Question:
I would like to voice my opinion....

I may not be very popular for saying this, but it needs to be said...... I see many people here who are still eating tacos, pizza, sub way sandwiches, honey, potatoes, breads, pastas and frozen TV dinners and seem to think it is perfectly fine to do so.... I feel these people are slipping down a slippery slope, right back to their old weight, and old habits. I hear them justify their eating choices, make excuses, and say they only eat these things "sometimes". I see people here who are only 2 or 3 or 4 weeks post surgery already eating solid foods like pizza. Why go through the expense and time and pain of surgery only to go back to your old eating habits?? I feel people who do that are lying to themselves.... I know what it is to lie to yourself about what you're eating; I have been doing it for the past 25 years. I'll be damed if I'm going to have gone through this surgery and just screw it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will continue a simple diet of tuna, chicken, low-fat cheeses, eggs, beans, and veggies, and to those who want to continue to eat carbs and sugars and honey and pizza and tacos and bagels - that's your business, but please don't tell the "newbies" here on OH.com to do the same, or tell them it's somehow "ok", or not "so bad", or tell them, "do I eat this?, yes, should you, no"..... Obviously, most people who post replies here are not doing this; but some are. May be it's not my place to say, but I am merely voicing my opinion. If you can not encourage people to eat right and follow the rules, then I think you should refrain from posting a reply to the questions in the Q&A section here. Thanks    — Gina S. (posted on August 22, 2008)


August 22, 2008
Hey Gina, I'm alittle over 3 years post op and I agree with you totally. I know people who had this surgery and rave about how they can eat a whole mcdonalds cheeseburger without any problems and they are only like 2 months post op. I mean why even have the surgery??? I lost 235 pounds in a little less then a year and a half and let me tell you it wasn't easy. And noooooo I didn't eat a cheeseburger. I still couldn't and don't want to either. I would be totally embarrased and ashamed to be raving about eating a whole junk food cheeseburger and have had gastric bypass surgery. It doesn't make sense. Yes there is definately something wrong there. Good luck with your weightloss.
   — jjeanniespets1

August 22, 2008
You are right! I read a lot of it daily and some times I just want to cry. I hope people do get the message. WLS is only a tool and not a "quick fix."
   — sor09

August 22, 2008
Yepper, Gina, you said it just right. I have seen all that wishy-washy stuff too and wonder...Where are their brains??? I am with you, Gina, right on GIRL! Lyn
   — SkinnyLynni2B

August 22, 2008
I agree with you 100%! I am truly amazed at some of the things that people eat. Those are the things that got me to 272 lbs. and I want nothing more to do with them. I have followed the rules and am healthier than I have been in years because of it. RNY was the best thing I have ever done for myself.
   — Cindy H.

August 22, 2008
THANK YOU!!! I have been getting SO frustrated with this, well I'm going to call it what it is...NONSENSE! It's so frustrating to read all this stuff about what people can put away, and how it's not a big deal. Just because I can eat something doesn't mean I SHOULD! Maybe when I'm at goal weight I will be a little more flexible in my food plan, but geez, go tell someone who's three week post-op that it's ok for them! Huh? Thanks for the fresh air. I needed it!
   — Shirley D.

August 22, 2008
Amen. I'm frankly shocked by some of the posts here. Folks a few weeks out from surgery and already eating cereal or other carb-based foods, or totally without ideas for what to eat. I mean, I was totally versed in what I could and could not eat long before my surgery date. I'm baffled by how many either weren't paying attention during the lead-up to the surgery or just seemed to have so little vested intererst in their own surgery. Not only do people need to be honest with themselves about their own eating habits, but they need to take responsibility for their own actions. My surgeon provided a binder full of paperwork listing OK foods, a week-by-week progression of foods, etc....I'm starting to wonder if this is an aberration or if folks simply aren't reading the materials.
   — suezahn4me

