show our support

[pammie]

Hello,
I have a friend on this board who has always been a supportive and good friend to all of us but now she is afraid to ask for support when she needs it most.
This woman lost 40lbs on Atkins and was doing great, and than life, and stress and family problems interfered and she gained it all back and more. Right now she is feeling depressed and like a failure and she knows at close to 300lbs she has to get herself in check, for her and for her small children.
So, she has decided to do what she can, use resources available to her and to get this weight off. She has decided to have weight-loss surgery.

Now, of course there are a lot of pros and cons to weightloss surgery and everyone has an opinion of it. But this friend of ours has researched it thouroughly and has decided that this is the best way to go for her and her family.

But unfortuanately, she feels she cannot talk about this on the board. She feels that she will be lectured and laughed at when all she really wants is support, the same support she has given all of us.

So, the reason for this post? I know she is reading. Can we show here that we can support her. Even if we don't 100% agree with the way she is doing it, her ultimate goal is the same as everyone else's here.

Please post support for our friend.

[Laurenfra]

I am so sorry she does not feel confortable posting here. I understand why she doesn't. I looked into the surgery before I found Atkins. I had even thought about putting on a few pounds so I would get OKed. We have since lost our insurance so I am on Atkins.

I hope your friend will PM so I can be there and chat, but if not I will be praying for her safety.

[CherTLC4u]

Self image is so very important to everyone. Unfortunatly the advertising world has convinced us that being skinny is the way to be.

We all know here that there are many drawbacks to being overweight.

I do know that before this surgery is done, there is counseling and classes to understand the proper way to live after the proceedure.

It is her choice and I support her in whatever she chooses. She needs support from friends and family right now.

I wish her the best of luck!!

[LindaJay]

I wish her the best of luck. I think that many of us here have looked into that surgery -- I know for me, Atkins was my doctor's suggestion as a "last ditch" effort before surgery. Imagine my amazment when it worked for me! I have a friend who just had the surgery last week, and another who decided against the surgery -- each of us must make the choice that works for us.

The surgery is only the beginning -- there is still the whole learning to eat in a way that works for life, which may be low carb or low cal or low fat -- again, whatever works!

Best of luck, and I hope you come back!

[Christina]

Whatever method she uses is her option. Afterall, it is her body isn't it, no one has the right to choose for her, as no one here is doing so! lol :hug

If you are reading this, I also hope everything goes perfectly for you.... and common, you know you can post now!!!
:guns

[anotherkim]

Good luck.

Every person is different and each of us must make a choice that fits the life that we live. You have to do what is best for you. Educate yourself and move forward with that decision and know that you're acting in your own best interest.

[lostandfound]

I have a friend, a cousin, and a Sister-in-law, that have all had by-pass surgery's. They have all had success with losing. One is losing slower than the other 2, but following the rules much better.
I'm glad you educated yourself and know the risk's involved and have been approved as a good candidate for the surgery. I wish you much success and a speedy recovery!!

Hugs,Tammy

[just_merely]

The way I see it, we're all trying to get to the same place... healthy. Also, we've all been through similar, if not the very same, life struggles when it comes to our weight.

This person deserves all the support in the world... We've all tried a million different things, and bottom line is that whether you choose to do Atkins, Weight Watchers, surgery, etc - it all requires some form of hard work, period. There's not a single weight-loss method that is totally simple.

I wish you great luck! and we'll always be here for ya!

[2big4mysize]

hey we had micromini here in 2003 who came to atkins after weight loss surgery cause she had stopped losing. there is no reason she can't do both.

Is she having the verticsal banding or the resectioning?

I did have a friend who was a 600 pound young father who died from his gastric bypass so I hope she has really researched this and for medical reasons is doing it for weight loss and not frustration over the Atkins not working the way she wanted it.

Do you know when she is having this so we can get her on our prayer chains?

[papajack_1]

I would hope that there is no one here who is not 'big" enough to support a fellow member, in which ever weight loss choice they may make.

Our fellow member will need us because after the surgery, she will have to eat lo-carb.

We need the member to share her experiences...............we all want to know what is going on in the lives of our fellow members.

[Uniquely_Ambi]

Atkins was a last chance for me. I was set on having the surgery myself, but decided to try one more diet and I was lucky enough that it worked for me. I'm just glad your friend is getting herself healthy, that really is what's most important. Good luck friend!!! I hope you come post!

[Dawn]

Atkins was my last chance before surgery too. I think probably all centurians have looked into the surgery. I have had a SIL who had the surgery and have a friend who had the surgery. Both are skinny now. My SIL is skinny and unhealthy because she eats junk food and refuses to exercise, and my friend is skinny and healthy because she eats right and exercises.

I don't think anyone would judge her for deciding to have the surgery. I think all of us being morbidly obese understand how hard her decision was and we wish her health and happiness.

Dawn

[mere150]

The bottom line in dieting is that you have to do what is right for you. We are all here to support you and wish the best of luck and health with your weightloss. Surgery doesn't mean that you're gonna get to eat junk and still lose weight AND be healthy (see above post from Dawn). Eat your veggies and exercise and come back to ADBB often for all the support and love you need. We are here for you! (and visit the Chit Chat forum when you need a good laugh)

[Lady_Hawke]

I can understand how this member feels for gaining the weight she lost back, I did the same thing. I lost 49 pounds and gained that plus a few more. And it doesn't mean that Atkins doesn't work, because it does. What wasn't working in my case was...me. In this other members case.....as you said Pammie, stress and family problems. I realize and so should she....we are not failures, as long as we never give up we will reach our goals.
I'm going to give Atkins another whole hearted goal in August.....this member chooses to have the weight loss surgery. I am going to give her my full support and from the posts above, it is obvious so are alot of the CC family.
We are a family here. Some people might not agree with my waiting until August, some people might not agree with the weight loss surgery.....but one thing is for sure.....the CC Family offers love, support, caring and kindness. Always.
So when you are ready, post and tell us who you are and how you are doing. You will be recieved with open arms, you are being recieved with open arms. We do care about you, we do support you in your decision, and we are here for you.
Always. :hug

[maribelle]

I hope I don't scandlize anyone, but I believe in differant diets for differant people. I do great on Atkins, but three people in my family couldn't do it to save their lives. If surgery is her method of choice, I wish her every success! Sounds like she's weighed the pros and cons,
and thats all any of us can do. After all, the goal is health, and comfort with your self...how you achieve that is just a means to an end. BEST OF LUCK! :hug