Why even go through all the pain of having this surgery?

Blair I can see you get it! Which is great! And you are right - if you don't change now you could be in a sad state when you are two years out or sooner - because you will allow bad habits to creep back.... I can eat more than I did right after surgery too but most of the time I am careful to fill up on protein before I even eat the veg and occasional starch.  At over 2 years out I still do not eat bread, pasta or rice, no more than 9 grams of sugar in one sitting  (and with a protein bar no more than 5) and much less if that is possible and carbs are kept to a minimum. I am not a runner so I do not need a high carb count but all the same I am very conscious of the nutrutional value and calorie count of what I eat. I see this as what my life will be forever - and you know what?  - worth every bit of it to be healthier! Like Teresa,  I have a young son - 4 years old -  (I am also am an older mother unlike Teresa)  BUT I love him so much and want to be here for him as long as I can! You can't sneak anything past your pouch! Jackie

You are so right . If one is ignoring their surgeon now , what is down the road later? These are the very people who will be posting later on of regain, lethargy and desire to get back on track.  I am 4 years out .. and I can tell you , that of the 4 years , it took me 15 months to lose the 200 , and my plastics took the rest . I did not get here by ignoring my surgeon . I went for my check ups proud as a pea**** And able to look at him with honesty when he quized me on my lifestyle . Like I said earlier . I was not perfect, nor I have ever claimed to be. But what I am is ......  Accountable ... For me ... and I refuse ... to go back !!

Bowing - Bowing ... Clapping ... Clapping ...  It is as a support group leader , my biggest struggle yet . Getting those to see how important our surgeons instructions are ... and allowing this lifestyle to be just that .. lifestyle for life ...  Going to bed now , it is AM time already !!!  Happy Monday !  Nat

Ok....I've been pondering my response to your post and I guess there is just no way for me to say it, so..... First, let me tell you....BRAVO for saying what we have all thought. None of us are perfect.  We all have our issues and like many...I struggle each and every day with everything to stay on track and focused.  We all have our issues. But...to completely disregard what your doctor has told you to do is not only careless, but a form of self-sabatoge.  Why go through all of this if you are not ready to make the commitment???  WHy subject yourself AND your family?? I just do not understand why you would go through everything you had to get the surgery.  Were you really not ready??  Not prepared??  Just figured you would lose weight and be happy and healthy?? Ok...here's my story - and this one is a doozy.... I have a co-worker who lost nothing...yes....NOTHING in her 2nd month, because she was non-compliant.  She drank flat Mountain Dew, ate off the buffet at Golden Corral (the fatty stuff), did not take her vitamins and proteins like she was told to do, etc.  She had a lot of explaining to do at her 2nd month appointment.   She just had this idea that she was guarenteed the weightloss no matter what she ate.  Well...it backfired on her.  In her 2nd month, she lost nothing...yes...I said...NOTHING! I can tell you that after that happened, she has been pretty complaint and has lost her weight - with LOTS of extra hard work.  Point is this...don't think that you can get one over, because it will backfire! Now, I know that YOU have the right frame of mind.  You know what your demons are and you know that you have to keep them at bay.  You've got it.  I'm concerned with those who are setting themselves up for failure AND possibly taking some newbies along for the ride.

 

So...there's my 2 cents.... I'm tired...heading to bed.....

Good am Blair, Thanks for a great post! I really appreciate your openness and frankly I have to agree with many points you and those who have replied have made. I think that its incredibly important to note that from the beginning no matter what type of surgery its a commitment to yourself above all else. Many SAY its because of this situation, that person or this reason but be honest with yourself its about YOU so that you can be around for situations, people and things. There are MANY reasons why a person struggles with obesity and every story is different. For me, it was not only my family history, the co-morbidities that are on either side of my family but my own personal health struggles as a child. I have NEVER been an eater in the sense of eating just to eat, eating too much but more over not eating enough and not eating the right things. Coming into this lifestyle it wasn't easy and I am GLAD it wasn't. I've had to struggle but then why have it any other way? I've got choices. Each and everyday I wake up I have choices from the second I become acclimated to the am. What I'll eat, what I'll drink, when and how I'll exercise and so much more. The power of CHOICE is amazing is it not? Something I learned (the hard way of course) is that folks will make mistakes just like me and some will continue to blame others while I have to face myself in the mirror every morning. In addition, learning, growing and changing are parts of life just as when we are obese there are a whole new set of issues that come with post-op life. We have to ride things out and make the best choices we can with all we know. I have to be honest and say that when I see someone posting something that just absolutely pushes the envelope for me I am SO thankful its a forum and not the person themselves. Why? Because I tend to be blunt, honest, to the point and I don't want to hear excuses. I've spent a lifetime hearing them and TODAY is the day. We aren't guaranteed ANYTHING in this life. Time here is so short and so if you want to use and abuse the tools given to you more power to you. However, don't expect me to feel sorry for you. I also know that every person is different and someone might not be in the right frame of mind to make the best choices and decisions and that is where they have to WANT to TRY and have to WANT to accept support and help and also to accept feedback. I CHOOSE to live, now, in this moment, today and for as long as I'm given. I CHOOSE to make the best choices I can and even if I don't get it right everyday I TRY. Yes, life gets us down, yes bad things happens but we recover, we come out of things, we learn lessons and we get up and keep walking. So, Blair thanks and to the other *****plied here. I'm PROUD to be a part of such an amazing and diverse group of folks. All best!

Your post was well said, Blair.  These are the exact reasons I changed many behaviors PRIOR to surgery.  The way I figure it, our doctors are the experts having done hundreds of surgeries and planning their programs on what workds. I am also so excited to have had so many women sign up for the Womans Challenge. While I exercise at least 30 minutes 3-5 days a week I want more! And I know I can do it even with  severee arthritis and degenerative disease of my knees and neck.

You totally rawk Blair!!  Thank you for saying what many of us have been thinking.  I am right there with you.  As we all know, this is not an easy road by any means but we can try to make it a litle easier by following all the rules from your doctor to a T and we all know what those rules are so I won't go into detail, but stress the fact that if you want to live a healthy life then you MUST take your vitamins/supplements, exercise, journal and be accountable for all of your actions.   I have not, nor do I plan to, test the waters to see if I can tolerate sugar.  8 months out and I have not had one bite, one lick, or one smidgeon of sugar because I know that if I find that I can tolerate it then I will slip right back to old habits.  That is just me.  I refuse to see 310 pounds again!  Heck, I don't want to ever see 200 pounds again either and I know I will succeed because of the new lifestyle that I have acquired.  I never would have imagined that I would be a gym rat five days a week.  I went yesterday, on Mother's Day and was so darn proud of myself.   No one is perfect, that is for sure, because we are all human  BUT we can be accountable for the remainder of our lives and make it the best that it can be.  We all took that first step towards this goal by deciding to have this surgery and together we call can make it to the finish line with support, love, and devotion to one another.

Blair, I want to thank you for posting  this positive post.  I have not had my surgery yet but hopefully soon, but I have read alot and continue to. I have changed a few things as to not drinking diet soda  and exceriseing 3 to 4 times a day. I feel reading the pure facts puts things  into a brighter light.  I know having the surgery is not a easy process and that I will have to work at it for the rest of my life. But it is going to help live life better and keeping the weight on would just shorten it.  I am getting a second chance in life and I want to live it to the best as I can.  I am not perfect but I do want to improve  my life. Thank you again for posting. The support here is the best. Gwen