What if it doesn't work?

**Lee6Lee** · 04-08-2014 02:14 PM

Wonderful thread! What would I do without this forum!?

**trailriderjulia** · 05-10-2014 11:18 PM

Thank you for your words of encouragment to all of us who are beginning our journey ! I have had the same question ! Will it work for me ?? I really like what you said about it not being a car a house or a baby, it's YOU ! And it is .... thank you

**fri38cy** · 05-11-2014 12:01 AM

I have this fear as well (June 9th is surgery date)
I have done all the programs spent my summers working out only to go back to school heavier than when the year ended.
I do really well then I hit 25 pounds and hit a wall and then slowly start gaining again.

I am going to do everything I can to not fail at this. To finally be able to work out with out hurting is my one of my goals.
I love machines, weights and walking the track but when I am finished I am usually in foot, knee pain. I am hoping that this time it will be
better. It is a tool and I plan to use my tools from Weight Watchers to help with my sleeve tool to finally be a success.

**kenson** · 05-11-2014 08:49 AM

I had this same question as well and posed it to my surgeon. His reply "If you do everything I tell you to do, and follow the guidelines Katie gives to you (NUT), you will lose the weight. This will be the last conversation that you will have to have about losing weight." Four months later, I can say that he is right. You have to be cognizant of what you're eating, you have to be disciplined enough to say "I'm going to do this for me" Don't think of this as a diet, but as a new way of life.

**Lee6Lee** · 05-11-2014 10:13 AM

When Bombshell said two of her coworkers are now gaining weight eating donuts, soda and pizza...scared me to death. I'm almost 3 weeks out and being very mindful. I know I can have one small bite of a donut or pizza now and then, and no soda. I will never pig out again. I think the two ladies she spoke of were perhaps not ready for their procedures and are not in a good place in their lives.

**Mich-D** · 05-11-2014 11:14 AM

In order for WLS to be successful, this has to be a lifestyle change. Otherwise it has a similar result of a diet ending, the weight returning with the return of bad habits.

**carol keller** · 05-24-2014 12:59 PM

Are you going to have your surgery in Mexico?

**rycurll** · 05-26-2014 10:50 AM

No, I live in PA - I'll be having it done in Altoona.

**Poji** · 05-26-2014 11:00 AM

The sleeve works, but only if you adhere to the rules. You are ultimately responsible for whether or not the sleeve will prove effective for you. Portion control, meeting nutritional needs, necessary hydration, etc...There are no tricks to this...You can't eat junk. You can't overeat. You can't "undereat" either. This is hard work - It isn't by any means the "easy way out," as many people will remark.

Best wishes to you!

**rhill2901** · 05-26-2014 11:44 AM

I agree with all that's said.

The sleeve is a tool that you keep for the rest of your life. The days of eating for the sake of eating is over. Use the sleeve for its intended purpose and you will be successful. Abuse it, eat food that you shouldn't be eating, and struggle with your sleeve and your desire to consume more and more food will return. Its a lifestyle change that you can live with. Be more active, do more things, be healthy, live life to the fullest and you won't go wrong.

**Karynna** · 05-26-2014 12:14 PM

Well... What if it doesn't? Like you, I have tried everything. What I'D this doesn't work. It's bugged me for awhile now.

If I'm not compliant, it's my fault.

If it's for any other reason, well, I will need to try to fix whatever is going wrong.

But...

What if it DOES work?????

That's what we should focus on. When I start having negative thoughts (not jst about this), I work on a plan t get around it.

Like I already know what foods I love the most, bread. For me, out of sight, out of mind. We hide it at home and when I am out, it's not such a big deal.

If you have to focus on what if it doesn't work, focus on why and see how you can work around it.

**rhill2901** · 05-26-2014 01:08 PM

Good points Karynna,

You danced around the obvious, but I will just come out and say it. Losing weight is easier with the sleeve than without. that is guaranteed...

**carol keller** · 05-29-2014 01:28 PM

We're you happy with your doctor and how were you treated? What is the total price? Why Mexico ?6

**Deecomp57** · 05-29-2014 02:13 PM

You don't need therapy. Like many sleevers, after trying so many diets over the years, you become skeptical-and so you should. I had the same concerns until I started to lose weight-consistently. It is going to take some time to adapt! And you are right, it is mental because I have the same problem...still. When I scheduled my vacation for an all-inclusive resort, as the date got closer, I began to be concerned about the inevitable weight gain. In the past, whenever we go to an all-inclusive resort, I would gain 5-7 pounds. Although this would be the first time since being sleeved, I had the same concerns...crazy right!! Nonetheless, the sleeve works wherever you are-I lost four pounds!!! We have been on diets for most of our lives; will our worries go away over night? Of course not. Although the good news is that it is just worry. You will not gain weight, you have finally found a tool that works!