What is "Success" after surgery?
Well, Applebutterman .. I think there is a "scientific" somewhat objective definition of "successful" WLS (i.e. % EWL per the average "stats") and then there is the more personal "subjective" definition as to each WLSer's personal goals .. 
By way of example, in that I lost within the usual % of EWL range for persons with my type of surgery, scientfiically my WLS was a "success" ..
However, in that I never did even get close to my goal (and am still in "obese" BMI) I would call my surgery a failure from my standpoint, I guess .. 
So, combining the two definittions, I guess it is most appropriate to refer to my surgery as a "quasi-success" or a "quasi-failure" (sorta like the "glass half full vs. glass half empty" argument) 
By way of example, in that I lost within the usual % of EWL range for persons with my type of surgery, scientfiically my WLS was a "success" ..
However, in that I never did even get close to my goal (and am still in "obese" BMI) I would call my surgery a failure from my standpoint, I guess .. So, combining the two definittions, I guess it is most appropriate to refer to my surgery as a "quasi-success" or a "quasi-failure" (sorta like the "glass half full vs. glass half empty" argument) Frank talk about the DS / "All I ever wanted to be was thin, like that Rolling Stones dude ... "
HW/461 LW/251 GW/189 CW/274 (yep, a DS semi-failure - it happens :-( )
Great post and I agree.
For me my most recent success was when I made a plate of food and it looked like a lot. I realized (and it made me happy when I did...) that it was only 5 oz of food and that my views of food, my mental awareness of what and how much I eat, was becoming a part of me. 3 heaping plates of food used to look like a lot to me, and I would manage to put it all away.
The program I am on while learning to use my tool has greatly helped me in my mental journey to a healthier lifestyle. O and it also makes using my other 'tool' a whole lot more enjoyable too.
For me my most recent success was when I made a plate of food and it looked like a lot. I realized (and it made me happy when I did...) that it was only 5 oz of food and that my views of food, my mental awareness of what and how much I eat, was becoming a part of me. 3 heaping plates of food used to look like a lot to me, and I would manage to put it all away.
The program I am on while learning to use my tool has greatly helped me in my mental journey to a healthier lifestyle. O and it also makes using my other 'tool' a whole lot more enjoyable too.
Dan
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Benjamin Franklin
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Benjamin Franklin
Well my initial success goal was to get the surgery.
That involved a 20% weight loss before they would even do the surgery.
Then my goal was to get to my ideal BMI 188 pounds, and to do this before my 1 year surgiversary. This was accomplished.
But as I look back on those things, they aren't success, they are a start. They are great accomplishments, and certainly something that I am very proud of achieving. But in reality, they are just the beginning for me.
Now my goal for success is to maintain and not put myself back to where I was before.
I have a desire to stay healthy, fit and trim. My wife is going to be having the surgery as well, and I will be judging my success on how well I can support her. I want to live a long happy life with my wife and son, that will be success.
I have to have goals to keep motivated. If I don't have something to focus on, it would be all to easy to slip back into my old habbits.
Scott
That involved a 20% weight loss before they would even do the surgery.
Then my goal was to get to my ideal BMI 188 pounds, and to do this before my 1 year surgiversary. This was accomplished.
But as I look back on those things, they aren't success, they are a start. They are great accomplishments, and certainly something that I am very proud of achieving. But in reality, they are just the beginning for me.
Now my goal for success is to maintain and not put myself back to where I was before.
I have a desire to stay healthy, fit and trim. My wife is going to be having the surgery as well, and I will be judging my success on how well I can support her. I want to live a long happy life with my wife and son, that will be success.
I have to have goals to keep motivated. If I don't have something to focus on, it would be all to easy to slip back into my old habbits.
Scott
The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!
Bama,
I feel like I have achieved more success than I could ever have dreamed - light weight, low bodyfat, excellent strength and mobility.
Yet, I feel I am failing in that I am eating way too much. There simply do not appear to be any immediate consequences from eating a lot of food. I don't gain weight or feel bad or anything. Yet, I feel my level of intake is wasteful and that my behavior is a little too unstructured to be considered healthy.
So, my doc would probably say that I am succeeding and since my max weight was only 305, maybe I won't gain the weight back, but I would like to have better eating habits.
Great Thread, Thanks
Dave
I feel like I have achieved more success than I could ever have dreamed - light weight, low bodyfat, excellent strength and mobility.
Yet, I feel I am failing in that I am eating way too much. There simply do not appear to be any immediate consequences from eating a lot of food. I don't gain weight or feel bad or anything. Yet, I feel my level of intake is wasteful and that my behavior is a little too unstructured to be considered healthy.
So, my doc would probably say that I am succeeding and since my max weight was only 305, maybe I won't gain the weight back, but I would like to have better eating habits.
Great Thread, Thanks
Dave
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