August 22, 2008
How nice to see/hear the good thought rather than the time wasting bragging of the list of foods these people eat !! No way NO how will I undermind myself. I have seen people waiting for there WLS and eating a bag of PEANUT M & M's !! Whay waste your time and money if you have not committed to the use of the TOOL! Maybe it is mind over matter..but my mind & pouch will only let me have MAYBE a tablespoon of proper foods. And sometimes that spoon is to fill. I hate the next event! I am almost 2 months post -op and am going slow and steady. I didnt gain the weight over night and I am happy to work at taking it of for once and forever. Glad to hear that there are so many positive people out there. Blesing to all of us and many prayers for the ones that still need to learn to use there tool!
   — tootsie52

August 22, 2008
Thanks, Gina, couldn't have said it better myself, I am just so thankful that I have followed my dr/nut/diet. to a T. I have read some of the things people eat and think..''what a waste of time and money'' I am scared to death to even think about putting something in my mouth that isnt on my list of foods I can have at 5 weeks out. Again, thanks for saying this for all of us who are doing the right thing.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 22, 2008
I have a girlfriend that was thinking about wls and I was telling her, I couldn't have this and that. And she said. Oh, I thought you could eat whatever you wanted and it just went right thru you. Unfortunately alot of people who have been schooled in WLS, still believe this same thing!! It totally abuses the tool. I am human, I have slipped up, but I have the GUILT when I do, and I beat myself up, pull up my boot strings and get back with it. The people who are 2-3 years out and have met goal and have been a success, realized, they will NEVER be able to eat many foods that made them fat and unhealthy before. We all have to make these choices everyday. Food is still everywhere. If you just stay away from the wrong things, you get to where you don't crave them. It's like recovering from alcohol. We have to take it a day at a time. So to your post I say...AMEN Sister! Preach it! Some people use this site alone as their support group. The ones who have had success are the experts I say. The ones who fall back into the bad habits are always saying..."Why aren't I losing weight?" You can graze on a days worth of little bits of this and that from the food groups that are wrong, and gain weight, and abuse our precious tool. Thanks Gina for bringing this out! Lesleigh in Ga
   — lesleigh07

August 22, 2008
i too am one of those people who will not be fat again! i eat a chicken salad wrap for lunch - and hten the other half for dinner lol i don't buy potatoes, pasta, rice or bread anymore -- i eat cheeseburgers without the bun - i eat chicken, steak, sausage, basically -- never had a frozen dinner -- don't want anything that is processed and won't go bad for a million years -- i drink sugar free ice tea all -- haven't had a soda in 21 months -- and i also look at those people who eat pizza, subway, bagels, and other stuff and i just wonder what they are thinking -- did they not listen to their Nut?? did they not pay attention to their surgeon or pcp before the surgery - do they not read about the people who gain the weight back --listen to the people who gain the weight back and most of them will admit to bad eating habits again -- common sense -- i will never sympathize or "poor baby" anyone who gets foolish -- your fault -- you did it to yourself and no one is to blame but yourself -- if i gain weight back it's my fault -- no one twisted my arm -- ok i'm rambling -- but i get so pissed off when people say "i know i was eating the wrong stuff but i don't understand why i'm not losing" -- living after WLS is not difficult -- it's basic rules -- protein first, fiber second and you shouldn't have room for carbs cuz you're already full -- drink your water -- it's really easy -- it's the attitude that some people have that make it hard -- ok i'll shut up -- those same people also don't take their vitamins --you read it all the time
   — RCassety

