Major Observations here on VSG Main......

 
Excellent comment !!!!

Preparing for WLS with a firm foundation is very important and may the difference in being successful or not with WLS

frisco

THANK YOU!

I have been avoiding replying to most posts because I just can't do it without tact or composure or...whatever. Lately, there seems to be a lot of ill-informed/uninformed individuals out there and It is quite frustrating.

Newbies...please learn from the vets (and that isn't me.) They are successful for a reason!

I'm a newbie, but I can already see some of your points are legit.  I think I am one of the people that wasn't ready for surgery.  I did my research, but I had no idea how this would effect me emotionally.  I am early out so I am sure it will get better.  I'm very appreciative of the advice many of you have to offer.

you have hit quite a few nails on the head Frisco. I know I haven't had my surgery yet, but while I wait I am putting many things into practice for a lifestyle change for my health. When I see some posts from people newly sleeved I think WTF?  I can only imagine for those who have had surgery and done their homework and have proof in the puddin so to speak...it must be very frustrating seeing such posts. If reading and researching, you would think it would be plain.... I guess not. Thanks for your posts and wisdom from your experience, they are very helpful. 

Frisco, as a newbie here, thanks. Everything you said is true. I believe people essentially "know" the answers to many of their question, but come looking for reassurance from others that have been there. I went through an extensive educational program through kaiser for my surgery, but that was almost 1 year ago. I am reviewing all the information, I have attended the support groups, but their are times that this forum and the info gathered here, feels more at home for me. Thanks for the post. Thanks to everyone else for everyone else for all the help and support your give to the rest of the newbies here!

I am a newbie (just two weeks out) and before my surgery and now, I really enjoyed reading posts from successful vets as well as those having problems because with each one I learned a little more about what to expect, what some of the downfalls were, etc.
And yes, I'm not surprised there is a lot of variety because people are so different and different approaches will work best for different people.
But I do see lots of commonalities and those are the things I take most to heart as I believe those are the things most likely to affect me and to be of use to me.
Keep on posting vets, even in your diversity, because it gives us all so much more info to work with and that's a GOOD thing!
Lynn

Valid observations, Frisco. 

In my area, there is such a surge of commercials advertising WLS and all the billboard docs are plastered everywhere.  I sense there are lots of people jumping into WLS without looking at the big picture or knowing much about what they are getting themselves into.  There have been so many posts lately asking such basic concepts...I am bewildered why they haven't been informed of these things in their research or through their surgeon. 

I also read that many people on the board only strive to be a smaller version of their current selves...not looking into changing their lifestyle.  It is easy to pick out the people that will not be all that successful in the long run. 

 

I usually agree with what you post Frisco, and you can't argue with your success.  I also agree with you on every one of your points above.

I was (and probably always will be) a binge eater before WLS.  I was a little anorexic as a teenager which of course turned into binge eating.  I worked with a therapist who did help me realize why I was eating to numb my pain and it has helped me tremendously.  If I hadn't done that I probably would have developed transfer addictions like so many of my friends have.

I had my LapBad 3 years ago which was the worst experience of my life.  My sleeve revision 5 months ago was the best.  I have lost 60 pounds in 5 months and hit my original goal weight on Wednesday and fit into a pair of size 8 jeans for the first time since before my son was born almost 22 years ago!!!!  I'm going for another 10 pounds and hopefully I will be to maintain it, if not, this weight is something I can be comfortable with.

I do track my food on my phone every day and stick to protein first and a few bites of veggies or salad.  I do low carb but I don't obsess if I have the occasional half piece of whole wheat toast with my egg or a bite of brown rice with my sushi.  I stay away from sweets as much as I can because the high sugar/high fat combo makes me dump...three bites of my birthday carrot cake last weekend made me soooo sick, it just wasn't worth it!

