Why WLS?

I've done nearly every diet and workout DVD known to man. I used to enjoy calling myself the "fit fat girl". I could out run, do more push-ups and even last longer doing Insanity and Jillian Michaels DVDs than all my skinny friends and teenaged daughter. I would loose a few pounds and gain them all back. I used MyfittnessPal, Sparkspeople, Weigh****chers, appetite suppressants...you name it -  I tried it. I counted calories, points, used smaller plates and counted 30 chews before swallowing but none of that seemed to work.

I entertained the idea of having WLS a few years back but was always faced with opposition from my husband. He always saw it as extreme and a result of me not trying hard enough or just being greedy. He practically forbade me from doing it because we have children and he said loosing weight wasn't worth putting my life on the line. I tried being "the good little wife" and eventually dismissed the idea.

Fast forward a few years and I find myself with sciatica. Sometimes the pain is so bad that all the pain pills in the world don't hel.p I have no energy and a BMI over 49. My primary care doctor suggested that I attend a WLS information session. She gave me a referral for a consultation and now that my husband believes this is for medical reasons, he's on board. Not as supportive as I would like but he's on board. I went to the session and consultation and now I am in the process of getting approved for surgery to join "the looser bench" and I can't wait!

Aside from the back pain and health benefits, here are some things that I tell people when they ask me WHY I'm willing to take this drastic measure to get to a healthy (sexy ) weight.

1. Lotion my feet without doing gymnastics on the bed bending my legs backwards.

2. Put my pants and panties on without having to sit down. (Being able to step into them)

3. See my pubic area again without using a mirror.

4. Have sex in more than on position.

5. Sit next to someone on a trolley without them giving me the evil eye because I'm so wide.

6. Shop at a "normal" clothing store.

7. Feel attractive again

8. Take pictures with family and friends without rounding up all the children to stand in front of me

9. Stop being hot all the time.

10. Run again.

11. Not be so damn hungry all the time!

I know that WLS is a tool and I have to put some work in and change my way of thinking. I'm looking at WLS as my last resort. (Not that it's a bad thing). I'm so effing sick and tired of family asking me WHY when they don't even weigh 100 pounds soaking wet. I'm tired of not being able to do things that normal people do because of my weight. There are so many more reasons but I'm going to stop at this. The only thing standing between me and a date now is basically my lack of desire to part with my precious Newports which makes me think if I don't want to stop smoking, how the heck will I succeed with everything else? I will because I have to. I know once I stop, nothing can stop me. I'm already on a high protein-low carb diet and frankly, carbs are loosing their appeal to me.

Thanks for reading... I'll stop now because I could go all night. LOL

Please believe me when I say this...

One year from the date the you've quit smoking, you're going to look back and be so proud of yourself for having quit.  

I'm about 13 years out from my "quit," and often find myself wondering how the hell I ever stuck a cigarette in my mouth as I find smoking so absolutely distasteful at this point.

Wishing you a most successful journey on both the smoking quit and the weight loss.  

 

Thank you. I quit before for 5 years. I don't know why I ever started again. SMH

The sad part is that I don't want to stop. I'm only stopping for surgery, healing and so I can run again :)

I think the running part will keep me clean...I hope!

I had a massage today, and the massage therapist asked of my surgery, why do you need that? Mind you, I am on the table and she's working on me. She should be able to tell how much fat there is on top of the muscle! i told her, because I am 100 pounds over my ideal body weight.

Crickets.....

You sound like you have the right mind set. Go for it!

Hahaha!  I totally get the crickets thing.  I do that all the time and you are the only one I know of that does it too.  Thank you for sharing that!   Jane

LOL.. I guess its because they are so used to seeing overweight people that they actually think that's how we are supposed to be. It never ceases to amaze me when people ask WHY... really? Why not?

Thanks... I've been working on this mind of mine for a while now.

People have an irrational fear of WLS when they hear a loved might do it. They feel its butchery and its elective. The surgery is safe compared to others, and its not elective if you want to have any quality of life or your health. And most people won't admit- they're afraid of how you'll change. The "fat" one is often a provider, lover and selfless. Well go get selfish girl! You deserve it!

I agree. One of my girlfriends even joked that we won't be able to go shopping anymore people I'll be in the "skinny chick section of the normal people store". LOL I laughed and told her I'll still go with her. I know how much of a hassle it is. I thik it's really selfish of friends and family to not want us to have surgery because they are afraid that we will change. We should change - to become healthier so that we can be around longer. It's high time I do something for me :)

After surgery you will still track calories, carbs, protein, and water.  You will still do the exercise and sweat off the weight and build up muscle.  The only difference is that after surgery all of that will suddenly work and you will end up with a light, compact, sexy and healthy body.   Surgery just gives you the opportunity to get on the same playing field with people who do not have the disease of obesity.  For me it took away hunger and the physical ability to overeat.

I do nothing different than before surgery, the only thing different is that it works.  It is not going to be a major life change for you and you are not going to die.  Your husband does not get to forbid you to have weight loss surgery anymore than you would forbid him to have a root canal if he had an infected tooth or chemotherapy if he had cancer,  You have a disease that can be easily controlled with a surgical tool and you have a right to live your life the way you want to.

Get going and in about a year from now you can be about 100 pounds lighter and a million times healthier.  Tell anyone who asks that you are having surgery because it is what your body needs.  Not a major change because you already know how to diet and exercise unsuccessfully.  Now it will be successful.

Hi White Dove,

Very nicely put! I'm definitely going to have to try this approach when explaining it. (Not that everyone deserves an explanation...). I haven't been as good as I can be lately because I felt defeated. Hence, the decision to get WLS. My husband recently told me that not only is he afraid of surgery but also that he doesn't believe I'm really going to go through with it. Guess I'll show him...