|
Post by Joanne on Jan 3, 2012 20:00:06 GMT -5
What most everyone has mentioned above is what I am most afraid of - even more than having surgery or any complications of having the surgery...That is to turn 30 and have regrets that I am still obese. I think personally the thing that is going to be the hardest is the waiting. TV is flooded with weight loss , exercise, and diet this and diet that. I can't help but feeling that if I would have only done this or that...I wouldn't have to do something so drastic. They make it sound so easy. Even when people are on shows like the biggest loser who lose half their body weight...it makes me feel like even more of a failure. I've been pretty successful in every other aspect of my life...with the exception of my health. I want to feel physically like I feel on the inside. There are times to where I've done something awesome at work and I feel like I'm on top of the world...then I get to a mirror and I put my head down in shame...or even walk up stairs and I can't catch my breathe, heart is beating 100000x's faster than it should, hearing my knee's crack and ache...and that GOOD feeling of an accomplishment elsewhere in my life goes completely down the drain. I want to be healthy! My not liking my appearance and feeling "fat" I believe has kept me from even bigger accomplishments in my career. It has even kept me from meeting that perfect someone. I thank you all for your comments and sharing your experiences. I think I may have to print this thread out and read it every time I start feeling negative about having surgery to resolve my weight issues. Also the before and after photo's are inspiring as well! Thanks again!!!! I know it's hard but try to not beat yourself up. For me, the time leading up to surgery was the most difficult. It was as if everything focused on my weight. I was so hyper-aware of my size because my surgery was always front and center on my mind. You have the power to change this, and you are taking the steps to do just that. Take satisfaction in your knowledge and empowerment. You may not be happy that you are at this point, but your obesity is just one aspect of your life. Dont let it define who you are.
|
|
|
Post by bb212 on Jan 3, 2012 20:22:07 GMT -5
I think personally the thing that is going to be the hardest is the waiting. TV is flooded with weight loss , exercise, and diet this and diet that. I can't help but feeling that if I would have only done this or that...I wouldn't have to do something so drastic. They make it sound so easy. Even when people are on shows like the biggest loser who lose half their body weight...it makes me feel like even more of a failure. One thing to be aware of is how unreal and phoney the biggest loser is. First, it is unrealistic and impossible for any adult to literally quit their job for 6 months, move to a weight loss camp, and pay for trainers to force them to exercise 8 hours a day and have their food already prepared for them by dieticians. I also read an interview with some of the biggest loser finalists. They were killing themselves by starvation and dehydration to lose as much weight as possible during the home-stay part of the competition when they weren't on camera 24/7. One didn't eat anything for weeks except for steamed asparagus, knowing it took more calories to digest the greens than could be absorbed and it also doubled as a diuretic to loose water weight. One of the winners gained 30lbs the day after winning just by drinking water that he had been denying himself until after the weigh in. I can't begin to imagine how malnourished and dehydrated they really were during those final weigh ins, I just hope they didn't do any permanent damage to their bodies in the process. If you've dieted and gone to the gym as much as your free time allows and not seen results, you are not a failure- the diet was. Biggest Loser is just plain unrealistic fantasy land that very few of us mortals have the means to do. I don't think our debtors would be too happy if we said "Um yes, I can't pay you because I'm quitting my job and leaving my family for 6 months to exercise in paradise." So don't feel bad for not being able to do something that extreme
|
|
|
Post by Joanne on Jan 3, 2012 20:27:44 GMT -5
I think personally the thing that is going to be the hardest is the waiting. TV is flooded with weight loss , exercise, and diet this and diet that. I can't help but feeling that if I would have only done this or that...I wouldn't have to do something so drastic. They make it sound so easy. Even when people are on shows like the biggest loser who lose half their body weight...it makes me feel like even more of a failure. One thing to be aware of is how unreal and phoney the biggest loser is. First, it is unrealistic and impossible for any adult to literally quit their job for 6 months, move to a weight loss camp, and pay for trainers to force them to exercise 8 hours a day and have their food already prepared for them by dieticians. I also read an interview with some of the biggest loser finalists. They were killing themselves by starvation and dehydration to lose as much weight as possible during the home-stay part of the competition when they weren't on camera 24/7. One didn't eat anything for weeks except for steamed asparagus, knowing it took more calories to digest the greens than could be absorbed and it also doubled as a diuretic to loose water weight. One of the winners gained 30lbs the day after winning just by drinking water that he had been denying himself until after the weigh in. I can't begin to imagine how malnourished and dehydrated they really were during those final weigh ins, I just hope they didn't do any permanent damage to their bodies in the process. If you've dieted and gone to the gym as much as your free time allows and not seen results, you are not a failure- the diet was. Biggest Loser is just plain unrealistic fantasy land that very few of us mortals have the means to do. I don't think our debtors would be too happy if we said "Um yes, I can't pay you because I'm quitting my job and leaving my family for 6 months to exercise in paradise." So don't feel bad for not being able to do something that extreme So true. At my seminar my surgeon said they dont show you the sequel - The Biggest Regainer. I even read that some contestants are so dehydrated that they urinate blood.
|
|
|
Post by bldeck on Jan 3, 2012 22:39:09 GMT -5
I was 32 when I got my DS. I would do it again in a heart beat. My husband and family have been so supportive, I know I am lucky with that. But even if I didn't have the family support the people on the boards will help. Just know that you have to advocate for yourself and watch you labs.
