The Sleeve and Luck
I saw this SAME thing go down on the Lap Band board (and it still is!).
The biggest problem I see is that people are struggling and trying to figure it all out during their optimum losing phase, and by the time they get that they have to make some MAJOR changes in order for their surgery to work they are already past that window of opportunity and it makes it even harder for them.
I admit that I was one of those people who just jumped into surgery when I got my band, and I quickly learned that it was not going to work if I didn't work it. So I am kind of lucky in that I was able to change myself and my outlook before my VSG, and I was also very prepared b/c after my first slip I kinda knew I was going to have a second slip and probably lose my band (law of averages) so I started doing my research. I have been able to go into my VSG journey with a different set of eyes since I had already had one failed surgery and I will not live with another one!
Hey Frisco,
GUILTY! Well, maybe only a little. But lets assume for the sake of argument I am because its the crux of why I want you to read this post.
Seriously--I am grateful for you and a lot of the vets here, because despite tons of research, being well acquainted with my rules and guidleines, and having been obsessing with these boards for months, I have done some stupid stuff to 'test my boundaries' and its only the 'well duh' posts from you guys that sometimes keep me in line (or get me back there).
For example, I went on a carb binge after convincing myself I could 'handle it' and thanks to your and other vets' posts, recognized it for what it was and was able to reign it in and get back on track.
Some of the folks who post here clearly don't want to be bothered with reality, and I can see how annoying, frustrating, and saddening it can be (it is to me) to read the 'why can i still eat a whole happy meal at two weeks out' posts, but I for one am grateful when the vets bring me back to reality. Its all too easy to let this sleeve-tool be a heady thing in the beginning and let loose when you have this first-time feeling of restriction after sooo many years of frustration.
It's your posts, and the other vets, though, that keep me cautious and bring me back on plan, realizing that if I abuse what I have, I might as well have stayed MO cause I could get back there in no time without the doctor bills.
I can't follow rules blindly--I have to understand them, and though my surgeon is a great and open and well-informed guy, there are SO many schools of thought on SO many things related to how this is done, I look to these boards as discussion and learning places where information old and new can be gathered, compared, sifted, and finally the golden nuggets of truth panned out of the drek.
I guess I just want to make sure that you don't throw out the baby with the bathwater--I get that there's a lot of discouraging posts on here. And I get that you need to vent. I think its safe to say thats part of what the boards are here to support. I just hope that venting is enough to keep you here, and posting, and at least somewhat tolerant of folks like me who tend to challenge age-old wisdom when I can't find the backup, and that I can keep on counting on you for intelligent conversation, experience, and feedback-- because without it, I'm lost.
Thanks for hearin me out.
Jadelet....
I appreciate your post.... don't get me wrong......
But let's define why a vet would stay on this board.....
Speaking for myself.... I came from a top surgeon that learned me properly and gave me a correct VSG.
I didn't need this forum..... all my answers come from him. I read lots here.... but I do what he says.
Not everyone has that..... some very wonky surgeons out there doing VSG's with technologies from 5-7 years ago.
I got my results from making the commitment to a know successful program....was I perfect....far from it.
If someone dosn't make the lifestyle chages and commitment.....why should they expect to get the same results?
So my point is.... I got mine....I lost 100% EW..... I don't need to be here.....
I stay because it keeps me connected to the process on a daily basis.....
A vets job should be to help the folks that have the last few hurdles to get over to get them to goal.....
Our job shouldn't be to guide people from step one.....That's the doctors job.....
I can tell you for a fact.... when my 2 year come up... I'm tuning out all the Dumb, Stupid posts.... not gonna read em...not gonna care.......
That said.... if someone makes the effort and posts an intelligent concern or PM's me with questions and/or concerns.... I'll help them if I can.....but I'm kinda done with stupid.... It's not healthy for me.....I don't want somebody elses problem to become mine.... I gots enough of my own !!!!
frisco
SW 338lbs. GW 175lbs. Goal in 11 months. CW 148lbs. WL 190lbs.
" To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art "
VSG Maintenance Group Forum
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
CAFE FRISCO at LapSF.com
Dr. Paul Cirangle
But you have to realize that some people just want OUT of their current situation and don't necessarily do the research that SHOULD go along with it...
It is what it is.
Ms Shell