Question:
lightweight. Needing more info from another lightweight.

Ok here goes. I am right on the edge of qualifying for this surgery. I am 5'9" 270lbs. This means I am right at 100lbs overweight. I am conserned about having this surgery becuase I just lost right at 50lbs a year ago and put it all back on. I lost the weight by exercise and change of diet. "Body for life". It worked, but when I got burned out and went back to old habits I gained all the weight back. I have had weight problem since I was a child 9yrs old. Have lost significant weight a couple of times just to go farther and farther up the scale. My question is that if I have to exercise on a regular basis after surgery anywhay then why have the surgery? I am looking for a tool to help me out when my willpower gives out. "not have the option of overeating". My health has not went south on me yet other than lower back issues/high blood pressure. I am looking for another lightweight male that has had this surgery and let me know what to expect. Also wife/family not responding well to this option. I think they believe that I am just looking for an easy way out. Exactly the oppisite is true. I am thinking of having a major surgery to help me with my inability to keep weight off. I think I will be healthier in the long run with the surgery than without. If you think I am long winded in writing you should meet me in person. Thanks and GOD bless./Dave    — David F. (posted on December 3, 2002)


December 3, 2002
Am a lightweight my storie is similar. I weighted 329 and got down to 265 on atkins diet but that took over a year to get that far and for some reason soemthing in me told that's it that's all you'll lose. I found out about the surgery thru carnie wilson storie. I did my research and wrote a letter to my doctor and insurance company. They approved me with my past medical records and my dieting history. I had surgery on 04-nov-2002 I wt 242 on the day of surgery because they make you lose weight befor sugery. Now I weigh 219 a month later. But I had a problem and had a blockage and ended up having second surgery. Not fun. Be absolutly sure you are ready for everything even complications from the surgery. I still have not been back to work yet untill after the first of the new year.
   — sheri B.

December 3, 2002
I also was exactly 100# overweight. I was 5'3" at 231#. I have a very addictive personality/behavior problem and even though I know with out a doubt even with this surgery that I must change my addictive behavior, I find that the surgery has been a wonderful tool in that your first 6 mos the tool does most of the work. Use that time to change your bad patterns and way of thinking. Because more and more you are hearing of people, myself included, you do not dump, their pouch is larger than they thought it would be, or the stoma (opening from the pouch to the intestine) is large and alot of food gets thru and hunger begins. I can tell already if I do not work with this big time, and do not change my behavior patterns, a couple yrs down the road I'll be gaining again. So this is not the magic bullet for weight loss, but it's a GREAT help. And you really should learn to enjoy exercise. I hated with a passion, all my life, any kind of exercise. I still do to a point. Try to find a program that you can look at differently than it being exercise. I have now started Pilates and I love it. Its been advertised on tv alot and its very popular right now especially in the Yoga community although its not Yoga. I researched it on the internet and then went to Barnes'N'noble and they have a ton of Pilates books. You can do Pilates on the floor, with equipment, buy those large balls to do it, etc. I just do the floor mat program right now. Its alot like physical therapy and it works the small muscles around the larger ones and gives you an elongated muscle look. Works on your posture, breathing, your mind. I try to not think of having to go do my exercises but that I'm going to do my Pilates. Try to find what activity would spark an interest in you but its real important to move yourself while loosing. I think your "long winded" rubbed off. :)
   — Karla K.

December 3, 2002
I am a lightweight and had lap rny on 9-10-2002. Outside of some gas, which lasted for a month, I have had no problems. I do lose slower, but was prepared for that. According to the information my surgeon gave me, I could expect 50 pounds gone by three months. I am right on schedule. I have lost 46 since surgery. I think you will be pleased with the surgery and the results. Keep exercising and drinking water. Follow your doctor's advice and you will succeed. PS. I do not weigh myself and I think that keeps me from second-guessing my progress.
   — Rhonda V.

December 3, 2002
Hi Dave, I was also considered a "light-weight" it's still funny after all this time..:o)) I started at 270 lbs for 5'7", I had a DS Lap on 2/25/02 and I'm now 159 lbs and a perfect size 8, I'm feeling fine indeed. Sure we're relatively small, but do you think even in your wildest most optimistic dreams that you're going to loose weight naturally as you get older...well I didn't think so and I knew I was just getting bigger and bigger and to tell you the truth most people on this site that are trully large wish they could have had the surgery when they were our weight and they all were at one point or another, it's very worth it, just find out everything you can before hand and be totaly informed about every aspect of the surgery. How's that for long winded..LOL...Best of Luck..Diane
   — Diane B.

