Bizarre trend?

[swizzly 901]

The second point is that I see people asking questions sometimes that make it clear they don't know what they are in for. I'm talking about things like:

- I'm one week post-op and my doctor says liquids only. Can I have bread yet?

- I'm 6 days post op. can I get wasted on vodka yet?

- I don't really have to exercise do I?

- why am I hungry? I thought they cut the hunger out of my stomach!

- I can only hold down crystal light and haven't had anything else for three days! What should I do? (Obvious answer- ask your doctor, not an Internet forum)

I'm sorry if this seems like ranting but it makes me scared for those people.

I'm an info hoarder too -- I waited MANY years to pursue WLS until the VSG "clicked" as The One for me. So I'm also a researcher and did a lot of background studying for a long time. That said, the answers to the questions you posted above are NOT obvious and are not the same for all people, surgeons, countries.

- I'm one week post-op and my doctor says liquids only. Can I have bread yet?

The answer to that in my case would have been..."liquids only"?? There is no such thing. Of course you should eat bread!

- I'm 6 days post op. can I get wasted on vodka yet?

Alcohol wasn't expressly forbidden at all, though it was suggested to keep it a minimum for the first six months. But yeah, vodka in quantity on day six should be a fairly obvious NO. LOL.

- I don't really have to exercise do I?

No, you don't. Not at all. It's a good idea and good for your health -- but not required for weight loss.

- why am I hungry? I thought they cut the hunger out of my stomach!

I never lost my hunger either, despite being aware of the ghrelin gland thing. So I get why people ask about this one. There are enough people uninterested in food entirely, that when you're still hungry, you feel like u r doin it rong...

- I can only hold down crystal light and haven't had anything else for three days! What should I do? (Obvious answer- ask your doctor, not an Internet forum)

LOL. Agree. But it doesn't hurt to also ask the internet forum cos you will never find a critical mass of your people in real life as you will here!!

:-)

[No game 14,436]

Ok on this note I gotta get my fat ass up and exercise!!

[swizzly 901]

An example of the business aspect...

American's insatiable thirst for fast fixes and fast food has bred a multi-billion dollar weight loss industry. Fad diets, weight loss supplements, DVDs, and diet pills were only the beginning. Now, people are opting for elective surgery to lose weight fast. In recent years, ads for the "Lap Band" have sprung up all over the place, promising instant weight loss with zero work. The Lap Band procedure(advertised through 1-800-GET-THIN) is actually a serious surgical operation in which a ring is implanted inside the patient's gut to discourage eating. But while the company's ads show their selective clientele jumping for joy after having lost hundreds of pounds, Congress is not as thrilled. On Tues January 24, Rep. Henry Waxman and 2 other house members sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee urging that Congress investigate 1-800-GET-THIN and Allergan Inc., the manufacturer of the Lap Band.

WORD. I can't wait till those bas***ds get held accountable for their crappy medical device that is ineffective AND damages people's bodies. WTAF?? That crap needs to get pulled off the market and the makers sued. It's medical malpractice IMO. Grr.

[BuriedBombshell 63]

An example of the business aspect...

American's insatiable thirst for fast fixes and fast food has bred a multi-billion dollar weight loss industry. Fad diets' date=' weight loss supplements, DVDs, and diet pills were only the beginning. Now, people are opting for elective surgery to lose weight fast. In recent years, ads for the "Lap Band" have sprung up all over the place, promising instant weight loss with zero work. The Lap Band procedure(advertised through 1-800-GET-THIN) is actually a serious surgical operation in which a ring is implanted inside the patient's gut to discourage eating. But while the company's ads show their selective clientele jumping for joy after having lost hundreds of pounds, Congress is not as thrilled. On Tues January 24, Rep. Henry Waxman and 2 other house members sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee urging that Congress investigate 1-800-GET-THIN and Allergan Inc., the manufacturer of the Lap Band.

[/quote']

YES.....YES......YES!!!!

[Aubreanna 22]

My cousin wants to have the sleeve like I did but her mentality is all wrong. She is only like 40-50 lbs overweight and she thinks once (and if) she is approved, that she will have the surgery within a week. She doesn't understand all you have to do to prepare mentally and research it. I think this would make someone regret it if they did not fully educate themselves on what to expect and see it as a quick fix. Clearly, it is not easy to lose weight even with surgery. I'm 5 weeks post op with absolutely no regrets!! I made the right choice.

[paleal1107 14]

I have to say that I did so much research before I made this decision. I though for sure this is what I wanted. Then I had my surgery on April 9th. I never prepared myself for the recovery. That's what I regretted. The staples were unbearable because it was pulling on my skin. But once they took them out I was fine. Then you have your liquid diet. Let's just say I no longer like Soup. I'm sick and tired of it. Then I went to puree/mushy foods. And now I'm on my solids. I never though I would get here. I think that's what people are having problems with its the food portion of it. All you see is so many commercials of food. Food you can no longer eat. Then you have people who are inconsiderate and continuously offer you food you no longer can't eat. That is very frustrating. My journey has been a hard one. And honestly I don't ser it getting easier if I submit myself to the can't have, can't do attitudes. What makes it easy for me is that my husband has done this with me and we are going through this journey together. I started off from the beginning of my journey at 262 lbs, now I'm at 219 lbs. I no longer have diabetes and haven't taken medicines for it since after the surgery. I hope this helps answer the question on why people regret it.

[maharet111 544]

I didn't read all 13 pages..my only regret is now that I like working out I kind of lust after my personal trainer.

