Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Swan song—goodbye, and thank you.



Recommended Posts

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

it took me 10 years (and until I was in my 50's) to make the decision to go through with it. You may be back - or not. But good luck to you whatever you ultimately decide to do.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good luck to you!! I am sure you are going to do amazing things. XXOO

And you can still keep us updated here. :)

As a side note? On the titanium thing... Most of my skull is titanium from brain surgery. I told my husband that when I die, he needs to pull those plates out. My head is worth more than my house. I'll tell him about the staples, too.

:D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Your posts have been smart, thoughtful and thoroughly enjoyable. I also wish more people took the more thoughtful approach when deciding whether or not to have the surgery that you did. For that, I completely admire you.

Surgery is not for everyone, that's for sure. I wish you nothing but the best as you continue your journey in your own way. I have a feeling you're the type of person who succeeds at whatever they set out to do, anyway. You're going to be just fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It sounds like you have given it a lot of thought and reached the conclusion that gives you the most peace of mind right now. That is the smart thing to do! You should make this choice for yourself and no one else. If surgery isn't right for you then you definitely shouldn't do it. It takes an enormous amount of dedication and commitment to be successful with WLS. If you can't commit to it fully, then you are right to not pursue it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's been a short-but-sweet pleasure. You've been thorough, thoughful and good company at each step and clearly are making the right choice. You're even houghtful in saying "farewell," which I appreciate.

All the best from your New York friend.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Best wishes for your future!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wish you all the best on your journey! It sounds like you have looked at all of the data and are making the right choice for you at this time.

Keep us posted!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

it took me 10 years (and until I was in my 50's) to make the decision to go through with it. You may be back - or not. But good luck to you whatever you ultimately decide to do.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

It sounds like you have given it a lot of thought and reached the conclusion that gives you the most peace of mind right now. That is the smart thing to do! You should make this choice for yourself and no one else. If surgery isn't right for you then you definitely shouldn't do it. It takes an enormous amount of dedication and commitment to be successful with WLS. If you can't commit to it fully, then you are right to not pursue it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×