How long has it been since I’ve last updated you all on my wellness/health/weight loss/baby-making journey? I feel like it’s been a while because I had put it out of my mind for quite a bit. I thought for sure this would be the year that I stayed dedicated and motivated and made things happen for myself, but instead, I spent most of the year hiding from my problems and pushing off possible solutions.
This year, I have tried eating low calorie, eating Jenny Craig, and “eating whole” to an extent. Each thing has made me drop a few pounds and then add them back on when I go back to eating normally…go figure. I’ve found that I am doing the “same old tricks” and not getting as great of a result as I used to. I began to finally think about what my doctors have been telling me for a few years now- Weight Loss Surgery. I’ve avoided it for so long because I thought it was vain. I am happy with being a plus sized woman, and my health wasn’t so bad after all, was it?
WRONG! My health has been declining for years! From PCOS to Type 2 Diabetes, sleep apnea, and other annoyances…I need to do something to take control of my life and my health before it takes control of me. Now, I will let you read up on the surgery and stats and whatnot on your own time, as I am not a doctor or proclaim to be a medical specialist, obviously. I will say that my research has lead me to believe that going through with a weight loss surgery can help totally get rid of Type 2 Diabetes, sleep apnea AND reduce/relieve PCOS symptoms and issues as well. Now, tell me why I might NOT consider the surgery if all this could be true?
Cost? My insurance happens to cover the surgery in totality. It’s a strange and amazing blessing that even though I’ve been laid off, I can keep my insurance coverage through COBRA until the surgery is done.
Time? Again, I have been laid off of work, so without being too detailed, my husband and I are financially able to continue to live comfortably until I am healed. I have nothing but time right now!
Fear? This one is a big one. Of course I have fear that it will be hard, it might not work (somehow?), it will take a lot to get used to the new lifestyle, it might take a big toll on me emotionally, etc. I have all those fears, but the thought of the new, healthier, probably baby-toting me after a year or two…that thought makes all the fears seem to fade away.
So there you have it, I am planning on having a Weight Loss Surgery. I haven’t yet decided which one, but I am almost to the point where I will be deciding. Like everything in my life, I hope that you guys will like to follow along this journey. I will keep you updated along the way, and can get pretty detailed as well…a weekly update at first, moving into a monthly update when things get much less interesting and start to move more slowly.
I thought I would leave this post with my “Beginning Stats” so we can see how far things have come! Last week was my first weigh in and meeting with a nutritionist, so my official HIGH and STARTING weight is 321. This week, I went back for another meeting with the nutritionist and to take a psychiatric exam. I weighted in at 314.5, which means that cutting soda (whew) and doing my best to watch my portion size and plating has knocked me back 6.5 pounds!
Now, I would like to open up the floor to you all. What are your experiences or opinions with weight loss surgeries? I prefer no “HATE” comments, so those will be deleted, but remember…you can be opposed without being hateful! Let me know in the comments below!
Hey! Thanks for sharing this with your followers. As an also plus sized woman, I definitely have thought about this surgery before. I would say my opinion is fairly negative. And this isn’t meant as hate at all, but my own opinion. I guess I’ve seen it (even with myself considering it) as a get thin quick scheme. I know the recovery is hard, but I see it as not wanting to put the sweat and tears into achieving our goals. I honestly feel like we live in a culture that really just wants what they want without putting in the work. Again, this may not be your motive at all. Also, most people I’ve seen who have had it have had to eventually get skin tightening surgery as well. Which some people who lose weight naturally also may need this as well, but there’s also a chance that it won’t happen as much because of working out and tightening the skin that way. Those are just a few of my thoughts.
Have you thought about or tried clean eating? I think the idea of making our nutrition choices more of a lifestyle makes it easier to lose and maintain weight. The 21 Day Fix was super helpful for me! I am still definitely on my journey.
Either way, good luck on this journey!
Thanks for commenting! I truly mean it, even though I definitely disagree with your opinion. I think it’s important to have these types of open conversations, but beware that I will be defending my point in my reply.
Yes, I’ve tried the 21 day fix. And truthfully, it’s not a lifestyle. It’s just 21 days as it says in the title. The “EASY FIX” for me, really, would be not having the surgery. Then I could go on saying I am going to do this or that and really not get the weight gone that I need. It would mean to go my whole life unhealthily instead of getting assistance medically that I qualify for.
