Serious Business

Last night I stumbled across the show Big Medicine . I had seen post here on the boards , but never gave it much thought . But once I started watching , I could not stop . It truly made me go back to all that I have been through ... and still going through on my second step in the process ...  I cannot stress enough to the pre-ops here how serious this is . This surgery will .. not maybe .. or could .. this surgery WILL change your life forever . And to know what you are truly getting into is so important . Conquering all the fears , knowing what is expected of you .. and just understanding how RNY .. or what ever type of surgery you are having works . I watched the shows yesterday and cried so hard for these people .. forgetting that I too was once where they were ...  To the post ops that are here among us that are stuggling to lose more , or are having trouble reaching goal . I ask that you take a really strong hard truthful look at your life . Are you doing what you should be .. ? Are you being honest with yourself about where you are ... and what you could be doing . Sometimes just evaluating where you are in life .. and stepping back .. can sometimes put things back together . I ask that if you are having trouble .. go back to your surgeon , ask them for help, see the nutricianist .. if there is not one .. seek one out . The best plan is to go back to the beggining and remember what you did when you where first post op . Do not let anything stand in your way . I see so many struggling .. and you do not have to .. trust me .. this is not rocket science .. but it is your body .. and this surgery re-arrainged your insides .. and next to Open Heart Surgery, RNY is second on the list as most radical of all surgeries . So think about it .. Do you owe it to your body to do what is right .. and get back on track .. ??  For those that have met Goal .. Congratulations ., you are fighting Obesity .. and winning . But do not let it get far behind you , as it can and will sneak back in if you let your guard down . Be proud of who you are and where you have come from . But never forget where you came from .  For those out there that Lurk .. and are reluctant to post.. maybe because you feel you do not fit in .. or that you are a failure .. please please .. I beg you to post your story .. to let us reach out to you . There are so many people here on these boards that can offer you support and advice . If you are someone that compares themselves to others .. Stop it today . You are an individual . If you have lost weight and are happy .. healthy .. that is what is important .. not if you can get into a size 2 ... what matters is you have reached your goal .. your personal goal .. and if your health is in the right place .. GOOD FOR YOU YOU ARE STILL A WINNER . Stop comparing and start celebrting .  Ok .. enough from me ... I just want you all to know that looking back has really made me think about where I am going ... even in the second part of my journey .. I am not alone .. and that I am still a fighter and a winner .. and YOU CAN BE TOO !!!  WANT IT  GET IT  BELIEVE IN IT !  Tink

It is a very good show and I caught yesterdays from where I had missed last monday Im glad. It will be on tonight TLC @ 9:00 new episode. So hope I dont forget it tonight.

I caught it yesterday afternoon  for the first time too. I was hooked! Especially seeing Allen's progression. Finally I had to shut off and take a nap cause the beach wore me out. I walked on the beach for the first time in many years. I was not huffing and puffing and my knees didn't hurt.  I agree with Nat--you lurkers should post away! Personally I don't think I would be as far as I am today if it weren't for the wonderful people on this board. Jen

I watch that show religiously every week  - I tape it to make sure I don't miss it. However I have tried to give that  psychiatrist  some wiggle room but she really doesn't get it - her motivation of that guy last week bordered on cruel..... no amount of positive thinking was going to get him that surgery if his insurance compay refuse to pay!! And I also watch the show afterwards about that hospital for obese people - I keep watching it and asking myself what exactly that hospital is doing letting them cheat all the time - and what good it is actually doing as most of them - at least the ones we see - have been there1 or 2 years and have not lost anything at all!!! In fact one woman had gained weight!!   I also wondered who is funding the hospital because if it is the tax payer it is not producing the results it should. It is a good concept but needs a firmer hand in management.... Okay - gripe over !    

