I'm new! Just starting to explore my options.
Hi everyone. First off, I'm a 31 year old female in the Washington DC area. As a kid, I was always very active (played two sports) but was never one of the "thin" people. As I've grown older I've put on a significant amount of weight - partially due to the medications I was on for depression/anxiety.
Now, I'm at 5'1", 230 lbs, and a BMI of 43. I started looking at WLS just about a month ago. I had NO idea I would qualify. But through my doctor - Dr. Mayes of the Virginia Hospital Center I found that not only am I a candidate, I'm a good candidate!
So I've started on my journey. First I have to do 6 months of physical supervised weight loss. I met the RD on duty atr the surgeon's office two weeks ago and I've started trying to incorporate more fiber and lower my caleric intake to 1,375. (I have been working on a 1,500 cal "diet"). My first question is the following: Can you lose "too much" weight during the physican supervised diet to not qualify for surgery? I have well over 100 lbs to lose, but if I lose 20lbs or so, does that means I can't have surgery?
My second question is about planning ahead. I've been reading the book "Fat No More" by Gail Engebretson. It's an EXCELLENT book if you have no read it. My question is how do people a couple years out - after the novelty of surgery and eating so very little wears off? How do people keep the weight off? I know people that have had the surgery and gained the weight back - and I would want to prevent that at all costs!
In addition, I haven't had the ** best** support system in place already. Most people I mention surgery to, look at me like I'm absolutely crazy. First people don't think I "need" it. Second, people think it's "too much work" Help?
Now, I'm at 5'1", 230 lbs, and a BMI of 43. I started looking at WLS just about a month ago. I had NO idea I would qualify. But through my doctor - Dr. Mayes of the Virginia Hospital Center I found that not only am I a candidate, I'm a good candidate!
So I've started on my journey. First I have to do 6 months of physical supervised weight loss. I met the RD on duty atr the surgeon's office two weeks ago and I've started trying to incorporate more fiber and lower my caleric intake to 1,375. (I have been working on a 1,500 cal "diet"). My first question is the following: Can you lose "too much" weight during the physican supervised diet to not qualify for surgery? I have well over 100 lbs to lose, but if I lose 20lbs or so, does that means I can't have surgery?
My second question is about planning ahead. I've been reading the book "Fat No More" by Gail Engebretson. It's an EXCELLENT book if you have no read it. My question is how do people a couple years out - after the novelty of surgery and eating so very little wears off? How do people keep the weight off? I know people that have had the surgery and gained the weight back - and I would want to prevent that at all costs!
In addition, I haven't had the ** best** support system in place already. Most people I mention surgery to, look at me like I'm absolutely crazy. First people don't think I "need" it. Second, people think it's "too much work" Help?
Usually your insurance company goes by your weight at the start of the six months. But you should check with your policy to make sure losing 20 pounds won't mean you no longer qualify for surgery.
To keep the weight off, basically you have to make good food choices and not overeat. The surgery helps you not overeat because you get full on pretty small portions, but you could still eat too much of some things or eat too often. During the first year or so after surgery, when you don't absorb all the calories you eat and you eat the smallest portions, you need to work on learning new eating habits. Those new habits are what will keep the weight off down the road. If you try to keep eating they way you've always eaten, you probably will gain weight back.
Surgery IS a lot of work. There really is no magic fix that gets rid of the weight without work on our part. Surgery is a tool that helps you lose it and helps you keep it off, but trust me, it is still a lot of work.
To keep the weight off, basically you have to make good food choices and not overeat. The surgery helps you not overeat because you get full on pretty small portions, but you could still eat too much of some things or eat too often. During the first year or so after surgery, when you don't absorb all the calories you eat and you eat the smallest portions, you need to work on learning new eating habits. Those new habits are what will keep the weight off down the road. If you try to keep eating they way you've always eaten, you probably will gain weight back.
Surgery IS a lot of work. There really is no magic fix that gets rid of the weight without work on our part. Surgery is a tool that helps you lose it and helps you keep it off, but trust me, it is still a lot of work.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
I'm new at this also and just joined the site last week. So I can't answer the questions but I can tell you as far as support, this site is incredible. I have already learned so much and am getting more comfortable with my decision. Now I'm just impatiently waiting for my ins comp to process the referral from my PCP to the surgeon so I can get this ball rolling.
So even if the people in your life aren't the best cheerleaders, you can always come to OH to vent & the ladies here are great. Good Luck!
So even if the people in your life aren't the best cheerleaders, you can always come to OH to vent & the ladies here are great. Good Luck!
Alicia ~ HW 307 ~ SW 287 ~ GW 135
~ CW 160
I am not sure about your first question but as for your second, I have this.
The surgery's effects aren't meant so much to be a novelty as a catalyst to a lifestyle change. We seek to make changes that we'll continue for life. Eating healthfully and in a very intentional manner (high protein, lower carbs and fat), activity, increased water intake, vitamins...those are all things you sort of have to embrace for life.
Just because we've lost weight does not mean we aren't still "fat people" genetically (yes, I used the f word). Our bodies are predisposed to obesity and scientists know that when you lose fat, your body usually wants to replace it...and with a little bit more than you started with for good measure. So embracing the lifestyle changes helps you in the long-term because the very way you live your life supports a healthy weight.
There's also long-term psychological stuff you have to deal with. The WHY of your obesity. The surgery takes care of the how (overeating, poor food choices). In order to achieve long-term success you have to deal with any emotional issues that contributed to your obesity.
Good luck. I think it's great that you're posting and asking questions. Keep 'em coming!