August 22, 2008
This whole thread of commentary has me thinking a lot. As much as I am concerned for those people who eat "junk" food out of the gate of WLS, I'm also a bit put off by those who believe they have all the answers for other people's WLS journeys. In my case, for example, I had my preop classes and surgery at one of only 26 Centers of Excellence in the country... and we are FULLY ALLOWED to add small amounts of carbohydrates to our diets by 4 weeks out, such as half a toasted whole wheat English muffin. Each doctor and center gives DIFFERENT instructions... another example is that I was instructed to follow an Atkins diet for 2 weeks preop, NOT a liquid one like most of you. My surgeon has great results with this... does this make me or my program less "right" than yours? Of course we all know that we should not be going to fast food restaurants after surgery, and making tacos and pizza a main staple of our diets. But shaming people who have had issues with food for years and years is not going to work either... people can't say "I ate a sliver of pizza" without someone beginning another lecture. If people are eating badly from a lack of knowledge, then by all means it's important to answer their questions with the knowledge we have gained. However, many people are looking for support and struggling with the transition to an entirely different relationship with food. They generally aren't stupid and KNOW its not "ok" to eat a big ol' bagel. I don't think we should underestimate most "newbies" and assume that because someone says "I ate a taco" that they will run out and do the same. It's my experience that most people getting WLS are painfully aware of their own food issues AND of the best ways to handle postop status. But we all have our own journey... we all make some bad choices along the way, and hopefully learn from them... we should all have a voice here and not be censored because we aren't being perfect, or at least what someone else sees as perfect. That all said, I certainly appreciate what you're all saying, and admit that there are times I shake my head when someone mentions a particularly self-destructive habit. My newly Lap-Banded roommate in the hospital CHUGGED liquid as soon as she was provided with it after her upper GI- and was in severe pain for 2 hours afterward... you can bet I was thinking What in the world is wrong with her?? She went through the same program I did!! I just think we have to be careful not to assume that our ways of doing things are the ONLY right ways- such as not eating a piece of bread or a cracker for months, despite the fact that different programs teach different things. I completely agree that this is the time to change all the old eating patterns and that's probably the goal for 99% of us... but "eating right" and "following the rules" is not only different for different people, it's a definite work in progress for most of us. Thanks for starting this thread, it needed to be discussed! Good luck to all.
   — Melissa B.

August 22, 2008
Gina. You are so right. My lapband surgery was June 23. I researched WLS for two years before I had it done. I knew exactly what you should and should NOT do. I read about others people's problems and bumps in the road...so I knew possibly what could happen. I kept telling my self that this WAS NOT A QUICK FIX. That I would have to be COMMITTED to doing this and never stop. I was finally in the right frame of mind, made a decision and am doing it. Yes, I'm only 2 months out but I have NOT had a bagel or a subway sandwich or pizza and it never even crossed my mind to eat that! I also can not believe what some people say they are doing. Did they not get information? I don't understand it either. You have WLS to change your life, why are you not following the rules? You have to be an active part in this, it just is not going to happen. Yeah...it's not easy...you have to work extremely hard to "behave" but if you researched and understood what you were getting into...you would have known that. I keep reading this page to help keep myself reinforced. I see people "screwing up" and it helps me to stay on track. I'm sure everyone here has struggled with the option of to "be bad or not". You just have to stay focused and hopefully make the right decision. After having WLS, you essentially are on a diet that you can never stop.
   — snowlover

August 22, 2008
I agree with you on being a couple weeks post op and not being compliant with doc/nut's orders.. However with regards to the rest of your post... What works for you may not work for others. Some people don't do well without balancing what they eat. Some hardcore/long term dieters who've done it many times (like most of us ) can restrict food for a bit but may end up binging on something b/c they want it so bad. So, you can sit and type "never again will I be fat" and I pray that you don't. Never say never. I've seen so many people on the boards who got so close to goal and as years passed by, they put it right back on. NOT SAYING THIS WILL HAPPEN TO YOU :) just pointing that out .. They all said never again too. This got totally off the topic but the main point I was trying to make is that just because it works great for you doesn't mean it'll be the answer for someone else. Thanks.
   — Katrina B.

