"The easy way out"
I belong to another forum that is a private forum...one of the subjects brought up was someone asking about WLS and taking the easy way out. Just as a warning, this brings up the subject of military sexual trauma (MST) and might trigger some; but this is what I replied to the subject:
"I was a champion at losing weight—but I couldn’t keep it off. I started overeating, binging, etc… after I was raped while serving in the USAF. I was overweight all through the last 3 years of my military service, and then the last 20 years of my life. (I am currently in the middle of an appeal for PTSD using this for evidence, but honestly, not having very good luck) I WAS a fragile diabetic, I HAD hypertension and I also have and still have PTSD secondary to MST. Having the surgery was no way “THE EASY WAY OUT." If you consider having your insides completely rearranged, then by all means, call it “the easy way out." I have never worked harder at this. I now constantly monitor everything that I put into my body—I have had to completely readjust all my medications—the surgery not only acts as restrictive, but malabsortive. (Meaning I don’t absorb nutrients, medication like I used to) There is a lot of misinformation out there about weight loss surgery—but again it is not the easy way out—yes, there are some problems related to WLS, but there are problems related to every surgery—you learn to watch out for such. I work very closely with my therapist to address the eating for comfort problem and my MST (and yes, he is a VA therapist and yes, he is a man, and yes…he is understanding and I wouldn’t trade him for some of the “I must prove everything female therapists that I have dealt with.) I also work closely with a nutritionist through my bariatric surgeon’s office. Is the surgery for everyone—probably not. If you are looking into WLS, whether it be gastric bypass, the lap band, VSG, or even the DS—do your research thoroughly and be prepared to go through the 6 months supervised diet; be able to get cleared by a bariatric psychologist; a physical therapist; a bariatric nutritionist; and then make it past the surgeon to show you are a good candidate. But with all of that being said, would I do it over again—IN A HEART BEAT. I have had no problems with the exception of learning to seeing a new me and having people look me in the eye…face it, when you are 300 pounds, that is a good barrier against you and the world. I did not have the surgery through the VA—that would never happen, I went privately. There is only a few VA’s that offer the surgery—but I am not that adventurous. I hope this helps."
I really aggrevates me to no end when people call this the easy way out. As we all know, it is not. I am sure to flamed on that forum (but not what you would think for)--but you know what--I don't care--I will not let anyone say it is the easy way out--this is a new part of me...learning to stand up for myself and others if needed.
"I was a champion at losing weight—but I couldn’t keep it off. I started overeating, binging, etc… after I was raped while serving in the USAF. I was overweight all through the last 3 years of my military service, and then the last 20 years of my life. (I am currently in the middle of an appeal for PTSD using this for evidence, but honestly, not having very good luck) I WAS a fragile diabetic, I HAD hypertension and I also have and still have PTSD secondary to MST. Having the surgery was no way “THE EASY WAY OUT." If you consider having your insides completely rearranged, then by all means, call it “the easy way out." I have never worked harder at this. I now constantly monitor everything that I put into my body—I have had to completely readjust all my medications—the surgery not only acts as restrictive, but malabsortive. (Meaning I don’t absorb nutrients, medication like I used to) There is a lot of misinformation out there about weight loss surgery—but again it is not the easy way out—yes, there are some problems related to WLS, but there are problems related to every surgery—you learn to watch out for such. I work very closely with my therapist to address the eating for comfort problem and my MST (and yes, he is a VA therapist and yes, he is a man, and yes…he is understanding and I wouldn’t trade him for some of the “I must prove everything female therapists that I have dealt with.) I also work closely with a nutritionist through my bariatric surgeon’s office. Is the surgery for everyone—probably not. If you are looking into WLS, whether it be gastric bypass, the lap band, VSG, or even the DS—do your research thoroughly and be prepared to go through the 6 months supervised diet; be able to get cleared by a bariatric psychologist; a physical therapist; a bariatric nutritionist; and then make it past the surgeon to show you are a good candidate. But with all of that being said, would I do it over again—IN A HEART BEAT. I have had no problems with the exception of learning to seeing a new me and having people look me in the eye…face it, when you are 300 pounds, that is a good barrier against you and the world. I did not have the surgery through the VA—that would never happen, I went privately. There is only a few VA’s that offer the surgery—but I am not that adventurous. I hope this helps."
I really aggrevates me to no end when people call this the easy way out. As we all know, it is not. I am sure to flamed on that forum (but not what you would think for)--but you know what--I don't care--I will not let anyone say it is the easy way out--this is a new part of me...learning to stand up for myself and others if needed.
A friend of mine posted the following some time ago about this very topic. I love it and refer to the "arguments" in it any time I hear that it was the easy way out. Thankfully, I don't hear it often becuase most folks who know me know better than to go down that road. They'll get an education for sure.
