Avoiding bariatric surgery
wadwrich
Posts: 42 Member
New poster. I'm 33 and started around 315 lbs. 15 days ago. My bp was consistently around 150/100. It took putting me on 5 different medications just to get it down to 135/85. I was scheduled for bariatric surgery next Monday, but because I have a whole year that I am eligible I decided to give myself one last chance before taking those drastic measures. I am following a very low calorie bariatric diet. I figured if I would have to do it after surgery, why can't I do it now? I just need to break my food addiction and make a drastic change quickly. After just 2 weeks I am down to 293. My bp stays around 130/80; less in the morning. My mobility has improved. I'm not so hot all the time. My back doesn't hurt in the morning. Things are looking up. I know a vlcd isn't sustainable, but I just need to get in a better place before I start trying to eat "normal" again. Encouragement is welcome. I don't mind criticism, as long as it's out of a place of concern and not just to tell me how I'm doing it all wrong. Wish me luck and continued success.
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Replies
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Good luck.... Just make sure you're getting all the proper vitamins/nutrients you need. Most people post surgery are on a supplement to ensure proper nutrition while maintaining the low cal diet.4
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I just wanted to drop in and say congrats on your weight loss progress so far and wish you well on reaching your goal.
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Please careful, my mom had a gastro bypass surgery done about 10 years ago. She lost weight but is having difficulty with her bowels, digestion, and is restricted from medicines that could help her if she wouldn't have had that surgery. I have never been over 200 lbs but almost there if I do not do anything about it; that's why I am here. I watched my mom suffer with obesity, and I suffered watching her as well. I have a little girl and don't wish my unhealthy behavior on her. My mom began to lose weight before she had the surgery because of the diet they put her on. I wish she wouldn't have had the surgery because she also almost died from it. I just wanted to let you know.New poster. I'm 33 and started around 315 lbs. 15 days ago. My bp was consistently around 150/100. It took putting me on 5 different medications just to get it down to 135/85. I was scheduled for bariatric surgery next Monday, but because I have a whole year that I am eligible I decided to give myself one last chance before taking those drastic measures. I am following a very low calorie bariatric diet. I figured if I would have to do it after surgery, why can't I do it now? I just need to break my food addiction and make a drastic change quickly. After just 2 weeks I am down to 293. My bp stays around 130/80; less in the morning. My mobility has improved. I'm not so hot all the time. My back doesn't hurt in the morning. Things are looking up. I know a vlcd isn't sustainable, but I just need to get in a better place before I start trying to eat "normal" again. Encouragement is welcome. I don't mind criticism, as long as it's out of a place of concern and not just to tell me how I'm doing it all wrong. Wish me luck and continued success.
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New poster. I'm 33 and started around 315 lbs. 15 days ago. My bp was consistently around 150/100. It took putting me on 5 different medications just to get it down to 135/85. I was scheduled for bariatric surgery next Monday, but because I have a whole year that I am eligible I decided to give myself one last chance before taking those drastic measures. I am following a very low calorie bariatric diet. I figured if I would have to do it after surgery, why can't I do it now? I just need to break my food addiction and make a drastic change quickly. After just 2 weeks I am down to 293. My bp stays around 130/80; less in the morning. My mobility has improved. I'm not so hot all the time. My back doesn't hurt in the morning. Things are looking up. I know a vlcd isn't sustainable, but I just need to get in a better place before I start trying to eat "normal" again. Encouragement is welcome. I don't mind criticism, as long as it's out of a place of concern and not just to tell me how I'm doing it all wrong. Wish me luck and continued success.
I agree 1 billion % that you can get the weight off by eating as if you had the Bariatric surgery. I can't imagine why anyone would want to cut out a perfectly functioning body part. Dr Joel Fuhrman says eat for nutrition or be a ?nutritiarian? Stop eating prepared crap from a can or box and instead eat a G-Bombs diet. bitter greens: collards, kale, turnip greens. Beans-the darker the better. Check which ones have the least carbs and sugar on myfitnesspal food. Onions. Mushrooms. Berries-raisins not craisins, again for sugar or carb levels. Seeds. A cup of veggie soup daily. I eat this off the salad bar at work daily so I don't have to process it at home. I lost 22 pounds this year. want to be my friend?
