Body of Work: Still adjusting two years after weight-loss surgery

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  Posted by Rowdygirl Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:30am PDT

  My bypass anniversary date is Sept 24th..it will be 5 years. It's still an on-going process for me too. Saggy and deflated boobs are great, aren't they? :) Mine were never great before, but now.. ick.. As for that magic number, I hit a "spot" last year.. I was stuck at the same weight, with a 3-5 pound bounce, that my doc said was normal and expected. I'm not happy with that... I haven't lost as much as I wanted to originally, but after 170 pounds gone, I'm not the woman I once was. I remind myself of that ALOT when I feel like a failure. I don't believe that anyone who has this surgery is ever the same. I'm determined to NEVER regain the weight, and will do what I have to do to make sure I never do. If I don't lose anymore, I can still say that I'm happier and healthier than at any other time in my life. But those 25 pounds still bug me and I might always feel that way, and I have to allow for that, also.

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  Posted by Angela Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:22pm PDT

  I think it's unfair and biased that Shine and Elastic Waist only represent one side of the weight loss surgery example. I have read many blog entries from this author, and although I find her to be almost honest to a fault, (the fault being that she is overly harsh with herself, not overly realistic), I have never seen her write about what she seeks to do to improve her self-image. Losing weight alone, whether through surgery or lifestyle changes cannot undo the hurt, anger, and depression that caused such obesity to begin with. Individual and group therapy are almost always needed as well, and are offered by most doctors who perform surgeries.

  Still, for many, weight loss surgery is not the easy way out, it is the ONLY WAY, and it is saving lives. The decision to have one's body cut apart is not so simple as this blog often makes it sound to be, and those who choose to do so are risking their lives, even as they risk their life to remain obese.

  It's time to support people for making the choices that are BEST FOR THEM. Telling people that weightloss surgery is "the easy way out" is judgmental and continues to support negative stereotypes about obese people, reinforcing the FALSE idea that even when fat people get thin, they still aren't good enough to be loved by themselves or others. Shine and Elastic Waist need to post more articles representing the POSITIVE effects of weight loss surgery.

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  Posted by Laura M Sat Sep 13, 2008 2:05pm PDT

  I think it is kind of mean to say that it's the easy way out too. Some people diet and exercise for years without being able to keep off the weight, then they have a gastric bypass so they can achieve a healthier weight. It's not because they are lazy and didn't want to lose the weight the "hard" way... By the way, I haven't had the surgery; I'm just posting my thoughts about it.

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  Posted by Jenise Sat Sep 13, 2008 4:10pm PDT

  She is being way to hard on herself and bypass is not the easy way out.There are three of use best friends, we are all about the same weight. After five years of eating healthy and exercising on a regular program one opted for gastric bypass. I watched her and that was the hardest thing she had ever done. She felt like she was a failure to herself and to us. We tried to be by her side through the whole proceedure. This was a health issue not all vanity. Today she looks and feels great and we all still eat healthy and exercise together. The other 2 yes we are getting there just a little slower. This is her shining moment because she is alive and still with us. Be thankful for what God and medicine have given us. second chances

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  Posted by salted Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:58am PDT

  I don't know my sister risked her life when the operation was in the early years. She only had a 50/50 chance of survival. She made it and did loss weight but over the years went back to her original weight and even topped that! She is proof that you can stretch what is left to an over eaters stomach. I believe it is a head game if you can't get your head right it isn't going to work permanently anyway. Also lately I have seen so many re gain the weight that i know it is not a permanent weight loss solution that is why I'm opting out. Good Luck to you!

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  Posted by Gary Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:01pm PDT

  december 20,2005. that's when I had gastric bypass.since then I have lost a total of 205lbs.I went from 385 lbs to 185. sure I have some lose skin hanging here and there, but not alot I exercis every day and walk ,which was somthing i could not do well before.I still eat 8 times a day (small meals) I feel good ,look good, I went from wearing xxxxl to m a 56" waist down to 34". Someday I would like to have a tummy tuck but for now I'm just going to enjoy this new life that i have and I am thankful that I did not have any problems after the surgery as some my other freinds had

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  Posted by dk Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:45pm PDT

  I'm scheduled to have GBP in 2 days and reading these blogs makes me terrified!!

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  Posted by Angela Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:19pm PDT

  Dk, if this blog or blogs like it are making you upset about an already difficult decision, don't read them. Take your concerns to your doctor and their staff, and keep your health care decisions between them and you. It's not at all out of the ordinary for you to question your decision, and it's not at all strange for you to have growing fears and concerns as your surgery date nears.

  The most important thing is for you to do what is best for you. If your surgeon does not already have you participating in a wellness program after your surgery, please consider signing up for one yourself that includes nutrition counseling and therapy. A therapist will help you to deal with the problems you still have with your body and food even after having the surgery. Take care and good luck.

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  Posted by Linda Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:00pm PDT

  I had LapBand surgery June 7, 2005. I have lost 80 lbs and was not happy how I looked - face too gaunt and I gained back about 8 lbs and am thrilled. I still have the head games issues. I still feel fat and sometimes look fat in pictures. Everyone thinks I'm crazy and say I look great. It is NOT the easy way out. It is not a magic bullet either. You have to be deligent and work at the weight loss. I took water aerobics during that 1st year and I think that really helped. I highly recommend Wii Fit. It is a great workout without it feeling like a workout. I need to practice what I preach tho. I still have the crepe skin and my thighs look like elephant skin. But, I wear a size 8 and dang proud of it. I, too, have noticed that my body is still changing. It's just so cool to be able to wear the same clothes each season without having to buy new bigger ones! I recommend the LapBand to everyone. It is much less invasive and safer. Reversable, also.

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  Posted by firefey Mon Sep 15, 2008 10:51am PDT

  for those of you who have gotten, are gettion, or are considering getting this surgury please remember: study after study by independant (as in not funded by any weight loss or drug company) researchers over long periods of time (decades in many cases) have shown that fitnes and genetics, not bmi are the significant factors in health. in addition the lean and unfit seem to have higher mortality rates for things like heart attacks, cancer and stroke. isn't unbiased science fun?

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