I used to attend meetings for WLS patients, kind of like AA. It was sponsored by my Nutritionist, my husband and I are in the military, the Nutritionist at the military hospital set it up to help people stay on track.

In my neighboorhood alone there were 7 out of 42 ladies that had the RNY. The Post I lived on had 10 or so negihborhoods with mine being the smallest. Of those 7 in my neighborhood 4 had gained quite a bit of weight back. We had about 30-40 ladies show up at this support group on a regular basis. Anyway I digress....

...What I am trying to say is that usually everyone starts out good in the beginning and its so easy to lose the weight at first. Some start to slack and forget that this is a lifetime commitment. So its so important to get the meals and water right for life. I remeber the first time I learned about protein, I blindly asked the Doc how long I would have to keep it up. His response was with a very dismayed look "well for life". Its true once you have lost most of your weight you can have some things back like 1 slice of bread a day. A little splurge here and there, but you are right Becca it is Vital that you learn how your new self works or the surgery will be a failue. After about 1-2years out once you have gained weight its really hard to get it back off. I was told that you only get 1 shot to get it right so make it count...Best Wishes

obviously I see the benefits of this surgery or I wouldn't of ever changed my ill never to man I need to.

I think though many see this as an "easy fix". they don't get it until they have to have it. Yes there are some who right from birth just do not stand a chance and will be in the boat we find ourselves or just life gets away from and medical conditions pop up and snatch the metabolisim out from under us.

My question though is the Docs who push people through tell them stop loosing because your bmi is going under..........if you are loosing on your own isn't that the point? they say oh I cant keep it off though.......hello if you cant that way what makes you think you can this way? How many of us struggle still to stay down on our weight it is all work every bit on your own or surgical.

anyway I think were not teaching our children well enough or making them go outside and run. It is almost becoming frightening the stats of the surgeries now. will they ever get this is still work? it also isn't a guarantee our medical care will cost less I got the bills to prove that one mine has been more.

at least we all know and we can teach our loved ones......at least the ones who we feed .............eat this or go hungry lol

sorry good post im sorry I just get scared that our children are going to grow up thinking oh I can get obese they will just fix me over and over and over.

Quoting KatLin: they say oh I cant keep it off though.......hello if you cant that way what makes you think you can this way?

What makes me think that I can keep it off this way? If I cheat, I get sick!

Being someone who has lost 80 pounds three times over, I can say that losing was the easy part. Keeping it off was where the struggle is!

YOU have to do alot of the work with this surgery..its not a fix-all set back and relax and watch it happen sort of thing...as i mentioned in another post...you can sure as hell screw it up...i have been as much as 50 pounds heaver than i am now...why ??..lazy...and stupid about my lifestyle...im at 204 right now..will i go up?..probably...but then i will slap myself in the face and get back on board...but if you work as hard as the surgery..you WILL have all you want from it!!

My new motto is: THERE IS NO FINISH LINE

I am accepting that as my reality. This is my life with respect to food forever. And I'm OK with that.

My favorite quote:
"There is no cure for obesity. It can only be managed."

I read 2 books recently that said exactly this! My Surgeon's group has a publication too that they give everyone who requests surgery In it they tell you that we reach a point when diet and exercise just isn't enough. The more I read and learn the more I am convinced that this is a medical necessity. I wouldn't have lived a lot longer without it!

"lfrocillo What makes me think that I can keep it off this way? If I cheat, I get sick! "

not every one gets sick...and many need revisions because they depend on their body keeping them in check this way.

too bad there are surgical centers out there that don't teach people how to use their tool they are more like a fast food joint for obese patients. At least were here learning from each other I hope others out there who need help find it somehow.........

Prevention is what we, as a society, should strive for!! I agree with Katlin on that one for sure!!

For those of us that are 'here' (Obese) already... And have tried everything else, and are kidding themselves to think this will 'fix it all' are in for an ugly surprise!! Even at preop I get this!

Yes! This will be work if I want to keep it off... I believe i am up for the challenge. I get that many still gain back the weight later on... And dang it, I plan on working hard at it the rest of my life!

One day, even one meal or exercise... at a time! Ifroc, I

agree with your quote... No cure, just management...A lifetimes worth! I just might make that my motto! :)

Prevention is the ideal position. I choose the surgery after a bicycle accident... Before that, I follow a program of healthy food and exercise. Probably because of metabolic issue, I had to train 12 hours a week to stay slim, but I did it for 5 years after loosing 185 pounds with this program. When I felt, I could not exercise that much, I broke a wrist and has some lesion on the spinal cord... so walk is not the best friend for me now. ;-) Still, I am very proud of one important thing, during this process I changed the food habits of the family. At this moment my younger daughter was beginning to take some pounds, she was 10 years old. When I changes everything ,she tooks good food habits. Now, she is 23 year's old, she is still choosing a fruit almost of the time or a yogourt instead of a sweet dessert. She is skinny and healthy. She began bicycle with me, but now she is running almost each day. Now it comes from her, because everything changed in her mind. She is the one who care about her health, but I think that I gave her this opportunity to learn. She did not agree with the surgery, but I think that it is the best choice that I made. When you are fighting since a long time, you need something to help you and support you in your health decision. I think that it was the best choice for me.

We don't have support groups, or therapy here. I think also that my surgeon should read the meaning of follow-up... so this group is very helpfull for me. (I should bring a copy of the article next time ;-) ) Thank's

Becca you completely inspire me. Even though I'm post op I just feel like what the hell sometimes with these complications and the providers telling me eat what stays down blablabla. I see how hard you work and how much you put into your research and sharing and I find myself getting back on track and off the pitty pot. I want to thank you for that.

sun no fair making me tear up this early. lol your story about teaching your daughter and how well she does now I just wonder how many only need this to start their lives off right from the start. I hear you with the metabolic issues contributing to the weight gain and making it essentially impossible to loose with out this. I hope education prevails and our children and children's children don't have to watch life like most of us did as young people. It is nice being able to move and live but man im OLD now lol

. the support group here was not for me it was over 45 people, once a month and they talked about how to tolerate alcholo and eating things you like till you puke because you eventually will tolerate it...........uggg I have a private therapist that I just love and get so much from.

My WLS group support meetings that are done monthly had our Weight loss surgeons present on this topic. The % of people who loose weight by diet will gain it back. The % of people who loose weight by WLS is much less lower as to those that gain it back. My WLS program has a team approach and screens people to make sure they are ready to have the WLS and be successful. We have lots of appointments pre op to educate us about eating, nut, exercise, head issues and so on and then after surgery too at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and then yearly. Labs done also at 1,3, 6, yearly post op. If you have an issue or problem/quesiton you can call them and get help or get an appointment. You are their life long paitent at my WLS program. Supports groups are vital also. I have attended everyone of mine except one since Feb fo 2012. I really do look forward to them and kinda wish we had them more often!

Thank you Katlin!!
I know you have had more than your share of medical struggles. My hat is off to you for being so strong! Don't sell yourself short! You gotta be one tough cookie.. :)