Doubting myself

I am tired of people telling me that I shouldnt get WLS.."you only need to lose 30-40lbs, cant you just excersise more?"  Sure I only weigh 220lbs, but I am 5"2 and have tried to lose it many times and it doesnt stay off.  Maybe I wouldnt doubt myself if I had to lose 200lbs..maybe I would be happy if I could just lose 30lbs..UGH!!!!!   Help!! I need advice from LW please.

thanks for posting mommalou.

I'm 5' and weigh 209 (or did, now I'm down a few).  I COULDN'T lose weight.  And now that I've made my decision, I think GOOD GOD, I weigh more than some SuperBowl participants and they are a foot taller than me!

But the weight wasn't my deciding factor; the co-morbidities were killing me-- slowly, in a way that I guess I could have ignored until they finished me off.  I went a full year before I made a final decision.  I gave a wholehearted effort at an exercise and food management plan (including a life coach for 13 weeks), and after seeing poor results for that effort, knew that WLS was my best shot at health. I listened to my still small voice in my head and decided on WLS.

Is there a still small voice within you?  What does it say? Listen to THAT voice, not the ones OUTSIDE your head.  What will make YOU happiest and healthiest?  Ok, do that then. 

((((hugs)))) 
tracey 

You're doing the right thing. You've done your research, you know your body and your eating habits. Listen to your own logic and do what's best for you. Good luck!

--gina

You have to research and get a peace about your decision. Other people who do not understand WLS are usually just concerned for you. A little education goes a long way. Most people only hear the horror stories, but there are a lot of great success stories to be heard. I can say it is the best decision I could have made for my health and the well being of my family. I have so much more energy and enjoy my kids. I hope you find peace with your decision soon.

I have definitely done some research  Sometimes my husband thinks that I have done to much. I know that this will benefit me in  ways other than looking good. ( I hope)  I have high blood pressure, high cholestrol, prediabetes, joint pain and sleep apnea. I am hoping to schedule my surgery when I see  my surgeon on the 15th.  Hopefully the end of march will be the start of a new life for me.

just a note: I cut carbs 1 month before surgery and my prediabetes was gone!

although the ADA doesn't acknowledge it because of industry pressure, I do believe it's the carbs that get us there.

I intend to follow a low-carb diet now that I did the surgery as well.

good luck in your decision. I understand you so much - I was super doubtful before booking.

You are doing the right thing by researching and making decisions that are good for YOU.  I was where you are.  I even gave up when the first surgeon I went to didn't work out (Insurance reasons).  But my husband told me to follow my heart and start over if that is what I had to do.  And I did.  During my journey I have thought "why couldn't I have done this on my own?"  But reality is..I have and the weight comes back.  It is not a diet, it is a tool and you have to work your tool and change your lifestyle to be a success.  Follow your heart!  Don't worry about what others think you have to make the right decision for you.  Good luck.

My high weight was 218 and I got down to 121 at one point. Thats 97 pounds - and I'm 5'2 also. 

You know what you need to do to be successful long term. 

Good luck to you!

Oh mammalou, don't doubt youself.  We all have those thoughts probably,but let's face the facts.  Nobody knows how we FEEL like we do.  I'm 5'2" and my high was 224.5 my goal is 120.  I refused to let my husband talk to my inlaws about it because they are all overweight and in dire need of the same thing I am doing (I MEAN DID, as of yesterday's surgery) and I weigh not even close to what they do.  They are all tall and big boned though.  I am not.

I also did not discuss it with MY family because they would not understand and i have no desire or need to express to anybody why I am doing something that is to help me regain my health and prevent further morbidities from being the cause of my death.  .  i plan on the last years of my life being the best years of my life and this is what I had to do to make that happen.

I simply decided not to talk about it to people, friends and family, who would not understand.  Later, I will politely thank them for noticing my weight loss and credit it to changing my diet and exercise rioutines.  Period.  Unless somebody personally comes to me and asks because they are reaching out their hand... it is nobody's business but my own and the LightWeights here who understand every word you & I are both saying. 

I'm the proud owner of a 2 day old pouch and if i can do it So Can You! 

Well helllloooo Ruthie D.  Glad you're doing well.

Mammalou, you do what you need to do to get yourself healthy.