what did your family say?

I was wondering how it went for people when they decided to go thru wls when they told their family.  My mom is so precious, and she admits she hasn't looked into wls and knows nothing about it, but she is scared for me.  And she says that you will have to stick to a diet after wls so why not just keep trying now? ....  My answer to that was with the wls tool it will allow your efforts to show up........  But it is really going to be hard like that, I know you have to keep the changes, but it has to be easier with a smaller stomack to watch portion control, right? Please tell me that it is because there would be no sense in me going thru wls if it was just going to continue to be yo yo.
Thanks for any answers.

Of course people are going to be worried becasue it is a major surgery and life altering. Some of my family at first weren't too supportive becasue they knew of people that had bad effects from the surgery and like your mom felt I could just lose the weight on my own. I have been over weight since I was 10, it was like it happened over summer. It was puberty. It isn't becasue I over eat and not active, it's medical conditions (feminin) but they can be fixed with WLS.
With wls it is for life. If you don'****ch what you eat and the amounts you can gain your weight back. You have to take your suppliments daily for the rest of your life, watch carbs, no pop and other things. You have to be mentally ready for the change as well. You have to learn how to deal with head hunger. I have researched this for the past couple of years. I had my orientation at TWH on Sept. 6th. 
In 2008 I chickened out thinking I couldn't live like that the rest of my life but now I am ready. I want to life a long health life.
Research is good to help you make up your mind and help you to mentally prepare for the journey.
All the best
Heidi

I looked into wls 5 or 6 years ago and talked myself out of it and told myself to smarten up and change my diet, to just do it!!   But for whatever reason, and I know I'm not alone, I gain it back, over and over.  So do you think that if I can still lose some weight, off and on that I shouldn't do the wls?  I am looking at the wls as a tool, something to help me be successful with my weightloss, that the effort I put into it will  pay off. .... right?

Brenda, my body was at a point where it cound't lose weight, no matter what I did.  My metabolism was so screwed from YEARS of yoyo dieting, nothing I did worked.  I knew that WLS was pretty much my only option at that point.  Many people can and do lose weight without surgery - the key is that they're not able to keep it off. 

WLS is an excellent tool. It has, and continues to, served me well.

Having the WLS has to be your decision no one else can make it for you. Yes WLS is a tool and it will pay off if you stick to the plan and follow what they tell you. Like I said though only you can decide.

Heidi

If you don't over eat and are active, then what will be different post-op?   How can WLS fix feminine problems?

 My family was very supportive. I do have a brother that had the surgery 2 years ago. We have all watched him go through the process. He did have the surgery in the US so there was no pre and post op councilling done. I am glad we are in Ontario and it is standard for us to get to know we eat unhealthy. Enjoy your journey.

My parents were extremely scared.  They didn't try to talk me out of it (I'm a wee bit too headstrong for that lol) but they were definitely not pleased.  I realized that their seeming "lack of support" was from fear.  I took a lot of time to explain the surgery, what it would do for me, etc.  I also took my mother to meet my surgeon, who carefully explained everything to her.  We walked out of his office with her feeling 100% better about things.  To date, both of my parents (both now 78 years old)  have become my most supportive and biggest cheerleaders.  They are proud of my sucess, and funnily enough, they are proud of all of YOU too! haha  They know I'm active on this board and run support meetings and constantly ask about this person or that, wondering how you're all doing.  Cracks me up.

I should mention, my son was about 14 when I had surgery.  He had normal fears of his mom having an operation, but was very supportive of the idea of WLS.  No issues there either, after careful explanation of the surgery and expected outcomes.

thanks ladies.

I think families are just scared for us as it's major surgery and they love us. My husband was scared and said he loved me and didnt care what I looked like. Well he's loving the smaller me lol. He knew in the end it wasn't about how I looked but my health. My oldest didn't understand (23) he's an athelete and would say "just eat less and move more". I would say your right but at this point I need drastic intervention. My 18 year old is funny, she doesnt want me smaller than her or to steal her cloths. My 11 year old didn't really get it and was a little scared. My parents and family were supportive but scared. Just be confident and explain your decision

Char