Worried it won't stick

[kdreetz@gmail.com]

Hi, I'm Kim. I've been on WW 3 separate times in the past 20 years. I always lost 45-55 lbs and gained it back over time. The most recent time was Nov 2014-Sept 2015. I went from 231 to 186 and still was 35 lbs overweight for my height (5'8"). A year later I'm now 262 lbs and am worried that if I lose 80% of my excess weight I'll just be back to 186. What if drinking protein drinks don't fill me up? What if after 2 years I start creeping back up? I don't want to be a 186 lbs!! That weight is still uncomfortable and still pushing obesity.

I'm on my 5th pre-op meeting so hopefully my surgery will be in Oct. I go to North Valley Surgical Associates in Chico,CA and everyone involved is AWESOME! All the tests have been good news. Maybe I just don't have enough faith in myself to be the success I want to be.

[Donna Rudewick]

For me, the biggest thing is the absence of hunger. Not all people have this absence of hunger but 90% do. Also a lot of people find it beneficial to see a therapist afterwards to help resolve any issues they have with food. You can do this, but it isn't a magic wand. It still requires a lot of work on your part. You have to be ready to give up the junk food and starches. You can have them back in moderation once you lose the weight but you may find you no longer want it. Use this time to develop better eating habits. The sleeve will work but it's only a tool. Use it wisely and you will be amazed at what will happen for you.

[Connie4]

You have come to the right place.
Read all over this forum, can be here for days.
I have only been sleeved for 3 weeks.
All I know is that this forum taught me all I need to know and r still teaching me.
People here are so generous with their precious time and knowledge.

[sraebaer]

You will be amazed at what this tool can do! We have all tried losing weight before zillions of times. Nothing worked. This works. Go for it, you will be glad you did. It's a miracle in my book. Best of luck to you!

[Shirl]

Today in fact, I received a second book by Dr. Duc Voung "Weight Loss Surgery Success" it is tiny and quick read, but full of no-nonsense and insight! It does not cover anything in relation to the technical aspect of bariatric surgery, but I love that he says that "weight loss surgery success is primarily a mind game."

I'm only 3.5 months post op, and all I can tell you is including my six weeks of pre op I would have found some wall or some hurdle I could not over come and would have giving in into unhealthy habits. So far the sleeve is helping me stay accountable. I have achieved my first goal which was to halt weight-gain, and reverse obesity related illnesses like Type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol. Both have dropped to normal range.

Next week I start a 12-week Get Fit program which I'm excited about. And at the end of the month I start a three month consult with a nutritionist and life coach who has a holistic approach to health and fitness. I'm still searching for a therapist that works with trauma and eating disorders.

Best wishes on your search for health and sanity.

[Brandonf150]

Stay worried...I mean that...Change your entire life. You have to get off the carbs and learn how to live/eat again. It is easy afterwards to eventually reach for the ice cream or chocolate. If you do it won't stick!

[Sandra3]

I'm almost 8 months post-op. Like you I had 20 years of diet that never ended, I always gained back most of what I lost. My longest diet was one year (2012) but at that point I realized that it would never work, and studies and numbers do show that a really tiny percentage of people can actually lose weight and not regain when they reach morbid obesity. Obviously I was not one of them.
Right now I can move again, almost painless! and last week my husband and youngest kid told me "you walk too fast" that was the best compliment ever...
I was scared too before surgery, about the anesthesia (I always get sick) and what if it didn't work?
well, so far it does work, I am losing the weight and I will never be able to eat two plates like before surgery and still be hungry at the end of dinner. Right now I eat 1/4 of a plate.
Of course I have less restriction now than I did during the first three month post-op. And I do wonder about the 12/18 month regain. BUT I will do my best to avoid it. Now I can exercise, and I could not before, it's a big change!
I think the key is to take it one day at a time, and stay focus on the final goal, get out of obesity. So far only bariatric surgery can really help obese patients on the long run, diets don't work. I trust the fact that many before us sleevers did lose enough and kept their weight under control with the sleeve. I'm doing my best to be one of them..May be I will regain a little at some point, but my realistic expectation is to get to a "normal size" that doesn't hurt my health anymore. Without the sleeve my life expectancy would have been much shorter.