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It’s important that you really, really understand that this VLCD is not sustainable, in the slightest, and certainly no longer than you’ve done up to now. You say you have a food addiction – if that is indeed the case, then you would be best trying to find a professional to help you with this. After all, if you were willing to pay the money it costs for bariatric surgery, then paying for help in doing this the ‘old-fashioned way’ could also be part of your ‘weight loss budget’. As a cursory glance at the forums can attest, you are not the only person at your kind of weight, and you wouldn’t be the only person starting on the long road to better health, doing it just by counting calories and changing your lifestyle. I'd recommend going to your doctor, asking for referral to a nutritionist, and perhaps someone who specialises in food addiction.
I wish you all the luck in the world. You’ve lost 18lb already, that’s 5% of your body weight! The next 18lb won’t be easy, of course, nor the 18 after that, but you can see the differences the weight loss makes – and all of this without major, debilitating surgery.5 -
@caroldavison332 I know a lot of people and even have a couple of family members who have had bariatric surgery and I feel like I offend them when I talk about how much I don't want to do it. But I was getting desperate with all the meds I am on and the difficulty performing menial tasks as well as never having anything to wear and having to order bigger uniforms at work. And my wife loves me, but I want to not be distugusting to her (she never said such things and wouldn't, I just know I would be disgusted by me). So I signed up and got approved and even set the date. My wife was supporting me, but a couple of weeks before surgery she saw how well I was doing on the pre-op diet and could see the inner turmoil I was having over the surgery and she told me she believed in me that I could do it without surgery. What a relief! But I told myself that if I don't do it this time, if I quit a month or two in, I am rescheduling. But that's not gonna happen.
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@caroldavison332 I know a lot of people and even have a couple of family members who have had bariatric surgery and I feel like I offend them when I talk about how much I don't want to do it. But I was getting desperate with all the meds I am on and the difficulty performing menial tasks as well as never having anything to wear and having to order bigger uniforms at work. And my wife loves me, but I want to not be distugusting to her (she never said such things and wouldn't, I just know I would be disgusted by me). So I signed up and got approved and even set the date. My wife was supporting me, but a couple of weeks before surgery she saw how well I was doing on the pre-op diet and could see the inner turmoil I was having over the surgery and she told me she believed in me that I could do it without surgery. What a relief! But I told myself that if I don't do it this time, if I quit a month or two in, I am rescheduling. But that's not gonna happen.
it's MS caroldavison332 until you friend me. Sending request as soon as I figure out how.0 -
I figured if I would have to do it after surgery, why can't I do it now? I just need to break my food addiction and make a drastic change quickly.
Every person who has WLS I think, thinks the same thing... ANd every person they talk to about it suggests it to them - why do you need surgery? Cant you do the same thing without it - just eat less? How are you going to do that after surgery if you cant do it before?"
Well, eating tiny amounts after surgery is not a matter of willpower - its a physical limitation. Your stomach is 20% of the size it used to be - you physically CANNOT eat more. Before surgery - it is ALL will power, you dont feel like you just ate a thanksgiving dinner after eating a banana like you do after surgery.
My point is - dont beat yourself up about "why cant i do it now" ... Yes, technically if you eat like you would have to after surgery, you will lose weight the same, but it will NOT be easy. After surgery you not only cant physcially eat more, but most surgery that removes a large portion of your stomach also removes most of the hormore grehlin which is responsible for hunger cues. So you also dont really feel hungry after.
I totally agree with you by the way - you should give it every chance you can to do without surgery. Having surgery is trading one problem (obesity with all its related issues) for another one (nutritional issues, bowel issues, social issues, etc). Sometimes that is a good trade - necessary for quality of life (and life in general). But it should absolutely be a last resort, which the risks and tradeoffs are worth it for the speed of weight loss.
And many, many people gain weight back after WLS because they rely on the surgery to "make" them lose weight and dont learn new habits that will let them continue. WLS basically gives you about a year to learn to make better choices, lose some quick weight and get into some kind of exercise. After that, it is very easy to "eat around" the surgery. So learning the better habits first is going to let you stick with it better anyway - whether you have surgery or not.
