Atlanta WLS Support
To have surgery or not
Deciding to have surgery is a deeply personal thing. You have to comply with the post-op instructions your surgeon gives you. That said, my life is so much better than it was before I had surgery! You can see my before/after pictures and know that I've changed my life. I used to carry a beer keg around with me. I had terrible back pain and high cholesterol and blood pressure. They are fixed. I have more energy and a better outlook on life.
Could I have done it without surgery? Maybe. I could have dieted ONE MORE TIME and tried to exercise to lose weight. I've dieted many times and lost weight. That wasn't the issue for me. It was KEEPING IT OFF that was the problem. There are studies that show people who have been heavy for an extended period of time in their lives and try to diet, exercise or use diet pills will show some form of success but after 1-2 years, will regain the weight they lost plus a few pounds. That was my experience. That was probably most people who have had WLS experience. Studies show that most people who have surgery lost a significant amount of the excess weight they carry and keep the bulk of what they lost off for 10+ years post op. I wanted THAT future not the one I was headed toward.
Of course, the #1 issue that all WLS patients face is weight regain in years 3+ post op. That's because people think you donate your body to a surgeon, he cuts you open, makes your stomach smaller and the weight magically melts off. It doesn't happen like that. Regardless of surgery. You have to change what you eat to healthier foods, you have to measure what you eat so you don't stretch your new smaller stomach over time and you have to start moving your body more as the weight comes off. If you don't do those things, you basically keep eating the same garbage you did before surgery just less of it and remain sedentary. Eventually, you stretch out the smaller pouch and eat more of that garbage and BOOM you start regaining. It's super important that you use the surgery as a tool to change your life. It's not easy. Nothing this drastic is. But... you also are not hungry like you are on a diet. That is a HUGE difference between WLS and anything else I've ever done. It has made all the difference in the world for me.
I've given myself back the opportunity to participate in the game of life. To swim in the ocean, ride amusement park rides, fly in an airplane seat comfortably and to feel confident in my own body again. I don't get winded just tying my shoes anymore. Going from a 54" waist to a 38" waist is a pretty drastic change. It didn't come without the need to make some massive lifestyle changes too.
If certain foods are more important to you than getting healthy or being able to do the things in life you aren't able to do now. Than maybe surgery isn't for you. It certainly isn't the solution for everyone. Do some soul searcing and figure out what you want and what's most important and then make a decision and be happy. Life is too short to be miserable. Nobody is holding a gun to your head and is forcing you to have surgery. If you think you have another diet in you, go that route. It's less invasive. What do you have to lose? Just pounds and time. Worse case, you regain the weight and realize you are just like the rest of us who cannot keep the weight off very long without the aid of a surgical intervention.
Whatever you decide, I wish you luck on your journey. However you get to a healthy weight, it doesn't really matter as long as you get there, right?
Could I have done it without surgery? Maybe. I could have dieted ONE MORE TIME and tried to exercise to lose weight. I've dieted many times and lost weight. That wasn't the issue for me. It was KEEPING IT OFF that was the problem. There are studies that show people who have been heavy for an extended period of time in their lives and try to diet, exercise or use diet pills will show some form of success but after 1-2 years, will regain the weight they lost plus a few pounds. That was my experience. That was probably most people who have had WLS experience. Studies show that most people who have surgery lost a significant amount of the excess weight they carry and keep the bulk of what they lost off for 10+ years post op. I wanted THAT future not the one I was headed toward.
Of course, the #1 issue that all WLS patients face is weight regain in years 3+ post op. That's because people think you donate your body to a surgeon, he cuts you open, makes your stomach smaller and the weight magically melts off. It doesn't happen like that. Regardless of surgery. You have to change what you eat to healthier foods, you have to measure what you eat so you don't stretch your new smaller stomach over time and you have to start moving your body more as the weight comes off. If you don't do those things, you basically keep eating the same garbage you did before surgery just less of it and remain sedentary. Eventually, you stretch out the smaller pouch and eat more of that garbage and BOOM you start regaining. It's super important that you use the surgery as a tool to change your life. It's not easy. Nothing this drastic is. But... you also are not hungry like you are on a diet. That is a HUGE difference between WLS and anything else I've ever done. It has made all the difference in the world for me.
I've given myself back the opportunity to participate in the game of life. To swim in the ocean, ride amusement park rides, fly in an airplane seat comfortably and to feel confident in my own body again. I don't get winded just tying my shoes anymore. Going from a 54" waist to a 38" waist is a pretty drastic change. It didn't come without the need to make some massive lifestyle changes too.
If certain foods are more important to you than getting healthy or being able to do the things in life you aren't able to do now. Than maybe surgery isn't for you. It certainly isn't the solution for everyone. Do some soul searcing and figure out what you want and what's most important and then make a decision and be happy. Life is too short to be miserable. Nobody is holding a gun to your head and is forcing you to have surgery. If you think you have another diet in you, go that route. It's less invasive. What do you have to lose? Just pounds and time. Worse case, you regain the weight and realize you are just like the rest of us who cannot keep the weight off very long without the aid of a surgical intervention.
Whatever you decide, I wish you luck on your journey. However you get to a healthy weight, it doesn't really matter as long as you get there, right?
Mick in Atlanta, GA
Banded 6-18-07
sw 324 & 56"w / cw 214 & 38"w
Banded 6-18-07
sw 324 & 56"w / cw 214 & 38"w
I just joined the group 3 days ago. I enjoyed reading what you have to say. I have an appt. with Dr. Sweeney of the Emory group tomorrow to set a time for my surgery. I saw where Dr. Lin did your surgery and he was one of the surgeons I was considering before Dr. Sweeney. Would appreciate being able to contact you from time to time on the "journey" ahead. Thanks again.
I intended to go to last night's support group meeting but I went to Vermont last week and got married. We got back late on Sunday and I needed some time to recuperate from the trip. It seems I am always doing something right around the time of the Emory support group meetings.
I have a trip to Las Vegas planned next month. Not sure if it coincides with the support group meeting or not. Then we have an Alaskan Cruise in August. I know... I know.... hard life!
I have a trip to Las Vegas planned next month. Not sure if it coincides with the support group meeting or not. Then we have an Alaskan Cruise in August. I know... I know.... hard life!
Mick in Atlanta, GA
Banded 6-18-07
sw 324 & 56"w / cw 214 & 38"w
Banded 6-18-07
sw 324 & 56"w / cw 214 & 38"w