December 3, 2002
I was a "lightweight" too... when I walked in to my doc's office for my consultation, he asked if they weighed me to make sure I was qualified for the surgery and I was by far the smallest person at all of the nutrition classes we had before the surgery. I was 5'8" and 288 lbs the day of my surgery. Now I am exactly one year out (yippee for me!) and I have lost a total of 133 lbs. From where I am now, it's really hard to believe that I was considered a lightweight and even harder to believe that I ever could have lost that through a "normal" diet. I say go for it... it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. It gives you a totally new outlook on eating, one that will hopefully stick with you for the rest of your life. As for the naysayers (your family and friends), once you make up your mind to do this, I really believe they'll come around and support you in your decision. Mine did. Just make sure you're selective about who you tell... you don't need a bunch of opinions from people who don't matter and don't know what it's like to go through what being overweight does to a person. Best of luck in your life. Please write if you have any questions!
   — lvandyne

December 3, 2002
Dave. How old are you? I also yo-yo'd w/the diets all my life and finally at age 50, 5'4" and 286, I decided I was as miserable as I ever cared to be. So I started the process. Had the surgery. Down 105 lbs. and feeling great. If this is what you want, do it. Just make sure you select a well-qualified surgeon. And this IS NOT the easy way out. You will discover that as you lay on the surgery table, not to mention the lifestyle changes afterwards. Go for it. If you ever need to talk, I'm here. Start the journey.
   — Annie H.

December 3, 2002
I am really in your shoes. I am 4'11 and weigh 197. "The Chart" says I should weigh 103-113 so I am 6 lbs short of being 100 lbs overweight. (I should've waited until after the holidays, ha) I have been 50 lbs overweight for almost 10 years and now here I am at 100 lbs over. If I couldn't lose the 50, how could I ever lose the 100? I am waiting for insurance approval. I have high blood pressure. My Dr said that a lightweight is a good candidate because when we lose we are at/almost at our goal or ideal weight, the heavier people lose 120 lbs and are still considered morbidly obese. I am nervous that I am electing to have this surgery in the event something should go wrong. As much as I love food and drink, I am desperate to lose this weight and not keep growing. I do not recognize the person in the mirror. My family says just stop eating, or go to Weight Watchers. I have no willpower and at this weight, exercise is out of the question. I am so short, the weight is not proportioned. I look 9 months pregnant. I am in a size 22. I am convinced that this is the only way I will lose the amount of weight that I need to. I have decided that this is what I want to do, so why waight until I am even heavier to do it, it will be harder. Good luck to you.
   — Sandy T.

December 3, 2002
First off, I apologize -- I'm not a male. :) Second, I think I posted a very similar question prior to my surgery; I have been up and down the scale all my life, and found myself, at 33, 125 pounds overweight -- a "lightweight". "Successful" three times -- I lost 60+, 75+, and 90+ pounds. But, since I gained all the weight back plus more, its hard to really look at those losses as successes, you know? I also worried, pre-op, that if I couldn't do it without surgery, I couldn't do it with. Boy, was I wrong! I am 6 weeks post-op, and constantly amazed at how my approach to eating/exercise has changed. You will be too. As for unsupportive family members, get them to this board. Take them to support group meetings. Buy them books. Educate them. And then make them carry around 100 pounds of dog food for a few minutes. They'll come around. Your family will learn (as mine did), that this is not the easy way out, but instead the scary, damnhard way out. And they will be (and you will be) SO PROUD of you for choosing it. Good luck!
   — Tamara K.

December 3, 2002
Thanks to all who posted responce to my quetion. I am still not a 100% sure I will go through with this. You all are so kind in your responces. I feel that if I do make the decision to go through with this it will be the right decision. thanks again./Dave
   — David F.

December 3, 2002
Dave, I am not male, but I am a lightweight and had lap RNY on 10/29/02. My husband is also a lightweight (BMI of 38) and is hoping to have surgery; he has seen what I have been through and really wants to have it. I can tell you that I have battled being fat since I was a child. It took me a solid year to decide that surgery was right for me. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner! My best advice would be for you to seek out a WLS support group. See if it feels "right" and then encourage your wife to go with you. After surgery, you will really need the support and help of your spouse. And, why wait until your health does "go south"? The risks associated with surgery will only increase and your health declines. It is not an easy way out, by any means. It is permanently changing your digestive system via major surgery! As far as exercising - before surgery I could hardly make it around the block with the dog because the pain in my back was so bad. Now, me and my big ole' dog do at least 2 miles everyday and we both love it! (The surgery changes your brain, too!) Good luck on making this life-changing decision.
   — koogy

December 3, 2002
Dave my wife thought me touched when I first talked of surgery. Noiw we both have ghad it, losat over 230 pounds beteween the 2 of us. ATTEND SUPPORT GROPUP MEETINGS AND TAKE A POST OP TO DINNER, with your wfe and family. This should help them better understand surgry works.
   — bob-haller




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