[girlwitharosetattoo]

I yo yo dieted throughout my 30's. Tried the HCG diet, the two shakes, a bar and powdered soup for dinner diet, WW, Jenny Craig, freshology meal deliveries, and numerous attempts on my own. WW I had the most success and lost 25 lbs but put it back and more.

I'm only 2 days out from my surgery but the difference in how I view food already is astounding. Now, down the road, my new stomach with stretch some and I know I will have to be vigilant about not going back to old, bad habits, but right now, I can see how this first bulk of weight is going to slide right off. Literally no desire to eat at all. Very odd feeling for someone like me! I can see how therapy might help. It kind of messes with your mind.

[Ann2]

What if you don't do anything?

[Connie4]

Great reply

[Romandona]

I will tell you that it's a life changer. You have to change with it. Listen to your body. I yo-yo dieted for 30 years. On September 15 I will be 6 months out and I've lost 85 pounds so far. I do track all my food and use "my fitness pal" to track and keep count of my proteins, carbs, fats, sugars, etc. My husband also tracks and we eat healthy meals - mine much smaller than his, but he too has lost weight without surgery. Lifestyle change is what's needed. You must do that or you will not maintain the weight loss. I was told originally that the first 100 pounds is easy, the rest is hard. So with the lifestyle change, it will hopefully make the rest of the weight loss easier. The only regret I have is that I didn't go through with this 3 1/2 years ago when I was approved. I chickened out and during that time lost the same 30 pounds about 4 times, gaining more eventually. I'm happy, healthy and feel and look great. I'm 61 years old, but want to be sure my next 20 years are full of health and happiness! You will do great - just set yourself up for success.
Romandona

[americangrrl]

everyone is scared.... as well u should b... u taking a very drastic measure to a very serious issue... that ppl around the world suffer from ... for years.... we all want to b beautiful, and wear great clothes... and of course ... b healthy... there is a pill for EVERYTHING.... except the one thing that plagues millions of ppl.... yes... it is totally about lifestyle change... as others have said... this is a tool...or what if u do nothing... the choice is urs and urs alone to make... u obviously want to make the same changes that all of us do, or did, or are in the process of.... we all have the same story... we have lost , and gained, and lost , and gained, and lost and gained... we r sick and tired of food controlling the way we feel about ourselves, or feeling like we have no control over our genetics... u have to want it, work for it, and be strong... the time is now... do it for urself, for ur loved ones, for whatever reason makes the most sense to u... but do it now... and have faith in urself and ur decision to lose the weight once and for all... ur support is here... anytime, for anything...

[Pam G]

You can still regain the weight even with WLS. You have to know that you can never eat the way you're used to ever again.

People say they don't "diet" after the sleeve, but to me, it's still a diet. It's not eating the carbs I love, or my trigger foods. To me, that's a diet.

WW is a great way to eat, but you have to keep it up to be successful. Same goes for the sleeve. You can regain the weight after any WLS....just make sure you understand that and take it to heart.

[jamma]

I have not been ok'd by the insurance company yet, but hopefully, I will and will have a surgery date in early November. I, too, am 61 years old, have tried every diet out there and have been considering the sleeve for 3 years. I decided to just diet and lost of course, but have put all of it back on. I think I have the right attitude at this point in my life which is to stay healthy, be more active and not hurt all the time. Your posts are helpful to me. Thanks for posting.

[terrora]

I used to think " what if. what if what if". Then I had to make the decision to keep it off.
You DECIDE you are going to keep it off at all costs and you will.
I didn't come to that place until I discovered that it is a wonderful tool and if I use it properly I CAN decide to keep it off.
Not so easy or possible pre op
Best wishes.

BTW: I have never stuck to a "diet". I eat what I want but only smaller portions. I try to eat as much protein as I can but I cannot tolerate meats or eggs like I used to. My secret is not a "diet" but weighing often, nearly every day. I am still afraid of the scale but that is how I would gain weight. I was too afraid to weigh so my weight would get out of control.