I don't want WLS - Help

Hoover · Post by **Hoover** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:15 pm

Hey Folks,

I have been steadily gaining wt - and now clock in at 340#. I was a jock in my youth and know what it is like to feel good in my body.

I have decided to be healthy by age 50 (48 and a few months now). I'm riding my bike 1/2 hour every morning and am mostly eating a mostly plant based diet with occasional fish and turkey. I'm avoiding sugar and gluten and watching carbs. I'm trying to drink at least 6 cups of water daily. Any other suggestions?

I'm getting new orthotics (for my shoes) tomorrow and hopefully that will make walking easier and I can work my way back to doing that for at least 1/2 hour.

Had a PT appointment today and the therapist mentioned weight loss which I said I was working on and she pushed and asked if I had considered weight loss surgery. Nothing against the folks who do this but I really resent the idea of surgery for this. I personally know 4 people who have died from the surgery and a few who wished they had because their lives and health are so compromised. I just felt like crying when she got pushy about it. 2nd time it has happened recently and it makes me not want to get health care.

Sorry to go on but I want to be healthy and feel like I am trying really hard and would like to be encouraged instead of made to feel bad. I'm just glad I didn't go have a burger and fries after the visit. Had a box of salad from Whole Foods and some water.

Please no lectures - kind words gladly accepted.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:20 pm

I'm just glad I didn't go have a burger and fries after the visit. Had a box of salad from Whole Foods and some water.

Good for you, Hoover!

O.

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:45 pm

Hi, I want to say I wish you the best on making these lifestyle changes. It is hard, I know because I, too, struggle with weight. I have not had anyone in the medical profession suggest weight loss surgery, but understand why you feel so negative toward it. I know some people who have had it and it has helped, but others ended up gaining weight back even though they had the surgery. It can be risky too. I really think that changing your habits, eating healthy 99.9% of the time and exercising is the best thing you can do for yourself. But I know it has to be for YOURSELF, not because someone says you should do it. Take care of yourself, and best wishes!

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:34 pm

Hoover, I am so proud of you for trying to take this long journey WITHOUT the SURGERY! Wow, I am so over whelmed to hear you say you want to do this the natural way, that's awesome! I was 50 pounds over weight 20 years ago and I didn't even know where to begin , I thought I couldn't ever loose that extra weight BUT I DID!
Instead of FRYING our foods, we started Bar-B-Queing ( boneless chicken breasts ) almost every night, beef every now & then as a treat

1.Stopped eating all fried foods
2.Stopped eating fast foods
3.Stopped drinking and eating sugar (used sweet n low) still do
3.Stopped eating alot of salt, carbs, etc.
4.Started eating more salads & veggies with a little less dressing
5.Started slowly exercising at home with my VCR tape "SWEATING TO THE OLDIES"
6. My youngest daughter (she was in high school at the time) would do sit-ups togother
7.I would do a little walking and when I did I would keep a pretty steady pace.

I think that's about it, now don't get me wrong I would reward myself about once a month with my favorite stuff like Taco Bell or McDonalds but when you do, BE CAREFUL!

PLEASE KEEP US POSTED and I wish you all the best and please try not to get discouraged, think positive even if you feel like it's not working or if you slip.

BTW, my oldest daughter is a BIG GIRL and she won't even try to loose the weight, she says it's to late

Goodluch Hoover

Hoover · Post by **Hoover** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:00 am

You are all the best. Thank you all for the kind words. I'm feeling a bit "beat up" between feeling physically rotten and having a few bad medical visits.

Hugs and Kisses,

Hoover

jules · Post by **jules** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:10 am

Accepting that this is what you need to do is a big step in the process.

You then have to begin this lifestyle change by stop gaining weight. You can't make the adjustment from gaining to losing without this transition. It sounds like that is about where you are which is great.

Once you got the non-gaining weight under control, then you can start losing weight. Do it slow. You aren't out to win any prizes. A few pounds each month will do it so that by the end of the year you can say you accomplished something, and again that doesn't have to be some gigantic weight loss. Even having a year's loss of only 20 lbs is a positive step. It sure beats gaining 20 or not losing any. I feel if you try to lose too much too fast, you set yourself up for failure.

If you have a few good years in a row (yes you have this other time commitment you really need to get rid of), then you can keep feeling good about all of this and although the weigh loss will slow down, it can still happen. Every time I put in "time restrictions", I can't meet them, but I can maintain for the most part loss over the years. I kind of blew it this winter but I do still weigh less than I did a year ago.

