Just a little Morning Vent..
lorilbuckner1
Posts: 172 Member
I had a good friend tell me yesterday that she doesn't believe in WLS, but that she still supports me as a friend. That's OK. I told her I've never felt that friendship was contingent on always believing and agreeing on everything. I know WLS is difficult for some to understand and I agree that there are those who have abused and used this option. For me, I've done my time. I'm 53 and have never in my adult life been out of the Over Weight/Obese Category. I've tried it all, made huge changes in my lifestyle and eating habits, yet my body fights me all the way. Until you have lived with this you are clueless as to how it feels. I've walked, exercised, followed the advise of health coaches and as a low carb vegetarian, I eat healthier than most. I started this journey at the suggestion of my PC, consulted my Cardiologist, General Surgeon, Orthopedic Surgeon, and My Neuro Surgeon. They are not just my Dr's they are my colleagues and friends. I trust them. They all feel is the right path for me. This was not an easy decision nor is it the easy way out. I don't believe this is the answer for just anyone. It's not a quick fix and I personally feel it should be the last resort after you have honestly exhausted all other options. For me It is a fresh start, a reset of my metabolism. A tool to give me fighting chance at living a healthier life. I deserve this.
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Good Vent!
As long as you and your medical team are happy with the justification, you don't have to justify yourself to anyone else on earth.0 -
I agree rpyle111. I had my RNY in 2003 and have never regretted it. Because of this miracle, I am alive and relatively healthy today. Went into surgery at 398, diabetic, with the beginnings of CHF. I am still at my lowest weight since surgery and have been there about 10 years. I never made it to goal but then my doctor told me the surgery would help me remove approximately 150 pounds. It did. I now weigh about 245 and have for the past 10 years. The important thing to remember is that this is a lifelong commitment. You have to use the tool to help you reach your goals. It won't solve all of your problems but it will help you loose weight and be healthy.0
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loribuckner1, I had someone tell me that he couldn't believe that anyone would do this to themselves, just in order to lose weight. He is a former wrestler, and told me how he could gain or lose weight "at will" when he wanted to compete at a given weight level. He is thin and always full of energy. He somehow doesn't notice the 150+ pounds that I am carrying around, that I can't keep up with him walking most ANY time and that I have medical issues that are only compounded if not caused by my extra weight. I am going forward and hope to demonstrate to him that the surgery makes a difference to my entire well being. My quality of life will certainly improve when I am down 150 pounds. He is in a position of influence with others, and he needs to see that his knowledge of this is flawed.
Lori, keep on the path and you will be a success. I wish you all of the best and look forward to future postings from you as you share your journey. I hope to be right behind you this spring! I already feel as if I know you through other postings. Feel free to friend me.0 -
Lori, I understand how you feel, it's so frustrating that people have opinions about WLS without having any real understanding of it, or what it's like to be morbidly obese for years. I try not to justify my decision, I don't feel I have to, but if I do want to explain to people, I tell them that I came to this decision with the help and recommendation of qualified medical professionals, and that making this decision helped me save my life. You really seem like you have a good handle on the process, and I am sure you are going to do great, and you DO deserve this! We all deserve to be healthy and happy, and we all get to choose how we get there.0
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Lori-
My story matches yours and so many others. Weight seemed to be one area of life that my otherwise disciplined persona "failed" at. At 54 with an increasing number of health issues, frank advice from several of my doctors, and a desire be around for my wife and children, I finally saw wls as a viable way forward. Three months after my RNY, I've lost 80 pounds (and counting), stopped taking all five of the meds I was on pre-surgery, and I feel in control of my health for the first time in decades. My family, friends and co-workers are so happy for me - they were worried too - they're believers now. Let the doubters doubt, this new reality is wonderful.0 -
jillcwatson1 wrote: »He is a former wrestler, and told me how he could gain or lose weight "at will" when he wanted to compete at a given weight level. He is thin and always full of energy.
I knew quite a few wrestlers in high school & college. The way they met their weight was so unhealthy. Rubber suits to sweat off pounds. Running for miles unending. No eating or drinking. I had a friend who weighed in and met his weight, then went got some water. He almost immediately gained several pounds, just because he was so dehydrated. I'm not saying all wrestlers were this way, but many that I knew were. I would not call this a very healthy way to lose weight. I think lots of people have ideas about how unhealthy WLS is but don't really know how it works in real life. It is only unhealthy if the person makes it so--just like any other diet.0
