Can I Do This??

Hey All- I'm a newbie that is pre-op. I posted on the VSG forum a few days ago, but thought i'd post on this one as well as I am only 23 and getting input from people closer to my age would be nice...  My VSG is scheduled for 11/11... I am very excited, BUT part of me feels ashamed... I KNOW how to eat healthly.. I like healthy foods....Ask me about weigh****chers... counting calories... Atkins I can tell you ALL about it and have great suggestions on food choice when on those diets, but I ask myself.. why couldn't I lose the weight without the assistance of a surgery if I have all this? I've struggled with my weight my entire life...  I know it was my own lack of will power that got me where I am... I knew everytime I went and grabbed fast food, or gorged myself in an entire frozen pizza that I shouldn't.  For the past month or so I have been trying to be very visulant of what I am eating and watching my portions. I have lost 7 lbs by doing this, and yes I am happy about that, but I've also had a lot of what I like to call "FAIL" meals.. meaning I ate more than what I should've. I'm worried my lack of will power for the past 20 some years will follow with me post-op and I'm not going to be successful.. Maybe I'm feeling this because of the multiple people I know from my work that have had some type of WLS surgery and have put alot of their weight back on... UGH!!! I also know they don't make the best choice in what they eat...  I just don't want to be that person that isn't successful....     

You're going to have "fail" meals before surgery, and after surgery as well. It's really about having the mental strength to tell yourself that you haven't fallen off the wagon just because of one bad meal. You're probably going to lose a lot of weight following surgery, and the results that you get and everyone's reaction is probably going to put you in a much better mental state. With that, you probably won't screw up as much and you'll know that you can still do well despite occasional "fails"

"Why couldn't I lose the weight without the assistance of surgery?"

If you're anything like me, you could conceivably do that. That is, it would be possible to lose weight but the idea of dieting for months on end to reach a normal weight is almost impossible from a mental standpoint. For me, if I lose two pounds per week, it would have taken me TWO YEARS of dieting to do that. You lost seven pounds in a month, so it sounds like your "fail" meals aren't really hurting you that much. I suspect that you just don't have the willpower to keep going months on end. WLS will force you to endure this, as you'll throw up anything over the amount you should be eating. 

Don't worry about your coworkers. You're already one step ahead of them by reaching out to us on here, and most people succeed longterm. You're young too, so your chances are really good.

 If you are serious and don't think that restriction would be enough . . . look in to the DS.  Our surgery is unique and more invasive than the others, but it works through rerouting the intestines to stop the absorption of a lot of food.  DSers absorb ~ 20% of fats, 50% of proteins, 60% of complex carbs, and 100% of simple carbs.  It also has the best statistical results long term.  The catch?  You have to be able to get 90+ grams of protein in during the day, not mind eating a lot of fat [it helps keep you regular now! lol], and be willing to religiously follow a vitamin regiment including vitamins ADEK.

I've had the DS for 9.5 months and am down 140 pounds nearly effortlessly thus far.  I truly believe it to be the best option for our age group and for any one, really . . . If it sounds good to you then do some research before hopping on over to the DS board!

Get a DS! I'm having surgery like 8 days after you!!!

Not to undermine my fellow OH members, but I don't think it's appropriate to answer this question by suggesting an alternative surgery. No matter what WLS you decide to have, you still have the opportunity for failure if you don't recognize the mental aspects that go into it. WLS is not a "cure" it is the first step of many to a new life. You have to commit to new dietary and exercise habits in addition to whatever surgery you have. Kelby is not questioning the procedure, but the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle after surgery.

With that said, Kelby, breathe. Every single person who has WLS at some point (whether it be before, after, or both) question their ability to succeed, and if they say otherwise they are lying. Don't be embarrassed, be proud. You are recognizing your life is at risk and that the methods that are available (and less healthy [this is in reference to "fad" diets]) are not working in your favor. Also, you are not the sole reason you are here. While yes, dietary choices and exercise play a major role in weight, so do your genetics, ethnicity, and sex. It's not all on you! You have a long road a head of you, but as you said it took you 20 years to get here, it is going to take some time to undo it. Nobody is perfect, as David mentioned you have many "fail" meals to come, it's ok! This is a learning process, you will fail, a lot actually. The difference between now and the past 20 years is that you have a tool in place to help you. You need to recognize that this is not a free pass to eat whatever you want, but that it will help you GREATLY in controlling yourself. It is hard to be a young person with all the life pressures we face and then have to fuss over cooking and exercising and all that jazz. Being able to admit that you have a problem and that you're aware of it is a huge and brave step. The best way to prevent something is to acknowledge that it's happening. Food journaling everything you eat and how you feel at the end of the day is a HUGE help for this, you can see how eating well perks you up and how yucky foods weigh you down (no pun intended ).

So can you do this? ABSOLUTELY. What makes this time different? First, your stomach is 85% smaller than it used to be...that makes a major difference! Second, you have us. You have a new family who has felt everything you are going to feel and who will encourage and listen to you the whole way. We have all stumbled, but we recognize it and continue on. It is easy to fall back into old habits, you're changing your stomach, not your head. So when you question yourself, come to us. When you fail, come to us. When you think you can't anymore, come to us. When you're embarrassed, COME TO US! We have ALL been there! I swear to you this is the best thing in the world you can do for yourself. It is NOT the easy way out, but it is an amazing gift that will guaranteed change your life for the best. Don't be a stranger! Be proud of what you're doing because you are amazing and don't let anyone (including yourself) tell you otherwise .

Thank you for your replies... I will not be changing the type of surgery I get. I have chosen VSG for a reason.. I would get into it, but I think I might be typing forever, but I do appreciate the input. I think sometimes I just get down on myself because I have failed to lose weight in the past... but that was the past... I'm ready for what's ahead of me!!