I had a problem with the shrink too ... she is not very forgiving ... and she seems so ashamed of her mother , and I think this crosses over in her practice . I truly think that pre-ops need to be evaluated by post ops . I think there should be a panel you have to go before . As we know what it takes .. yes shrinks can get to the root of our addictions .. .and possibly tell if you are going to be suited for this surgery . But I can tell you , I personally know people who have mental disorders who should have never had this surgery and faked out the shrink. That to me is so sad , as they are now , not at goal .. and struggling . These very people suffered from eating disorders , bi-polar and never told the shrink ... we all have issues with eating or we would have never been obese ... but the shrink on the show needs to be more compasionate I think .,  When a person has a sex change , they are made to life as the opposite sex for one year , before they even are considered for surgery . To me what we are doing with our surgeries is just as dramatic . We are trading in one old body for a new one .. and how do we get to adapt to the new life .. we truly are not given enough time to really think about it all . If some pre-ops had to live their lives as an RNY patient for a year .. I believe you would have more people obtaining their goals .. and a lot healthier ..  I know everyone wants their surgery now .. but there is so much planning that goes into this .. or better yet .. there should be . And I see people post about their consuts .. get a date .. a week later .. surgery a month later .. and it scares me .. it is all like a factory made surgical proceedure.and I just pray they are prepared .. for the most parts the docs do a fair job .. I cannot say good job , as in my new consult work , I am seeing so many struggles .. and no real aftercare from the surgeons .. ok .. Now I am ranting Jackie .. sorrry .  Take care and call me sometime .. I miss our talks .  Nat

Well I am glad the shrink is not just pi##ing off me. She is not at all compassionate and looks like she has never had any struggles with her weight. I agree a panel of post ops asking questions could soon see who will need help to succeed and who will not. And of course people will not tell the shrink any thing that is going to cause them to be refused - therefore missing the help that they need. I could not get surgery at first because my insurance did not cover it. I knew this in April. I decided to change to my husband's insurance in December. I was really determined to get this surgery but also to be good at it and know what I was getting myself into. During the time period from April to January I stidied this subject - bought almost every book out there - talked to post ops, joined two support groups, one being Roberta's and got fantastic advice from the post ops there and the other was my surgeon's group for medical advice. By the time I went for my consult in the January I was very knowledgeable. I had my surgery the next month by felt prepared for it because I had gotten such good advice from everyone. I believe my journey has been easier because of this and I think everyone should be made to go to classes before even being considered for surgery.  I get scared when I see people asking the most basic questions AFTER their surgery because they were not prepared for it - and I thank God that there are people on here to answer and help them. I am probably way more concerned about the people who do not post on boards and have no-one to go to for help and are struggling...... who helps these people? Sorry - my rant over now too lol! I miss our chats too - life is just too busy!!! How are you feeling now? I go to see Dr Kreiger on the 17th of this month for a consult....... Jackie.

I never heard of the show before. What is about. I would like to see it so when does it normally air. I agree with you Nat.

I WANT IT I am striving to get it. Thanks Nat for the post. Montego

 

It is on tommorow night at 9 . On TLC . It is all about Weightloss surgery .. and some plastic surgery . It is awesome., I love seeing the different stories ,. There is a fellow now named Allen .. who started out t 700 pounds . He is really struggling but he is making it ,  I would sugges****ching it  if you can .  Mo you are doing awesome ..  Take care ,  Tink

On tonight TLC 9:00 pm

Natalie, you are so on point with what you just stated. I was ashame of the fact that I had not reached goal and am not in a size 2 but I can say this had it not been for the surgery I would be dead now. This is what it has done for me. 1. A cyst was discovered on my left kidney during the pre-op test, and I was sent to a uriologist for further tests. He cleared me but continue to observe it. A year later after the fluid was drawn from the kidney there were indications that it could be cancerous. Part of my kidney was removed and I am now free of cancer. So I do have to remind myself when I get in a funk about my weight loss that it was not in vain.  2. I went back to my old habits of eating too much and incorporated bad carbs back into my eating, so I can't blame anyone but mysaelf. Self-pity can be a mutha. 3. My saving grace has been that I remained faithful to excercising. 4. I can say that I didn't have any medical problems prior to surgery such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea or diabetes.