August 22, 2008
I haven't had the surgery yet - I am two weeks pre-op - but as I read through people's comments on this site, and I read how people are eating breads, pizza, etc., I have thought to myself that I almost felt like I was being given permission to eat these things after surgery, although my doctor strictly prohibits carbs after surgery. He is a purist, I know, and I understand his reasoning. But I know that as a person who has had such a tremendous problem with food all her life, during those times when I am down or frustrated I can look at these comments as saying it is okay to have these foods because look at all the other WLS people eating them and they are okay. I don't know if I am saying this very clearly. What I mean is that I don't plan on going back to my old ways, but I am the first to acknowledge that I will probably have those times when I am looking for an excuse to eat these things, and I'm afraid of how easy it might be to use these comments as an excuse. I don't want to pass judgement on anyone - each doctor is going to be different in what he tells his patient - what he believes it right. But I wonder why anyone who has this surgery would think going back to pizza and tacos, etc. is okay. (We'll see how I think AFTER surgery!)
   — Wendy M.

August 23, 2008
I am 6 months post op from RNY and have lost 82lbs to date. I totally agree with Melissa who stated that what works for one persons journey will not work for another. I do not agree with "never" eating another carb. I went to all the classes and what I took from them was a "balanced diet". There are 4 basic food groups for a reason. Breads and grains and pasta are a food group. Now with that said, I was told to eat my protein first, then fruits and veggies and then if I have room left, it is okay to eat a little bit of carbs. Your body needs it to be "balanced". But yes the emphasis needs to be on your protein and veggies. I have eaten a tiny bit of bread and rice and crackers. I even went thru a stage in the beginning when a little bit of mashed potatoes made my stomach feel settled. As a rule do I eat those constantly? Absolutely not. For one thing, they are no longer the staple of my diet and secondly, too much of them do not feel well inside my tiny pouch now. I eat tons of salad and even add a few croutons....too many make me feel too full and a bit sick. But to never eat a tiny slice of pizza at your childs bday party or a piece of bread is only hurting yourself I think. One of the reasons why I wanted this surgery was to lose wieght and feel normal again......and also to be healthy. I have achieved that I believe, even with a tiny slice of pizza. Severe moderation is the key to success I think. We are all human and will make mistakes along the way. There was only one person on this earth who was perfect. I dont think we should severely judge others who make mistakes but to help build them up with the positive. Let them know that pizza and cheeseburgers and tacos are not going to help your WL journey if eaten on a regular basis, but that your life is not over and you are not concidered a failure if you do subject yourself to that kind of food on a rare occasion. I love this website and read the posts everyday. WLS is a tool yes, but also a tremendous committment. It is not just something to do for a year or so until you reach your goal wieght and then go back to old habits. It is my hope and my prayer that people will use that time frame to TRAIN themselves and their bodies to be balanced and healthy, therefore to ensure themselves longtime success and health.....in mind, soul and body.
   — treksrowe

August 23, 2008
I totally agree. If you are going to cheat, keep it to yourself. Unfortunately when you have WLS they don't fix that awful voice in your head that keeps you lying to yourself. I am almost 6 years post op and am starting to put weight back on, I am very dissapointed in myself and am in the process of trying to get myself back on track.
   — Carlyn M.

August 23, 2008
Yes, I agree with you Gina. So many people are NOT following their doctor's or nutritionist's instructions. That is the important thing to remember. Yes, WLS affects each person differently and each doctor has their own take on what you can and can not eat. I say, following your doctor's orders is the most important thing here. Some people can eat carbs at a certain amount of time after WLS, for some others, that time may never come, it is whatever you are told by the professionals. I also do not want to hear that someone is eating pizza or bagels and cream cheese (I am still 5 months from my surgery), because this affects how many of us think about how we are going to eat afterwards. Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and is entitled to "share" it with others, but it is up to us to know what is right and what is wrong. We all go through all the appointments before surgery, so we should know what to eat and what not to eat. Why should we be stupid enough to listen to others that are obviously not eating what they are supposed to be eating (as per surgeon's advice). It's all about using the tool that you are given. After all, if you tried to use a hammer to put in a screw, it wouldnt' work, would it?? So it is the same with WLS, if you don't use it for what it is supposed to be for, IT WON'T WORK!! It comes down to making smart choices. Knowing what is right for you and what is going to help you to lose the weight and KEEP IT OFF! I honestly feel that those people that go back to eating cheeseburgers, tacos, etc. are the ones that will not lose as quickly and also be the ones gaining it back, then they will whine about it. The tool only works as well as you let it.
   — anitak

