Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
I'm brand new here. I've just started my journey to collect info on bariatric surgery, and I am looking for personal stories and experiences. I understand the medical aspect but trying to decide if this is for me. One moment I feel yes it is then the next minute I have fears of failing, fear of never eating my "yummy" foods which which is silly I know. I also don't feel I have my husband's support. Now in all fairness we have not really discussed it, but his reply to me attending an info meeting and showing interest in surgery was not encouraging in my mind. Any help/thoughts appreciated.
Fears of failing are valid because people do gain some or more weight back down the line. It's totally up to you and the choices you make. This is not a quick fix, it is a choice to change your lifestyle. You will have to change your thinking. You will have to find new yummy foods that are healthy. Communication with your spouse is crucial for success. Many people who don't have good relationships to start with end up divorcing at some point. Sad but true. I asked my husband to come with me to my consult so he could ask his questions and express his concerns. He went with me to every important appointment and has supported me throughout my whole journey. I kept him well informed and involved along the way. I would talk to him about what I learned in this group as well. I told him that my cooking would change and that if he wanted junk food it was up to him to buy it because I wouldn't be buying or cooking it. He was fine with that and dropped weight along with me. Even after 7 years we still eat off of small plates.
Take all the time you need to collect info. The more prepared you are, the more you will be prepared mentally and emotionally. If you aren't already in counseling to work on your eating issues, start now. The head work in this journey is the biggest challenge we face, not the food part. Geneen Roth has great books that are very helpful. Check out her book "Women, Food and God". She has other great books as well. Here is an extensive list of other good reads.
When Food is Food and Love is Love Geneen Roth
Breaking free from compulsive eating by Geneen Roth
Feeding the hungry heart by Geneen Roth
Why weight?: A workbook for ending compulsive eating by Geneen Roth
Take back your life: ending your session with food by Geneen Roth
Excuses be gone: how to change lifelong self-defeating thinking habits by Wayne Dyer
You can heal your life by Louise Hay
Losing your pounds of pain, breaking the link between abuse, stress, and overeating by Doreen Virtue
Constant Craving - What Your Food Cravings Mean and How to Overcome Them by Doreen Virtue
The emotional first aid kit by Cynthia Alexander
Course in Weight Loss 22 Spiritual Lessons by Marianne Williamson
The Weight Loss Surgery Workbook: Deciding on Bariatric Surgery, Preparing for the Procedure, and Changing Habits for Post-Surgery Success
by Doreen A. Samelson EdD MSCP
The Inside Skinny On Weight Loss Surgery
The real skinny on weight-loss surgery: an indispensable guide to what you can really expect by Julie Janeway
Weight loss surgery: finding the thin person hiding inside you, third edition by Barbara Thompson
From November of 2009 (when I started losing pre-op) to January of 2011 (total of 14 months), I shrank by 175 lbs (started over 300 lbs and landed at my target weight of 125). I began the journey wearing size 30-32 pants (which were tight) to wearing size 2. Seriously. SIZE 2!!
I maintained within 5 lbs of my target weight for 3 years. I loved being active!! Zumba, bootcamps, pilates, yoga, hiking, bootcamps - I was doing it all! Many days, I was working out 2x. I even started training for a half marathon. Then, I injured my leg from overtraining. My personal trainer got married and moved away, and I started back to school.
I've gained 35 lbs over the past 4 years while I worked on my doctorate (which I completed in May!). I'd stopped exercising but kept eating like I was still working out. Honestly, I wasn't too worried about taking the extra weight back off. After losing 175 lbs, I figured I should be able to drop 35 with no problem. Last year, I even joined a kickboxing gym - but I was shocked at how hard it was for me to do the workouts. I couldn't even do a proper burpee anymore!! I only went a few times before deciding I didn't have the capacity to do what I needed to do to get fit again while I was trying to write my dissertation (I tend to be an all or nothing type of person). As I said, I graduated in May... and then kept finding excuses to put off getting serious about getting fit again.
Last month, my kickboxing gym started a 45 day challenge... how much can you "transform" your life over the course of 45 days? I accepted the challenge and am on day 22. Honestly, it has been harder than I thought it would be. But, I've gone to class 4 days each week and am already down 10 lbs. I can do burpees again and I'm starting to see my muscles! It took me 4 years to put on this extra weight and it may take me 4 months to shed it. I've accepted the fact that I won't be back in my size 2 jeans by Halloween, but Christmas is still a possibility. But, I'm not in a race. I'm re-establishing my lifestyle. I will be a fit person, again.
Anyway, that's my story so far! I hope you find what you're looking for. There is no "magic" cure. Surgery is a tool. It is still up to us to choose use it.
JJ