My own weight loss has been slow. My max was about 110 pounds higher than I am currently, and was about 8 years ago. There were some yo- yos along the way but I am probably one of those rare person who actually weigh 50 lbs less than what it indicates on my driver's license and the weight on the driver's license was accurate when I got it 4 years ago.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:50 am

Well, "I" am impressed. It has always boggled my mind that someone would rather risk that bariatric surgery than change their lifestyle!!!! But then I'm one who gets easily boggled when someone would rather risk UPPP surgery than use CPAP (and using CPAP is one heck of a lot easier than losing weight)!!! Good luck to you. (And the next time some doctor suggests bariatric surgery I'd ask him or her if he/she got a kickback from the surgeon! One insult sometimes deserves another, especially when the first is such an ignorant suggestion.

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:25 am

Wow!!! I'm surprised at the responses here(and I'll probably get flamed for my answer) WLS or any other surgery is nothing to be entered into without a lot of thought /or research being done. I am a Critical Care RN and I am extremely knowledgable in the medical field. I'm only 48 yo and already suffered from sleep apnea and high BP. My highest weight was 318 lbs. YES I HAD WLS IN DEC'07. While it's not for everyone...I consider it my second chance at life. Yes I had to lose weight before surgery...thats my surgeon's rule. Some coworkers thought...hmmm...you're losing why bother with the surgery. Because losing 24 lbs is NOT in the same category as losing 180 lbs. If people have never sufferd from obesity...I don't think they have any right to be lecturing me on how to eat;my lifestyle. I have to say things have been pretty easy for me since my surgery. I have lost 88 lbs total;65 lbs since my surgery on 12/6. I don't consider myself being on a diet...I HAVE CHANGED MY LIFESTYLE! I am thankful to Cigna and my surgeon for giving me this second chance. I truly believe that without WLS I would be facing possibility of diabetes;COPD in my very near future. As for my sleep apnea...my pressure of 15 my already be too high for me now(I'm going for a sleep study on 4/24 to titrate my pressure). I now exercise(if you would have told me 6 months ago that I'd be on the exercise bike every day...I would have called you CRAZY) So while there are risks to WLS...IMO(or in my case anyway) the benefits outweigh the risks. I'm not saying that every day will be easy for me...but at this point I am THRILLED with the decision that I made. And for anyone considering WLS...do extensive research before jumping into anything.

WearyOne · Post by **WearyOne** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:08 am

Hoover, I just wanted to lend my support to your weight loss efforts (especially not going for the burger and fries!). Emotional eating is such a big part of my problem (happy, sad, mad, upset, depressed---you name it).

I think it's important to set goals for yourself, but they have to be realistic. Keep a weight-loss diary. It will help motivate you as you see the numbers drop over time, And there will be times you won't lose weight for a period, or maybe even gain a few pounds. With these periods noted in the diary, each time that happens you can look back to remind yourself it's happened before and if you stick with it, the weight will start coming off again. I found this extremely helpful because when I stop losing or gain a few when I don't feel I'm doing anything different, the temptation is there to throw in the towel and start eating too much (or too wrong!) again. I now immediately look at my diary to remind myself that it's happened before, will happen again, and to just push through.

I've only lost 25 pounds and have about 50 more to go. It's hard, I know. I would never consider bariatric surgery, because I've seen two close friends go through it, have complications, and then gain most, if not all of the weight back over time. That said, it is an individual decision each person must make for him or herself after a ton of research. I also know one person who had Lapband. She had a lot of problems with it and never really lost much weight. I believe one of the major problems with either of these procedures is that so many times, the REASON the person is overweight is not properly addressed. If you don't change how you eat and deal with why you overeat, I believe weight loss surgery is doomed to fail in the long run.

Please keep us posted on how you're doing---and PLEASE don't give up. And for the next person who asks if you've ever considered WLS , maybe you could ask if they've ever considered a nose job, hair implants, tummy tuck, face lift---you get the picture! (Yes, I know these other procedures have nothing really to do with a person's health. But if it's a person who keeps harping on WLS when they've been told, "I'm not interested," this approach might get them to back off.)

Pam

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:23 am

I believe one of the major problems with either of these procedures is that so many times, the REASON the person is overweight is not properly addressed. If you don't change how you eat and deal with why you overeat, I believe weight loss surgery is doomed to fail in the long run.

Weary One...your statement is ABSOLUTELY correct. Thats why I'm not on a diet...Its a LIFESTYLE CHANGE/COMMITMENT

Tarma · Post by **Tarma** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:17 am

Bottom line. Every situation is unique. When WLS goes well, it is fantastic. When it goes wrong, disaster doesn't begin to cover it. Life style change is always preferred, and WLS without a life style change will not work.

It does sound like that therapist was jumping the gun a bit (to say the least), but hard to say where she was coming from. She might have just been assessing where you were at now. Let it go, but call her on it if she pushes!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:21 am

Any service provider who pushes you in a direction you are not comfortable needs to be replaced.

There are PT's on every block in my hometown. Pick another one.

I think you sound very rational. I salute your avoidance of WLS. I am also attempting to stave off that "inevitability". My Mom even offered me the Lap Band as a Xmas present.

