encouragement please......
Hi Vivian,
This is exactly "why" I am so glad that I stumbled across OFF. Don't get me wrong ... the main forum is great with so much information, but as you mentioned, many of the younger people post, wanting to know if they can have this or that, alcohol, etc., etc., at 2 weeks out, and it absolutely wants to make me scream!! What are they thinking and what is wrong with this picture?? Ever since I started this venture, I have been through so many classes, appointments w/ psychologists, nutritionists, various doctors, etc., to "learn" how this new "tool" that I'm being given is supposed to work to my advantage - but ONLY if I follow the rules. Isn't that pretty much standard with everyone going through WLS? I would certainly hate to think that there are doctors out there that do not require their patients to have all of this training so they will have the best possible results. I just can't imagine going through all of this and then not playing by the rules. What would be the point?
I like your reference to becoming a "thrift store junkie". I had just told my daughter the other day that I was really looking forward to visiting our local thrift stores for clothes. I've lost about 18 lbs. pre-op and I can tell a difference already, so I imagine my first thrift store run will take place sometime within the next few weeks. I am excited!
Thanks so much for your blessings!
This is exactly "why" I am so glad that I stumbled across OFF. Don't get me wrong ... the main forum is great with so much information, but as you mentioned, many of the younger people post, wanting to know if they can have this or that, alcohol, etc., etc., at 2 weeks out, and it absolutely wants to make me scream!! What are they thinking and what is wrong with this picture?? Ever since I started this venture, I have been through so many classes, appointments w/ psychologists, nutritionists, various doctors, etc., to "learn" how this new "tool" that I'm being given is supposed to work to my advantage - but ONLY if I follow the rules. Isn't that pretty much standard with everyone going through WLS? I would certainly hate to think that there are doctors out there that do not require their patients to have all of this training so they will have the best possible results. I just can't imagine going through all of this and then not playing by the rules. What would be the point?
I like your reference to becoming a "thrift store junkie". I had just told my daughter the other day that I was really looking forward to visiting our local thrift stores for clothes. I've lost about 18 lbs. pre-op and I can tell a difference already, so I imagine my first thrift store run will take place sometime within the next few weeks. I am excited!
Thanks so much for your blessings!
Marlee....I feel assured that the younger people that I made reference to were told the exact same thing as we were....just they are choosing to not follow the rules to a T. In the long run they are cheating themselves. People do lots of cross addictions when they have WLS...you just have to be so very careful to not do one that is harmful to your body. I exercise and thrift shop. That is nothing that will hurt me. In fact my husband will often tell me to go to GoodWill. LOL I think he doesn't mnd me spending less than $10 for a new outfit !!! You will do so good with your surgery. Don't let anyone at all drag you down or discourage you.
Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian
GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CAN NOT CHANGE; COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS THAT I CAN; AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE !!!! THIS IS MY DAILY PRAYER.
Vivian Prouty Obesity Help Support Group Coach "LOSE IT 4 LIFE"
Hi Marlee, and welcome to OFF:
I was 49 when I had my surgery. I had tried to lose weight all my life ... I'd lose 50 pounds and gain it back plus some many times from when I was a teen up until my surgery. This has been the only thing that has worked for me.
I had borderline high blood pressure and probably would have diabetes (it runs in the family) if I hadn't had the surgery because I would have kept gaining weight. I also had degenerative disc disease and spinal arthritis, plus two arthritic knees. Since losing 180 pounds, I've stopped the compression of my discs in my back, so while I still have the arthritis, it's not as bad. I got a knee replacement on one knee (twice) ... I'm still recuperating from that and hoping the second one works better than the first.
This surgery has changed my life ... it saved my life, I really believe. Although now at nearly 5 years out, I can eat a lot more than before, I have to watch myself again. I know I don't want to go back to my former fatness. I carefully watch that scale, and if it goes up too far, I start wondering what I did. Because of my knee problems and some financial problems keeping me from the Y pool, I haven't exercised as much as I would like to. I used to swim a lot ... but can't afford the Y anymore. So I have to make do with stuff that I have here, and it's not as much fun. Plus it's not as low impact as the pool, so harder on the knees.
This is a big step you're taking, a brave new world you're venturing into. It is like being reborn. You have to learn how to eat all over again, just like a baby. And yes, plenty of people have complications ... but lots of us don't. Most of the times, you only hear about the problems. You don't hear about all the success stories. We here on this board are the success stories. We want you to be one, too.
Good luck next week. Looking forward to seeing you on the losers' bench.
I was 49 when I had my surgery. I had tried to lose weight all my life ... I'd lose 50 pounds and gain it back plus some many times from when I was a teen up until my surgery. This has been the only thing that has worked for me.
I had borderline high blood pressure and probably would have diabetes (it runs in the family) if I hadn't had the surgery because I would have kept gaining weight. I also had degenerative disc disease and spinal arthritis, plus two arthritic knees. Since losing 180 pounds, I've stopped the compression of my discs in my back, so while I still have the arthritis, it's not as bad. I got a knee replacement on one knee (twice) ... I'm still recuperating from that and hoping the second one works better than the first.
This surgery has changed my life ... it saved my life, I really believe. Although now at nearly 5 years out, I can eat a lot more than before, I have to watch myself again. I know I don't want to go back to my former fatness. I carefully watch that scale, and if it goes up too far, I start wondering what I did. Because of my knee problems and some financial problems keeping me from the Y pool, I haven't exercised as much as I would like to. I used to swim a lot ... but can't afford the Y anymore. So I have to make do with stuff that I have here, and it's not as much fun. Plus it's not as low impact as the pool, so harder on the knees.
This is a big step you're taking, a brave new world you're venturing into. It is like being reborn. You have to learn how to eat all over again, just like a baby. And yes, plenty of people have complications ... but lots of us don't. Most of the times, you only hear about the problems. You don't hear about all the success stories. We here on this board are the success stories. We want you to be one, too.
Good luck next week. Looking forward to seeing you on the losers' bench.
Hi Eileen,
Thanks for sharing your story and your words of encouragement. I can't say it enough - I am so glad that I found OFF. I have a lot less stress since I've found this forum, as I stated in my original post, I was concerned about my age and whether my body was up to the challenge of surgery. But so many people have encouraged me and I've come to realize that WLS in your 50's & 60's isn't all that bad. It would have been great if I could have done this 15-20 yrs. ago, but that just wasn't an option. I just feel so blessed right now that I have this opportunity and I'm determined to be a success story. Thanks to you and everyone else who have helped to alleviate my fears and offer me the "right words" to make me realize that I'm not alone with this new life that I'm about to take on. I am so ready!
Thanks for sharing your story and your words of encouragement. I can't say it enough - I am so glad that I found OFF. I have a lot less stress since I've found this forum, as I stated in my original post, I was concerned about my age and whether my body was up to the challenge of surgery. But so many people have encouraged me and I've come to realize that WLS in your 50's & 60's isn't all that bad. It would have been great if I could have done this 15-20 yrs. ago, but that just wasn't an option. I just feel so blessed right now that I have this opportunity and I'm determined to be a success story. Thanks to you and everyone else who have helped to alleviate my fears and offer me the "right words" to make me realize that I'm not alone with this new life that I'm about to take on. I am so ready!
Most Active
Recent Topics