Good luck to you, however you end up!
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dizzieblondeuk wrote: »It’s important that you really, really understand that this VLCD is not sustainable, in the slightest, and certainly no longer than you’ve done up to now. You say you have a food addiction – if that is indeed the case, then you would be best trying to find a professional to help you with this. After all, if you were willing to pay the money it costs for bariatric surgery, then paying for help in doing this the ‘old-fashioned way’ could also be part of your ‘weight loss budget’. As a cursory glance at the forums can attest, you are not the only person at your kind of weight, and you wouldn’t be the only person starting on the long road to better health, doing it just by counting calories and changing your lifestyle. I'd recommend going to your doctor, asking for referral to a nutritionist, and perhaps someone who specialises in food addiction.
I wish you all the luck in the world. You’ve lost 18lb already, that’s 5% of your body weight! The next 18lb won’t be easy, of course, nor the 18 after that, but you can see the differences the weight loss makes – and all of this without major, debilitating surgery.
@dizzieblondeuk thank you for your concern and the last lines of encouragement. I have though about seeking counseling before. I know something is broke in my head where food is concerned. But insurance won't pay for it (it will for surgery) and I can't afford it out of pocket. Even if I could, I can't imagine where I'd find the time. My wife and I both work and we have a 2 and 1 year old and no family support here. I am getting a handle on this. Stick around. I'll be fine. You'll see.4 -
Amazing work. I too was offered bariatric surgery and weight loss pills but I know I can do it on my own. Surgery is so risky and if you have the willpower why not save the money and pain? I have lost 20 pounds so far and my cravings have essentially went away. My willpower gets stronger every week when I get on the scale and see a lower number.
Feel free to add me, I love supporting others with their goals!2 -
I had thought about the surgery years ago. Last moment though, my insurance was canceled and I wasn't able to go thru it. I didn't see it at the time, but it was a blessing. Counting calories on MFP i've been able to drop 110 pounds and will continue for another 180. Starting is always the hard part, but once you get your mind in the right place it gets way easier. I'm one of those that still continue eating pizza and ice cream as long as it fits into my calories for the day.10
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That's great @joseccastaneda. If I eat one slice, I eat the whole pie. I hope you continue your success. I'm going to.
I feel the same way @LisaKay91.3 -
I don't want to lord it over people without socialised medicine but, good grief, what a broken system that permits and will pay for major surgery as a 'cure' for food addiction, but won't pay the cost of mental/social health treatment for the same root cause! I sought help at the start of my weight loss journey last year and, whilst the NHS is far from perfect, they had local weight loss groups and exercise classes available completely free. It was a major help in having support and accountability for at least part of my weight loss.@dizzieblondeuk thank you for your concern and the last lines of encouragement. I have though about seeking counseling before. I know something is broke in my head where food is concerned. But insurance won't pay for it (it will for surgery) and I can't afford it out of pocket. Even if I could, I can't imagine where I'd find the time. My wife and I both work and we have a 2 and 1 year old and no family support here. I am getting a handle on this. Stick around. I'll be fine. You'll see.
Good on you for your convictions, and it's good to hear that your wife is supportive - that's important to have a support system. You don't lose weight entirely on your own, the people around you can sometimes make or break it. Those little kids of yours will likely be a big motivation as you go forward. Not having bariatric surgery will mean you'll have normalised eating habits in the future, and that's such a good example to set for your children - especially at this important age. Get them loving their veggies and healthy food now, and you'll make life so much easier for yourself and your family in the future!4 -
Thanks @dizzieblondeuk. I agree about the system being broken. BUUUTTT, there are free foodaholics anonymous groups I could attend; if I had the time. Just taking that excuse about money away from myself. And if I feel I need it in the future, I may do that. I feel pretty good right now though.1
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Are you under a doctor's care while doing this vlcd? Vlcd talk is against mfp guidelines so this may be closed.0
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Hi, I went ahead and had the bariatric surgery. I've been through the whole diet monitoring thing too so I sympathize. Congratulations on your success so far. My two tips are, eat your minimum protein daily, and keep moving.2
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@suzyjane1972 did I say vlcd? I meant healthy lifestyle change, eating whole and natural foods while maintaining my daily calorie goals as set forth by mfp to effectively achieve a healthy weight while meeting all nutritional requirements. Silly me. Thanks.7
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@suzyjane1972 did I say vlcd? I meant healthy lifestyle change, eating whole and natural foods while maintaining my daily calorie goals as set forth by mfp to effectively achieve a healthy weight while meeting all nutritional requirements. Silly me. Thanks.
