[freebird]

i'm really suprised that nobody has posted here yet. I've been on a road for 6 years now trying to get and contemplating this surgery. Are there other options that will work that aren't as drastic. why should i have this surgery and not use one of the other options that might be available to me. In the end for me it's simple. This is the only option that i can get help paying for. I've tried things like weight watchers and jenny craig and excercise every day, and yes i did lose some weight,but as soon as i miss one day i gain back double what i've lost, and others i can't afford. This option, wls, comes with a price that i'll be paying for the rest of my life. But when it comes down to it, i want to live, and this is the only tool that has been put within my reach. I don't question now, very often, i still wonder sometimes about other options but this one isn't just a weight loss issue it turns into a life style issue and a food relationship issue. I am ready to build my life around this decision, i've choosen where my path will lead me. For me it comes down to do or die. so i'll do cause i sure aint ready to die yet. (I'm afraid heaven won't take me, lol).
Now i will eat to live and live a full and happy life rather than living to eat and just exsititng
freebired

[RobinZ]

Hi freebird, yes, there are other options out there, but for me, none of them worked for very long. I tried WW, Nutrisystem, medifast, the list goes on and on. Yes, I would lose, for a short period of time and then stop losing and then give up and then gain back what I lost and then some. So for me, while this was a very difficult decision, it was the right decision. I know it is not for everyone, but it is working for me. I finally feel I have control. Food no longer drives me, my health and happiness do! And the results have been remarkable for me so far. Not only am I losing weight, but my blood pressure is down to normal (no more pills!), my sugar levels are normal (no more pills and insulin), and my asthma is gone. I'm actually exercising regularly, my back doesn't ache every day, my legs and hips don't hurt, I can climb a stinkin' flight of stairs and my clothes are falling off!

I would tell anyone looking into WLS to research as much as possible. Feel comfortable with their sugeon and their decision. This is a life changing surgery and you have to adjust to the changes. But, knowing wht I know now, having the results I have had so far, I would do it again in a heartbeat - and I had to self-pay!

[freebird]

thank you robinz
all of those reasons that you have listed as changing are things im hoping to change also. I can't wait to be where you are. Keep up the good work.

[Pillows]

wow Robin, you had to self pay? That would be tough. I can relate to you both also. The best thing that ever worked for me was South Beach, but my worst problem with that diet was when I got overwhelmed by a series of events in my life all at once and my diet stopped progressing, I slid off of the bandwagon. I will admit that I am hoping that I have the dumping syndrome after surgery. I want something to help zap me into being good and keeping me in check. I do realize that even with the dumping syndrome, I will still need to revamp my way of thinking about food and my relationship with it. It is a lot like Craig says, a lot of it boils down to the grey stuff between our ears. I think that the main reason this works for a lot of people is that it works longer than most other diets. I told people that I could have stuck with South Beach if when I quit seeing results, I wasn't still morbidly obese. Maybe that is a cop out, but every failure I have, it makes it harder to get started again, but once I do, I am more determined than before. Good luck Freebird. I hope that everything works out for you.
Janae

[Heidi]

Hi Freebird, I'm new to this so trying to find me way around so bare with me. Yes there are other options, I lost 75kg through changing my eatind habits and excercising. Took about two years and have now kept it off for two years, weight loss is such a personal thing though I don't really believe theres one answer for everyone, i guess you look in yourself to find whats going to be the best answer for you and get started on it because as we all know time ticks quicker for those carrying a lot of extra weight. Heidi

[freebird]

Hi Heidi
Welcome. Hope to see you in chat soon. Thanks for the reply. And you are right i have to decide whats right for me. I went through so many different weight loss programs and then gave up because they didn't work. I know that at one point i decided i was meant to be fat. But then the health problems started and i decided to do something about it that would be permament. So i chose this surgery. Hope to hear more from you
freebird

H

[xsmith95]

BY the time I was looking at this type of board on the internet, I knew the only choice for me was to have the WLS. I believe that is part of the reason not many people post here.

Shelley