Read this today on the internet and it made such sense, its something all of the WLS people need to hear.

THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!!! By: Leilani Gibbs

That's the sentiment (scenario) that comes to mind sometimes when I hear some of the comments from people who've already had the surgery. In case you haven't made the connection, that's a line Tom Hanks made famous in the movie "A League Of Their Own." Resorting to tears or just giving up every time the going gets tough. Or your sick of taking vitamins, getting in protein is hard, water doesn't taste good, etc. That kinda' thinking is NOT going to make you successful or keep you healthy. ENOUGH already! It's time to LOVE yourself enough to get "TOUGH" with your aftercare. Your long term health is worth it!! Success comes with a backbone, NOT a wishbone!

First and foremost, you have to keep it POSITIVE. As with everything in life, if you think you can't - you WON'T! Simple enough? I have to wonder when "we" (as adults) finally take ownership for our actions, our life and our health? We have been given a gift, a second chance to actually LIVE life again instead of merely existing on the sidelines. It's up to each of us to do that as healthy and productively as possible.

We're ALL statistics waiting to happen and the insurance companies are chomping at the bit. The bean counters are eager to drop Weight Loss Surgery ("WLS") from the policies; some already have. Don't you know that any negative feedback thrown into the mix only strengthens their cause? I may not be able to control every thing that happens to my body after WLS, but most things I can.

I CHOOSE to take control and I will be a positive statistic when the numbers get counted.We live in a spoiled society, expecting everything in life to come with a buncha really cool choices. Well, guess what? When it comes to your health, you're not always going to get a choice. You either DO IT and stay healthy, or you DON'T and your body pays the price.

The way I saw it, I had a 90 day healing and adjusting period after surgery. My 'super morbidly obese' body had more than enough stores to survive the learning curve. In turn, it gave me plenty of time to heal, adjust and learn. For those of you OVER 90 days Post-Op, the probation period is over - its time to get serious and LIVE what you've learned.

* You say you can't get in enough liquids throughout the day, don't like the taste of water, or just keep forgetting? -- TOUGH! It's not an option anymore. Find a way to do it, get suggestions and tips from others in support groups, message boards, etc. Read, learn and JUST DO IT!! Why do you think there is a choice here?

* You say you don't like the big horse pill type vitamins, or the tart chalky chewables? ... it's just too many to bother with? Or maybe you just can't remember to take them? -- TOUGH! You gave up the option NOT to take vitamins when you agreed to have your insides rerouted. FIND a way to get them in; crushed, minced, chopped, liquified, in a shake, etc. No exceptions, your health depends on it.

* Protein is a must. So you can't get it all in via foods and you don't like the way the shakes taste? -- TOUGH! Either get it through your meals (and there are a gazillion food choices out there) or supplement it with protein shakes and bars. Trust me, I don't drink my protein shake every morning because I think it tastes like a chocolate blizzard from Dairy Queen. I've tried many varieties over the last 2 years. I'd even venture to say 25 of the top sellers/flavors have crossed my lips. For the record? I've yet to find one that is as 'delicious' as boasted by the distributor. So what. I still drink one every morning. My HEALTH dictates that I need "X" grams of protein per day. If I'm not getting enough from my meals then I supplement a shake. 'Nuff said.

This surgery is a gift, I owe it to me and everyone else fighting the approval process, to do it right! I will continue to choke down my vitamins, my water and my protein every single day, for the REST OF MY LIFE. Some days will be easier than others, regardless, no days will be missed. It's all about discipline. Create a routine, set a timer, develop a pattern, tie a string around your finger, glue a note on your forehead, whatever it takes. You're an adult - take responsibility! If this surgery doesn't slap a back bone into you, not much will.

@neversaynever I love this article so much and I agree with every word. Thank you for sharing it ??

Great article! This especially:

13 minutes ago, Neversaynever said:

Success comes with a backbone, NOT a wishbone!

I might have to needlepoint a sampler!

Quote

This surgery is a gift

A gift now? Not a tool?

