"Do I really need WLS?"
So my surgery is July 10th and, like most, I find myself second guessing if I really need the surgery or not. I follow the sleeve board regularly and love it when members post before and during photos. I look at them and think "wow! they look great!" and then I look at their stats and they are my size or even bigger. Then I think "why don't I look that good if they are the same size I am?" Of course, then my mom's and friend's comments telling me that I don't need the surgery creep in. I have a long list of reasons I am doing this, physical looks is way, way down on the list. I have been traveling a lot lately and find myself at dinner at a really great restaurant saying "do I really want to do this?" How did you all get around those pesky thoughts?
Welcome to the LW board.
I'm assuming by looking at how much you need to lose, you have some comorbid issues to qualify. Most of us do here on the lightweight board.
It's not really about weight and looking good, it's more about getting healthy. Do it for YOU...
Liz
Duodenal Switch (Lap) 01-24-11 | Surgeon: Stephen Boyce | High weight: 250 in 2002 | Surgery weight: 203 | Lowest weight: 121 | Current weight: 135 | Goal weight: 135
Thanks, Liz.
I'm self-pay so I don't really need to qualify. My cholesterol is a bit high but type II diabetes runs in my family and I want to avoid it.
I am most definitely doing it for health reasons. I started working at a school last year and it became apparent just how much this extra weight was limiting my life. I have 6 kids and I really want to continue to actively be a part of their lives and any future grandkids.
I really want to get this done now with only 80 lbs to lose and not 180.
Colleen - welcome to the LW board! I think almost everyone has those thoughts.
I started at 218 and have been settled between 125-135 for the past 4 years. I did this for my health. I saw the direction it was going - and it wasn't good.
I feel awesome and know my health is so much better than before. Yes, I lost/gained/lost/gained... this is about learning a new lifestyle while losing so we can maintain it.
Do what's right for you!
HW-218/SW-208/CW-126/ Lowest Weight-121/Goal-125 - hit 8/23/09/Height-5'3"
Regain 30 lbs from 2012 to 2016 - got back on track and lost it. Took 8 months.
90+/- pounds lost BMI - 24 or so
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
Jody, thanks for sharing. One of the big reasons I am doing this now is because I want to avoid the health issues that I know I will have to deal with if I don't get my weight under (my) control. I don't expect it to be easy, but I know I have the right motivation.
Welcome!!!!!
My daughter wanted me to have surgery years ago. I was in my late 40's and early 50's, 4'11" and weighed 203. I THOUGHT I was healthy and I THOUGHT I was able to do everything.......BOY WAS I WRONG!!!!!! I finally decided when I was 54 and once the decision was made I never looked back. I also did not listen to everyone telling me I didn't need surgery. Since my surgery those same people tell me how great I look and say things like WOW...I never thought of you as being heavy and are amazed when I tell them how much I've lost. They are just used to looking at us and look past the unhealthy part. Some had just heard stories and were worried about the surgery itself.
I am now 60 (had a birthday and this is the first time I've wrote that...haha) 4'11" and only weighing 119....NOW I AM LIVING!!!!! I can get down on the floor and play with the kids, went to an amusement park yesterday and I kept up with 6 Grandkids, I can keep up with 3 DD's shopping and at times I am the only one NOT complaining about being tired.
I didn't even realize how unhealthy, how old I felt, or how much I was missing out on before WLS. It has been the best thing I have ever done for myself.
I don't miss comparing myself to others, I don't miss buying loose clothes so none of my rolls show, I don't miss sitting on the sidelines watching other's having fun, I don't miss being mistreated by sales people (I didn't notice before but they treat me so much better now), I don't miss go up for seconds and thinking that people are judging me and I definitely don't miss the 84 pounds that I have kept off!!
Roz
God is walking with me every step of the way. Because of HIM this is possible!!
RNY 10/15/2008 9+ Years!!! Height: 4' 11" HW: 203 SW: 197 CW: 119 on Maintenance
Even though I consider this my home board. lol I was a little heavy to be lightweight compared to some of you. I started at BMI of 42 and now am 24, it makes a world of difference in self esteem and health. Off all meds, normal Blood sugar, normal cholesterol and BP is actually on the low side now. Also done with my BIPAP machine! And I wear a size 8/10 and am still losing slowly. The decision must be for you and not what others say. When I find myself eating something that is not on track it doesnt taste anywhere near as good as I remember so I can stop with just a taste or I allow myself 3 bites if I really want it. You set your own boundaries and there is freedom within those boundaries. IMO it is half the surgery and half mental.
RNY 9/12 TT 9/13 HT 5' 4" HW 250 SW 242 CW 125
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