Greensleevie

The irony of obese people who had to to resort to WLS judging other obese people who had to resort to WLS is staggering.
Obese is obese. Whether you're 250 pounds or 650 pounds, the struggles are basically the same.
Be humble and remember that.

This is why the better surgeons want you at your goal weight or a a stable weight for at least a year. Unless the extra skin is causing mobility issues, of course.

This is why the better surgeons want you at your goal weight or a a stable weight for at least a year. Unless the extra skin is causing mobility issues, of course.

You will never be able to eat "normally" again if you want to keep the weight off.
Let me use ice cream as an example. Can you have a cup of ice cream once in a while? Absolutely, as long as it's not a trigger for cravings and it's ONLY a once in a while thing. I personally don't eat it because it's a trigger food for me. At 3.5 years out, I won't stop at a cup. I'll eat a half gallon. Sure, it may take me all day, but I'll do it. My solution? Halo Top, a low calorie high Protein ice cream like treat.
We aren't normal. We are people prone to morbid obesity. The surgery helps for a while during the honeymoon period by decreasing our appetite and food volume. As time goes by, the benefits are less effective. Sure, we still can't eat the volume like we could before, but it's easy to eat "around" our stomachs. Use the honeymoon period to cement good eating and exercise habits so when the inevitable does happen, you're that much more ahead.
If I don't eat nutritious, non processed food 90% of the time and move more, I gain weight. Our bodies fight to get back to where we were before, so it's our job to reset our metabolic clock to keep it from happening. The surgery also helps with that.
I've been as high as 15 pounds over my goal weight when I slacked off on my diet and exercise. It also took me months to lose it again, because for some reason our bodies want to hold on to it once we are in maintenance!
That being said, the short answer? Yes, you will need to be vigilant with your diet and exercise for the rest of your life if you want to keep the weight you lose off. Can you splurge once in a while? Absolutely! Just follow a 90/10 or 80/20 plan to where you're doing what you need to do 80 or 90% of the time. It's when it turns into 50/50 consistently is when we get into trouble

You will never be able to eat "normally" again if you want to keep the weight off.
Let me use ice cream as an example. Can you have a cup of ice cream once in a while? Absolutely, as long as it's not a trigger for cravings and it's ONLY a once in a while thing. I personally don't eat it because it's a trigger food for me. At 3.5 years out, I won't stop at a cup. I'll eat a half gallon. Sure, it may take me all day, but I'll do it. My solution? Halo Top, a low calorie high Protein ice cream like treat.
We aren't normal. We are people prone to morbid obesity. The surgery helps for a while during the honeymoon period by decreasing our appetite and food volume. As time goes by, the benefits are less effective. Sure, we still can't eat the volume like we could before, but it's easy to eat "around" our stomachs. Use the honeymoon period to cement good eating and exercise habits so when the inevitable does happen, you're that much more ahead.
If I don't eat nutritious, non processed food 90% of the time and move more, I gain weight. Our bodies fight to get back to where we were before, so it's our job to reset our metabolic clock to keep it from happening. The surgery also helps with that.
I've been as high as 15 pounds over my goal weight when I slacked off on my diet and exercise. It also took me months to lose it again, because for some reason our bodies want to hold on to it once we are in maintenance!
That being said, the short answer? Yes, you will need to be vigilant with your diet and exercise for the rest of your life if you want to keep the weight you lose off. Can you splurge once in a while? Absolutely! Just follow a 90/10 or 80/20 plan to where you're doing what you need to do 80 or 90% of the time. It's when it turns into 50/50 consistently is when we get into trouble

The irony of obese people who had to to resort to WLS judging other obese people who had to resort to WLS is staggering.
Obese is obese. Whether you're 250 pounds or 650 pounds, the struggles are basically the same.
Be humble and remember that.

Yes!
These poor souls who have eaten their way up to 500, 600, and 700 pounds obviously have severe emotional issues. They need intensive therapy before and after the surgery. Really, I feel it should be a requirement for ANY of us who are thinking about or have already had surgery. I think the rates of regain would drop dramatically.
In another note, I used to think Dr Now was kind of an ass, but apparently according to people who have seen him speak at the WLSFA conventions, he was very kind and actually cares very much for the well being and success of his patients. That was nice to hear.

