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Thread: Why surgery?

  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member tonyasue's Avatar
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    Default Why surgery?

    I lost 7 lbs (Yay Me!) in the last month on my own, assuming that they would want to see that at my next appointment. And as of yesterday, I officially have my healthy eating / exercise plan from the dietician/fitness person to start NOW, so that I have some weight loss before surgery and also have established healthy habits before surgery.

    So, now I am getting questions from my immediate family as to why don't I just do these things and forget surgery, since it is working already without the surgery. The only thing I can think of to say to them is that I have had beginning success like this before -- most notably, 60 lbs in 6 months using Weight Watchers -- but eventually I put it all back on and then some. They don't say it, but in the silence, I feel, is the unspoken question -- which may be MY OWN question, really, is "So who's to say the sleeve will make any difference, then?"

    Here is what I *think* part of the answer is, but I am hoping for some discussion with all of you about this. I think that the sleeve will help because initially I will take more weight off faster and not feel as hungry. Then later, when the hunger comes back, I won't be able to eat as much -- unless I'm willing to keep pushing it regardless of the fact I'm making myself sick (which, ewww, I don't intend to do) -- and I will have better eating and exercise habits at that point.

    Other thoughts? Why has this been more successful for you (or why do you think that it will be)?



  2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member luke's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why surgery?

    Because change is hard, especially hard if your current situation makes it difficult both mentally and physically to get going. The surgery jump-starts your weight loss and fixes a slew of problems immediately, giving you the push you need to start moving forward. Going forward a smaller stomach certainly helps by sending you signals you might not have heard pre-op.

    You still have to change your lifestyle, but this forces you to at least begin and gives you a good running start.
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  4. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member Ladeegee's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why surgery?

    I was thinking along the same lines as Luke. Having this surgery is forcing me to make a lifestyle change. I asked the same question as you did. If I can lose the weight by following the diet the nutritionist gave me, then why can't I do it on my own. I decided that it's because it's too easy for me to fall back into hold habits that way. I've tried it before (using WW coincidentally), and lost about 50 pounds. Well not only did the pounds come back, they brought friends and family.

    Being sleeved will help because it will force me to adapt to a new lifestyle, and over time new good habits will have replaced the old bad habits.



  5. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member lornadoone629's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why surgery?

    I was a yo-you dieter for 40 years. Obviously, NOTHING worked long term or I wouldn't have been here now. I can do anything short term, but staying with it requires more than I can do. But don't let anyone tell you that this is the easy way out. You will have to work hard at it to pre-plan meals and make sure that you have healthy options at all turns. I'm STILL rebuilding my habits at 9 months. I knew I'd be successful once I made the decision to do this, went through ALL of the pre-op tests and hurdles, the surgery and th expense of both. I can't fail.... I won't let myself!



  6. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member Little Verbena's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
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    Default Re: Why surgery?

    The surgery gives you a tool to learn about portion size and what your body really needs. You have to break old habits and sometimes learn completely new ones. You need time for those new habits to really take root. The surgery allows you to have that time.
    My soul is not limited by my body. My body is contained in the limitlessness of my soul. ~ Jim Carey


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  7. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  8. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member Little Verbena's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
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    Default Re: Why surgery?

    I want to add that I there is an agency that tracks diet plans like weight watchers and others (I think it was the CDC). They found that those plans are successful only 15% of the time. Success was defined as keeping 80%+ of the lost weight off after 5 years. They found that with surgery, and at the time it only measured gastric bypass, they found that 85% of people keep the weight off after five year. These diet plans are not all that successful and in the long run but are hugely profitable. That is why there are so many of them vying for your diet dollars. WLS is successful and it is proven to help. Yes, some people fail. Yes some people have adverse reactions to the surgery but the numbers show that the majority are able to take more weight than diet and exercise alone and keep it off longer. I have said it before and I will repeat it here... I could tell people that I was on the newest hollywood diet of cabbage leaves and crickets and they would all applaud my efforts and ask for the details. But tell them you have had surgery and they accuse you of taking the easy way out. It makes no sense to me.

    I have been struggling with the idea that if WLS is proven so successful, why is it that everyone thinks it is not and why do they think diet and exercise alone is. Things to ponder during our walks I guess.
    My soul is not limited by my body. My body is contained in the limitlessness of my soul. ~ Jim Carey


    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Weight Loss Tools

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  9. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member newclear's Avatar
    I have not had a gastric sleeve.
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    Default Re: Why surgery?

