Questions/concerns about the lifetime commitment...

[JupiterinVirgo 846]

It is that aspect of permanence that appeals to most of us who have had the surgery, I think. I cannot say how many times I have thought to myself, this is not a diet I can just go off. I permanently changed my anatomy. And then I feel a rush of relief, because I know that it means that even if I have a bad day, but I fall into an old habit temporarily, it does not derail my long-term goals. Before I had the surgery, if I made a weight-loss effort and screwed up at some point, that was usually the end. And, in the beginning it most certainly feels like a very artificially imposed relationship with food, but as time goes on it's feels a little more natural, and it's not as bad as it seems like it's going to be right after surgery LOL.

I think it is also important to remember that the bariatric gospel given by most bariatric surgical offices, is not the end all, be all of weight loss, and some of those rules might not be appropriate for you personally. To me, it is not sustainable to follow thousand was the day on how to eat and what to eat and all that jazz. I don't do it. And my weight-loss has been extremely successful so far. I do what's right for me. I can eat and drink together as long as I pace myself properly. I can use a straw without any problems. There are still a lot of foods that are very uncomfortable for me to eat, but I find I sold them have an appetite anyway. But it is a sacrifice, about that you actually correct. And you do have to be sure and profoundly OK with the sacrifice you are making in exchange for a golden opportunity to improve the quality of your life over the long term.

Edited April 26, 2016 by JupiterinVirgo

[JMarshall 352]

I will have my 5 year anniversary in November this year. The quick answer is sadly another question... Are you committed to a life time of yo yo dieting and health problems? It's a hard choice to have a life altering surgery but take it from me it is worth it. After almost 5 years I have lost myself literally. I went from 540 to 265. And 90 percent of my health issues have vanished( unfortunately Wieght loss does not cure MS) .my life has been on the upswing, new jobs and will be engaged soon. I traded my love for food in for a new found love for life and when I look back I have zero regrets. My aunt had the surgery 2 years after I had my surgery and she hasn't looked back either. You can message me If you have any questions .hopefully this helps.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using the BariatricPal App

[theantichick 2,204]

I will have my 5 year anniversary in November this year. The quick answer is sadly another question... Are you committed to a life time of yo yo dieting and health problems? It's a hard choice to have a life altering surgery but take it from me it is worth it. After almost 5 years I have lost myself literally. I went from 540 to 265. And 90 percent of my health issues have vanished( unfortunately Wieght loss does not cure MS) .my life has been on the upswing, new jobs and will be engaged soon. I traded my love for food in for a new found love for life and when I look back I have zero regrets. My aunt had the surgery 2 years after I had my surgery and she hasn't looked back either. You can message me If you have any questions .hopefully this helps.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using the BariatricPal App

Congrats!!

To be clear, it's not the permanence I was having an issue with. It was the thought that it would be a permanent change requiring a very unnatural eating plan forever. I had the thought that the eating 3 months or 6 months out was what you stuck with forever. If that were the case, it would be like exchanging one eating disorder for another. Everyone here has helped me get a better picture of what the eating looks like 2 or 3 or 5 years out, and it looks very different from what I'd envisioned. It's super helpful to get input from people who have been living with it long term. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences.

[JMarshall 352]

I will have my 5 year anniversary in November this year. The quick answer is sadly another question... Are you committed to a life time of yo yo dieting and health problems? It's a hard choice to have a life altering surgery but take it from me it is worth it. After almost 5 years I have lost myself literally. I went from 540 to 265. And 90 percent of my health issues have vanished( unfortunately Wieght loss does not cure MS) .my life has been on the upswing, new jobs and will be engaged soon. I traded my love for food in for a new found love for life and when I look back I have zero regrets. My aunt had the surgery 2 years after I had my surgery and she hasn't looked back either. You can message me If you have any questions .hopefully this helps.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using the BariatricPal App

Congrats!!

To be clear, it's not the permanence I was having an issue with. It was the thought that it would be a permanent change requiring a very unnatural eating plan forever. I had the thought that the eating 3 months or 6 months out was what you stuck with forever. If that were the case, it would be like exchanging one eating disorder for another. Everyone here has helped me get a better picture of what the eating looks like 2 or 3 or 5 years out, and it looks very different from what I'd envisioned. It's super helpful to get input from people who have been living with it long term. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences.

For the most part I can eat anything... Just not a lot of it. The only thing I have problems with is steak. Steak is heavy and sits with me but other than that I can eat normal food.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using the BariatricPal App

[BariatricBetty24 18]

Thank you to TheAntiChick for posting these questions and to everyone else for heir replies. I too am in the PreOp phase. I am taking the Options courses through Kaiser and I am seeing a therapist to deal with my enotional eating issues and generalized anxiety. I haven't decided yet for sure whether or not I want to go ahead with the surgery but this post and the replies are very helpful. Just wanted to say Thank you to everyone.

[Killian 270]

Congrats!!To be clear, it's not the permanence I was having an issue with. It was the thought that it would be a permanent change requiring a very unnatural eating plan forever. I had the thought that the eating 3 months or 6 months out was what you stuck with forever. If that were the case, it would be like exchanging one eating disorder for another. Everyone here has helped me get a better picture of what the eating looks like 2 or 3 or 5 years out, and it looks very different from what I'd envisioned. It's super helpful to get input from people who have been living with it long term. [emoji4] I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. [emoji4]

This is the exact reason this thread is one of the best. I felt the same way as Theantichick described and everyone has helped envision the next 4 or 5 years out.Thanks everyone!Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using BariatricPal mobile app

[auntb1 52]

Well, I am only 3 months out, but I certainly have noticed that my tastes in food have changed! And that is a simple fact. I want to eat fish 3 or 4 times a week. pizza smells good but the thought of swallowing it--uh, no. Before the surgery I worried about not having my favorite comfort foods in medicinal quantities, but so far it's sort of a non-issue because I have new favorites now, better ones. And of course my moderation-helper (mini-stomach). Don't throw hand grenades into the future.