imaginegirl

Well, I'll be honest. I drink a bottle and a half of wine a night. I told my psych and now I'm worried that I'll be refused the surgery. I've read that the doctors might consider alcoholism to be a dealbreaker. I decided to go to AA meetings to try to stop, if that's worth anything as far as surgery goes.

I've exercised periodically throughout my life and never lost weight. I haven't tried very many diets -- just cutting back on what I eat and eating healthier. I did try Weight Watchers twice. No matter how I eat, I can't keep off the excess weight. I'm wondering if I'm taking the easy way out by wanting surgery. It won't be easy, actually, because I'll still need to change what I eat and exercise. However, won't surgery be a tool in helping me lose and keep off the weight? I feel kind of weak and pathetic because I haven't had enough willpower to lose and keep off weight. Will people think this if they learn I had surgery?

Thanks for the clarification!

It sounds like the main reason to have WLS is to lose a lot of weight upfront. I'll still have to fight against biology to keep the weight off. Is that true?

I have tried a few diets and exercised for years. Like many people, I've lost a few pounds but haven't made the dietary changes a permanent part of my life. The only medical problem I have related to obesity is GERD. Also my BMI is over 40. I have social issues, which I don't know if they count -- years of embarrassment for being obese and also the shame in blaming myself. Do you think the doctor will approve me for surgery? Do doctors insist that you have more physical problems than I do?

True. I look forward to no longer being embarrassed.

I drink too much wine right now. I'm hoping that having the structure of surgical requirements will help prevent that.

What a fun trip! Enjoy.

Elcee. I really appreciate your detailed description. That, plus everyone else's stories tell me that the band is probably not for me.

I'm so glad to hear that!

I weight 260 and want to get down to 150 or 170.

He only wants you to eat food that stays in your stomach and fills you up. I haven't met with the nutritionist, so I don't know about the stages. I wonder if that person is more reasonable.

I'm really grateful to you all for your great advice and understanding!

Some people with no biology working against them can lose weight easily and keep it off. I think the "easy" belief came from people like that. Anyway, I don't plan to tell coworkers and most friends. I'll just tell them I did a lot of hard work and started eating less and exercising.

That book sounds fascinating. I'll read it tonight. I sure am ready to be released of the guilt. I feel so guilty for not being able to keep off the weight. I'm ready to have a new tool to help me.

I've tried losing weight by willpower, and you're right, it doesn't work long-term. I'm glad the surgery makes losing weight and maintenance a little easier. I'm willing to exercise and eat better. My sister and mom have had the band surgery, and I've seen what they've had to do to keep off the weight. I think I'm ready to do that.

I'm considering gastric sleeve surgery and have had so many questions. I'm glad you guys are here to help. When I eat, I really try to enjoy the food, to eat mindfully and not just scarf it down. I call myself a foodie because I enjoy good food. When I go on vacation, I usually have a few places in mind where we can eat. I don't want to leave it up to chance and have a bad meal. I don't lose control and "pig out" when eating except for one dish I enjoy. I often take food home to avoid eating too many calories in one meal. After the surgery, will I still be able to eat enough food to enjoy it? Or will that part of my life be completely over? This is a drastic decision to make, and if I can never enjoy food again, if I can only have a few bites, what kind of life is that?

My friend had to lose 13 pounds before having gastric bypass surgery. I'm going to the same doctor, so I wonder if I will too. If I could lose 13 pounds, I would have done it. Do you know what I mean? The only way I figure I could do it would be to go on a liquid diet. Did you have to lose weight before the surgery and why?