Wondering....

wow, talk about a post hitting a nerve...It was nice to see the last one from cookies and cream and to hear her success...it is too bad the original poster deactivated themselves.  I was going to tell her/him that in my journey although I am also one of the 260 pounders lol...just a light weight...NOT....that throughout the last 13 months of going through the process I have naturally questioned if WLS is my only route...I believe it is normal to question, research , have deep talks with ourselves and others if we choose....its through that reflection that we come to make an educated and final decision...I know NO ONE who has made the decision to go under the knife for WLS quickly....as so many have so eloquently stated this is a personal journey in so many ways...only we know if it is right for us....I would also imagine the risk of complications rise in those who are extremely obese ( 500 +) pounds...I could be wrong....but if the original poster was one of those people....her concerns for complications would be greater than let's say myself who has ONLY 100 pounds to lose...We don't know if that person is mobile, if they will heal well..if there heart at such a high weight can even take surgery... I would also think that someone who unfortunately gotten to over 500 pounds has developed  quite a relationship with food and losing that , changing that would be even more difficult....I may be ignorant but I would think at 500 + pounds food and the pleasure of eating would be pretty much it....forgive me if I am speaking out of line...don't yell at me...educate me if I am wrong... in saying all this I would imagine at 500 + pounds one's fear could be all consuming and very significant. Those concerns and fears would need to be addressed...BUT I guess that is why we must  trust the process, the professionals at the clinic and listen to those who have bravely gone before us and had the surgery...they offer me the best guide.. ..

As for taking WLS lightly and seeing it as a Quick Fix... YIKES  ...I am going through Guelph and they are very strict..I can't see anyone getting through who  is wanting a Quick Fix or taking WLS lightly OR is not ready physically , mentally or emotionally.  I am awaiting the call to meet the surgeon so I am almost at the end of the process...and I have made many changes and I have lost 30 pounds from referral date...BUT I know I need this tool...I also know that I need to continue with healthy choices...this is not a quick fix....it cant be...and I truly believe we ALL know that.....

Cookies and Cream I love the thought of you running with your kids and running UP the stairs..that is truly what it is all about...the Quality of Life we choose for ourselves... Peace everyone and stay true to you!

Some people decide to have the surgery when they 'only' have 100 or so pounds to lose, because they don't WANT to reach 600 lbs.  I did it because I didn't want to be housebound.  I didn't want to have my mobility any more limited than it already was.  I didn't want to lose a limb from uncontrolled diabetes.  Why should people wait until the have several hundred pounds to lose?

This journey is different for everyone.  Someone who weighs only 250lbs, but is only 5 feet tall can have as many issues as someone who weighs 400 lbs and is 6 feet tall.  We can't judge.  That's not our job.  It's the doctors' at the clinics jobs to decide who deserves this surgery.

Good luck with your weight loss journey - whatever you decide.

TES

Perfectly stated

I am saddened that Eloquent has deactivated her account.  This is a journey in which we all have our ups and downs, are confident and doubtful, and for me, have had emotions all over the place.

We all choose our own path based on many factors in our lives.  I think it is unfortunate that she took her place/decision in her journey and then wondered why others hadn't arrived at that same place.

I wish everyone in their journey the best, no matter if their BMI is 35 or 60

Wow this post makes me really sad.  This is no quick fix.  And I was one with complications.  I am almost 7 weeks out.  Would I do it again?  In a heartbeat!  Am I glad it took me a year and a half from referral to surgery?  Yes.  I have lost 45 pounds so far.  Starting weight, 290, current weight, 245.  Eloquent must have just been frustrated with the process of her own journey and jealous of others who had less to lose to write such a post and continue defending it after having insulted virtually everyone.  And I had considered her a friend.

I question myself everyday am I making the right decision on having wls.. It a huge step to take. I have tried almost everything out there, cabbage soup deit slim fast, even dr Daniels few times I just couldn't do his plan a lot like slim fast.. My family Dr talked to me about wls I turn it down told her I want to do it the natural way deit and exercise joined a gym got a personal trainer and worked with a nutrition.. Things were great I was losing sore everyday some days I could barely move was too sore.. It was a lot of work under year I was down 100 lbs feeling great so much energy but still had 80 to 100 lbs to lose.. Then I hit a wall numbers weren't moving I would gain 2 lbs lose the 2 lbs for months worked out harder nutritionist change my deit up so much nothing work my body was comfortable at 250lbs.. Having personal trainer and nutritionist isn't cheap after two years I couldn't afford it!! The weight slowly came back on, I was so sick of eating salads and vegetables!! Couple years later I got personal trainer once again I got down the 255 lb was stuck again at that weight .. It was so frustrating.. I was always hungry you can eat so much vegetables before u get sick of them. Last year my family doctor once again talked to me about wls she saw in the 20 years how much I have been struggling to get the weight off.. I am glad that my Dr suggest wls.. Yes it's scary yes there risk involved and no I have no health problems don't understand Thqt one everyone in my family has heart   Except me!! But I have tried everything I think the next step is wls. I am willing to take the chance and risk because I feel I am a ticking time bomb I want to be around for my children see them get married have kids grandkids and maybe great grand kids.. I lost my mom 7 years ago to heart disease..both my sister and brother has heart disease.. I am hoping when I meet the team at hrrh they will feel wls is right for me..

Well that escalated quickly.  

Be strong in your journey, I understand your frustration.  I think it is healthy for you to question if the surgery is right for you.  I am going through the Guelph process and let me tell you I have learned a lot about my eating habits.

I experienced a huge loss of my brother he was 38 when he died of a stroke my dad died 4 months later of cancer and then my mom died of complications of diabetes.  MY world colapased around me and food helped along. Now my health is following the same path.  I need to get myself back on track.  I have thought long and hard about surgery and I know it will be the tool that I need to get my life and health on track.

Many of us here have gone through a lot from being ignored, ridiculed, made fun of about our weight.  We have all tried to lose weight and yet here we are.  A friend of mine went through the surgery and has gained all of his weight back.  If you are not ready then I think you need to take the time to decide what is right for you.

I have seen and felt the loss of loved ones because of an addiction to food and feel that the surgery will  help if you are ready if you are not ready than food will eventually take it toll on your heart and body.  Food addiction is something we all have in common.  We need help to deal with our addiction just as a drug addict or and alcoholic needs help.

Dear Eloquent,

In case you are still checking in - PLEASE go to your local library and check out the book:

Obesity Surgery - Stories of Altered Lives

By Marta Meana Ph.D. and Lindsey Ricciardi Ph.D.

It is a book that has interviews with 33 gastric bypass patients talking about life before and after surgery.

33 different journeys.  If nothing else, it is interesting.

Take care.

Such a shame the person who started this thread is no longer on the boards. Whoever they are I hope they come back for the support! I can totally see your frustration for this post though. It may seem that those who need it less are getting it before you, but it's a process that each of us have to venture through and your time is coming! Whichever decision you choose, I only wish you success! 

For me personally, I wish I would have been strong enough to make the decision to go through with WLS when I was only 250 lbs... I was there once and as much as I amped myself up to loose weight, it just didn't happen. Now at almost 380lbs Ive finally had the realization that my way wasn't working... and accepted that I need to make the necessary decisions now before it's to late. I'm sure by limiting myself and exercising I could lose some... but I need the help. Greatful that WLS is an option and it's not a new option. It's been around for quite some time and lessons on supplements have been learned and are still being learned. There are far less complications - long term complications - happening now because of the learning curb with this process.