had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

[Analog6]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

QUOTE FROM LCDAVE: "because I am having a little success with Atkins, I sudden;y want to be the carb **** and run out and tell all the chunky people that I have found the 'best thing' ever!"

Oh, I'm so glad I'm not the only one. I see fat people in the supermarket with all the wrong things in their basket, and I really have to bite my tongue to stop myself sayoing something to them. I want to be a carb **** too! But only to help them - yet I know you have to be ready to listen for any lifestyle change to work.

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to keep chewing on my tongue!

[brabea22]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

I fight the urge to run up and tell everyone about this lifestyle change too, but I have to say the urge isn't really that big. I am sure everyone here has had that annoying 'diet preacher' who thought they had to 'enlighten' you. God, that guy made me want to puke.

Just remember how annoying that fella was keeps me from being carb ****.

[dreamof145]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

I know before my recent weight loss, I wouldn't have listened to anyone who told me how to lose weight. I'd listened to Susan Powter, Oprah, and all the rest on tv and they made it sound so easy. When I'd try it, it never worked. Of course I now know that it doesn't work if you don't work it. But, the only time I spread my words of advice is here (where you guys ROCK and are interested and want to hear other's opinions on weight) or when someone asks me how I did it.

I'm glad that the ADBB can be here for everyone. We are all trying to get to the same place (the place where we fee healthy about ourselves mentally and physically). Its like going to Los Angeles...some people might have further to go or more obstacles to face to get there, but....if we all pitched in and gave inspiration we could all make it if that were our goal. (does that make sense?) Anyways, this is the perception we use at work to explain things to the kids. It works for them. lolol

[Iamscandalouslyglam]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

Hehehehe... Tracey's got mad skillz dawg!

I might sound a bit selfish... But I would never consider going under the knife or even taking diet supplements. I'm the kind of person who wants to rule out my OWN destiny... when I finally see that magical number on the scale I want to say "Yes I chose to be healthier... I chose to eat wiser and exercise more... I chose to have this body... and i got it." i guess it's more of an ego thing with me. I got this way MYSELF... therefore I have to get MYSELF out of it. I know i can do whatever I put my mind to...

Not knocking GBS. Some people might need it to get them started... so they can start eating less... and then exercise more. With that in mind I would like to say one more thing... "To make yourself healthier or not.... the choice is yours!" (Sorry it reminded me of a random quote we had to listen to for 4 years every morning in High School lmao)

<3Stephie

When I was 18yo I would have NEVER, EVER considered Gastric Bypass either. But when I was 27 almost 400lbs, had tried Atkins, Sugar addicts, Low fat, weight watcher, the paenut butter diet + Many more, I started thinking about it. I was pre-Diabetes, My knees snapped, crackled and popped, I couldn't go on an airplain, sit in a booth at a restaurant, go on carnival rides w/my 3 yo...All of which frustrarted me and then I consoled myself w/food.

NOW...Here I am coming up on my 5yr anniversary of GBS. I lost 220Lbs. I got below my target weight of 185. Obviously I gained some back in that time, 35 Lbs. This was due to falling back into the old habits. Not so much overeating but eating FRIED High Sugar, High Fat and LOTS of Carbs. All that good tasting stuff

I guess what I am getting at is, I chose my own destiny too. I chose to have the surgery. Not only was it a HARD decision to make, My surgery DID NOT GO THE WAY I WAS TOLD IT WOULD. I was hospitalized for over 2wks after due to complications and collapse of a Lung w/subsequent infection. I had a Stomach tube for 3 months...NO FOOD BY MOUTH 3 mos, 14 procedures following the initial surgery cause my pouch "dissappeared" Yeah...it was rough, but I chose it, dealt w/it and believe it has made me a stronger person.

Don't get me wrong I give Major Kudos to all of you losing weight on sheer dieting/exercising alone, But I also think those who have surgery USUALLY do not make that decision on a WHIM or w/out trying various other ways first.
thanks for the opportunity to Spew

[fr1endly2]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

Iamscandalouslyglam i also had the surgery JUNE 1 2005.
It was not an easy decision, but i was at my wits end and
needed to do this for my health!

I did not experience complications and i am down 143 lbs.
Feel free to PM me anytime to be support buddies. I follow
atkins rules alot post op and i believe its helped me to be
successful!
HUGS
lisa
xoxox

[LC_Dave]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

IAMScandalous,

I can totally relate to the despair of being 400 pounds plus.

Congrats on the 220 pounds lost!

It's great to feel liberated!

[sofiajp]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

Hi,

First I want to say that I applaud all those who do what they have to do to feel their best and be healthy.

Someone (not sure who) talked about worrying about having the surgery but not changing their eating habits and I can relate.

My mom had the surgery more than 15 years ago (I sure hope they have changed the procedure-she had problems with it!) and she lost a lot of weight but the thing is she weighs far more now than she ever did. She wasn't even that heavy...I mean maybe 240 and at 5feet 8 inches (now she must be over 300) She had no health problems like diabetes or anything that I am aware of and I know (she told me) she had to talk her way into getting it done (the doctor didn't think she was heavy enough to qualify for it). I think she was one of those people who thought it was a magic bullet and she could eat whatever she wanted.

