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've read many posts lately about feelings of guilt for deciding to have surgery... It's got me thinking.... (scary, I know!)
Now I am still preop... so I for sure don't have all the answers, but I can say this...
I NEVER EVER thought I'd be someone to have wt loss surgery. Not because I thought it was wrong, but because I knew it was a tool... And "Heck, if I have to change my lifestyle, then I should just do that.... and I won't need surgery!"
I'm here to tell you... I changed my lifestyle. It didn't work. I've spent the last 4 years eating right (90% of the time), tracking every bite I put in my mouth, and exercising... I'm still fat!
For me... doc says part is my thyroid as my #'s NEVER stay constant even with meds. But the other part... Well she said I spent so many years bouncing up and down in weight, my body just does not want to let it go now. And yeah, if I could stick to an 800 calorie a day diet, I would most likely lose, but even she said "Without surgery, who can do that long term!?"
So, I know at least most of you have tried every diet and way of eating out there... If it worked, you wouldn't be here, right? How many of us have lost a ton of weigh just to regain it? I know I could form several people with the pounds I've lost and regained over the span of my 52 years.
So, here is what I think...
If you are not sure about surgery... Only you can figure it out. It's not for everyone. It was not for me till recently... As I had to figure out I could not do it on my own. If you've not figure this out yet, then I suggest taking the time to figure it out before surgery so you can sleep at night regarding your decision because you have to live with it for the rest of your life.
If you are looking for an easy way out... This is not it! I am preop, but thanks to the wonderful people here and at my surgeons office, I know this is true! So, if you feel guilty for taking the easy way out... rethink that one! NOT TRUE! This is going to be WORK!
If other people make you feel guilty for having this surgery... Well, they just don't have a CLUE what they are talking about! They are either uninformed, scared for you, jealous, or some other form of unhealthy input for you!
And last... for me... this is now a no brainer. I, like I said, am 52. I am going to college to (hopefully!) get my P.hD, and if I don't lose weight, I won't have the energy to use the darn thing!!
I have A LOT OF LIFE left to live and I want to have fun doing it!! I am NOT going to spend the rest of my years worried about fitting into (Insert whatever here), or being able to walk (Insert where ever here), or doing (insert fun stuff here).
And if I don't have this surgery... I will end up sitting on my ample (and growing) a$$ watching soaps and eating till I die. I for one don't want to go out that way! I want to go out having fun!
And for you young folks out there thinking you should do it the diet way... I won't lie, maybe some of you can, and should. I don't know. Only you can decide that... But I can tell you... I hear every day on these boards, post op people saying "My only regret is I didn't do it sooner!" So, if you are willing to make the changes that go with surgery (the head stuff) so you can keep it off... Then GO FOR IT BABY!! Don't wait till your 52, do it NOW! :)
Wow!! Ok... so I guess I just babbled on and on here! I hope I didn't offend anyone... Just spewing out the stuff inside my head! With positive intent only!! :)
Becca :)
Now I am still preop... so I for sure don't have all the answers, but I can say this...
I NEVER EVER thought I'd be someone to have wt loss surgery. Not because I thought it was wrong, but because I knew it was a tool... And "Heck, if I have to change my lifestyle, then I should just do that.... and I won't need surgery!"
I'm here to tell you... I changed my lifestyle. It didn't work. I've spent the last 4 years eating right (90% of the time), tracking every bite I put in my mouth, and exercising... I'm still fat!
For me... doc says part is my thyroid as my #'s NEVER stay constant even with meds. But the other part... Well she said I spent so many years bouncing up and down in weight, my body just does not want to let it go now. And yeah, if I could stick to an 800 calorie a day diet, I would most likely lose, but even she said "Without surgery, who can do that long term!?"
So, I know at least most of you have tried every diet and way of eating out there... If it worked, you wouldn't be here, right? How many of us have lost a ton of weigh just to regain it? I know I could form several people with the pounds I've lost and regained over the span of my 52 years.
So, here is what I think...
If you are not sure about surgery... Only you can figure it out. It's not for everyone. It was not for me till recently... As I had to figure out I could not do it on my own. If you've not figure this out yet, then I suggest taking the time to figure it out before surgery so you can sleep at night regarding your decision because you have to live with it for the rest of your life.
If you are looking for an easy way out... This is not it! I am preop, but thanks to the wonderful people here and at my surgeons office, I know this is true! So, if you feel guilty for taking the easy way out... rethink that one! NOT TRUE! This is going to be WORK!
If other people make you feel guilty for having this surgery... Well, they just don't have a CLUE what they are talking about! They are either uninformed, scared for you, jealous, or some other form of unhealthy input for you!
And last... for me... this is now a no brainer. I, like I said, am 52. I am going to college to (hopefully!) get my P.hD, and if I don't lose weight, I won't have the energy to use the darn thing!!
I have A LOT OF LIFE left to live and I want to have fun doing it!! I am NOT going to spend the rest of my years worried about fitting into (Insert whatever here), or being able to walk (Insert where ever here), or doing (insert fun stuff here).
And if I don't have this surgery... I will end up sitting on my ample (and growing) a$$ watching soaps and eating till I die. I for one don't want to go out that way! I want to go out having fun!
And for you young folks out there thinking you should do it the diet way... I won't lie, maybe some of you can, and should. I don't know. Only you can decide that... But I can tell you... I hear every day on these boards, post op people saying "My only regret is I didn't do it sooner!" So, if you are willing to make the changes that go with surgery (the head stuff) so you can keep it off... Then GO FOR IT BABY!! Don't wait till your 52, do it NOW! :)
Wow!! Ok... so I guess I just babbled on and on here! I hope I didn't offend anyone... Just spewing out the stuff inside my head! With positive intent only!! :)
Becca :)
Some uneducated and uncaring folks will condemn us for being fat, Who cares what they think? This surgery is a life saver!
Nothing to be ashamed of having the surgery. I believe it is an incredible act of bravery!
JJ
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Gastric_Bypass_Surgery/forum/13157871-newbies-need-know
I am allowing myself to mourn the person I have become in order to embrace the new me as I cross over to the other side. I didn't suffer with obesity all my life, My weight didn't start to pile on until I had children so I know what it's like to be on the other side of the weight, I just didn't recall being happy then either. There was a lot of pain shrouded over me that I began to cover up with food - so now that I am on this journey - I know that I am relinquishing the last layer of what kept me in bondage and it's a little frightening - i don't know if anyone can understand that, but that is where i am at personally.
I will be on the other side of the bench soon and I am so looking forward to it - but this head stuff is no joke and should not be ignored, so I am dealing with it as it comes up now and will continue on once I have the surgery in a positive manner. The one thing I know is that FEAR is not of God, and if you let it, it will control your life and keep you stuck where you are at - so if you are facing fears of any kind, you simply MUST acknowledge it and deal with it heads on. It is NOTHING to be ashamed of, the shame lies in letting it nest inside of you like the poison it is. My anxiety yesterday was through the roof, but like the fighter I am, I'm up today ready to take on the world one minute at a time because sometimes a day at a time is just to much.
Love you all, be blessed.
I have been on WW, South Beach, New You, Nutri System....and those are just the ones I can remember. I can't go on this way anymore. I don't feel guilty. I just want a chance at life again.
Best to you!
And Tami,
You said "I know that I am relinquishing the last layer of what kept me in bondage and it's a little frightening" I sooooo get this! We have been thru similar stuff, as I am sure there are many others here who have as well. We of course all heal a bit differently, but I KNOW i too have to deal with some of this stuff that as you say "kept you in bondage"... For me, I hope counseling helps. As I know dealing with that crud is part of the solution for me :) Thanks!!