Please chime in with your thoughts

solvig

So, about two weeks ago I went to a surgeon to discuss weight loss surgery and basically I was told it wasn't going to happen for a while because I was too fat. Yes, that's right, I'm too fat for surgery. I was sent on my way with a diet and exercise plan, all sorts of tests that needed to be ran and appointment for 4 weeks later. Here it is half way between the appointments and I have found myself struggling to figure out why I'm going to have all of these tests that will no doubt make me feel worse about myself, and still be told no.

I spent this week in a stupor. I was exhausted from what I thought was lack of sleep. I would go to bed at a reasonable hour, but then lie there for hours not being able to sleep, but not knowing what was rolling around in my head trying to come out. It wasn't until last night on my way to pick up the husband from work that I figured out it was depression over having to jump through hoops with no promises, then talking to my husband last night had me re-thinking all sorts of things.

Bottom line is where I stand today. I am committed to a diet and exercise plan that is a given. I am learning more and more about my triggers and feeling better every day, which is good. So, what do I do? Do I keep my appointments which cost money and time out of work for something that may not happen for another year, or do I keep at it on my own? Continue my journey using the tools I keep learning and really learn to be honest with myself and what my choices have done to me. I'm at a loss. I haven't felt depression this bad in a very, very long time and I don't know if I want to put myself in a situation where that may become the norm and make it a more negative situation than the positive one it is supposed to be.

Any insight, thoughts, encouragement, rants or whatever are welcome. Thanks for reading.

mooz

That's a tough one. I've considered surgery myself. I'm in Ontario and here we have to go to an assessment centre, try their diet program for 6 months and if it works we can't get the surgery. You have to fail the diet and gain weight. They [govt] secretly changed the rules for approval here.

I figured if I can do it on my own, what do I need surgery for?

Is there any way to can postpone the appointments and see if the program they gave you to follow works for you?

Ultimately, surgery is just another weight loss tool. If we don't change our behaviours the surgery won't work long term anyway.

TabiHerbalifeCoach

Well I am assuming those test are to see where you stand medically, my best friend just had the lap band put in about a year ago. Wither you go it on your own or not you need to know where you stand medically, that way working out and with your diet you know if there are any additional concerns. If you have a good support system and are truely committed for the right reasons not reasong that will just pass with a season then i say save your money - (surgery money) for a really awesome dress or cruise when you loose all the weight on your own. If you doubt yourself then the surgery will help you get the rest of the way there.

OlenaS

I don;t have any advice or opinion to offer on this subject, but just wanted to say hello and hang in there. Good luck with whatever decision you make, and you can always come here for support It is a tough situation and hope you do what is best for you.

MrsSki

I hate wasting money. I would try going it alone for a while and see what happens. If you still find yourself struggling, then you can come back to it, but to go through a bunch of appts and tests with a possibility of being told no? I wouldn't put myself through it.

Edit: Good Luck!

WrenLynn

I have two sisters that had weight loss surgery. One of them almost died from an infection after surgery and her healing time was very long. They both lost alot of weight and I ended up being the biggest sister in our family. They were both over 400+ pounds before the surgery. Now a couple years later they have both put the weight back on. They are not nearly as big as they once were but they quickly headed that way. I knew I didn't want to have to do surgery someday and decided to change the way I do things. I eat better and walk almost every day and since Jan. 1st of this year I have lost 46 pounds. I am not doing anything drastic. I am still having some foods I love just in moderation. I am not doing any drastic exercise routine that lasts for hours a day. I walk between one and three miles a day. I would encourage you to choose to eat wisely and walk instead of the surgery. If you choose to do the surgery that is fine too but make sure you still eat right and exercise or it will all be for nothing in the end. God speed!

solvig

I have two sisters that had weight loss surgery. One of them almost died from an infection after surgery and her healing time was very long. They both lost alot of weight and I ended up being the biggest sister in our family. They were both over 400+ pounds before the surgery. Now a couple years later they have both put the weight back on. They are not nearly as big as they once were but they quickly headed that way. I knew I didn't want to have to do surgery someday and decided to change the way I do things. I eat better and walk almost every day and since Jan. 1st of this year I have lost 46 pounds. I am not doing anything drastic. I am still having some foods I love just in moderation. I am not doing any drastic exercise routine that lasts for hours a day. I walk between one and three miles a day. I would encourage you to choose to eat wisely and walk instead of the surgery. If you choose to do the surgery that is fine too but make sure you still eat right and exercise or it will all be for nothing in the end. God speed!

Thanks for the advise. I do tend to eat on the better side of things, I just have a problem with portion control, and making bad decisions at restaurants. I think if I continue to remain committed to this and not think of it as a "diet" but more of a lifestyle change and learning opportunity I can do it. My big problem is exercise, but when I do it I feel great, so I have to just remember to tell myself how I feel afterwards before I go out and do it.

I'm picking up the husband from work again tonight because I don't want him riding his bike home in this 103 degree heat and I think we'll discuss this on the way back.

Thanks again for all the input, it really does help.

kelika71

When I first heard of the surgeries for weight loss, I was ready to hop on the train! Unfortunately, my insurance wouldn't cover it. Then, they come out with this lapband procedure and once more, I get all excited because the commercials are saying it's more affordable. Then, it comes down to the "fine print" and I'm not a candidate because I have an auto-immune disease.

Why am I telling you this? Those tests they want to do, could be to save your life. If you have an underlying issue you're not aware of, you could end up with serious complications or worse, dying.

Not only that, like another said, some that have the surgery, end up increasing their weight because they don't learn the lifestyle changes needed to maintain.

Best of luck to you!!