Looking for advice from veterans
I'm 30 and am planning WLS in a few months. I'm just beginning the testing later this week. Cardiac Eval and EKG on Friday, nutrition class on friday, sleep test saturday....and the list goes on. I think I have decided to go with RNY, after all my research. I'm thinking this will be the best bet for me. However, I'd like to hear from some graduates about their stories, difficulties, things you love, just tell me about your experiences. I've read a lot on a bunch of other boards, but most of those people are less than a year out. I wanna hear from long term. I read some on the revisions board and a little in each forum, but I really want to hear from people who have been living life post op for more than a year. good, bad, tell all. Thank you so much
About nine months after surgery I came to the best conclusion I had about surgery:
A lot of this job is mental
Meaning the biggest thing people need to deal with (for long term success) after surgery is their addiction to food. It's funny because people ask how I feel after surgery and I say: "I'm never hungry; but, I always want to eat."
In the end, I think if you use the opportunity surgery gives you and make some permanent and life altering lifestyle changes you will be successful.
A lot of this job is mental
Meaning the biggest thing people need to deal with (for long term success) after surgery is their addiction to food. It's funny because people ask how I feel after surgery and I say: "I'm never hungry; but, I always want to eat."
In the end, I think if you use the opportunity surgery gives you and make some permanent and life altering lifestyle changes you will be successful.
Everything that jl said! It's just a tool and you'll find when you get closer to your goal weight that the difficult areas are all mental..
That's what we deal with here on this forum, in any case.
You'll need support both in your family, locally and possibly on-line. If for nothing else to tell your wow moments because people "on the outside" don't really understand how liberating it can be to finally NOT be out of breath to put on a pair of panty hose...LOL. Sad but true!
You'll need to forever take your vitamins. No excuses at all period.
You'll need to have your labs drawn every year, for most twice a year and for some lucky few, every three months!
That's all I can think of just now..But definitely what jl said..
That's what we deal with here on this forum, in any case.
You'll need support both in your family, locally and possibly on-line. If for nothing else to tell your wow moments because people "on the outside" don't really understand how liberating it can be to finally NOT be out of breath to put on a pair of panty hose...LOL. Sad but true!
You'll need to forever take your vitamins. No excuses at all period.
You'll need to have your labs drawn every year, for most twice a year and for some lucky few, every three months!
That's all I can think of just now..But definitely what jl said..
Yes, RNY worked for me but it also requires a lot of work from me!
Before Surgery: 214
Highest Weight: 240
Now: 125.6
Goal: 130
Before Surgery: 214
Highest Weight: 240
Now: 125.6
Goal: 130
Congratuations on getting control of your weight! It can be intimidating. The biggest issue for most is the mental aspect. Just because the surgeon changes your body (stomach size, etc.), doesn't mean your brain changes. The surgery won't do your grocery shopping for you, it won't order healthy off a menu or make you want to exercise. It won't make you get your daily water in or take your daily vitamins either. MOST of this journey is mental. There is so much that falls on our shoulders.
The #1 issue that all WLS patients face in years 3+ post op is weight regain- regardless of surgery type. This is because we don't measure portions (we eat to feel full and stretch our pouches slowly over time), we don't change the foods we eat from high calorie/high fat foods to healthier foods and we don't incorporate physical activity into our lives as the weight comes off. That's why we gain the weight back afte 3+ years. There are other issues we face like micro-nutrient difficiencies because we don't take our supplements or get enough protein.
What I always see are people who are so desperate to lose their excess weight in the beginning and then get complacent after surgery. They complain about how they eat a year later. They think they have it mastered or feel like they can start incorporating those foods they used to eat. I call that my Fat Inner Child talking to me. It's really just my old way of thinking creeping back into my thought process. Why wouldn't it? I have thought that way for 30+ years. I've really had to internalize the reality that many WLS patients regain their weight because they revert to old eating habits. I can easily become one. I can easily become complacent and... we get one shot at making this surgery work.
Commit to the post op lifestyle changes and you will be successful. Healthy behaviors lead to life long success with weight loss surgery! Good luck on your journey.
The #1 issue that all WLS patients face in years 3+ post op is weight regain- regardless of surgery type. This is because we don't measure portions (we eat to feel full and stretch our pouches slowly over time), we don't change the foods we eat from high calorie/high fat foods to healthier foods and we don't incorporate physical activity into our lives as the weight comes off. That's why we gain the weight back afte 3+ years. There are other issues we face like micro-nutrient difficiencies because we don't take our supplements or get enough protein.
What I always see are people who are so desperate to lose their excess weight in the beginning and then get complacent after surgery. They complain about how they eat a year later. They think they have it mastered or feel like they can start incorporating those foods they used to eat. I call that my Fat Inner Child talking to me. It's really just my old way of thinking creeping back into my thought process. Why wouldn't it? I have thought that way for 30+ years. I've really had to internalize the reality that many WLS patients regain their weight because they revert to old eating habits. I can easily become one. I can easily become complacent and... we get one shot at making this surgery work.
Commit to the post op lifestyle changes and you will be successful. Healthy behaviors lead to life long success with weight loss surgery! Good luck on your journey.
Mick in Atlanta, GA
Banded 6-18-07
sw 324 & 56"w / cw 214 & 38"w
Banded 6-18-07
sw 324 & 56"w / cw 214 & 38"w
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