Betty
|
|
|
Post by itskrissyb on Jan 3, 2012 23:49:05 GMT -5
I was 25 when I had my DS. That was two years ago. It was hands down the best decision I ever made for myself. It's totally normal to be scared... I was. But you have to think about the fact that if you don't do something drastic (and soon) you could die. It's been a struggle for me to follow all of the DS "rules", but I try my best everyday. No matter what, I always find my way back to the right road. The DS is really forgiving when it comes to food and eating. Some people eat a lot, some not so much. YMMV. As long as you are getting your protein, vites and fluids in, everything will fall into place. Don't worry too much about it. Just think about the fact that you'll be saving your life. Trust me, this is one time that the grass truly is greener on the other side! Good luck to you
|
|
|
Post by pandykorn on Jan 4, 2012 16:23:51 GMT -5
I was 26 when I had my surgery. It was about 10 months from the point of me deciding to have lap band to me discovering DS and then having DS surgery.
it was my 5th surgery but the first one i was actually scared of, probably because by this point in time i had 2 kids already .
Honestly, i wish i could have done it when i was younger.
|
|
|
Post by biggeekgirl on Jan 4, 2012 16:38:19 GMT -5
I haven't read all the responses - but I wanted to chime in. I was 28 when I had my DS. I am 35 now.
At 28 I did it for my health.... but it lead to so much more "quality of life" (and I didn't HATE being fat!) Still looking back I sheltered myself so much because of my weight although I wouldn't admit it at the time.
Also - I wouldn't admit my severe food addiction at the time. Maybe it wasn't so severe back then? I was a social eat. Skipped lots of meals. At high calorie foods. Loved to cook (still do!).
It wasn't until after surgery - after the first 18 months of "motivated results" that my bad habits crept back in and I was forced to realize I had a love-affair with food.
The beauty of the DS is I can HAVE my love affair and still keep the weight off. (I was 415lbs at my highest recorded weight - 148lbs at my lowest and now am about 175lbs after having a child. )
I know I can easily lose the 20 lbs I'd like to with dieting....but so far I am enjoying the holiday season and not worrying about it. I also gave up exercising while pregnant and need to get back on track with that....
My point is : If you're ready and committed to a lifestyle change DO IT!
I had support mentally from friends and family (my dad supported me relunctently) but from a physical standpoint I was on my own after surgery - bathing / toileting / driving, etc. It was totally worth it!
Good Luck to you!
Cindy
|
|
huskerchad
Full Member
Gentleman. Scholar. DS'er.
Posts: 194
|
Post by huskerchad on Jan 9, 2012 10:08:07 GMT -5
In my early 20's, I wouldn't have needed or qualified for the surgery, and I wouldn't have had the maturity for it even if I did.
By my late 20's I qualified and frankly should have had it done. If you can handle your follow-up care (vitamins, protein, labs, standing up for yourself with medical professionals if need be), you should do it. I wish I had done it at 350 instead of 422.
|
|
|
Post by Girlrocker on Jan 9, 2012 12:14:18 GMT -5
Lots of great feedback here already. I love what Michael wrote; and I can double baileymouse's list starting in 1975 when I started on the first liquid protein diet, Scarsdale and TOPS back then. Lots of good information here, and I think you sound very wise. I'm 50 now and would give anything to have been able to have weight loss surgery in my 20s. Obesity is an illness, and surgery is the tool to fix it. It's not a ticket to guaranteed happiness - we are each responsible for finding our own truth and creating that happiness for ourselves. But you WILL have excellent health, be spared the continued grief and emotional baggage of living in emotional and physical pain of obesity, all the gifts that entails, and they are mighty :-) The physical discomfort of surgery, the commitment to eating well with protein, fat, low sugar, good but nominal carbs, supplements is a small price to pay for a life of health. Not having family, those close to you be supportive is hard, but you will find your WLS family of choice, your actions, results will speak louder then words. Some will come around, some never will. Much light on your journey!
|
|
mesa0102
Junior Member
open DS 08/18/2009 Dr. Henry Buchwald
Posts: 65
|
Post by mesa0102 on Jan 9, 2012 20:36:08 GMT -5
I had my DS 2 days after my 30th birthday. I was sick of doing everything right and not seeing any results. I didn't have any serious health problems from my weight yet, but I was headed in that direction. I think as long as you go into it with a clear head full of good info, knowing exactly what you're getting into and what you'll need to do for the rest of your life, you'll be in a good place. I know myself well enough to know that while I could have used it at 20, I wouldn't have been ready for it at that age. Yet, there are peeps who have had their DS in their teens and are doing awesomely! I think when you're ready for the DS is an individual thing.
|
|