I would appreciate your opinion....

I posted a LONG post about nonop support on the main board, and I'd appreciate your opinion. Either here on this forum, if you're not comfortable on the main or via private email is fine too. I'm wondering if you, the nonop agree or am I way off base? Hugs, Toots Post is here: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/postdetail/1714841.html?vc=0

Thank you There is little to nothing I can add to your post. You have hit on every single aspect of what it means to be Morbidly Obese. I am a non-op by choice, and the choices are not important. I have taken on this struggle along with the rest of you who are MO or SMO as I was when I started. Frankly I don't care whether I am accepted on the OH board, I will still continue to come. OH has been kind enough to set up a non-op forum and I will continue to have that be my main board. But I still come here to the Main OH board. All of the struggles of MO are common, they just are. Any of the surgery patients can eat right past their surgery, it has been proven and it has been done by many. What bothers me the most are the posts that say "I lost xxx amount of pounds and the diet failed me", or "I dieted my way to xxx pounds." I think that it may be the case with a small majority but for most of it isn't. It's not about dieting, it's about changing your way of life, period. Whether you are a surgery patient or one that isn't, the journey is the same. Thank you again Dame Tooter, I enjoy reading all of your posts. Donna - non-op 342/250/200

I just wanted to thank you again for responding!

Wow, you've done well so far! Keep on fighting the good fight!!! And thank you!

I am using Weigh****chers to get my excess fat off. I chose not to have WLS because I was too scared of the surgery itself, as well as the drastic changes you have to make afterwards. I liked your message about the obese and morbidly obese. I would be considered morbidly obese. I am five feet 1/2 inch tall. I weigh 295 pounds. I should weigh under 120 pounds. I've been there, but could not hang on to it, because I didn't know how to eat once I got to goal weight. Weigh****chers claims to have a maintenance I can follow. So I'll do that, once I get to goal, which will happen in approximately 3 years (my estimation). I have approximately 180 pounds to lose. I am slowly making the changes I need to take off this weight. It hasn't been easy. I tried WW's Core Program, where you can eat until you're satisfied. This didn't work well for me, since I tend to overeat instead of stopping when I'm satisfied. It's hard for me to tell the difference between the two. I am on their Flex Points Program, and am in the process of learning how to do that. Thanks for your opinion. Denise Phares

and I wish you ALL the success there is to be had! You CAN do it.

Hi Toots, I always like to read your post on the main board. I came to the realization a while back that obesity is something I will have to battle for my whole life. It is a health issue. I chose to not have surgery. I don't even like to take a Tylenol, so surgery was not really something I wanted. I understand that surgery is a good option for some people, and it is up to each person to choose what is best for them. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. I am happy for anybody that is loosing weight and getting healthy. I know some of the nutritional needs are different, but we share a lot of the emotional issues. And I think to be successful with WLS or without it, the emotional side has to be conquered too. I think it is probably the biggest factor to long term success no matter what route is taken to loose the weight. Lynette

Amen! Thanks for posting. I hear you - I am glad you've found your path!

I Toots, I am a non-op by choice. My employer coversall the wl surguries and I was approved for the lapband last year. (1-05)........... Thankyou sooooooo much for supporting non-ops....... I chose to try the old fashion way one more time and as of today, I have lost a total of 142 pounds.......!!!! I have heard on another board comments that the only way that you can lose weight like that is by : wls illness or drug/crack use.......... which is so untrue............... I have work my butt off through excercise and willpower to get my weight off. Now my challegene begins in keeping it off...... I am ready........ God Bless and Hugs Phyllis

you HAVE worked and it shows.... I'm proud of you!