Repost of the Lightweight Creed - March 1 , 2014

The Lightweight Creed
(Created and approved by members of the OH Lightweights Forum, Jan 2008)

I am a Lightweight. I am only one of many others like me. Together, we are a team. Though our journeys and choices may be different, we are bonded together by the commonality of being Lightweights and the strategies, successes and struggles that entails. It is this bond that defines this board.

I began my journey with a BMI of less than 45 and/or with less than 150 lbs excess weight. My lower BMI and excess weight does in no way make me less deserving of medical intervention, and I should not be made to feel inferior or guilty.

I qualified for WLS because I have co-morbidities, or because my medical history proves that my weight is diet and exercise resistant.

I have worked with my healthcare team to determine the best surgical option for me. I am confident that others have done so as well, so I will refrain from passing judgments. 

I will freely share the most accurate information I have, as well as my own personal journey and why I chose my surgery in an informative, educational and respectful way so that others may learn from my experiences. 

I respect the decisions of my fellow Lightweights, regardless of the surgery they chose and the nutritional/exercise plans they follow.

I will always promote health and a healthy lifestyle, whether physical or mental; and will respect alternate methods and views toward achieving good health, even if I do not espouse them personally.

I will always be sensitive, honest and respectful when contributing to discussions on this board and in my PMs. I will never flame, demean, invalidate or harass others for their questions or decisions. I will remember, at all times, the difficulties and pain I went through on my own journey and be considerate of others when discussing theirs.

I will always defend and unite with my fellow Lightweights against prejudice and hostility. 

I understand it is my responsibility to report offensive conduct to my fellow Lightweights, so that we may deal with offending parties as a united front to preserve the supportive and tolerant atmosphere of our board.

I understand that if my conduct becomes offensive, I will not be welcome to participate on this board any longer.

Thanks so much! With a BMI of 38, looks like I (barely) make the cut. (Me...a lightweight! Who'd a thunk?) I'm getting VSG ON 3/8 (a week from today!) and feel like I'm pretty knowledgeable about the procedure/recovery as my step-daughter and husband have already been sleeved, (a little over a year and almost 2 years ago, respectively) but they were both 40+BMI. Should I expect anything (or do anything) different than them since I have a lower BMI?

There are several successful long term VSGrs around here and on several groups and boards. I would seek them out and follow their examples. Try to do what they have done and avoid the mistakes you see in others.

Lightweights have a little advantage over heavier folks in that we can usually get to a nice low goal weight. The playing field levels out in maintenance, you just have to keep doing the right things and don't slip back into bad habits--keep that metabolism burning bright with exercise and by limiting carbs.

Also know that sometimes surgeries fail the patient and not the other way around as some medical people would have you believe. You will see revisions where some folks revise to malabsorptive surgeries such as RNY and DS because the band or VSG just wasn't enough or didn't fix the initial issue they had. Keep reading and asking questions. Welcome aboard!  : )