I have a confession... And I am now ready to talk about it.

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Replies

  • Hoppymom
    Hoppymom Posts: 1,158 Member
    My sister had the surgery in 2004. She lost a lot of weight and tried to get me to do it too but I wanted to lose it "the right way" for me. I didn't feel that WLS was right for me. She has gained back about 20 and then stabilized. I put on 30 more pounds but now I am losing in the way that is right for me. I think that you did what you had to do to get yourself well. Good for you!
  • grannygethealthy1111
    grannygethealthy1111 Posts: 422
    Wow! YOU are beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story.
  • Spedden
    Spedden Posts: 207
    Only you could make that decision, and it looks like you definitely made the right decision for yourself! Anyone who thinks it was the easy way out should walk in your shoes first before speaking. Thanks for sharing your story with everyone, and thanks for being an inspiration to all of us; we all have to make diffiult decisions at some point. Hope you continue to enjoy good health! :smile:
  • TexasDarling09
    TexasDarling09 Posts: 210 Member
    I honestly think that WLS is as good of an option as losing weight the old fashioned way. Its your LIFE we're talking about. How you save it, no matter what, is not important. That you save it IS important.
  • ScoutMomAng
    ScoutMomAng Posts: 43
    I just wrote a paper on weight loss surgery for school. I'm here to tell you (and anybody else that matters or wants to know) that WLS is by NO means the easy way out! The side effects that can happen from weight loss surgery are unbelievable. Granted, I did not write on the lap band but gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y). I, at one time, thought I wanted to have the gastric bypass surgery. Mainly because I had no support system to lose weight, just some nagging people who told me I was overweight and should exercise more (blah blah blah). It was easier said than done in my eyes. I have arthritis in my knees and lower back. I have exercise induced asthma. Thoughts of running make me wheeze...let alone doing it!

    Anyway, you did what you had to do to start the path for you. You did what was the best way for your health and your liver. AS long as you are learning to watch what you eat and to eat in moderation, that is all that matters. Staying healthy and fit is all that matters and if somebody judges you for what you did they are not your friend to begin with. (Judge lest ye be judged. and I am not a very religious person but I truly believe in that!).

    Good for you in your decision to lose weight and get healthy, no matter what started you down the right path!
  • sweetxsour35
    sweetxsour35 Posts: 177
    That's amazing! Congratulations!
  • jewels68
    jewels68 Posts: 89
    I think it only matters what you wanted and how yo feel. I got a Lap Band in 2008. I didn't tell anyone but my close family. Now several of my friends know and some of my co-workers at my new job know. I still feel it's not everyones business. My oldest daughter has one now too and we will continue this journey together. we are at different stages in our weightloss, but we are both loving this website and meeting lots of new friends.

    KEEP UP the job work!
  • carebear7951
    carebear7951 Posts: 404 Member
    I don't think it's the easy way out. I think that if anyone is "disgusted" by your choice to have WLS then it's their problem. You still took responsibility for your own life and health issues. You DID SOMETHING. You didn't sit around "poor me'ing"-that's what is "disgusting"...I'm so happy for you that it worked out and you ARE still working hard-b/c I've seen the people who had WLS and didn't allow it to work-and guess what? they didn't lose the weight and they're not healthier now than they were then. It's still a daily choice.
  • allnewellie
    allnewellie Posts: 156
    I had VGS surgery on June 30th. Only about 10 people in my "real" life know about it....but it is my business, and it is helping me save my own life.

    Good for you for allowing the physicians to assist you in getting your life back.

    Take care of you!
  • mleoni092708
    mleoni092708 Posts: 629 Member
    You did what you had to do to save your life-there's no shame in that. I know exactly what you mean though. Some people are very judgemental and the last thing you needed was anyone making you feel bad about your decision. I'm so glad it worked out well for you and you are feeling better.
  • candicejn
    candicejn Posts: 458 Member
    I'm new to MFP, but my mom just had the sleeve due to her own health reasons and in no way is it the easy way out. She's about 2m out and it's been a huge adjustment for her both physically and emotionally. Congratulations on your success, and yay for healing!! :)
  • MerlynAude
    MerlynAude Posts: 3
    Jessica,

    I don't see it as a big deal that you had WLS. Whatever course a person decides to follow to improve their life is the correct choice. I've pretty much stopped using the site. I just check in but rarely imput information. I use it mostly to check for healthy food options for eating out. I've surpassed my weight loss goal. I started at 285 and wanted to get to 185. I've gotten as low as 169 but usually stay around 175. For me the goal now is to keep the clothes size the same! Keep at 'er. You'll make your goal I'm sure!

    Merlyn
  • Miggy52
    Miggy52 Posts: 164
    Your decision to have WLS was a tough one thats for sure...it was a decision only you, and you alone could make. It was something you had to do...you need to do this for your health...and it is not easy...I know a few of my friends have had WLS and they are still struggling trying to do what is needed to be done....they still have to watch what they eat and miind the calories....good for you....your a brave girl.....
  • Arnelle1
    Arnelle1 Posts: 12
    Thanks for sharing this. There is nothing wrong with WLS surgery, it is just a different path from others. No one knows what another person's health issues are and it is a medical procedure for a medical issue. You still had to work hard and deserve a lot of praise. Congrats!
  • Gerald_King
    Gerald_King Posts: 2,031 Member
    Your health is the main thing nothing else BRAVO way to go
  • bstreich
    bstreich Posts: 9
    way to go! This is a weightloss forum... and you lost weight! we all have a different path that works for each of us, and you clearly found yours. I am proud of you for saying how you feel and for doing what was right for you.
  • TanyaDelAngel
    TanyaDelAngel Posts: 50 Member
    I agree with everyone else your choice was the best for your health I'm very glad you are doing better now :)
  • gg24
    gg24 Posts: 58
    Good for you and there is no need to feel like you have to confess. You did what was right for you. It reminds me of when I had my first and I wanted to do it naturally. After 16 hours I couldn't and felt like I had failed. A wonderful nurse told me to enjoy the meds and that in the end the prize was the same. I got a healthy baby. Without the drugs I might not have. So it sounds like you're doing very healthy things, and in the end we all get the same prize, a nice healthy body. We each have our own journey and there is no completely right way to do it.
  • corgifan
    corgifan Posts: 155 Member
    It takes a lot of courage to commit to WLS. My own parents both had gastric bybass with a duodenal switch. Frankly, while I'm happy they're thinner and healthier, it helped me see I needed to get my act together. It was *not* an easy fix for them, but rather a decision that involved a lot of physical and emotional pain as well as permanent changes to their bodies.

    Kudos to you to making the choice to do what needed to be done to protect your health. And don't let anyone say you cheated- I've seen enough people that have had weight loss surgery and put it all back on to know it's not a magic bullet, but a first step that has to be followed by a lifetime of better choices, which sounds like exactly what you're doing!
  • silvergurl518
    silvergurl518 Posts: 4,123 Member
    don't worry about what other people think (easier said than done). you had to do what was right for you and now you will work to stay healthy! it isn't a free ride...and sometimes you need to do what you did for medical reasons. don't beat yourself up.
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