To all the Drama Queens out there in OH land

I visit this site every day and read with much interest and amazement the posts that are made by people that have had WLS, Some of us are a few years out and have pretty much figured out what works for us.....and what doesn't!!! We offer advice/guidance/support when we can...again with the claim that this is what has worked/or not worked for us. Some people are receptive to our comments...others not so much.

This message board is intent is be a support system, informational...and sometimes a gentle nudge to get you moving back in the right direction. All of the comments made are to be taken as just that. There are times when a poster's reply might be a bit more harsh than the original poster might like and maybe it's because they don't like the answer because it's not what you wanted to hear. We are all different, have different plans from our Bariatric support teams, and all react differently to each new food, new situation, etc.
 
I have not once read a post here that was outright mean. Don't make excuses for why you did what you did to get you off track, take ownership of your actions, get back on track or if you choose to waste the gift that was given to you to change your life that's your business. It doesn't matter how we got to the point of deciding to have WLS, the point is we made that decision on our own. Some people are just "spoons" as I call them......just want to stir the pot. If you are unhappy with the way things are...make a proactive choice to change them and use the board the way it was intended....to support each other!!!!

 Right you are!

But I wonder...did anything in particular happen to inspire this post?

At any rate, good words!

Thanks Nik~~

No there was not any one post or comment that was read that sparked this post....just seemed like there were a few posts/comments lately that seemed like this needed to be said. After we are in this together and need to help not hurt!!!

Sometimes I just have to shake my head and zip it! I thought today was gonna be one of those days but I'll see how this pans out ...

Good post, BTW - I tried yesterday but ended up WTF do I know?

I am Back:)  Great post.. Kim you never need to zip it , i LOVE your words of wisdom, but hey SOME will always challenge a Vet ,,,Cheers

Good to see you back

You are wise... "...above average..." (taken from Madagascar 3...lol)

Reprint:

THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!!!

By: Leilani

That's the sentiment (scenario) that comes to mind sometimes when I hear some of the comments from people who've already had the surgery. In case you haven't made the connection, that's a line Tom Hanks made famous in the movie "A League Of Their Own." Resorting to tears or just giving up every time the going gets tough. Or your sick of taking vitamins, getting in protein is hard, water doesn't taste good, etc. That kinda' thinking is NOT going to make you successful or keep you healthy. ENOUGH already! It's time to LOVE yourself enough to get "TOUGH" wtih your aftercare. Your longterm health is worth it!!

Success comes with a backbone, NOT a wishbone!

First and foremost, you have to keep it POSITIVE. As with everything in life, if you think you can't - you WON'T! Simple enough?

I have to wonder when "we" (as adults) finally take ownershipfor our actions, our life and our health? We have been given a gift, a second chance to actually LIVE life again instead of merely existing on the sidelines. It's up to each of us to do that as healthy and productively as possible.

We're ALL statistics waiting to happen and the insurance companies are chomping at the bit. The bean counters are eager to drop Weight Loss Surgery ("WLS") from the policies; some already have. Don't you know that any negative feedback thrown into the mix only strengthens their cause? I may not be able to control every thing that happens to my body after WLS, but most things I can. I CHOOSE to take control and I will be a positive statistic when the numbers get counted.

We live in a spoiled society, expecting everything in life to come with a buncha really cool choices. Well, guess what? When it comes to your health, you're not always going to get a choice. You either DO IT and stay healthy, or you DON'T and your body pays the price.

The way I saw it, I had a 90 day healing and adjusting period after surgery. My 'super morbidly obese' body had more than enough stores to survive the learning curve. In turn, it gave me plenty of time to heal, adjust and learn. For those of you OVER 90 days Post-Op, the probation period is over - its time to get serious and LIVE what you've learned.

* You say you can't get in enough liquids throughout the day, don't like the taste of water, or just keep forgetting? -- TOUGH! It's not an option anymore. Find a way to do it, get suggestions and tips from others in support groups, message boards, etc. Read, learn and JUST DO IT!! Why do you think there is a choice here?

* You say you don't like the big horse pill type vitamins, or the tart chalky chewables? ... it's just too many to bother with? Or maybe you just can't remember to take them? -- TOUGH! You gave up the option NOT to take vitamins when you agreed to have your insides rerouted. FIND a way to get them in; crushed, minced, chopped, liquified, in a shake, etc. No exceptions, your health depends on it.

* Protein is a must. So you can't get it all in via foods and you don't like the way the shakes taste? -- TOUGH! Either get it through your meals (and there are a gazillion food choices out there) or supplement it with protein shakes and bars.

Trust me, I don't drink my protein shake every morning because I think it tastes like a chocolate blizzard from Dairy Queen. I've tried many varieties over the last 2 years. I'd even venture to say 25 of the top sellers/flavors have crossed my lips. For the record? I've yet to find one that is as 'delicious' as boasted by the distributor. So what. I still drink one every morning. My HEALTH dictates that I need "X" grams of protein per day. If I'm not getting enough from my meals then I supplement a shake. 'Nuff said.

This surgery is a gift, I owe it to me and everyone else fighting the approval process, to do it right! I will continue to choke down my vitamins, my water and my protein every single day, for the REST OF MY LIFE. Some days will be easier than others, regardless, no days will be missed.

It's all about discipline. Create a routine, set a timer, develop a pattern, tie a string around your finger, glue a note on your forehead, whatever it takes.

You're an adult - take responsibility! If this surgery doesn't slap a back bone into you, not much will.

YAY!!  It's all been said now.  JUST DO IT!!

 Boy, some really excellent posts here.  I agree with all that was said.  We have to be accountable and quit the whining already about can't drink water, don't want to chew my vitamins so on and so on.  You would think after the risk of having major surgery doing the follow up would be a cake walk compared to just went on inside of you.  It was downright hard the first few weeks, but I didn't complain because this was the choice I made.  But  to not follow the doctor's protocol is what gets to me most about some of the posters on OH.  They continuously temp the food gods to see how much they can eat or what the can eat and then they whine about how miserable they are.  Sorry, it doesn't cut it me and alot of other people. Why do so many people come on to OH and ask what they can eat and do you think it's ok?  Most people say yes you can eat this and that.  NO!  their doctor may not want them yet to have those things.  I always ask as do some of the others, what does your doctor say? Do people actually come home with no information? No, I don't believe that for a minute. I always call the doctors office because that is where I will get the information I need.  Not that there isn't help here, there is a lot of it.  Many of our topics are not always serious and we try to lighten things up and have some fun.  Just had to put my two cents worth in, thank you.  Jane