Hi Grads. Pre op here.

I would like to ask you all a couple of questions. Are there any complications from WLS that come up when we are really old? Like almost need a nursing home old? Next question. If I do everything I'm supposed to do after surgery including exercise, will it be difficult to continue this for a great length of time. I have never had success for any more than a couple of years with anything. So, I guess what I'm asking is if there is a psychological change after WLS that is different from all the diets you have tried in the past? Karen

I have met a couple of older post-ops. One who is actually 79 years old. She is as healthy as a horse and looks great ! As far as sticking with your lifestyle change. It depends on how bad you want it. The surgery is a freat tool to help us stay on track, but we have to do the work. It has helped me a lot. Before, I never watched what I ate nor exercised. Now it is a part of my daily routine and I love it. I feel like I am in control and things are finally in my corner ! VAL

Thanks, Val. I want it more than I've wanted most things in life. I have every intention of putting all the effort I need to into this for the rest of my life. I just know what has happened to my good intentions in the past when I would work so hard for so little. Karen

This surgery makes it Soooo much easier to do what your are supposed to do. You will be fine ! VAL

If I understand this right and I probably am not as I tend to be blonde, but your asking if you have the surgery can you do it for any length of time? well it's like this Karen, if you don't think you can commit for the REST OF YOUR LIFE, then don't do it. These are usually questions asked on the main boards not the grad boards, so you might not expect a lot of answers as we have all been thru this before and we tend to concentrate on our long term problems that we experience. You might want to check on the Over 50 board also. Darlene

the new way of eating and exercising needs to be a lifelong commitment in order to lose and to maintain. there are many struggleing with regain. if you are not committed to following the program think seriously about this. I personally know several people who went on eating donuts and cheetos and they did not lose what they wanted and they are regaining. I am 3 years post op, have lost to an excellent weight for me and am maintianing very well for nearly 2 years. I am pretty vigelent about my diet. I do allow myself a treat, but my treats are usually not too bad either. and not every day. I eat normal foods and occasionally splurge on pizza or an occasional cookie, but I plan for it and work it into my plan. I know how many calories I am taking in and work at balancing the ratio to carbs, protein and fats to be healthy. If I eat pizza, my other meals are really lean, veggies and low fat protein. I feel I must stay on the program every day because if I am breaking it too many times the bad habits will all be back in no time. Exercise is crucial. every day. If you are looking at this as a short term fix like the other diets, it is not. You must be committed to taking your supplements as well as eating well or you will not be healthy, and this should be a step to health. People who l know me comment on how dedicated I am to my health, eating well and exercising. I tell them I did not have major surgery and rearrange my intestines to fail. I owe it to my self, my insurance company who paid many thousands of $$ and my surgeon who gave me his time, my husband who stood by me and did everything around the house after my WLS and plastics. this is probably not what you want to hear and maybe I am over stepping. I am trying to be as honest as possible and not trying to sound mean. The thing is, I have encouraged and supported people to have this surgery who are failing. I feel bad, like I failed them and I should have really held back on encourageing because they were not ready to make the commitment. This surgery changed my life in every way, you can read my profile. It saved my health, and has been wonderful. Some of the emotional changes are very difficult. I wish you only the best, and the best of luck in your decision making.

Thank you, Willow. I posted on this board because I felt that I would get shoot from the hip answers. I guess I didn't state my question clearly enough. I understand that if I don't follow a healthy eating and exercise plan I have very little chance to be successful. My question should be - If I continue to follow a healthy eating and exercise plan, and deal with the emotional issues as necessary, (do what I gotta do) will I be successful for life? Karen

Karen-I'm on my way out--but wanted to quickly reply--If I continue to follow a healthy eating and exercise plan, and deal with the emotional issues as necessary, (do what I gotta do) will I be successful for life? if you do the above--you can indeed be successful for life. Good luck to you--clearly you realize it is a lifetime committment for change and with that comes success.

yes, you will be successful. and dealing with the emotional issues, I believe, is the key to being able to do it for the long term. As you follow the plan for a while and feel the success, it is rewarding, unlike any "diet" I have ever been on. The portion control is like a gift from heaven to me, that I can be full & satisfied on small portions. Attitude is everything. I used to hate exercising. I made my self do it and after a while I got to like how good my body felt after and see how crummy I feel if I miss. I learned to love exercising. so I get out of bed early and say " I get to go to the health club today!!!!! it used to be "ugh I have to go exercise today My attitude about food changed a lot, I try to make what I do eat as enjoyable as possible. the best quality I can afford. freshest flavors, bright colors , nice envirionment to eat. I deserve the candle lit even if it IS just me. I do still sometimes struggle with food issues and believe I always will. I don't think just having the surgery changed me other than restricting my portion control. but I am working very hard to change the inside of my head. to treat my self well and reward my self in ways other than food ( the 50+ pairs of pretty underwear that are size 6 and fit perfectly) and to cope with stress in healthier ways. Last week I was really badly stressed, a lot on my mind, so I went and had a massage. In the past I would have treated my stress with food. I am learning but slow. anyways the point I was trying to make ( in my own long winded way) is that you can be successful beyond your wildest dreams or you can fail miserably, just like with every other thing in your life, you get out what you put in. Treat your self well, as you deserve - regardless of your size, have a positive YES I CAN! attitude and you will fly!!!!

Thank you so much, Willow for the inspiring words. You were not long winded. You bolstered my confidence, and helped me relieve some self-doubt. Karen