The "Skinny Dream" burst by weight loss realities - great article for pre-op and...

 Here is a link to a very good article about people *****alize that losing weight does not magically solve all of their problems in life.  

 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36784702/ns/health-behavior/?ns=health-behavior

I know people on this board struggle with this issue, so hopefully you can gain some insight from people who've been there.  I hope it doesn't seem like a Debbie Downer or anything because you can improve your life with WLS (I'm living proof of that!!) but there are certain things in life that no amount of weight loss will fix or repair (like a bad relationship, for example).  So take this with a grain of salt, just something to think about! 

~Emily~ 

i saw this article on melting mamas site a few weeks back. thanks emily for sharing with our board :)

it def makes you think, people do go into wls thinking it will change things for you. and it CAN and will, but there are still some life things that losing weight CANT change and you have to do it for yourself.
just like wls is a TOOL, and not a miracle drug. we have to work for what we want, and be grateful and blessed with what we were given to help us. 

losing weight doesnt have any guarantees,
only you can help yourself pursue your dreams!

im a cornball :) & didnt mean to go on a rant, but thats what i do. lol

love love love,
am

Thanks for posting! A few weeks before my surgery, my best friend (also overweight) told me she was concerned about my "mind", not necessarily my body in relation to the surgery. She felt that my body would change, but my old issues and habits would still be there.

She definitely had valid concerns. When I came home from the hospital, even though I could barely hold an ounce of water, I "craved" things like pringles and "missed" things like ice cream. My feelings about food didn't/aren't automatically changing. And now as I sit over 60 pounds lighter, I still feel obese enough to warrant having some kind of freak show TLC special. My confidence level and the way I view myself physically hasn't changed.

I know that my thinking has to change as much as my body to live this "skinny dream".

 Stacy, 

I still struggle with this almost 18 months out of surgery.  It's a mind game, a game that obese people are very good at playing (and cheating at!).  I know every surgeon's office is different but mine was really good about trying to help us find ways to cope without food once we are post-op.  I don't think some places give enough to patients as far as prepping us up for the lifestyle afterwards than they do for the actually act of the surgery itself.  I think it's more crucial to talk to us about what to do when we are a year out, can eat more and we are having a mental tug of war with a bag of chips. 

I now feel like I'm just like everyone else who has to watch their weight.  Honestly, it's tough and when you are going from 26 years of eating whatever/however much I felt like, to really having to watch portions and your food quality, it's pretty hard.  It really is reteaching ourselves how to eat the correct way.  Every day is a challenge and I don't think for me it will ever be easy but as long as I learn a little from today that can take me into tomorrow, then I'll be happy.  

~Emily~ 

Emily,

I definitely get worried about the time when I can eventually eat more and the weight might come creeping back on. It definitely will if I'm not careful. I think the best thing I can do is make as many behavior and thinking changes now as I can. It's hard when everyone around me is eating oversized portions and fried food. I can't eat that stuff now, but someday I could and it's going to be hard to say no.

My doctor also has a nutritionist in his practice and is associated with a therapists' office (in the same building). I feel lucky that they can all work together and help patients on their journey.

That is a really good article. Really puts things in perspective for us Pre-Ops.