Talking with my PCP

I wonder how success is defined by your clinic. I know that my surgeon's goal for me was "overweight" which is definitely not what my goal for me was! Also interesting about yo-yo dieters. I wonder if my surgeon has observed the same thing. I was never good at losing weight until the VSG - but I'm okay with being an outlier.

As a recovering yoyo, that's good to hear.

My surgeon seemed to think that it was a good thing that I had lost massive amounts of weight before. He said it proved I could do it. I personally never thought it was such a great attribute.

So, first of all - reading this makes me terrified, as I'm sure it does for other folks who aren't very far out. But second, it makes me so grateful for the connections I've made here because I need someone to kick my ass if not doing what I should.

In a lot of ways, I'm lucky because I found a forum similar to this related to Diabetes and Pregnancy when I found out I was pregnant with kid #1. That group kept me in check through the duration of both my pregnancies and I still actively participate with a large portion of that group (now on Facebook). I met my best friend on that forum 9 years ago and she will call me on my **** in a heartbeat if I'm slacking.

I have approached WLS the same way I learned to approach other chronic illness and I hope that will keep me in check for the long term. But, more so I count on the folks here to limp along with me!

Yup, this post is terrifying.

I, too, attribute much of my success to OH. And by success I mean not just the stuff during the honeymoon phase where you get ideas and positive reinforcement but also to finding realistic solutions to regain that I've experienced, to be able to get back up on the horse and be accountable and not just wallow in shame and self-flagellation (or at least for not too long). The reinforcement of getting back to basics, counting the right things to start losing again, be honest about food intake, and not jump back to the 'fad dieting' mentality. I do see some of that here and believe it's a throwback to the old days when we gained but each person has to find their strategy for dealing with the bumps in the road so I cannot judge.

My program is a gov't sponsored program which you have to qualify for (by meeting at least 2 co-morbidities) and go through many nutrition classes, psych appts, medical evals before you are approved. It is a long process, up to 2 years, but that is the trade off for universal health care. I feel like the support up to surgery is great however, afterward, attending the post-op support groups was extremely frustrating. the meetings were separated for pre and post-ops which was good however many of these post-op session became about how much weight one person lost compared to another, or, how awesome everyone's personal trainer was, or how things are just amazeballs. I had troubles with fatigue, dizziness, cravings, hormones, emotions dealing with my changing body, and sometimes weeks were just damn hard, but no one ever copped to this. I would sit in these meetings and think "Am I the only person who has issues?", "Am I an anomaly because everyone else is ******g amazing and rocking their sleeve/band/pouch?". It was tough. It kind of became a one-up-manship situation and the nutritionist or psychologist who led the meetings (from the program staff) never nipped this. I often left frustrated. Plus, after one year, you are discharged from the program, even the post-op support groups, so WTF?

So I am grateful to this board and am here multiple times daily. At times, I've strenuously disagreed with some people here (especially about whether to tell about WLS or not, which is a personal choice in the end) but I've always respected the ability to put stuff out there, vent my spleen so-to-speak, and reach out for support from those who've walked the path, faced the struggles or are still facing them and receive not only support but honesty. It's hard when you feel like you're the only apple in a bowl of oranges in your real life, so thank you OH peeps.

I'm seeing my PCP today & I'll inquire on how many patients she's referred to the program and how the success has been. I know in 2013 I was her first one and she wasn't aware of this new WLS program in our city. It was that new. I hope it's gotten better in recent years.

Not sure if this is your thing but I think you would be an excellent WLS advocate. If your PCP and potential WLS candidates could coordinate a meet & greet, they could see SUCCESS with their own eyes.

And yes, you are successful!

Aw, thanks, that's sweet. I'd be surprised if it happened, though, I don't think my PCP has -that- many WLS clients :D But, I'm certainly happy to talk with people about my experience.

I am totally amazed by the amount of weight loss you guys have had and maintained, but then when I see how strict you are with your programs and for how long, Is not magic, is your hard work and willingness to keep on keeping on every day no matter what. I congratulate you guys with all my heart as a perosn that has lost hundreds of pounds during my 48 years of life, I know there is not magic. Congratulations to all of you, I wish I can be one of you guys!!!

There's no reason you can't be. :)