"Why couldn't you do this before VSG?"

I have a friend who is MO and has watched me lose weight with the sleeve following a strict program, and now for about 2.5 years has watched me maintain following a much less strict program.  Now she has watched me begin and maintain a workout schedule.  Yesterday she called me and wanted to talk about it.  She asked me point blank, " If you can do all of this now, why couldn't you do it before surgery?"  I answered her, and then I thought about how often I have seen a version of this same question asked here.  I thought I should share my answer with those of you who have not yet had surgery.

 

I had this surgery after I had lost and regained 60-80 lbs. six times in my life.  I never had a problem with self-discipline, what I had a problem with was intense, unrelenting hunger that never went away for long.  I could fight it for a while, for a good long while, but eventually it would always force me to my knees.  I almost never felt full before surgery and my cravings were mind blowing.  I would litterally shake from my desire to get some carbs.  It was an overwhelming feeling and no matter how hard I tried to do the right thing with diet and exercise, my body always defeated me in the end. 

The VSG changed this dynamic completely.  For the first time in my life my hunger was resolved.  It went away completely for the first 5-6 months and then it returned but has remained dramatically reduced when compared to pre-VSG hunger.   By eating mostly protein, my carb cravings also resolved and that need to eat them has quieted.  This along with a much reduced capacity to eat bought me a long window of time to lose weight and to also increase my good habits.  I practiced many of the same strategies I had tried before, but this time, they were so much easier to do and maintain.  I chose to follow my program during the losing phase and found it to be rather simple and easy to do at that time since I had no hunger.  Later, I used and continue to use my old and new mental strategies to reinforce my maintenance plan.  I still have to be self-disciplined to some extant, but it's not nearly as difficult as it was before.  I am still doing the work, but now I have the right tool to make the work easier. 

I think my friend will be contacting Dr. Cirangle in the next few weeks.  She wanted his phone number and she told me that she now had a much better understanding of what was really involved.  I believe that she waited just long enough to make sure that my success was not just a short term thing like every other diet has been.  She has a great chance at succeeding with the sleeve as she understands that the sleeve is only a tool and she has to do the work to make this work long term.

Thanks again for a very helpful post.  I just came back from my final surgeon's appt, --  thinking about getting myself chopped up and some pieces removed, and was asking myself, "Why do I think this will work when nothing else has?"

Now I remember!  I am surprised by the level of nervousness and anxiety I am having.  I didn't expect it at all!  Thanks again for your reassuring post!  Like a woman I worked for told me a long time ago -- never forget the power of your words!

 

Great post Elina!

True.  It allows us to apply what we have learned and create good habits and not to be overwhelmed with ravenous hunger while trying to do it.  It prevents me from eating an entire bag of Doritos in one sitting.  It does not prevent me from eating too many Doritos, so that is when the good habits and wise eating choices come into play, but it does nip things in the bud and allow my thinking to be clear and not go into a carb induced numbness of a high lasting a few minutes and then depression lasting until my next carb high.  Which was the exact cycle before having VSG, at least for me.

Thanks again Elina for the wise words.  I truly hope your friend has great success and no complications.  

When people say I took the easy way out.  I just respond that I chose something that would make the journey of weight loss a bit easier in some ways and in other ways it would force me to make the necessary changes that I needed to be successful at keeping the weight off.  I learn just as many lessons from those that succeed with VSG as I do from those that do not succeed to get to goal and stay at goal with VSG.  The main difference:  Those that succeed realize it is not a miracle, but a blessing, that when used wisely, by creating good eating habits, good exercise habits and getting their lives sorted out through counseling or soul searching, will be one of the best blessings of their lives.  Life is about the journey.  I want my journey to be one I thoroughly enjoy and I refuse to sit on the sidelines cheering others on while not living my own life to the fullest.  This journey so far, has given me freedom, a love of life, a softer heart toward others and a desire to cheer others on while along side them, instead of from the sidelines.

I LOVE  the quotation on your posts.  Who is JRM if I may ask?

I actually have no idea who JRM is.  Wish I knew.  I haven't research it alot to find out.  Got the quote from a Beth Moore Bible Study, I think.  But have no idea who it is.  Thankful they shared it though. :O)

I feel the same way Elina. With one additional element. Its a pretty drastic move to excise a perfectly healthy stomach. For me it was like turning the proverbial corner. I decided that I was now taking my life back, taking control over food and never again letting food control me. I went to extreme lengths to enable myself to do this and I would feel really mad at myself if I didn't give it my all. I know there will still be challenges but taking back control of me has been made possible by the surgery. It is a conscious decision. I will follow through on it. This tool gives you restriction and cravings and hunger management. It also gives you mental determination. If you take it!

So so true!

The difference isn't self discipline, since I've always had a reasonable amount of that and I bet I'm not the only one. It's the fact that I'm not constantly starving and having the VSG installed a "full switch" that I didn't have before.

The analogy I use is that pre surgery I set out each morning to fight a dragon (constant, raging hunger) armed with a butter knife (diet and self discipline) Now the dragon is much smaller and I have armour and better weapons.

Kelly-Anne

Wonderful, wonderful post, Elina!

I identify with so many of your pre VSG issues. The ups and down in weight, the hunger, and finally the submission to my hunger and cravings.

This journey is so different. Still not easy all the time, but so successful. I think, like for you, my decision to have VSG was a turning point - one from which there would be no going back. The sleeve is a powerful tool and motivator!

Thank you once again for your wisdom and experience.

 

Wow Elina, I am sitting here in tears!  You have perfectly described my life so far.  I can't wait to get to the other side.......