Definitely research it before you say it’s a “get thin quick” scheme, though. I get what you mean and thought so too until I was researching it and am now going through the pre-op consultations and meetings. People who have already had the surgery will take that very offensively as they have to work to rebuild their whole relationship with food and how they live their lives totally. Did you know that at 1 year post opp they are working up to eating only 8oz of food per meal? That’s a lot of change! That’s no pizza with friends after a long week of work, no having a cupcake to celebrate, etc. It’s a lot of work, and some people (myself included) have tried just about everything (for years, not just a couple of rounds of weight watchers) and now need to take another step further.
Have the surgery!!! seriously do it now ! Don’t look back 2 years , 5 years or 10 years down the line and kick yourself – it is not the easy way out – it’s just a tool – how you use it is up to you and it’s still easy to fail with it – you will have to decide what surgery you think is best for you –
So I have had three close people to me do the gastric bypass surgery in October. One was at the beginning of October (the 6th) and by the end of October she’d already lost 20+ lbs! Our cousins had it done at the end of October, and as of two weeks ago I know she has lost 30+ lbs, and unfortunately I can’t remember his weight loss total. But the way I think about it is.. if you’ve tried and tried and tried some more, with little to no results, do what makes YOU happy and healthy. Without all the negativity that can come from whatever you do, stay positive and knee your head up. After all no body can actually walk a mile in your shoes. Go for it!!! For your health! I don’t think you’ll regret it unless you can’t change your eating habits. Which sounds like you’re able to!!!! ?? good luck!!!!
Ps, if you need or would like information of theirs I’m sure I could ask them if they’d be okay talking to you/giving advice etc.
My question – The surgery will require a lifestyle change and eating change. How is that different then making lifestyle and eating changes without the surgery? I know people who had a surgery and still were not successful with the lifestyle changes and eventually put the weight back on. To be fair I’ve know some who have kept the weight off. So, I guess my point or question is that isn’t the difference the lifestyle change and not the surgery? I honestly don’t know but want to be sure you’ve asked that question of yourself. Maybe the answer is the support team that comes with all of it. I don’t know. Will be praying for you as you decide.
By now, I have had many appointments and discussions with professionals, my husband, God, friends, people who have successfully had the surgery and people who have failed. I think that for me, the support plays a large role, but the rules and restrictions that come along with it that clearly say YES do this or NO don’t do that- as I have always been one to look for clear answers. Thanks for the concern, and I will definitely take the prayers! Love you!
Love you.
I’ve recently had a family member died from the complication of that surgery. I also have many friend and co-workers that had it as well. Some has loss the weight and kept it off, others have loss only to gain it back and more and then there’s others that are in and out of the hospital because of the complication. They all say that it’s a blessing that there off some of there medication and their able to fit in a curtain size. It’s a curse as well, they fall into a deep depression because of the changes of there bodies after the weight loss. Some of them have loss love ones because of their decisions. Many people have loss the weight naturally and is much happier. I have a friend that was 450 pounds and loss over 200 pound naturally and she’s in her 60’s. You can do it! Believe it your heart first and put in your mind. Confess it over you life that your life that I’m a winner and I’m a winner over my weight. A year ago I weighted 350 pound and now I weigh 250 pounds. You’re not in this fight by yourself, but we have the victory.
I say do it and never look back! You’ve been so brave to share your ups and downs of so many diets that ultimately haven’t helped you fully reach your goals. You’ve tried it on your own and you’re wise to say you need help. PCOS, DM, and OSA are very legitimate reasons for not just wanting but needing to move forward with surgery. Not to mention what sounds like the gift of time and finances to cover it right now.
Don’t let yourself feel bad about surgery for a second. You do whatever it takes to become a healthier you for yourself, your hubby, and your future little baby. You’ve researched so you know there will be unique challenges ahead, but don’t let that stop you! Be sure to keep a great endocrinologist on board through it all. With the support of your family and friends, I know you will be successful.
Do it. Had gastric bypass. The surgery is the easy part. The hard part is the lifestyle change. Like someone said above, it’s a tool. The surgery helps you stay on track, but you still have to be careful and watch what and how you eat.