Question:
Has anyone ever felt that surgery may not be the answer for them?
I am pre-op and I am struggling right now. Has anyone ever felt that surgery might not be the answer for them? After almost a year of researching, going to support groups, visiting this site nearly everyday I have been able to drop 40 pounds in 7 months without surgery. I am ecstatic about this, but in a strange way it makes me wonder if surgery is the answer. I am finally able to speak about my weight and the issues surrounding my weight without crying. That has literally taken years for me. This is the first time I have lost weight without starving myself. I feel like my life is changing, not just the number on the scale. My greatest fear is that the weightloss will stop and I will be too small to have surgery, but too big to be considered "average weight". I don't know what to do. My original plan was to have surgery this spring/summer. Can anyone offer some advice or guidance? I would really appreciate any comments or opinions about my situation. Warmest wishes to all and thank you for your support:-) — Sara A (posted on January 4, 2002)
January 4, 2002
First of all, congratulations on your weight loss! It sounds you are
finally at a point where you are dealing with the emotional issues
surrounding your weight and being successful at weight loss. Surgery *is*
a drastic decision and if you think you can successfully lose and maintain
the weight loss without surgery, then you owe it to yourself to try. As
for getting to the point where you may not qualify for surgery, as most of
us have found..we do eventually gain back the weight lost and more when a
diet doesn't work for us. This surgery will still be around if you get to
the point where you know you will not be able to successfully lose and
maintain the weight loss without surgery.
Good luck with your decision!
*hugs*
Anita in Denver
Dr Keshishian 11/08/01
— Anita N.
January 4, 2002
Well I TRIED that too, but only lost around 30 pounds and then regained
some. Gave up and had surgery, it was the BEST decision I ever made! If you
feel you can loose it ALL and KEEP IT OFF then more power to you! If you
have any doubt then get surgery, once your post op for awhile its so much
easier than dieting. I dont feel deprived, eat whatever I want, and feel
great. Dieting I ALWAYS felt deprived, unhappy, stressed out, and generally
miserable. I would NEVER want to go there again.... It was the pits.
— bob-haller
January 4, 2002
I think I am glad I had the bariatric surgery because I tried very much to
lose my excess weight without surgery and did not keep any weight off. If
you are scared and apprehensive then you should wait until summer or longer
until you reach a strong resolve and gut feeling about how you can lose the
weight successfully. I went into surgery very gleefully and I think you
should stop and think a lot until you are too then go ahead with that
decision to have the surgery.
— [Deactivated Member]
January 4, 2002
Congratulation on your weight loss. I am pre-op still waiting on a surgery
date. I have lost and regained about a 100lbs. I can loose weight but
eventually they weight would come back plus. I am going into this with a
clear mind that is the best thing for me and my health. You need to really
soul search and research and finally get to that point where you are really
ready for this surgery. As someone else posted the surgery will still be
around then. I know this is the best thing for me and if this surgery is
for you you will finally feel this way also. I wouldn't be going into this
surgery wondering if this is really right for me. This is a tool and we
have to be ready to use it. You will know when the time is right.
— pattyw
January 4, 2002
Hi Sara, congrats on the Weight loss! Surgery is drastic, and in my
opinion should be used a last resort, which it was for me. If you feel
that you can successfully lose the weight and keep it off without surgery,
then I think you should go for it. I've lost and gained and lost and
gained, and if I thought for a second I could have done it succesfully
without the surgery I would have, but I knew me. I knew I would go back to
my old eating habits and I'd be back up over 300 once again. I didn't
trust myself, being an emotional eater. I think you should go on your gut
instincts. If what your doing now eventually fails, the surgery will
always be here, and we will be here to support you! Best of luck in
whatever you decide :)
— Carey N.
January 4, 2002
You know, I think that if you feel you can do it on your own, good for you!
As for me, I've tried, and I always gain it all back and then some. Try to
leave your mind open to the idea maybe, but try to do it without surgery.
And then if the weight comes back you will really know you gave it all you
had, and that you really do need the surgery. Then the rest of your life
you won't wonder if you really just never tried hard enough. Surgery can
always wait.
— Jennifer Y.
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