fatgirlsvelte

My most heartfelt thanks to everyone. A little update... Last night is what I intended to be my final bariatric class. The facilitator and physiologist had me tell the story a bit more in depth to our class, and that I wouldn't be pursuing the surgery. The reaction wasn't what I was expected— They (classmates and facilitator) have asked me to stay until the end (December 14 is the last class) because I "provide the other perspective we (the class) usually doesn't have" in the room each week. The course is called "Options," with the end goal being education and providing enough information and support for patients whichever way they choose. After class, on the way to my car...we had an hour long talk about life, love, and the pursuit of health (BAHAHA). Our class is from 6p-8p, and I can't believe that we all sat out there in the hospital parking lot laughing and yelling and loving on each other until just after 9pm...like a family. They've asked me to also keep managing our "secret surgery group" Facebook page (I was prepared to hand it off to another moderator), and want me to change it to an overall weight loss page...where we OF COURSE will still talk about bariatric surgery. I can't reiterate enough that I simply have the highest respect for anyone who pursues this surgery. It is such a dramatic and life altering move as that "final straw" if you will. I just realized that I'm not at the "final straw," and have the ability and patience to W E R K right now. The other few people I've informed are also relieved, just from the babies standpoint. Everyone is in agreement that if I'm still heavier in my older years post-family planning, then it would be wiser to consider it then. Also nearly burst into tears out there. One said she thinks I should change my major in school and become a nutritionist specializing in the severe obesity population...that is probably the greatest compliment I have ever received. Ever. So, onward. Still a part of the inner-circle community, I just orbit in the opposite direction. ) All love, K PS. I announced on Instagram and had a handful of people unfollow me right away...but woke up to a whole new batch of humans. It's incredible that when we change the way we look at things, those things change, isn't it?

Thanks lady... Please keep in touch. I want to hold you to that Maoz date in the future... @ and @Djmohr... thank you so much!

It also takes an enormous amount of dedication and commitment to be successful without WLS...in my conclusion, it literally is the same amount of effort, just without forced reduction of portions and not as quick. I'm on the right track, and significantly so. It will all be good.

@@KristenLe thank you so much, Kristen. Appreciate you more than you could know.

@@Babbs bless you...thank for your kind words. <3 One day at a time! Hope to keep in touch.

@@LipstickLady thank you dear heart...please list me in the will as a titanium benefactor (ha!). I appreciate all you've guided me through more than you could know! I will go dormant, but definitely keep in touch and update (if that's OK?). I guess all perspectives are good in a bariatric forum...it keeps things real. I just don't know if that's a violation? <3 K

Thanks for this... This is also a possibility for sure. If it is the case and I wait for awhile, it would give me ample time to have all of the babies (hahahaha). Appreciate you.