August 23, 2008
I'd like to make an additional comment; my intention isn't to judge or criticize people for "messing up" by eating no-no foods; we all make mistakes. I myself recently lied to myself and told myself it was ok to buy a frozen healthy choice dinner with mashed potatoes and tons of salt. Several wonderful people here helped me "see the light" and I realized I was lying to myself and I have not touched that garbage since... My point I was making with this post was that I have seen (some) people giving very bad answers to people here, especially to newbies who are confused and impressionable. If someone "messes up" that's one thing, but if you knowlingly and willingly eat things you're not supposed to as a choice you have made for yourself, that's your business, but please don't influence others to that path.... I have seen people outright encourage the wrong behaviors or eating choices, or "imply" them, or send "mixed messages" to people needing help and good advice. I have seen people tell newbies, literally, "do I eat this? Yes...should you, no..." Now what kind of message is that?? Don't brag about how you think others here are carb-phobic and that you have "no problems" eating cheeseburgers and tacos. Keeo it to yourself, please. We need a good example to follow. Let us know you mess up, we all do, but if you brazenly eat whatever you please, don't come preaching that to the rest of us, thanks....
   — Gina S.

August 23, 2008

   — .Anita R.

August 23, 2008
Thank you Gina, I am still pre-op but have a date and have spent 2-3 yrs. researching the procedures. Nutrition needs has never been a question for me and I am floored by what I see being asked or "ok'd". Bariatric clients...Please realize these procedures will change and God willing IMPROVE your lives. If food obsessions are an issue before or after Bariatric procedure, then seek counseling, most procedures have counseling as part of the programs. God Bless you all in this medical gift. Thank you, Kim
   — *KiminFontana* *.

August 23, 2008
While I agree with your post that those immediately postop are not eating what they should be, and I can tell you quite honestly that I had trouble eating what I NEEDED to eat and could not even THINK about eating something "bad" if I had wanted to, that while you have a very VALID point, there is one HUGE point everyone who replied to this post missed (or at least I did not see it while skimming most of the answers). If a person does not have control of their MIND, they do not have control over ANYTHING--that goes for food, money, smoking, alcohol, drugs, etc. I firmly believe that most of the people who have had WLS and who continue to eat "bad" foods do so because they have not got their "mind set" to alter their eating habits. I AM JUST AS GUILTY OF THIS!! I really believe that ALL WLS patients SHOULD and NEED to go to a THERAPIST AFTER WLS to "wrap their heads" around WHY they ate the way they did and that they do NOT NEED to eat that way anymore. Now, after having said that, I also believe if you LIMIT yourself by saying NO, NEVER, FORBIDDEN, etc., you AUTOMATICALLY SET YOURSELF UP FOR FAILURE!!!!! Think about those of you who have children and the limits you set on your children...if you tell a child "no", if he or she wants something bad enough, they will lie, steal or cheat to get it because it was a "no-no" or "forbidden". A good example of this is telling your teenager not to have sex under ANY circumstances for ANY reason. They will always find a way to go behind your back if they truly want to. I believe the same is true for anything--if you limit yourself and do not allow yourself a "cheat" meal or a "cheat" day once a week, you'll crave that food and then eat it, eat too much, and then the problems start. I am not by any means saying go out and eat at BK or McD's once a week, but what I am saying is MODERATION is key! If you can't "enjoy" life by having a small sliver of birthday cake, what is the point of living???? Prior to WLS and even now that I am 14 months postop, I firmly believe in the Weight Watchers method. It did work for me, but I was too far gone for it to be a long-term solution and WLS was really my only option; however, now that I am postop, as did my best friend, it is a great TOOL to follow being postop. It gives you a "routine" and "guidelines". In WW you can have that piece of cake or that burger or those fries, but you have to "budget" it and it has to be in moderation. No, you can't eat a triple cheeseburger with loaded fries and a milkshake. The mere thought of that makes me want to vomit anyway, but if you want just the burger (or half of one), or just the fries, then I don't think a person should be condemned for it. I have lost 170 pounds in 14 months. I am VERY happy, even after the TONS AND TONS of problems I have had in the last year and continue to have medically. (For more, please feel free to read my profile.) If you are one of the lucky ones that can eat fish, chicken and protein bars and protein shakes day in and day out--good for you!!! I HATE PROTEIN SHAKES OF ANY KIND AND VARIETY AND REFUSE TO DRINK THEM!!!! Yes, I'm anemic, yes I do not get enough protein in, but I am NOT going to subject myself to what I consider to be "torture" to eat or drink something I don't like!!!! I may as well be in jail if I'm going to do that. Everyone is entitled to their opinion on this website and everyone has to answer to THEMSELF and no one else. For those who are new to WLS or thinking about WLS, I say get all the information you can--GOOD, BAD OR INDIFFERENT! Everyone is different--everyone responds to the surgery different in terms of eating and the weight loss--everyone heals differently and recovers differently. For those who just had WLS or are having it in the near future, NO you CANNOT or SHOULD NOT deviate from the menu provided you from your NUT or doctor! If you are ever unsure of your diet, you call your doctor's office or NUT...that is what they are there for. Like I said, it is total "mind set" and if you haven't made up your mind to change and you haven't looked into therapy to find out why you got in the position you got into in the first place, you need to re-evaluate those things.
   — ALafferty