Go elsewhere. And complain to her management about WHY you went elsewhere.

My father goes to PT everyday. PT is a very personal experience. I firmly believe you need to have a safe and welcoming experience when you go, not an adverse experience that sets up resistance and hostility.

Huggers,
Babette

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:42 am

Hoover wrote:Hey Folks,

I have been steadily gaining wt - and now clock in at 340#. I was a jock in my youth and know what it is like to feel good in my body.

I have decided to be healthy by age 50 (48 and a few months now). I'm riding my bike 1/2 hour every morning and am mostly eating a mostly plant based diet with occasional fish and turkey. I'm avoiding sugar and gluten and watching carbs. I'm trying to drink at least 6 cups of water daily. Any other suggestions?

I'm getting new orthotics (for my shoes) tomorrow and hopefully that will make walking easier and I can work my way back to doing that for at least 1/2 hour.

Had a PT appointment today and the therapist mentioned weight loss which I said I was working on and she pushed and asked if I had considered weight loss surgery. Nothing against the folks who do this but I really resent the idea of surgery for this. I personally know 4 people who have died from the surgery and a few who wished they had because their lives and health are so compromised. I just felt like crying when she got pushy about it. 2nd time it has happened recently and it makes me not want to get health care.

Sorry to go on but I want to be healthy and feel like I am trying really hard and would like to be encouraged instead of made to feel bad. I'm just glad I didn't go have a burger and fries after the visit. Had a box of salad from Whole Foods and some water.

Please no lectures - kind words gladly accepted.

Sounds as though your therapist was memorized by all the dollar signs protruding from under your clothing.

I too have set a goal to regain the physical fitness I had in high school by the time I turn 50 and I too turned 48 a few months ago. Seems like you are doing all the right things to change your lifestyle for the better. Only advice I would give is to go slowly. It is very tempting to look for quick and easy weight loss methods but it often does not work in the long run … slow weight loss tends to be more permanent. Don’t starve yourself as doing so only lowers your muscle mass which lowers your metabolism. Keep you metabolism revved up by cycling your carbs … minimize your carbs as much as possible during the weekdays and if you must have them, eat them in the mornings. Then re-feed with good low glycemic (oatmeal and other whole grains) carbs on the weekends (do an internet search on carbohydrate or carb cycling). Eat smaller meals each day but more frequently.

Again, it can be painfully slow but it will work if you keep at it and always remember WHY you have set your goal to loose weight as that will help keep you on track. Best wishes!

HelpMeBreath · Post by **HelpMeBreath** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:45 am

jules wrote:Accepting that this is what you need to do is a big step in the process.

You then have to begin this lifestyle change by stop gaining weight. You can't make the adjustment from gaining to losing without this transition. It sounds like that is about where you are which is great.

Once you got the non-gaining weight under control, then you can start losing weight. Do it slow. You aren't out to win any prizes. A few pounds each month will do it so that by the end of the year you can say you accomplished something, and again that doesn't have to be some gigantic weight loss. Even having a year's loss of only 20 lbs is a positive step. It sure beats gaining 20 or not losing any. I feel if you try to lose too much too fast, you set yourself up for failure.

If you have a few good years in a row (yes you have this other time commitment you really need to get rid of), then you can keep feeling good about all of this and although the weigh loss will slow down, it can still happen. Every time I put in "time restrictions", I can't meet them, but I can maintain for the most part loss over the years. I kind of blew it this winter but I do still weigh less than I did a year ago.

My own weight loss has been slow. My max was about 110 pounds higher than I am currently, and was about 8 years ago. There were some yo- yos along the way but I am probably one of those rare person who actually weigh 50 lbs less than what it indicates on my driver's license and the weight on the driver's license was accurate when I got it 4 years ago.

That was a great post. I need to lose 50 lbs and have been coming up with every excuse in the world as to why its not going to happen. What you said here is motivating. Thanks

amandalee · Post by **amandalee** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:07 pm

Hoover wrote: I'm riding my bike 1/2 hour every morning and am mostly eating a mostly plant based diet with occasional fish and turkey. I'm avoiding sugar and gluten and watching carbs. I'm trying to drink at least 6 cups of water daily. Any other suggestions?

It sounds like you are doing everything right. Something I have found helpful is to try and avoid foods that are overly processed and/or have high fructose corn syrup in the ingredients (really hard to find in the US, ).

Something else that has been helpful to me is joining Weight Watchers and going to the meetings. Talking to other people who have the same struggles can be helpful.

Also, if you can, try to mix up your exercise routine a little bit-- by doing something different/new, working out a little longer than previously, etc. Your body can "get used to" the same activity if you do it long enough.

I struggle with my weight too. Hope this is helpful.

I don't want WLS - Help

I don't want WLS - Help

best wishes on your changing your life

Re: I don't want WLS - Help

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