I forgot to add this to the post—PLEASE keep in touch! I may not be active here, but want to be a part of everyone's journey toward optimum health! We got this. IG: @fatgirlsvelte Email: fatgirlsvelte@gmail.com Text: 323.775.3935 ❤️ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey Team WLS, Wanted to post a proper farewell to the community before ghosting, since so many of you have been supportive and informative since June when I began classes at Kaiser. As of last week, I'm just 5 pounds shy of 100 total pounds lost from my all-time highest weight of 426 pounds. The reason I decided to pursue surgery is that I plateaued—and thought then 70 pounds lost was the best that I could do. Yes, the loss has been slow, but it is a fact: I've maintained this 72 pound loss over the last three years. Since starting the Kaiser preop classes in July, I've lost another 23 pounds (I learned about macronutrients and protein!). I've been treading deep waters in the community for 16 weeks, and have gained invaluable knowledge. Surgery, at least where I stand now, is not for me. There isn't enough data for women of childbearing age, and I'm concerned about a host of issues. Short term? Yes: surgery addresses weight and the various complications that come with obesity. Long term? I want to see data on osteoporosis, and what the aging Bariatric population looks like. I understand the very valid arguments for everyone who is pro-surgery, and I totally respect you for the decision to go under the knife—more so now. It addresses the immediate and/or looming threats of obesity...when the surgery is used as a tool. In the past sixteen weeks, I've seen more trouble than not in the WLS Community, and quietly observing the trials and tribulations...at least in regard to **my individual case**, the surgery would make my quality of life terrible. From where I stand now, I don't want to spend the rest of my life not drinking Water with dinner. I don't want to worry about spicy things, mineral water, fruit acids, and knowing that I have titanium staples in my body. I don't want to have the very serious major surgery, and with the statistically guaranteed future weight gain, go through the mind-**** that is post-op guilt/freak out. Currently the only comorbidity I have with obesity is the number on the scale; no issues with blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, etc. I've had long talks with the physiologist that is our class counselor, and my past injuries in running are quite common. The more active you are, the more likely one is to get injured, especially with running. Injuries happen; keep going. Strengthen. Come back better. If I lost all the weight with surgery, I'd still be the same young woman I am right now, just smaller. If I lost all the weight without surgery, I'd still be the same young woman I am now, just smaller. ...and at 5:00am right now, I am who I am. I weigh 330.4 pounds, am a size 20W, 2X. I surf, swim, do yoga. I'm strengthening my legs and am able to sprint for short spurts, working up to long distance running again. I travel the world. I was in a professional photoshoot 2 weeks ago for an upcoming event, and loved every single picture. This past weekend, I purged my closet, and literally donated 75% of my prior wardrobe instead of hanging on to the past 4-6X, 26-32W pieces. My life is fun, my brain is cool...and I am comfortable in my current body. There is always room for improvement and the human body is capable of incredible things—I will continue to pursue improvement and peak fitness, but I am also grounded in the present. This is all telling in and of itself. The only guaranteed outcome of the surgery is forced portion control. Physiologically, with surgery or not, our bodies will fight us to stay fat for our entire lives. It will always be a battle. I'm giving myself until my next birthday to quietly and diligently keep plugging away at my weight now that I've learned information that has clearly broken the through plateau. In eight months, I will re-evaluate. Should I hit my benchmark of continued weight loss, I'll know I made the right choice. If I have gained weight back? I'll reconsider the surgery. For the surgery OGs that stepped in to provide tenured knowledge, for the newbies who shared their recent experiences, for those successful; but above all, for those who are struggling, I am inspired by you. All of my love, and thank you, —K Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Briggs-Myer personality type is no excuse (hahaha!). —an INTJ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I feel you. I'm three months out from finishing my program (1/2 way there!) with Kaiser, and every day I ask myself if this is the right way to go about it, especially since I'm taking off quite a bit of weight preop. ... Losing weight is the crux of most of our lives though. The reality of the surgery is that the only thing you're going to get out of it as a tool is portion control. It doesn't make you happier, find a mate, etc. etc., and if you approach it realistically? It is an easier way to look at things, I think. Every time I have a doubt, I look at how much healthy stuff I have to eat as the physiology of my body is literally trying to keep the over production of fat cells inflated. In order to be successful at this point, I need the surgery as a tool to help portion control. I'm saying this now, but tomorrow I'll probably be thinking about the titanium staples they leave in your body forever again HA! You got this. Just ... pray/meditate/talk it out, and you will make the right choice for you, no matter what. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Literally JUST updated my Instagram profile bio to say that I'm a big fan of biological science, after someone posted a picture of a breve latte (minimal Protein, at least half a day worth of sleeved caloric intake limit). I thank the universe EVERY DAY that our program has an incredibly in-depth nutrition element, and focuses on food education/addiction adjustments. What people see trending in the networks does not equate to proper Macronutrient intake or even basic understanding that calories = fuel. This surgery's one goal is to manage portion control. That's it—the choices made to fuel our bodies are absolutely critical. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Here's my fave general blanket statement, and one of the reasons why my nickname is "Salt," -- In the most singular California-girl-monotone you can possibly muster, "If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked." Period. Then walk-off. Another good one is "Get bent." PS. All the feedback here about not telling anyone about your surgery? I've been taking this route too, and it's been much, much easier on my brain. HR knows I'll be out later this year for "a surgery," my boss (a senior executive) knows it will be Bariatric-related. Otherwise my medical support group knows about it, and my medical team. Select family members know that I'm "working on my health." All of my social weight-loss accounts are relatively anonymous, too. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

*shrugging.* Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch I read this piece in the NYT too... Overall (this is a general statement @WLSR/CE, not aimed at you specifically) Also agree that a surgeon's perspective can be different, but in the case of educational inquiries, being put aside is not appropriate. I didn't ask, "Hey, cute white coat Doc, where did you get it?" The seminar served specifically has a platform for education, and I (as well as a few others, not exclusive here) had disregarded concerns, and IMO, this impacts the patient's choice on surgery locations and other considerations. Regardless of the event though, good is coming out of the situation, so all will be OK.