Did the surgery fail or did I fail the surgery?

Thanks Dawn. That a honest post. Really appreciate you sharing your journey.

Dawn, you're an inspiration to me. Those words feel inadequate.

Aw thanks for the kind words Monica!  Inspiration is much too big of a word.  I'm just someone trying to keep my head above water on most days but I appreciate the love. Mutual admiration society!  I hope you are coming to cambridge!!?!?

love ya!

Keep rocking that running!  

 

Dawnie

Thanks, Dawn. I know the feeling, people have told me i'm an inspiration,and some days i feel so much like a failure. I can't come to cambridge this year, i just cant work it out. too many things going on in my life.

Ran two nights in a row!!

Lova ya too!!!

I think the short answer is that almost all weight loss plans work - if you can follow them and maintain them.  The reason why people fail weight loss plans isn't because the plans themselves don't physically work - it's because most are unsustainable. (Which actually, to me, means they don't work.)

The reason people are more successful at surgery than other weight loss plans is because WLS makes it "easier" to follow the plan because you are physically restricted from eating as much as you want or crave, and for many people, you have some very unpleasant consequences (dumping, foamies) if you eat the wrong thing.  And so you lose like crazy during the first year or so, and then it slows down.

So I think the answer to your question is that when people gain back the weight, the reason is the same as it is on any weight loss plan - because obesity is not just a physical issue but a head issue as well, and it's a lifelong struggle to keep on top of the head stuff, especially after the physical restrictions start to loosen (e.g. pouch gets a bit bigger after the first year, malabsorption slows greatly after 18 months to 2 years, dumping and foaming may subside to some degree, and you figure out what trigger foods you can tolerate). 

The head games have been getting worse for me over the past month or so. It really sucks, and it feels too early for it, but after 145 lbs lost and 9 months, they're probably right on schedule.

Also, I don't know if I'd use the word "fail", personally.  It's a lifelong struggle and sometimes you have more fight in you than other times, especially when life gets tough in other areas. To me, it's not about whether the weight loss plan "failed" or the person on it "failed". I was never a failure, before or after surgery. I just am what I am, and get along as best as I can. :)

Thanks hun. 145 in 9 mths. = WOW!!
That's fab and encouraging.

I love your and dawns attuide. Strong positive women taking charge of their lives and not settling.

Thanks Mandy!

Dawn has all the experience with the maintenance side, which I haven't gone through yet, and I have also found her posts to be so valuable on this head stuff!

Wow Mandy! Incredible post and incredible responses too. I just know you're going to do great!. As it is said "knowledge is half the Battle" I really do believe so in this case of WLS. I do wish your friend all the best in her future after wls, but can u imagine her regret if she encounters complication due to continued smoking before sugery or regains after for just lack of knowledge? I really hope her centre will help her educate herself. I'm doing just as you are...re-training my brain!!! I've been doing so for some time now ...not easy, but rewarding. We've heard so many vets say this over and over again. I believe it is an ongoing struggle in our society (junk,crappy food chioces and STRESS everywhere) we can't burn down every fast food chain, but we can change how we think. So that being said, I think you're on a very successful path-- don't stop! Even if you slip, just knw you're not alone. We can learn from each others' mistakes and triumphs as well. There is ALWAYS strength In numbers..

C.

Ohhh hun.  You are awesome!

And trust me your phone will be burning up when Im slipping. haha.

Strength in number, knowing is half the battles.. all is true.  I have said before but it goes to be said again

I am so grateful for OH and all the amazing supportive and knowledgeable ppl that are here.

I have been blessed to meet some awesome supports in all stages of the journey.

Thank you so much!!

pssst ... you sure we cant burn down a couple of the fast food joints? Okkkkkkay self control is better I suppose!! hehe

i'm about 2.5 yrs post op. Experienced a bit of regain, but hopefully i'm on top of it now.

I mean no judgment at all, either, when i say that I do not believe that the mechanical parts of the surgery can fail you. It's the head part that fails us. Failing to get our emotional issues under check, our grazing issues, etc etc etc etc that fail us. We fail ourselves.

Those necessary life changes are just that. Necessary.