Question:
What is the 'it' factor that makes WLS work?
I browsed previous posts, I have researched several sources and still have the same question. What is the 'it' factor that makes WLS work? By this I mean, I have the strength to loose small amount of weight, but regain it over and over again. I start and exercise program only to find myself reverting back to what I used to do... not exercise. I have dones this since early childhoond! What is this 'it' thing that does this? How is the surgery going to help? What is the tool, other than limiting what we can physically take in? What do you do to help with the emotional aspect of this journey? Besides therapy what resources have you utilized to facilitate change within? I know I am not the only one to think 'what am I going to do if this doesn't work?' I have been journaling my foods, emotions and know that there is a link. What kind of thoughts float through your mind as you read this post? What words of advice do you have to solve the 'it' factor I am speaking of? What change takes place with your relationship with food and when does it occur? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. — A. Me (posted on November 28, 2009)
November 28, 2009
Hi Tina, After your given a tool (surgery) you must let go of the OLD ways
of eating. You must follow your Dr. & Nuts. plans. IF you follow the
eating requirments..you should lose the weight. IF you dont follow the
proper ways to eat you wont lose the weight. So, the IF is..will you do as
told or will you disreguard the DR. Personally for me there was NO question
as to wether I would follow my Dr or not. But I have seen MANY on here say
the eat what they want and then want to know why they havent lost the
weight. Only you know what you will do.. I wish you the best in what ever
you do.
— tootsie52
November 28, 2009
Good question, as not all WLS patients have longterm success. First, I had
yrs to prove I can't control the problem on my own. I'm confident WLS has
the highest probability of success based on the statistics. In addition to
imposed portion control, there's the malabsorption aspect to help.
Personally, regarding the emotional aspect, I am learning all kinds of new
ways to self-soothe through DBT lessons online, learning to offer myself
things like images, thoughts and experiences, in lieu of food, and learning
to put myself and my health first. I just had surgery Nov. 18, and the
surgery itself began the change of my relationship with food. To help
ensure longterm success, I am in a couple of face-to-face WLS support
groups and an avid participant in OH.com. God bless you on your journey.
— Janell C.
November 28, 2009
Tina, The "IT" factor is US.....everyone who makes the commitment
to seek out the information on WLS, going through the evaluations, seeing
the surgeons and then having the surgery. That is the easy part...the real
work comes post op and the "tools" we are given are the tip of
the iceburg. If you do not commit to eating the right amounts and types of
food, exercising and literally changing your life to make "YOU" a
success you will fail.
The surgery is the tool "WE" are what works that tool.
Good luck and God Bless......
— karensaporito
November 28, 2009
Tina, the simplest way to tell you about the "it" factor is so
basic.....follow the darn directions!! LOL* Being compliant is the
answer. You can stretch a pouch, gain all your weight back, and end up
bigger than ever...I have seen that happen, and like you mentioned
yourself, everything goes back to what you have battled all your life.
Ya know, my stomach works very well, it's my head that gets me screwed up.
I have to remember everyday that I have a choice and I know the scales
don't lie. Some claim to have stayed within their alotted carbs, or
calories, or fat grams, and worked out an exercise program, whatever, but
they are not being honest with themselves. Anyone who reads this has to
admit that the scales do not lie! Not ever! Not for just one month. By
staying compliant (mostly), I have lost 112# in the last year. When I saw
my Dr. last month, I had only lost 6 pounds. He knew and I knew that I had
not been compliant....the scales do not lie.
The problem isn't in my stomach, it's in my head!
Good luck, Tina, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but by writing this and
checking myself, it is something I need to be reminded of as well.
Sam Haddock, [email protected]
— BeenThere1
November 28, 2009
I am 2 months post-gastric sleeve and have lost 30 lbs. It is always
difficult, due to our "Head Hunger". I think of it as standing
behind a tall brick wall. You always want to get over it, but because of
feeling full easily, you have to accept not being able to eat everything
you want. I fight it all the time, and when I overeat by 1 oz., I feel
Thanksgiving stuffed. I then remind myself that if I want the surgery to
keep working, then I'm stopping eating at 3 oz. You can eat a candy bar or
food that is good for you, but not both at the same time.