    I shared a 2+ year old article earlier this week on weight loss by yourself and the body's aversion to shed pounds. You can see that below.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/he...udy-finds.html

    It's the regain that's hard to combat. There will be a point when all of us level off, where most people will gain back 10%+ of their lowest weight. It happens to practically everyone, despite the weight loss surgery type you've undergone. The thing is that you still have a tools with you after you've reached your target weight range. To put it simple for your relatives, if it's best to use a hammer, wrench, and screw driver to put something together, you'd want to use those tools if you have it. You can use a knife perhaps instead of the screw driver or use brute force instead of a hammer, but your confidence in what you're putting together is not the same. The screws may come loose earlier and cause your item to fail. What I'm saying is, having the right tools is essential to success, and some of us need more tools than others. Admitting that you need a power drill with a screw driver bit instead of just a plain old screw driver doesn't make you less of a person, especially if let's say a wrist injury or arthritis makes torquing a screwdriver painful. I agree, the surgery is invasive, aggressive, has risks, but you've [hopefully] weighed the impact on the quality of your life, health and future. Ask them to respect that.

    For me, the surgery has been more successful than other methods because there's that physical barrier. I love the taste of rich foods, especially creamy/fatty. I find that I can have but so much before I start to feel physically ill from rich foods. I haven't read or researched on this, but how my brain feels about certain types of food has changed. I'm more sensitive to satiety, and in turn, I eat less. I have less of the bad stuff, more of the good, because it's what my body responds better to. It's also motivating seeing exercise and diet coupled together having results 2 months later. The NSVs are also motivating, and I'm not afraid that next month I'll regain 5 lbs. I wouldn't trade this tool for the world! Good luck, and I hope the people in your life will be supportive of your choice, regardless of whether or not you go through it in the end.

  10. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member woodi618's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why surgery?

    Only 15% ke 80% of the weight off, but I was told that if we are 100 pounds or over (morbidly obese) it drops to about 2% keeps it off. Here is what I say and we should make very clear to our critics.
    1. I love your concern, but I have to live with this body and I need positive support not criticism.
    2. I not only want to live longer, but want to have some sort of quality of life.
    3. If losing weight was easy and we could keep it off, don't you think that thier would be very few obese people.
    4. I have been loosing and gaining back the weight my entire life and every time I gain it back I gain even more weight.
    5. Dieting doesn't work, it is a proven fact.
    6. Are you jealous that I have the courage and resolve to have the surgery.
    7. If all else fails tell them it is none of thier business and if they can't be supportive to keep thier pie hole (slang for mouth) shut.

    If you really want to do this and understand what life change and commitment that is involved you will not let the naysayers have any effect on your decision.



  11. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member ACE's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why surgery?

    That is so true. These are the things i have been telling people since i made the choice to do this.
    "Its Not Hard Its Just New!"
    Transforming from caterpillar to butterfly to phoenix!


  12. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member tonyasue's Avatar
    I have not had a gastric sleeve.
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    Default Re: Why surgery?

    I'm not wavering in my decision at all. But sure, there is a little voice in my head that says, "Why will this time be different?" I have been pushing that voice away, but just wanted to get some additional "tools" to use in discussions with my immediate family -- and also for the discussions in my own head!

    The things you all have said are very helpful! Thank you!

    As an aside, I feel a slight shift -- to the good -- in my husband's attitude about the surgery. He was just quiet, but now he is engaging in conversations. And trying my protein bars. LOL My girls are excited about eating healthier. And since I lost 7 pounds, my eight year old says that I am getting "skinnier and skinnier" and that she can tell already. Ha ha -- it doesn't show that quickly, but I like the pep talk so I'm not going to tell her!



  13. #11
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
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    Default Re: Why surgery?

    Quote Originally Posted by tonyasue View Post
    I lost 7 lbs (Yay Me!) in the last month on my own, assuming that they would want to see that at my next appointment. And as of yesterday, I officially have my healthy eating / exercise plan from the dietician/fitness person to start NOW, so that I have some weight loss before surgery and also have established healthy habits before surgery.

    So, now I am getting questions from my immediate family as to why don't I just do these things and forget surgery, since it is working already without the surgery. The only thing I can think of to say to them is that I have had beginning success like this before -- most notably, 60 lbs in 6 months using Weight Watchers -- but eventually I put it all back on and then some. They don't say it, but in the silence, I feel, is the unspoken question -- which may be MY OWN question, really, is "So who's to say the sleeve will make any difference, then?"

    Here is what I *think* part of the answer is, but I am hoping for some discussion with all of you about this. I think that the sleeve will help because initially I will take more weight off faster and not feel as hungry. Then later, when the hunger comes back, I won't be able to eat as much -- unless I'm willing to keep pushing it regardless of the fact I'm making myself sick (which, ewww, I don't intend to do) -- and I will have better eating and exercise habits at that point.

    Other thoughts? Why has this been more successful for you (or why do you think that it will be)?
    I am not far enough out to tell you anything about the long term with the sleeve personally. What I can tell you from my experience is that I have NOT lost weight more quickly with the sleeve. I lost a little faster with weight watchers actually, which surprised me. The less you go into it with the expectation that it is going to be a quick drop in weight, the better off you will be disappointment wise in my opinion. Each person is different, and some do drop it more quickly, but many do not. Although I have not lost the weight as quickly as with WW, I am hoping that the sleeve will be the tool I need to finally KEEP it off once it is gone! Best of luck to you!

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