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[McNee]

I posted this on FFD last night...

Why I Chose To Have Weight Loss Surgery - it was sort of a rebuttal to a post I came across from someone that wrote about why they didn't have surgery... I recognized a couple names in the comments as we tried to dispel some of the misconceptions the author had about WLS.

That wasn't the point of my post really, I think it was... well, honestly a sort of justification of sorts. As I pursue this career in nutrition, a large part of what I'll be doing is helping people lose weight (hopefully!). And part of me is... concerned... that I may not be taken as serious as someone that lost their weight "the old fashioned way".

I do believe that it can be done that way. I don't believe, two years ago, that I was in a position to be able to do so without surgery.

Could I say the same thing today? I don't know... but the thing is, I wouldn't be where I'm at (mentally and physically) without the surgery - so it's sort of a chicken and egg sort of thing.

Anyways... someone on twitter last night asked if she could borrow the topic for her blog as it was her 10-year anniversary. I told to her go for it, then said something about how we should get a buncha people to post about it and compile a collection of such posts.

I sort of said it in passing, but now that I think about it more... how about it?

Why did you choose to have weight loss surgery? Post about it here... or if you have a blog, post it there and give us a link here... and maybe even link back to my post on FFD. I'll follow up in the coming days/weeks with some postings about those who add to this.

[auntb]

I had a RNY so I could be there for my son and husband.

My husband had a RNY about 5 years ago and has lost  about300 lbs and kept off about 250lbs. However he has had to have a lot of ortho work on his joints (2 knees and a hip) last Feb. his kidneys shut down and he was 9 days in intensive care. He dosn't eat any veg or fruit (never has) and thinks that pepperioni melted with cheese is a good snack. I love him to peices but am afraid that we may lose him early.

I have a way smart 9 year old. I want him to have a functioning parent ( hopefuly well in to his 50s).

My numbers were not bad but started to creep up and my joints hurt.

I konw it's no gaurentee but I needed to do what ever I could to make sure my fellas were taken care of.

That's it period.

[baka]

Awesome piece Rob!

Ian

[tink_lose]

Rob,
You have a way in your writing to really hit home for a lot of people. I remember you when I went to the information session at Unity, I think at the time you were just at your 1 year mark. You (and the rest of the group that talked about there experience) were very matter of fact and honest about the fact that the surgery is just a tool; knowing how to work the tool is more important than having after you lose the initial weight.

I've had the pleasure of seeing you that day, meeting you at Patti's almost 3 weeks after my surgery and then following you here; and believe me you do so much to help inspire those around you that you'll never understand.

Your story is so important and helps people in many many ways, keep telling it because on some level it helps the rest of us to understand more and more why we also made the choices we have to live this lifestyle.

[Myshadow]

Why did I have the surgery,

Because I tried every diet on the planet, I have been overweight all my life, in my teens i tried Ayds candy you could get them at eckerds, etc they dont make them any more, hypnotism weight watchers, Oprah fasting diet 6 months all liquids lost over 100;bs medifast, nutrisystem, medical program getting shots every week, Atkins, yes tried them all and they all worked and then something happend I would get compliments and before I knew it I would have a bite of something and the shark frenzy started after each diet I gained back the weight and more, Now over 50 with many health problems and newer technology and a center opened up within 30 minutes from home, I knew it was time for me surgery tells me the amounts of food to eat, my pouch says no to sugar and I have no desire for it that didn't help with other weight loss procedures,  this time it is about nutrition and a change of life style and a tool that helps me like a best friend constantly telling me what to do.  Even with all my complications I am glad I had the surgery, to me there was no other way.

Great thread, You really should write a book maybe you and Ian could collaborate, question and answer from those who have been there. with what worked for me section and recipes.

Linda

[T2Nashville]

While I did not have some of the co-morbidities that others have prior to WLS, I could just "feel" my body beginning to break down. My knees hurt, I couldn't climb stairs without panting, and simple chores had become so difficult. Like others have mentioned, I had tried everything from WW to Jenny Craig to Atkins to Slimfast to LA Weight Loss - everything on the planet, and nothing worked. I could not get my mind wrapped around losing more than 100 pounds. It seemed impossible.