August 23, 2008
While I totally understand and agree with you and many others that those who don't even try to eat better should keep to themselves about some of the things they eat, I have to say this: Since day 1 I have been criticized at support group meetings because I had BQ sauce on some ribs and kethcup with a hotdog. And yes I do eat pizza. I am not ashamed of myself. Compared to my past diet I eat TONS better than I ever have before. I make sure to drink lots of water and lots of Crystal light. I make sure to eat my protein first and eat veggies second. However, I do eat a piece of toast with tuna for lunch and I also eat Protein Plus Special K cereal with banana for breakfast. Like I said I totally agree that those of us who choose to eat "bad" things should not share with newbies, I also don't think it's fair to make anyone feel that you can never deviate from the things we should have eaten before surgery as well as after. I don't mean to come off as mean and nasty but if it was that easy to eat 100% healthy all of the time then I sure as hell wouldn't have had to have this surgery to begin with. There are some people at the support meetings that I go to that say how they do this and they do that and they ALWAYS eat healthy and never deviate. And to those I must say. "BULL". For those of the very few who don't deviate, I commend you but for the rest of us I say that we still need to enjoy ourselves once in a while. If we watch the bread then we can still eat subway, and if we don't over do it we can still enjoy a piece of pizza. However, I do stay away from bagels and almost all sugar as well as rice (I do have a cookie now and again). But I do enjoy my pasta. I just make sure that I have more sauce than noodles, I also make it much more meatier. There are so many ways to alter what we have enjoyed before surgery to accomodate us after. We just have to be creative. For example, if we want pizza then we should have thin crust and not too many pieces (I can only one), if we want a cheeseburger from McDonald's then we can leave off one half of the bun. Tacos are not forbidden. My dietician told me that. Those are just some of the things that I do. I understand that this surgery is meant to be a tool and not a fix but we also need to live a little too. (but we must be smart about it) I have never told any pre-op or recent post-op people what my diet consists of but if they ever were to ask I would tell them what I have eaten and what I still eat. I would also add that that is me, not them. I don't mean to offend anyone but I don't feel that I should be judged badly or feel ashamed for what I eat, I had that enough before surgery. For anyone who is completely content with the same menu everyday with little taste or diversity then good for you, but not everything is bad for you just because it contains carbs! I don't feel it's fair to make the newbies or anyone else feel as if anything with carbs is bad. God Bless my WLS/OH family!!!
   — Sillyguts

August 23, 2008
Gina, CAN I GET AN AMEN!!!! You go girl!!!!! Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