[swimmom 124]

I definitely see a lot of people on here with unrealistic expectations of WLS, and very little information going into the procedure. My surgeon requires that everyone attend one of his VERY REALISTIC seminars before he will even book your consultation. Then he wants everyone to attend the WLS support group meetings at our hospital a few times before surgery - that's when you meet and talk to many people at all different stages post-op - and you get a super realistic view of the post-op lifestyle, and how hard it can be sometimes. It was totally eye-opening for me, and I think it allowed me to go into the procedure with a very realistic picture of post-op life. I am 8 weeks out and TOTALLY HAPPY with my sleeve - but it is not easy in any way. I continue to go to that support group, now as a post-op person. Every month, we have some pre-op newbies attend, and I am sure we scare some of them off (and they don't end up going through surgery) - but I think it is better to go into this fully prepared for the real picture. I WILL tell you that I am very concerned about this huge trend for people to go to Mexico for surgery. I am not saying it is bad for everyone, and I certainly understand the issue of finances. However, I think that people choosing that route don't get enough pre-op prep, or post-op follow-up - and I think it can be a dangerous combination. My success and happiness, in large part, I think are because I had my eyes wide open going in, I was expecting and prepared for the negatives, and I can fully enjoy the positives!

[No game 14,436]

I didn't read all 13 pages..my only regret is now that I like working out I kind of lust after my personal trainer.

Girl next time I start a thread you better read all 13 pages!

Oh and remember once its in your mouth, you will swallow!

[Sweetcarol238 181]

My personal opinion....people think it is going to instant make them lose weight and don't realize how hard it actually is. It's not a fast cure, but a life long commitment.

[shelly13 27]

I was sleeved April 10th and I LOVE it. I would do it again in a heartbeat and highly recommend it to those considering WLS. I agree with the comments about not being prepared and just expect a magic bullet. It is definitely a lifestyle change but one I was completely happy to make. I had a few complications, nothing major (a car accident less than a week post-op didn't help things!) but this is one of the best decisions I have made.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

WORD. I can't wait till those bas***ds get held accountable for their crappy medical device that is ineffective AND damages people's bodies. WTAF?? That crap needs to get pulled off the market and the makers sued. It's medical malpractice IMO. Grr.

Of course I agree.. And can't even sum up the feelings I have in regards to this issue. I get too frustrated

[mandyrenee82 59]

I don't regret anything either. I had a few complications after surgery that made me regret it for a while. I had a major gout attack in my left knee and foot. Couldn't walk for almost 3 weeks. Now that I'm better, it's totally worth it. I couldn't do it on my own. No more insulin, bp meds cut down. It's wonderful. Hopefully no more gout attacks!

[hurley911 59]

Best decision of my life and I wish I would of done it sooner! I was tired and fed up of being fat and hungry all the time! Surgery was 4/2 and I have lost 44 lbs so far including 1 week pre op diet...it has not been easy but not horribly hard as I remind myself through photos how miserable I was not to mention depressed ---as I felt like I couldn't control the hunger! I have had to get creative with meals to keep me motivated but find it entertaining when I find something healthy and yummy!! I have used the Emilybites.com website for new ideas... My family even requests the meals I make from the website!! Any way happy sleever here!!! How bad do you want it? I feel that is what it comes down to for me to get through the hard times... Oh ya and my cravings are gone!

[JerseyGirl68 1,172]

I have to say that I did so much research before I made this decision. I though for sure this is what I wanted. Then I had my surgery on April 9th. I never prepared myself for the recovery. That's what I regretted. The staples were unbearable because it was pulling on my skin. But once they took them out I was fine. Then you have your liquid diet. Let's just say I no longer like Soup. I'm sick and tired of it. Then I went to puree/mushy foods. And now I'm on my solids. I never though I would get here. I think that's what people are having problems with its the food portion of it. All you see is so many commercials of food. Food you can no longer eat. Then you have people who are inconsiderate and continuously offer you food you no longer can't eat. That is very frustrating. My journey has been a hard one. And honestly I don't ser it getting easier if I submit myself to the can't have, can't do attitudes. What makes it easy for me is that my husband has done this with me and we are going through this journey together. I started off from the beginning of my journey at 262 lbs, now I'm at 219 lbs. I no longer have diabetes and haven't taken medicines for it since after the surgery. I hope this helps answer the question on why people regret it.

I'm so sorry you are struggling. The mental aspects are the hardest. I know that every time I got past a hurdle (pre-op diet, liquid diet, pureed... ) I took it as a personal victory. Try not to succumb to the "Can't... Simply because you DID. You DID get past the staple issue. You DID get past liquids. All you baby! You're off your meds. All victories. I never think of foods I will never have. Because there are none. I CAN have whatever I want. I choose to have what is best for me. I had to have a talk with my mom. Good ole Irish, Catholic, never-met-a-cake she didn't like mom. She never had a weight issue her entire life. I guess I fully waded into my dad's gene pool. Anyway, cannot help herself and tries to feed us all (I have 9 brothers & sisters) Every time I was at her house, she offered food with a statement "you have to eat SOMETHING" About 2 weeks ago we were talking and she asked if any of this process was hard on me. I was honest and told her that her kitchen, the source of soooo many fantastic meals and a never ending supply of cakes and Cookies on the table had a visceral reaction from me. I have been to favorite restaurants and not been triggered. Her kitchen does it a lot to me. Her insistence that I eat, didn't make it easier (she kept making suggestions when I said "no thanks" ) I reminded her that there was no way I had ever in my life not gotten enough to eat. lol I told her I had a handle on it and she has WAY more to offer me than a snack when I'm there. I think it got through. Her intentions were always the best and I know that.

My biggest wish for you is that it gets easier for you. I am also very happy that you have the support necessary. Congratulations on your successes so far!!