Good Morning. How many LWs does it take...
As far as changing lightbulbs, I am way too short, so I always need some help or a ladder!!
To me, saying that surgeons and dietitians have bought into the thinking that obesity is a lack of willpower is just like saying that WLS is the easy way out. Obesity is a very, very complicated issue and there are many, many bright and educated professionals working on this issue. I attended a conference on Obesity last May, and it was a very, very sobering experience. Not one surgeon, researcher, or dietitician said that obesity was a result of a lack of willpower. Rather, it is a multifaceted issue with issues such as environment, education, biochemistry, genetics, cultural mores, media influences, etc., contributing to the problem.
The program that I went through and the support group that I attend emphasizes that WLS gives us a tool to lose weight, but it is up to us to implement the lifestyle changes to maintain the weight loss. There isn't anything said about a lack of will power, but how does one cope with the emotional, mental, and environmental issues that confront all of us everyday and how do we learn to make better choices,based upon our trigger issues and cir****tances.
I think most surgeons and dietitians truly want to help people, but it is up to the individual to implement the needed lifestyle changes to make this work. We have a tool, but it is up to us to make it work. My experiences with dietitians, surgeon, and bariatric internist have only been positive and they really want people to be successful and offer the needed support to help us. They can offer us the education and support, but it is up to us to "drink" it.
So, just as some people paint obese people as weak, painting surgeons and dieticians with the same brush, is equally incorrect.
Finally, I don't think they expect everyone to learn how to cope in a year's time. The hope is that people who have received malabsorptive surgeries will learn enough in a year's time to take advantage of the "honeymoon" period, so that when the malaborption ends, changes in lifestyle will a habit. I believe that they consider this an evolving process and it must continue for the remainder of our lives to remain successful.
JMHO.
Gail
To me, saying that surgeons and dietitians have bought into the thinking that obesity is a lack of willpower is just like saying that WLS is the easy way out. Obesity is a very, very complicated issue and there are many, many bright and educated professionals working on this issue. I attended a conference on Obesity last May, and it was a very, very sobering experience. Not one surgeon, researcher, or dietitician said that obesity was a result of a lack of willpower. Rather, it is a multifaceted issue with issues such as environment, education, biochemistry, genetics, cultural mores, media influences, etc., contributing to the problem.
The program that I went through and the support group that I attend emphasizes that WLS gives us a tool to lose weight, but it is up to us to implement the lifestyle changes to maintain the weight loss. There isn't anything said about a lack of will power, but how does one cope with the emotional, mental, and environmental issues that confront all of us everyday and how do we learn to make better choices,based upon our trigger issues and cir****tances.
I think most surgeons and dietitians truly want to help people, but it is up to the individual to implement the needed lifestyle changes to make this work. We have a tool, but it is up to us to make it work. My experiences with dietitians, surgeon, and bariatric internist have only been positive and they really want people to be successful and offer the needed support to help us. They can offer us the education and support, but it is up to us to "drink" it.
So, just as some people paint obese people as weak, painting surgeons and dieticians with the same brush, is equally incorrect.
Finally, I don't think they expect everyone to learn how to cope in a year's time. The hope is that people who have received malabsorptive surgeries will learn enough in a year's time to take advantage of the "honeymoon" period, so that when the malaborption ends, changes in lifestyle will a habit. I believe that they consider this an evolving process and it must continue for the remainder of our lives to remain successful.
JMHO.
Gail
" 
I really don't think we're reading the same boards. I don't see the rosy picture painted of surgeons and dietitians you're seeing. I've seen a lot more of the negative over the years. Maybe because we used to get so many revision folks posting on the DS board. DSrs are constantly getting advice for RNYrs and bands that don't apply, or our pre-ops are being lied to to try to get them to chose another surgery. It's extremely frustrating and we cop a negative opinion of many bariatric programs and the medical community in general. There are exceptions, I'll grant you that.
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
I was only speaking of my own experience, with the program that I have been through. I have been fortunate to have had supportive providers, who follow the guidelines of the ASMBS. I know that not everyone has had the same experiences and I have read many horror stories on this board. I don't read the DS board, so I can't speak to what you have experienced. What I was trying to say, was that there are good programs out there and not everyone in the medical community has negative attitudes towards bariatric folks. Just as bariatric or obese folks don't like to be painted with a broad brush, I don't think that we should paint the medical community all one way. There are always bad apples out there, as well as good ones.
Gail
Gail
"
You're absolutely right. I tend to generalize and I shouldn't. I'm sorry.
--gina
--gina
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
What I was trying to say, was that there are good programs out there and not everyone in the medical community has negative attitudes towards bariatric folks. Just as bariatric or obese folks don't like to be painted with a broad brush, I don't think that we should paint the medical community all one way. There are always bad apples out there, as well as good ones.
Here, here!
Here, here!
they don't care? ya'll are just a job to them,outta sight outta mind? can't speak from experience since I don't have one.
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