The surgery's effects aren't meant so much to be a novelty as a catalyst to a lifestyle change. We seek to make changes that we'll continue for life. Eating healthfully and in a very intentional manner (high protein, lower carbs and fat), activity, increased water intake, vitamins...those are all things you sort of have to embrace for life.
Just because we've lost weight does not mean we aren't still "fat people" genetically (yes, I used the f word). Our bodies are predisposed to obesity and scientists know that when you lose fat, your body usually wants to replace it...and with a little bit more than you started with for good measure. So embracing the lifestyle changes helps you in the long-term because the very way you live your life supports a healthy weight.
There's also long-term psychological stuff you have to deal with. The WHY of your obesity. The surgery takes care of the how (overeating, poor food choices). In order to achieve long-term success you have to deal with any emotional issues that contributed to your obesity.
Good luck. I think it's great that you're posting and asking questions. Keep 'em coming!
First, welcome! This is an amazing place to get support and to help with your research.
Please make sure you research all four major WLS-RNY gastric bypass, Duodenal Switch, Lap Band, and VSG. Determine what will work for you FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Find out the pros, cons, after surgery eating/supplement requirements and overall success rate.
Decide what is best for you, then find the best surgeon that does that surgery. You owe no one an explanation for your decisions, so if you are running into naysayers.....look them in the eye and confidently tell them you are making the best decision for you--and leave it at that.
As Nik said, we are always obese.....I liken it to cancer....you can be obese, but in remission. Like cancer, it could always come back....so it is with obesity. WLS is a tool that will bring dramatic weight loss-during which time you must change your lifestyle completely.....or the weight loss WILL be temporary....regardless of the surgery you had.
Make as many changes as you can now, so the transition will be easier....and if you aren't already, START EXERCISING. NOW. This will be the key to long term weight loss success.
Another good book when you are researching is Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies. You really can't research too much! And please don't let anyone talk you into a particular surgery....you have to live with it, so you should choose it.
We are here if you need us!
Please make sure you research all four major WLS-RNY gastric bypass, Duodenal Switch, Lap Band, and VSG. Determine what will work for you FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Find out the pros, cons, after surgery eating/supplement requirements and overall success rate.
Decide what is best for you, then find the best surgeon that does that surgery. You owe no one an explanation for your decisions, so if you are running into naysayers.....look them in the eye and confidently tell them you are making the best decision for you--and leave it at that.
As Nik said, we are always obese.....I liken it to cancer....you can be obese, but in remission. Like cancer, it could always come back....so it is with obesity. WLS is a tool that will bring dramatic weight loss-during which time you must change your lifestyle completely.....or the weight loss WILL be temporary....regardless of the surgery you had.
Make as many changes as you can now, so the transition will be easier....and if you aren't already, START EXERCISING. NOW. This will be the key to long term weight loss success.
Another good book when you are researching is Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies. You really can't research too much! And please don't let anyone talk you into a particular surgery....you have to live with it, so you should choose it.
We are here if you need us!
Thanks Kim. I have done of a ton of research and decided the RNY is the best option for me. I've been literally reading and researching and talking to people nonstop since I realized that this might be the option for me. I think I've made a good decisions.
Unfortunately, I am unable to have surgery until August (at the VERY earliest) due to my mom's work schedule. I'm 31 years old, but for something like this I need my mommy! Granted, I'm hundreds of miles away from my family, living in a city with few people could could commit to spend all the time with me while recovering (AND take care of my three dogs - two mastiffs and a corgi).
I've been making the dietary changes in the last week or two. I admit, that I've had a bit of a rough patch enjoying a bunch of the foods that I know I won't be able to in the future. I think I'm feeling that i have to have the "last tastes" of everything before I canot anymore. Whether this is a good attuitde or not, remains to be seen - but I think I need to say goodbye to things like McDonalds (fried chicken and fries does not go well with WLS) as well as pop (which I never was a huge pop drinker until recently). And I think the two hardest pieces, for me -- will be Starbucks lattes (the full fat and sugar ones) and in general - sugar. I have a serious sweet tooth for straight sugar (I don't like chocolate).
As well as all of that, I'm a very picky eater (no seafood, no peanut butter, no chocolate, etc, etc) that make eating even more complex.
Unfortunately, I am unable to have surgery until August (at the VERY earliest) due to my mom's work schedule. I'm 31 years old, but for something like this I need my mommy! Granted, I'm hundreds of miles away from my family, living in a city with few people could could commit to spend all the time with me while recovering (AND take care of my three dogs - two mastiffs and a corgi).
I've been making the dietary changes in the last week or two. I admit, that I've had a bit of a rough patch enjoying a bunch of the foods that I know I won't be able to in the future. I think I'm feeling that i have to have the "last tastes" of everything before I canot anymore. Whether this is a good attuitde or not, remains to be seen - but I think I need to say goodbye to things like McDonalds (fried chicken and fries does not go well with WLS) as well as pop (which I never was a huge pop drinker until recently). And I think the two hardest pieces, for me -- will be Starbucks lattes (the full fat and sugar ones) and in general - sugar. I have a serious sweet tooth for straight sugar (I don't like chocolate).
As well as all of that, I'm a very picky eater (no seafood, no peanut butter, no chocolate, etc, etc) that make eating even more complex.
I think you might be making an assumption many people make, but it's probably not right. You're assuming you have to have one last taste (but I bet you're eating more than a taste, right? You didn't eat one last French, you ate one last order of fries) but the truth is, you're going to be able to have at least a taste of most of those things after WLS. No, eating a large order of fries and a bunch of fried chicken doesn't really go along well with WLS. But a taste will probably be fine.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
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