I believe that my success comes from that fact that:
1.  My surgeon was an extremely experienced Revision/Sleeve surgeon who made my sleeve a small 34 bougie oversewn to a 32.
2.  I do small portions of protein first, minimal carbs and only rare sweets.  I have protein powder in my coffee every morning when I wake up to get my metabolism going and that's the only protein powder or shake I have.
3.  I don't make excuses when I screw up.  I make myself accountable immediately without beating myself up and get right back on track. I don't wait for tommorow or Monday.  I also don't let myself gain more than a pound or two without going back to basics.
4.  Support is huge and it helps to have a cheering squad.  If your family isn't supportive (mine thankfully is) then friends and support groups will help you succeed.

My only other piece of advice is the first year isn't the time to test the waters with grazing and eating junk, it's the time to get into good habits.  The only thing I haven't done is exercise consistantly and I make no excuses about it.  I just ******g hate it!

Thanks Frisco -- good post and great to see you posting on the main board!  i am one of those 1200 cal people, but perfectly happy with the rate of weight i'm losing and "old" enough that i'm not too question-y anymore (not that there's ANYTHING wrong with that!).  always good to here from a real vet though!!!!

thanks for the kick in the butt!

- Most people have some kind of stall at 3 weeks.
     Wow - this one drives me nuts!  For those coming in complaining about being a few days out from surgery and not losing weight for TWO whole days in a row.  Or thinking that a stall lasts 5 days.  In my mind, those aren't stalls.  It's call NORMAL.  Or posting about a stall as if they've never heard of those before... um, read the post 10 down from yours and you'll see the same thing!  Better yet - read through today's posts before posting anything - at least skim them!!  It may be covered today already.  OK - rant over.

- A lot of people have WLS really that weren't really ready for it or didn't give it an honest try.
     I think the first part of this statement applies most.  WLS is more than just cutting out part of your stomach.  The head is just as important, if not more so.  Being mentally prepared is half the battle.  Now I understand that imagining what it's like vs actually living it is different, however if you don't give the imagining part a try, how on earth can you prepare?  I see too many folks who think the having WLS is going to fix their marriage or their job or they overbearing mother or their depression and unhappiness.  Highly unlikely.  Those aren't stomach problems, generally speaking.  Nor does weight loss alone fix those.  In some cases, losing weight makes those things worse because feelings change, either the WLS patient's or those with whom they have a relationship.

- Some really varied eating plans now. Lots of surgeons/nuts giving out nutritional guidelines based on textbook data for normies.
     Yep, lots of this.  I would throw my NUT in this bucket to some degree.  While she gave me a wealth of information, I don't think it maximizes the 6-month honeymoon period.  So I'm following LAPSF more so because I think that will result in better weight loss for me.  But only through extensive reading and research did I find what I thought would work best for me.  I didn't blindly pick something.

- Some patients don't get or request instructions.
     THIS.  Or better yet - instructions were given and the patient didn't read them!  How on earth do folks think they will be successful with having surgery but not having an after care plan of some sort? At least detailed instructions of the diet progression and what the most common complications feel/look like.  I don't want to diss anyone going to Mexico (or elsewhere) for surgery - you can find a way to follow up in the USA (or wherever your home country is), but with no written plan?  That's my question.  The attitude that I see occassionally of "just cut out my stomach and I don't have to do work" drives me nuts.

I'll add one more: Testing the sleeve's limits too soon after surgery.  "I don't feel restriction or I don't feel like this is working so I'll eat a cheeseburger and fries 5 days out from surgery just to test it."  Haven't seen this a lot, but it BLOWS MY MIND when I do.  Risking major complications so soon after surgery to have foods they really want, and masking it as "a test."  Yikes.  These folks, in my opinion, fit the "not ready for surgery" category.

Normally I temper my comments a lot more than this, and my intent is not to offend anyone.  But these thoughts have crossed my mind since I've come to this board, even when I was a pre-op.  Normally I ignore threads that frustrate me.  And I do try to be supportive for newbies or others with questions.  But Frisco, your thread came at the right time and I just needed to vent on all this.

You may now return to your regularly scheduled OH VSG board.