Gratefully, I work for a healthcare company and was able to attend a bariatric symposium presented by bariatric surgeons. After listening to each surgeon tout their specialty (lapband, RNY, DS, VSG, etc.), I decided that the VSG would work for me. It would quickly get that "more than 100 pounds" out of the way for me, so that I could just concentrate on maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle. It truly is just a tool, but it's a tool that got me to a place where I could wrap my mind around what I needed to do to change my life.

I can't stress enough about getting your head in the game. This choice really is more about your mind than your body - they go hand-in-hand. I'm so happy about my decision!

[MacMadame]

I do believe that it can be done that way.

That's interesting because I don't. Well, you can lose it. But so few keep it off that they are basically statistical freaks. And most of the ones I see that manage it for a while have as much, if not more, regain as a typical WLS person and also take up some kind of intense exercise -- like they do marathons, triathlons, become fitness trainers, etc.

The other interesting thing to me is that once we lose our weight, a lot of us start to have these second thoughts... I bet I could have done it without surgery. I know I do sometimes. I think "what if I had just taken up triathlon without getting surgery?" But most of the time I know I'm fooling myself. I've forgotten how completely hard it is to both lose a lot of weight and to keep it off. I'm forgetting how desperately I tried to keep it off those other times and how I just couldn't keep the hunger at bay forever and how I never felt full no matter how much I ate.

All of that went away with surgery and I just don't believe that it goes away for the people who lose tons of weight without surgery. They have to fight those demons every day and most of them eventually lose. I actually feel pretty sorry for them most of the time. As long as they aren't spouting nonsense about having surgery. Then I get my dander up!

Anyway, I had WLS in order to keep the weight off. I was pretty sure that I could lose it. (Now, maybe I was fooling myself, because every time I went on a diet, I didn't do quite as well as the time before, but I have lost a ton of weight over the years so I think I could have, with sufficient motivation.) But I had no confidence that I could keep it off. That's what I saw WLS doing for me.

[ItsUIC]

Loosing weight (the old fashioned way) wasn't as big an issue as being able to keep it off. Before
WLS, I was fairly successful at losing but horrible at maintaining. Guess I had the old "I've arrived and
now I can eat anything I want" syndrome. WLS has taught me the difference between a temporary diet
and a lifestyle change.

It took me a year of investigating, educating and soul searching to wrap my brain around WLS. Since the
surgery, I've never looked back with any doubt that I made the right decision.

[Kierie]

I was turning 30 and I was barely able to get out of chairs. I have a mobility impairment as most of you know and ever year I'd get heavier no matter what I did.
WLS gave me an active life I never could have had. Being able to Move Rocks! I will Never give that up

Did I mention I've been on a diet since I was 7?

The scale might be up a bit now but I can work out and eat right and get back into the zone

[Myshadow]

  Congragulations to all of us no matter what the reasons were that took a step (a difficult journey) to change our lives and be healthier.

I am proud to know each one of you.

Linda

[BigFire]

In my case, I didn't have much of a choice.  My BMI was above 50, and my diabetic control was seriously compromised.  The doctor have already upped my prescription medication several times, and the next stop is Insulin injection.  The previous year, I have serious complication due to one of my medication.

My current BMI is now at 32.9, and I'm off all medication. 

[ItsUIC]

BigFire, Checked out your blog and you "Before & After" pics. Congrats on your SUCCESS! Keep it going! 

[haileygirldb]

Thank you Rob for sharing.

The reason I wanted the RNY surgery was because I was over weight most of my life. I guess I started off as a normal weight baby and toddler. By the time I was 14 I was wearing a size 16. By the time I was a senior in high school I was weighing about 250 pounds. I tried losing weight and was never successful at losing much or keeping it off when I was a teenager. I got insults and threats from my parents. None of which helped me lose weight. It only made me feel worse about myself. I tried starving myself. You can only do that for so long. I past out at my uncle's in-laws house. My senior year was my first time at going to Weight Watchers.  I lost about 35 pounds while on it.

In my early 20s I continued to gain weight. By my mid 20s I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was prescribed Prednisone and Voltaren. In 6 months time I gained 50 pounds and ended up in the ER with stomach ulcers and a damaged gall bladder. By this point I was over 300 pounds.