— shotseyrudi
November 29, 2009
For me, the "it" factor was the "consequences" that I
would experience if I "pushed the envelop" and tried to eat
either more than I should, or eat the wrong things. I specifically chose
the RNY because of the possibility of "dumping syndrome". I was
not a binge eater, nor did I have any other kind of eating disorder except
that I liked (or should I say LOVED) the wrong kinds of food, and I ate too
much of them. I loved gravies and starches mostly, not so much a sweets or
snack-type person (except for chocolate). My downfall was fats, and once
in a great while, sugar. According to the rules of the tool, if you eat
too much fat OR too much sugar, your system dumps large amounts of insulin
into your bloodstream to "take care of it", and you end up so
sick you feel like you're going to die for about 4 hours. I don't ever
want to be that sick just from eating! It's been a great determining
factor for me. It puts ME in control. I get to decide whether or not I
want to be sick or well. Another factor is that I have severe lumbar
spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), and it causes severe pain
in both my buttocks and all the way down my left leg. I was convinced that
it was caused by the forward pull of the weight of my stomach causing my
spine to flex backwards. I was pretty sure if I lost all the weight, it
would make a big difference in the pain level.
Well, I'm 10 pounds from goal, and unfortunately, it hasn't. BUT, I have
100% more energy. I don't come home from work and have to take a two hour
nap every day, I don't feel exhausted all the time. I have much less pain
in my knees (both bone-on-bone due to osteo-arthritis) when I climb the
stairs or just plain go walking, either on the treadmill or outside. I can
stand for a longer time without having to sit (because othe pain in my
back). AND, I am LOVING the LOOK of the new me. I haven't been this small
since I was about 12 years old. I've gone from a size 28 pants to a size
14, and will be in a 12 by the time I've reached goal. It's the most
amazing thing! And I have so much more self-confidence! I can hardly tell
you all the positive changes this has made in my life, even if it didn't
get rid of the pain. And....I'm 56 years old. I would do it again in a
nano-second, no questions asked!!
— Erica Alikchihoo
November 29, 2009
I am 6 weeks out on a lap band and have lost 40 lbs. The IT factor for me
was the same as all the answers here. It is the deisre to want to change. I
like alot of people here had the same experiences with food as you. Diet,
lose a little, go back to old ways. For me getting the surgery was what has
turned it around forme. I decided that if I was going to go to this extreme
to lose weight I was going to do what my Docs plan is. Yes there are times
I want to graze or even pig out but with the tool of my pouch I literaaly
can't eat more than three ounces comfotably. Four and I feel bloated. So
really it is up to you and how bad you really want it. Good Luck Kent
— postalmoose
November 29, 2009
Tina G. As with everything in life, the "If" is the biggest
question to ask yourself. Once you have the surgery there is no turning
back. It is an overnight change. I had by RNY May 2008 at 343 lbs today I
am down to 175 lbs. That is a lost of 168 lbs. Half of me is gone. The
very beginning was easy for me. But now I am struggling with some
emotional problems. I am seeing a therapists to help me with my new body
image and the fear of gaining back weight. I have become obsessed with
what I eat and how much. On one hand it is not a bad thing but on the
other hand it is a BIG change for me. I was determined and I am still very
much committed to my healthy lifestyle. Now I must accept this new me for
the positive things it did for me. I am soooo much more healthier and I
ahve been enjoying all the things I was no longer able to do like walking,
hiking, cleaning, taking care of my great nieces and nephews and being able
to keep up with them. I was able to go to parks and ride the rides without
worrying about fitting in the seats. It's a whole new world. I don't get
hungry or thirsty so for me I am very much on a strict routine to get my
noursihment in at this point. My WLS docs and nutritionists support groups
help. But I have found that God has been my biggest support system. He
gave the surgeons the skill for the technique and I will not do anything to
jeopadize the results. You must seriously be committed to following all
the rules set by your Doc and support staff and you will do great. Trust
GOD, Trust your DOC, and TRUST YOURSELF!!!
