Question:
I would like some comments about this topic.

I am leading a support group tomorrow and the topic is personal responsibility as it relates to weightloss surgery. we are all postop patients. thank you in advance. patsy in las vegas    — PATSY N. (posted on December 29, 2002)

December 29, 2002
Hello there, Just throwing in some comments here...I watch a "lot" of Dr. Phil, so beware!! roflmao.... We who have had this surgery have "gotten real" about where we want to go in life. We have taken control of our lives and want "better"! When you know better you do better, and "we know better"! We must now take ownership of our eating and be accountable to "ourselves". It's our time and it's our turn and we are the one's that are going to make this surgery work in our favor. The surgery is a "tool", and once we learn to use that tool the way it was intended, we will get the outcome that we are searching for. Ok, that's all my words of wisdom for today! Love and light,
   — medium

December 29, 2002
What an interesting topic. I would love to be there. I guess as I see it, there are a few things. First, to be an informed consumer. That means understanding the surgery, what surgery and how your surgeons does it. Second, understanding that this is a tool, not a miracle (all though we all feel that it is a miracle that we had this surgery- and most of us have had miraculous results). Being honest about what you are doing to work with the tool. Are you REALLY following the prescribed diet? (making healthy choices 99% of the time, not binging, and getting back on track as soon as you do fall off of the wagon-cause we all do fall off the wagon occasionally) Are you taking full advantage of the tool? Not munching, or out eating your surgery. Not "testing" your food capabilities continuously- with candy and cake. I am always amazed when someone 3 weeks out says "I can eat candy/ cake/ sugar soda with out dumping"!! I am always concerened about the commitment and the long term outcome of those people. I am worried that they do not understand that they have responsibilty to do the proper follow up to make this tool work. Third- long term follow up. IT is improtant to remember that we need our vitamins, and our blood work monitored to make sure that we STAY healthy. That is up to us. My daily vitamins are just as important as my daily water and my daily protein intake. Fourth- supporting others through the journey. I know that I would not have the information that I have with out this site, my sugeons web site, and the OSSG-Graduate group. I thank all of you all for support, and I offer what knowledge and support that I am capable of. And I am honest with pre-op's about the difficulties as well as the advantages of this surgery. I think that is my responsibiilities. At least that is how I look at it. IF I think of anything else I will come back and leave another message. PLease let me know how this goes, and what others have to say.
   — Vicki L.

December 29, 2002
Congrats on your support group leadership! I am assuming that the topic relates to our personal choices and what choices we make, are our responsibility. After surgery it is our responsibility to make the right choices in order to get the full benifits of the new tool we are given. Good Luck to you. I am sure you will do great!
   — Deanna Wise

December 29, 2002
I think that a person must be totally committed to making this surgery work for them. If you constantly blame FOOD, or blame CIRCUMSTANCES, or blame ANYTHING, then you don't have the committment it takes to be successful. There is only ONE person that is responsible for what goes into your mouth on a daily basis, and it's NOT your surgeon! Granted, complications do arise, but for most people, they need to held personally accountable for their success or failure with this surgery. If a person has a technical failure, then it needs to be fixed by a surgeon. If a person has a personal failure, then only that person can fix it, blame others, live with it, blame food, ect... You MUST be personally responsible for how this works for you. I hope that made sense, I'm a little tired. LOL!
   — Diana L.

December 29, 2002
I would assume that the support group has pre-ops in it as well as new and older post-ops? If so, then there is alot to talk about on the topic of personal responsibility. On the pre-op side, taking the responsibility to research the surgery and make the right decision for the right reasons (your health). And a thorough understanding that there is work involved to keep the weight off, that this surgery does not guarantee that you will never have to "diet" again. For the post-ops, it is their responsibility to follow the surgeon/nutritionists diets early on, to follow the Pouch rules, and to ensure that you take your vitamins for the rest of your life. Thats a big committment and I wonder sometimes if pre-ops understand the committment and personal responsibility that is theirs from this surgery, or if they can't think past the first year of weight loss alone. Anyways, its a great topic for a support group. I'll have to suggest it at mine, too!
   — Cindy R.

December 30, 2002
i am the original poster. thanks to all for your input. i got laryngitis and we cancelled group but i will be presenting probably next week and will let you know how it goes. thanks again. patsy in las vegas
   — PATSY N.