Yes!
These poor souls who have eaten their way up to 500, 600, and 700 pounds obviously have severe emotional issues. They need intensive therapy before and after the surgery. Really, I feel it should be a requirement for ANY of us who are thinking about or have already had surgery. I think the rates of regain would drop dramatically.
In another note, I used to think Dr Now was kind of an ass, but apparently according to people who have seen him speak at the WLSFA conventions, he was very kind and actually cares very much for the well being and success of his patients. That was nice to hear.

Yes!
These poor souls who have eaten their way up to 500, 600, and 700 pounds obviously have severe emotional issues. They need intensive therapy before and after the surgery. Really, I feel it should be a requirement for ANY of us who are thinking about or have already had surgery. I think the rates of regain would drop dramatically.
In another note, I used to think Dr Now was kind of an ass, but apparently according to people who have seen him speak at the WLSFA conventions, he was very kind and actually cares very much for the well being and success of his patients. That was nice to hear.

The irony of obese people who had to to resort to WLS judging other obese people who had to resort to WLS is staggering.
Obese is obese. Whether you're 250 pounds or 650 pounds, the struggles are basically the same.
Be humble and remember that.

The irony of obese people who had to to resort to WLS judging other obese people who had to resort to WLS is staggering.
Obese is obese. Whether you're 250 pounds or 650 pounds, the struggles are basically the same.
Be humble and remember that.

I've been offended by some of the things I've seen on the show, sure. One of the things that bothers me is that it seems the patients are only advised to seek therapy after they've had the surgery and aren't complying well. The show kind of skips over all the preparatory steps we need to take--meeting with a nutritionist, for example.
Ultimately, though, if it's saved the lives of the people on it or people watching it, wonderful. Let the producers and TLC make money from it.

Clearly the people that appear on this show have no other way of getting the help that they need.

It is entertainment. That's what TLC does as a business. In exchange for entertaining others, you get a free life savings surgery that many doctors aren't willing to do. This entertainment has saved the lives of everyone who has appeared on the show, plus many others who were inspired to get it after watching. The entertainment is what subsidizes the cost of the surgery.

I was referring to some other comments

My point is not to judge people with weight problems, my point is to judge the makers of the show and their objectives.

I mean one must be considered OBESE aka fat (i'm talking love love relationship with Cookies, candies, pizza and tacos not just oh I have a little pudge) by a medical professional, go through appointment after appointment, literally have their stomach surgically removed- by at least 80%- then have the nerve to say oh well THOSE fat people are just lazy! That's crazy to me - my OPINION - if it was just about being lazy vs being "unlazy" (new word I just made up) then why not just stop being lazy????????? Its easy right?????? I've had a hard time with weight for a while and when I recently decided to take steps toward having the surgery I told myself "Enough is enough." I've lost weight before and gained again then lost again, was able to keep it stable for while and then regained again. Ultimately I realized that I need help...from a medical professional. I put my current weight-275 lbs but I certainly emphasize with the people on that show and people like them (except that one heffa frying chicken in her bed. she coulda burned down the house )- on this site because I thought this site would be a place where people would have a little more understanding of the whole "weight" issue and just how real and difficult it is and are here to support each other through it or be a motivation to those just starting out but some of these people are ... seriously!!!!!

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The irony of obese people who had to to resort to WLS judging other obese people who had to resort to WLS is staggering.
Obese is obese. Whether you're 250 pounds or 650 pounds, the struggles are basically the same.
Be humble and remember that.

And at 286 pounds you look unhealthy now.

The irony of obese people who had to to resort to WLS judging other obese people who had to resort to WLS is staggering.
Obese is obese. Whether you're 250 pounds or 650 pounds, the struggles are basically the same.
Be humble and remember that.

The irony of obese people who had to to resort to WLS judging other obese people who had to resort to WLS is staggering.
Obese is obese. Whether you're 250 pounds or 650 pounds, the struggles are basically the same.
Be humble and remember that.

The irony of obese people who had to to resort to WLS judging other obese people who had to resort to WLS is staggering.
Obese is obese. Whether you're 250 pounds or 650 pounds, the struggles are basically the same.
Be humble and remember that.

The irony of obese people who had to to resort to WLS judging other obese people who had to resort to WLS is staggering.
Obese is obese. Whether you're 250 pounds or 650 pounds, the struggles are basically the same.
Be humble and remember that.

The irony of obese people who had to to resort to WLS judging other obese people who had to resort to WLS is staggering.
Obese is obese. Whether you're 250 pounds or 650 pounds, the struggles are basically the same.
Be humble and remember that.