[email protected]
God Bless,
Mary Jane
— heartmjk
November 29, 2009
"IT" is all about LIVING ... what I was doing 5 months ago at 370
lbs. was a non-living HELL. I now have "HOPE" for my future. I
had allowed my OBESITY to control my every thought, my every move, I had
shriveled up to a handicapped, non-motivated, non-compliant, and
anti-social being, when I once was vibrant and full of blossom and a social
butterfly. I had sank so far into the "pit" that I didn't feel
like pulling myself out emotionally nor physically. DO I EVER WANT TO GO
BACK?? Hell no ....this is my second chance at life, and my last chance to
get myself the way GOD intended for me to be ..... productive in life!!!
That is the "IT" that keeps me in control. Yes we have a tool,
however, let me tell you firsthand that even though we have restriction, we
can sabotage this journey by eating unhealthy foods (in small amounts) and
by eating too often. Yes, I fear the regain, but that also keeps me in
check with reality. Stay focused, seek support from local support groups,
stay tuned into OH, I have learned such valuable information on this site;
go to a therapist, do what it takes to STAY HEALTHY. Relish on your
accomplishments during this journey vs. your fears. That is one thing my
therapist has taught me. I am down 100 lbs at 5 months and can't wait to
lose my next 100. One piece of advice that many people told me as a pre-op
that has really stuck with me is to use this "honeymoon" period
to re-establish our eating habits because after the 12-18 month time frame
(if you've had an RNY), most of the malabsorption of calories is gone, and
its totally up to is. Yes, we still have the restriction, but the
malabsorption only applies to nutrients after about 18 months. So, use
this time period to LOSE what you want to lose!!!
— happypeach
November 29, 2009
"IT" is all about LIVING ... what I was doing 5 months ago at 370
lbs. was a non-living HELL. I now have "HOPE" for my future. I
had allowed my OBESITY to control my every thought, my every move, I had
shriveled up to a handicapped, non-motivated, non-compliant, and
anti-social being, when I once was vibrant and full of blossom and a social
butterfly. I had sank so far into the "pit" that I didn't feel
like pulling myself out emotionally nor physically. DO I EVER WANT TO GO
BACK?? Hell no ....this is my second chance at life, and my last chance to
get myself the way GOD intended for me to be ..... productive in life!!!
That is the "IT" that keeps me in control. Yes we have a tool,
however, let me tell you firsthand that even though we have restriction, we
can sabotage this journey by eating unhealthy foods (in small amounts) and
by eating too often. Yes, I fear the regain, but that also keeps me in
check with reality. Stay focused, seek support from local support groups,
stay tuned into OH, I have learned such valuable information on this site;
go to a therapist, do what it takes to STAY HEALTHY. Relish on your
accomplishments during this journey vs. your fears. That is one thing my
therapist has taught me. I am down 100 lbs at 5 months and can't wait to
lose my next 100. One piece of advice that many people told me as a pre-op
that has really stuck with me is to use this "honeymoon" period
to re-establish our eating habits because after the 12-18 month time frame
(if you've had an RNY), most of the malabsorption of calories is gone, and
its totally up to is. Yes, we still have the restriction, but the
malabsorption only applies to nutrients after about 18 months. So, use
this time period to LOSE what you want to lose!!!
— happypeach
November 29, 2009
Until you resolve what the 'cause' of your weight problem is you will never
be successful. The 'it' that WLS provides is a tool -- usually in the form
of a smaller stomach. This can be sabotaged by eating the wrong foods, too
much of the right foods, and by not exercising properly. I think you should
work with a therapist who specializes in weight issues and not proceed with
surgery until they say you have come to grips with these issues.
— rkurquhart
November 30, 2009
The tool changes how you relate to food. Food is not a comfort as before.
It can be distressing, since you get full so fast and dumping is really no
fun. So you learn to be careful. Most people can figure out ways around it
if they want but self sabatage is something you would want to work with a
couselor to understand.
Emotions come up for me more often. I can not hold them in like before. You
have to learn to deal with things. This has been the hardest thing but well
worth it.
— trible
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