Actually, after my mom had the operation and started losing weight, I went to the doctor to talk about having it done ( I was 18 then and now 35) and he said that me having surgery would be like "taking an axe to something that needed a paring knife". I have to say that I am happy I wasn't allowed to have it because I think at that point in my life I wasn't ready to face the reasons why I ate and I probably would have gained it all back plus a lot more.It takes more than 1 surgery to fix a weight problem so for those of you who had the operation and do this WOL, my hat is off to you!!

I have to say that while I am soooo happy that I have found this WOL, I have not talked to my mom about it. It is a touchy subject and I figure I will let her see the evidence that it works when I finally go to Canada for a visit ( I live in Japan).

anyway, sorry for rambling but this subject got to me so thought I'd write something.

sofiajp
pls forgive any strange English-been here too long and my English is suffering!!

[LC_Dave]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

Sophia,

Thanks for your story.

How do appraoch someone who has had the surgery and gotten bigger (like your mum),
and then tell them about Low Carb ?

Hopefully they will be happy, but they could feel really bad - like why they had to suffer for so long!

I hope you can be a shining example for her!

[fr1endly2]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

SOFIA...
i am a member on this board...
and i had gastric bypass one year ago.
PROCEDURES are some different today
on the bypass then probably what your mom
had so many years back. Depends on what
type they did. I have the Roux n Y....
my eating rules post op are very much
ATKINS. I follow my atkins rules with the tool
of surgery and have done well so far. Will it
stay off forever? i dont know.

BUT since my surgery I am told to
eat my Protein first and if i have room
to eat more then eat a veggie and then
only a small taste of a whole grain pasta,
potatoe or other carb.

USUALLY im too full to get past the veggie
part. BUt eating an ATKINS is usually how
a todays bypass patient eats!

ALL the best its hard to talk about it im sure
if mom has regained weight back. ITS a touchie
topic. NOT sure i helped you any but i think
mom will get to her point and know she needs
help and im sure you can be there then for her.

[Heidi3]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

I am stepping in because one of my best friends had gastric bipass...she was nearly 500lbs and was not 30 years old ..her body was failing ...everyone has an idea of what is right and wrong in life...I think that it can be a live saving surgery for some folks ...
but she did it correctly ..she went into counseling ...is in support...works out.....and has made a huge effort to turn her eating lifestyle around....she would have died if she did not do something ..and lord knows she had tried everything to loose wt...
she is down almost 200lbs now and looks, feels and acts like a million bucks...do I think everyone needs this NO WAY!!! but I do think it saved my friends life that is for sure...we do all kinds of surgeries to save lives ..this was one of them....I have also seen people who needed to loose weight run to Mexico for Lap bands ....more people than you can imagine ..then I see them eating crapfood in smaller amts ...this where I feel it is a huge mistake ..if you think it is a quick fix and do not want to change everything ...

[Heidi3]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

the one I can not get over ....is suddenly my friend looks so much shorter to me after this huge wt loss!!! I used to have to stand on a curb to hug her good bye ...now we can stand face to face and hug ...no tippy toes

[fr1endly2]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

WELL heidi i can be your friend but didnt way as much.
BUT at 310 lbs was my last resort. I was exhausted just
going up the stairs in my home and out of breath almost
feeling like a heart attack ready to happen.

I am also in weight management councling sessions, support
groups and changed my eating. I dont break the rules of my tool
YOUR friend sounds awesome !~
FOR me too this saved my life and i have small
kids that needed me !

LISA

[sofiajp]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

Fr1endly2,

I know she had her stomach stapled and for a long time after the operation she couldn't eat many cuts of meat and scrambled eggs and some veggies and she hates most fruit so didn't eat them either. Many times after eating she ended up throwing up because the way the operation was done made it hard for some food to be digested-it was sad to see her go through that. Can't for the life of me really remember what she ate but couldn't have been atkins friendly. Besides I know that emotional eating played/plays a huge role in her weight problem.So that is why it didn't work (as well as being carb addicted).as for talking to her...I won't...I will let my success speak for me when she does see me and if she wants to know about it then I will tell her.

Heidi3-I totally agree that some people need it...but doing it the right way is so important. Sad thing is, not only did my mom have the surgery and then gain all her weight back plus more, so did a friend of mine. There is so much more behind weight issues than just food (as I am sure you know )-that is why I said I am glad I didn't have the surgery when I was 18 because I wouldn't have done it the right way. I think only now am I really ready for me to emerge from behind the fat because for many years I have been working on the emotional issues and because I am not treating this like a diet.Anyway,I am glad to hear that your friend is doing well!

sofiajp

[LC_Dave]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

BUt eating an ATKINS is usually how
a todays bypass patient eats!

I think that is AWESOME! It shows what food is really important to us.

After seeing some 'Successful Losers' come off atkins and gain weight back, I can see the positive benefits in doing both surgery and Atkins.

Because let's face it, not every person can go through the mental barrier to do Atkins. Especially with all the carb marketing out there!

[LC_Dave]

Re: had to undergo a gastric bypass to reduce his body fat

..her body was failing ...everyone has an idea of what is right and wrong in life...I think that it can be a live saving surgery for some folks and do not want to change everything ...

That's exactly it, isn't it.

The decision to do surgery is really nobody's business but the person.

We don't know what that person is going through at the time.

As much as some of us are really passionate against having surgery, we have to understand that people are dealing with different stuff in their lives than we are.

Morbid obesity can be totally over-whelming!