My bad.....but seriously do eat at a sensible allowance and all the best for whatever you decide in the future.0 -
suzyjane1972 wrote: »@suzyjane1972 did I say vlcd? I meant healthy lifestyle change, eating whole and natural foods while maintaining my daily calorie goals as set forth by mfp to effectively achieve a healthy weight while meeting all nutritional requirements. Silly me. Thanks.
My bad.....but seriously do eat at a sensible allowance and all the best for whatever you decide in the future.
Thanks @suzyjane1972.0 -
Be careful my mom almost died because of a bariatric surgery.0
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That's great @joseccastaneda. If I eat one slice, I eat the whole pie. I hope you continue your success. I'm going to.
I feel the same way @LisaKay91.
I know how you feel about the pizza, but take heart. I started at 280lbs, and had the same feeling towards food. Now I'm down to 200, and I'm starting to be able to just eat one slice and walk away. It's hard, but doable.
Ice cream on the other hand, I could eat until I'm sick... Lol! Shoot me a friend request if you like! I have faith that you're going to be just fine!2 -
@wadwrich Im loving your attitude.
I have never personally understood the surgery route, aside from being dangerous I dont see that it changes the flaws in the lifestyle that got someone into the position of needing it in the first place.
I also see people say "Ive lost 70lbs so I can get the surgery" and I always think "If you just lost 70lbs, why do you need the surgery"?
It seems to me you have realised something similar before going through with it and its fantastic to see.
The only advice I can offer is to be patient, there really are no quick wins.
And also to "get over it" when you have a wobble. Dont let eating too much one day derail your whole effort. The next morning just get back on the horse.
There are wonderful things coming your way6 -
@samhennings Very encouraging words. Thank you.2
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Vcld?0
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caroldavison332 wrote: »Vcld?
Vlcd very low calorie diet.0 -
I am on day 12 of my journey. I have about 140lbs to lose. I post my struggles on my profile. Add me.
I'm a single mom and veteran who is socially isolated much of the time. I could really use as many friends as I can get.1 -
New poster. I'm 33 and started around 315 lbs. 15 days ago. My bp was consistently around 150/100. It took putting me on 5 different medications just to get it down to 135/85. I was scheduled for bariatric surgery next Monday, but because I have a whole year that I am eligible I decided to give myself one last chance before taking those drastic measures. I am following a very low calorie bariatric diet. I figured if I would have to do it after surgery, why can't I do it now? I just need to break my food addiction and make a drastic change quickly. After just 2 weeks I am down to 293. My bp stays around 130/80; less in the morning. My mobility has improved. I'm not so hot all the time. My back doesn't hurt in the morning. Things are looking up. I know a vlcd isn't sustainable, but I just need to get in a better place before I start trying to eat "normal" again. Encouragement is welcome. I don't mind criticism, as long as it's out of a place of concern and not just to tell me how I'm doing it all wrong. Wish me luck and continued success.
Hi Wadwrich,
I'd love to know where you are with this now. I'm in a program that will someday lead to bariatric surgery but I'm starting to feel more and more that I don't want to go that way. I've lost 21 pounds on my own sticking to 1300 calories a day. I'm feeling good and emotionally strong and I really want to do this on my own. Having said that, I'm terrified I will fall off the wagon in a couple of months since I've done it before. But bariatric surgery seems like such an extreme choice.
Did you end up having the surgery? If not, how are you doing with your weight loss?1 -
That's amazing! I'm having surgery in May. But the fact you're doing it without it that's awesome!0
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OP You are awesome and have a rad beard. Friend me, I am very supportive.
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