WLS--The Easy Way Out
WLS--The Easy Way Out
There is no easy way out of obesity! With or without surgery you have to fix your head too or you just go back to the old self and we know what that means. The only advantage we give ourselves with surgery is we get an extra tool work with. I think its harder this way because we can't use any more excuses. Just saying.
I was not a fat kid or teen or young adult but a series of incidences that happened to me may have something to do with why I grew my fat shield and stubbornly hung onto it all these years. I probably have a little PTSD from it but dang I just can't let it run my whole rest of my life so with the help of my tool I think I am getting over it and I am definitely a lot healthier in mind and spirit and body. I don't know that I could holistically succeed without it but its what it is.
I was not a fat kid or teen or young adult but a series of incidences that happened to me may have something to do with why I grew my fat shield and stubbornly hung onto it all these years. I probably have a little PTSD from it but dang I just can't let it run my whole rest of my life so with the help of my tool I think I am getting over it and I am definitely a lot healthier in mind and spirit and body. I don't know that I could holistically succeed without it but its what it is.
Ann and the 'Bean'
Blogs mysecondhalfoflife.blogspot.com/ and amanicinsomniacsreadinglist.blogspot.com/
High/Surg/current/goal - 320/253/150/healthy - I am 5' 3" tall - Size 8 now! Past surgeon's goal now!
Blogs mysecondhalfoflife.blogspot.com/ and amanicinsomniacsreadinglist.blogspot.com/
High/Surg/current/goal - 320/253/150/healthy - I am 5' 3" tall - Size 8 now! Past surgeon's goal now!
I totally agree with this. I have a Master's in Nursing and can teach nutrition, f'gosh sakes, but I couldn't get a handle on my eating. I walked every day, except as I got bigger the walks got shorter because they got less enjoyable. I was unconvinced about WLS. But after my spouse did it, and I saw how it worked for him - I became a believer, and that is why I'm sitting here, post op, waiting for the day when I can have a serving of soup. . .
Eljay
While the weight loss is easier with surgery, the lifestyle is harder.
While the weight loss is easier with surgery, the lifestyle is harder.
Don't throw tomatos at me - but because I didn't/don't really have any major complications, I feel like this IS the easy way for me. No, really.
Though in all honesty this is the ONLY place I have heard anyone actually say that, no ones said it in "real life"
My dad has lost 60 lbs on his own with diet and minimal exercise after YEARS of being MO, and is looking fabulous and I have to stay his struggle is MUCH harder than mine. And his maintenance will be much harder too I think.
BUT - I am glad that this 56 year old, 6'5 300+lb italian guy has done SO much to change his eating habits. He really is relearning how to eat - which is OUR biggest challenge as well. Because he WAS considering lapband -and I gotta tell you, I'd have gotten a court order declaring him insane if he actually tried to go through with it. RNY or DS maybe, lapband? NFW. Not with the way he ate and his lifestyle..ugh!
Though in all honesty this is the ONLY place I have heard anyone actually say that, no ones said it in "real life"
My dad has lost 60 lbs on his own with diet and minimal exercise after YEARS of being MO, and is looking fabulous and I have to stay his struggle is MUCH harder than mine. And his maintenance will be much harder too I think.
BUT - I am glad that this 56 year old, 6'5 300+lb italian guy has done SO much to change his eating habits. He really is relearning how to eat - which is OUR biggest challenge as well. Because he WAS considering lapband -and I gotta tell you, I'd have gotten a court order declaring him insane if he actually tried to go through with it. RNY or DS maybe, lapband? NFW. Not with the way he ate and his lifestyle..ugh!
Lexi - Size 6-8 and holding.
I would never throw tomatoes at you--I would probably eat them instead...
(I love me some vine ripened tomatoes)
As far as losing weight--it has been easy...but with that being said...I have never worked harder. With other "diets" I would start off with a bang...lose weight and have something huge in my life and gain it all back...now I am not saying that it won't happen again, but with this tool--and a really good psychologist, hopefully this will not happen again. There are days that I feel I am only one dorito from falling off the edge. (cookies and cakes were never my thing, but give me a bag of chips and I am done for.)
(I love me some vine ripened tomatoes)As far as losing weight--it has been easy...but with that being said...I have never worked harder. With other "diets" I would start off with a bang...lose weight and have something huge in my life and gain it all back...now I am not saying that it won't happen again, but with this tool--and a really good psychologist, hopefully this will not happen again. There are days that I feel I am only one dorito from falling off the edge. (cookies and cakes were never my thing, but give me a bag of chips and I am done for.)
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