the Eat Clean diet and will probably try and incorporate that along with WW.  Maybe we could help each other!!!

I am anxious to hear other's experiences.

Thanks for the response.

That would be great - I need someone to talk to about all of this - and, franky, all of my friends are skinny and don't get it! :)

I don't know anything about Eat Clean, but I was going to incorporate South Beach with WW, and go in that direction.

What surgery are you trying for?

Eat Clean is basically staying away from processed foods and eating protein and complex carbs at every meal.  It would be more like the filing foods/Core from WW, but stricter.

The surgery I've been thinking about originally I thought Lapband, but decided it wasn't for me,  now it is between RNY and gastric sleeve.  My surgeon feels the DS is too dangerous longterm and does not do that surgery anymore.

What about u?

Eat Clean - that sounds good, and I definitely think that is a good approach.  I try to avoid processed foods as much as possible - but with 2 young kids it is hard!  All the things they like in their lunches are processed - except the fresh fruit! :)

I was originally thinking of the lap band too - because I could have it done immediately.  But, after some research decided it wasn't for me either.  I will fully admit I am a little nervous about the malabsorption with RNY and DS, so if I go ahead with a surgery I am opting for the sleeve.

 You can read my profile for more details, here I'll just say that after pursuing WLS for 3yrs. (ins, job losses, yada yada) I have been losing at least 5lbs. a month since last spring.

I was having gallbladder attacks so I cut out all fast foods, and cook mostly at home.  I don't eat fried food. I stll drink pepsi, and have some snacks.  All I can say is that by cutting back I've lost.  I don't feel deprived cause Iam not really on any "diet".  If Iam hungry, I eat...I read food lables now, and choose the lowest fat/calorie content, and try to get lots of water in...

I feel like Iam eating "normally", not "diet-ish"...Iam eating healthy...

Its almost like I've "eased" into cutting out junky stuff, and have found replacements for other things.  I found a no fat mayo, I have frozen yogurt instead of ice creme, things like that...

I make sure there are "healthy" frozen things for a quick lunch or dinner so I don't get something junky.  There are better choices at places like Taco Bell.  I get the chicken soft taco....

Iam happy and very surprized at losing 45lbs. so far.  I think losing slowly has helped to not gain it back.

I can tell you that my motivation has totally been gallbladder pain, kinda like having a "restrictive only" WLS...lol

Its a constant struggle, this weight business.  Its never over if one has WLS or not. And yes, Iam still in Kaiser's Bariactric program.  My kaiser is now offering the VSG, and I'll make a final choice when Iam done with all thier requirements...

I hope my ramblings have helped!

wow, you know the gall bladder thing was my problem too...although I didnt know it for a long time.  I only knew that I was in tons of pain almost all the time. I think after 1-2 weeks of eating healthy and realizing that that horrible pain was GONE that I was so mad at myself!!!  I mean years of pain...because of what I was eating?!  geesh I never put the two together.  I thought it was just fatty foods causing the pain but it must not be that because I'm super low carb so I do eat a decent amount of fat but I choose mostly healthy fats.  in November my sister took us to McD's for my daughters birthday and I decided why not?!   well the 2 hours I sat and cried through the pain reminded me how terrible I used to feel at all times and I will never eat fried food again. Doesnt matter how good it tastes its not worth the pain!

Anyone CAn do this on their own.... I thikn the problem is that 95% of people gain it back where as with WLS that number is far lower...thats what made me want to go that route.  I think you can be one of the 5% who keep it off though if you never ever give up.  Once you get to goal, or anytime before even, if the scale starts to go up, if your clothes start to get tight...do not go buy bigger clothes instead crack down and fix it before it gets out of hand.  It's never easy I know but most people who have been considering WLS have been around the block more than once, we know the pain and we know the drill!   good luck!