August 23, 2008
I know one thing is for sure, surgery will not take the place of cravings and urges and most importantly "bad days". This is where our other tools spring in. You know the one's we were supposed to be learning when they rolled us out of the op room and into our new found journey. We all chose to have surgery and we all choose the outcome of our journey. Woa to those who take their learning lightly or to those who have chosen to take their journey as a lesson in itself. Gina, you are obviously not taking this time for granted. Congratulations!! Perhaps those that are posting their junk food bunny trails should visit other sites where men and women, just like them have gained every ounce back, and more. ADDICTION can be a bad word in your vocabulary or become your best friend that will catapult you into each and every level of your journey. Dr. Phil says it best, "you can't change what you don't acknowlede." Thanks for your stearn yet loving words to remind us that we should never take our journeys for granted, nor should we sabotage others because we "don't care". The best of luck to you on your journey!!!
   — bariatricdivalatina

August 25, 2008
You go Gina...you certainly spoke the truth I believe. I lied to myself for years upon years and yo-yo dieted for just as many. Haven't we all??? Isn't that why we chose to resort to a major surgery??? If we weren't ready to make serious changes in our lifestyle for the rest of our lives then what was the point or the purpose. I used to be addicted to carbonated soft drinks and chips....Since my VSG I have not had one single craving for the bad things I used to eat...why??? Because I NEVER allow myself to put them in my mouth to begin with. The truth of the matter is that you are going to crave whatever you continually put into your mouth. That's how we got overweight to begin with. If I only eat healthy nutritious food then that's all I will desire. I truly believe this. If I drink a carbonated drink then, I will start craving it again. So, I CHOOSE not to. Smart decisions are the answer to staying slim....We have to make good choices. Hopefully none of us give bad advice to those just beginning on their journey. And this website should be for encouraging each other to remain motivated...Nothing on this website SHOULD be used for actual medical or nutritional advice. That should come from our nutritionist or doctor. My goal, my desires will remain just as serious and important to me as the day I decided to have surgery to take control of my eating habits. I pray I never give someone bad advice. I wouldn't want to be responsible for saying something that cause someone to fall away from their goal. I too have been surprised and sometimes shocked by the things some of the people say about things they are eating. I felt the same way Gina. Why would you go thru a major surgery and then eat the same old junk again??? Eventually it will get you right back to the same starting point. Let's ENCOURAGE each other...This website is my motivation each day because the support group from my doctor's office is 2 1/2 hours away from where I live. God Bless each of you and stay strong and healthy. Jodi
   — Jodi L.

August 25, 2008
Thank you for being the one to speak out!! I find myself yelling at the computer screen often because of the comments about getting back to old habits. I have worked for 7 years to finally get a surgery date and to see people complaining because they are making poor choices ans therefore not loosing the weight like they think they should. I am so happy to see how many people out there are feeling the same way I am. We need to stick together to support each other.
   — ntssmith

August 25, 2008
Here, here! I am almost 4 weeks post-op and one of the things I told anyone who would listen to me prior to my surgery was that I woould follow every single rule and suggestion my doctors had. I did not go through what I just went through to sccrew it up. But, of course, everyone has to learn things for themselves sometimes. We who post on this board with what we think are the "rules" to follow can only do so much and hopefully most will listen and realize that going back to old ways will only mess things up. Remember: if you always do what you've always done you will always get what your always got. We alll did this to change our lives! Think before you put things into your mouths! Common sense, people! Hang in there everyone!
   — dnefews

August 25, 2008
Personally, I am sick of the posts on this subject. Honestly I donot know which is worst... the people who are human and eat things they shouldnt because they are learning a NEW pattern or the people who brag about theor "perfect" eating habits. Yes, we are in a learning stage thru this journey and yes we make mistakes... yes, people should be informed, but isnt that what THIS site is for?? Not for criticism !
   — Supermom2008

August 28, 2008
Too right, Gina!!! If people are going to do this, why have the surgery? Making the occasional error is human. Returning to the habits that got you into trouble in the first place is bad and you should get help quickly.
   — GaryLGreen




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