I tried Weight Watchers at least 6 times. I tried a weight loss and fitness program called Healthy Inspirations. I've tried working out at gyms even with personal trainers. I also tried a prescription weight loss drug. I would lose weight but what I lost would quickly be gained back. By this time I was on medication for RA, high blood pressure, nausea, allergies.... The drugs were endless.

I was always at the doctors. No one ever address the reason I was over weight. Just that I should think about losing weight to help with the RA.

In 2003 my family doctor finally asked me if I ever thought about having gastric bypass surgery. I told her that I hadn't but wanted to research it before making any decisions. A friend and I did a lot of research online about it. I had some concerns. Mostly with the issue of nausea since I already had a problem with it. A few months later I lost my job and my medical benefits.  So no surgery. Which thinking back was probably a good thing.

In 2004 I was a Vocational Rehabilitation Services client. My councilor asked me if I ever thought about having it. I told him what was discussed with my doctor. He said that he's never had anyone approved for it before but he would try for me. He pretty much dropped the ball on it and it went no where. When we both were on the same page I really wanted the surgery. I wanted to be happy in a body that I was comfortable with.

I should of had the surgery in 2008. I would love to forget about the hell I went through. But its all behind me. After seeing therapist, nutritionist, family doctors, surgeons, councilors, it was finally approved. I was READY for this. I wanted the surgery so bad. I had to take medication for pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, fibromylagia, and RA. I was sick of having to take all this medication and never getting better. Never feeling good. Always gaining weight. No longer able to enjoy going out. No longer enjoying photography. No longer wanting to live. I wanted to be happy. I wanted to be able to go places. Hell, I wanted to be able to get in a car behind the wheel and not decapitate myself with the seat belt.

So why did I want the surgery? I wanted the surgery because I knew it was the right thing for me. It was the first time that I actually took control. The first time I demanded what I wanted for my health and well being.

[Jabba2Halle]

My primary reason for opting for surgery is that I have a rather nasty case of obstructive sleep apnea, but have been unable to tolerate the infernal devil-machine (also known as CPAP).

My secondary reasons are a BMI of 50+ and hypertension.

[2bthinagain]

I decided to have surgery mainly for my health and I didn't want to die at an early age. I want to see my grandkids grow up and I want to stop taking all these darn pills. I just wish I would have decided to have WLS several years ago.

Vickie

[kodiaksheri]

Vickie..I was off of my pills within a week..I know some people it is a bit longer but I am with you..I wanted to be around to watch my grandson and sons fulfill there lives! And I sorta like my husband too so I wanted to enjoy him for many more years....I too wish I had done it sooner but am so happy I finally did!

[isabela313]

Why I am having this surgery?   First and foremost, I am having this surgery for ME.  I have always put everyone else in my life first and me last.  When my boyfriend Brett passed in March 09 from a pulmonary embolism that came out of no where, it scared me.  So much so that I lost 50lbs in 2 1/2 months, then my gallbladder went and I had to have emergency surgery on my birthday of alldays and was robbed as well.  Happy Birthday to me.  I had been heavy for most of my adult life.  Have been on every diet known to man and woman.  But after the stress and depression from losing Brett and my robbery/surgery, I gained back the 50lbs I had lost and then 40 more.  This past year on my birthday, I went to the doctor's for my yearly check up and was told that I weighed 420lbs.  I almost fell off the chair that I was sitting on.  I couldn't believe that I weighed that much. Then the doctor told me the only way that I was going to lose the amount of weight that I need to lose was to have this surgery.  Funny thing was, I was going to ask him about the surgery anyway.  So to me it was a sign that it was the right time for me to do this.  Now that the surgery is becoming a reality in March, I can say that I have done something for ME, but now it also benefits my son, and the rest of my family and friends. I want to be around for a very long time.  I want to see my son grow up to become a father and have a very fulfilling life.  And most of all, I want to be spoil the grandkids and then send them home so that he will have to deal with them.. hehe!  Kim

[2bthinagain]

Sheri you are too funny. I guess I sorta like my husband too. Whether or not he likes me is a different story. Lol
Some day I'll tell you all a little more about my very trying life.

Vickie