(I personally think it's a surgical therapy that every obese person should be able to get if there are no contraindications but that opinion doesn't seem to be exactly en vogue.)

13 minutes ago, summerset said:

A gift now? Not a tool?

(I personally think it's a surgical therapy that every obese person should be able to get if there are no contraindications but that opinion doesn't seem to be exactly en vogue.)

Depends on perspective. I look on it as both a gift and a tool. Of the millions who want or need the surgery, I was actually able to receive the surgery. It's changed my life and actually given it back. I've very grateful to the tool/gift and team that did the surgery and have been my support along the way.

11 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

Depends on perspective. I look on it as both a gift and a tool. Of the millions who want or need the surgery, I was actually able to receive the surgery. It's changed my life and actually given it back. I've very grateful to the tool/gift and team that did the surgery and have been my support along the way.

I consider it a gift for the exact same reasons. Many others are not as fortunate.

Edited September 8, 20187 yr by Orchids&Dragons

53 minutes ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

I consider it a gift for the exact same reasons. Many others are not as fortunate.

My oldest son is 500+ lbs and I partly blame myself for not teaching him good eating habits when he was young. He is in his late 20's and desperately needs WLS. He is married with a 4 year old son of his own and I want to help him break this cycle by (me) going through this surgery and changing my eating habits in hopes that he will follow suit. I share with him something every day that I've learned about WLS and he is getting motivated. It's all a matter of money and or acceptance from insurance witch he has neither. If a person has the means to get this surgery and change their life, it is definitely first a gift and secondly a tool.

@Ed_NW does your son qualify for medicaid? Medicaid pays for bariatric surgery. Is he married? If not doesn't the ACA allow him to be on your insurance until age 26? Can he move to a nearby state that mandates insurance cover bariatrics? He is young enough to recover from moving/ changing jobs after he gets surgery to do everything possible to get surgery. Good luck to you both.

2 minutes ago, Sosewsue61 said:

@Ed_NW does your son qualify for medicaid? Medicaid pays for bariatric surgery. Is he married? If not doesn't the ACA allow him to be on your insurance until age 26? Can he move to a nearby state that mandates insurance cover bariatrics? He is young enough to recover from moving/ changing jobs after he gets surgery to do everything possible to get surgery. Good luck to you both.

He is married and has a 4 year old son. He does have a good paying job but no insurance. He has a mortgage and is settled in where he currently lives. He's actually the one that told me that there is a lot of people that get this surgery done in Mexico at an affordable cost. I've done a lot of research and am just recently becoming more comfortable with the idea of him getting it done there. He personally knows a few people that had their surgery done there and everything turned out fine. I think he's leaning in that direction.

And I also consider it a gift, a present I thought was unavailable to me. You see I am 72 and 2/3 years old. I was afraid life had passed me by, I was doomed to die obese , lonely and in pain. Then I heard of the lifeline of Bariatric surgery, was I strong enough to grab a hold on that line or let it go by like some things in my,life had? But I reached out trembling in August 2015, and although many twists, turns, roadblocks ensued. last Wednesday at 7AM my RNY,bypass was done, God Bless Dr Needleman and even more bless the principles of Bariatric medicine that gave me a chance I almost missed out on. As I recover, I am a little sore from,my 5 little holes and the intestinal prodding that went on. But,it friends, it is bare-able, every day that passes I will regain more strength, my days changed from gray and dismal to sunny and full,of hope.FYI,I did it under Medicare and Medicaid no deductables, no co-pays. Things are going to be good for even great grandma aged person. if I can rock it all you youngsters should be able to, come join me, Frustr8 in the journey of life!

This article...HELL TO THE YES!

Edited September 8, 20187 yr by Screwballski

awesome article

GREAT article. So much truth. Thank you @Neversaynever for posting it!!!

If I tried saying what the writer did It would come off in such a different way. In my head it would sound exactly like they wrote it but whoever I said it to would hate me because of the way it came out. Copy/paste the link to this anytime a new post on the issues mentioned is made.

10 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

Depends on perspective. I look on it as both a gift and a tool. Of the millions who want or need the surgery, I was actually able to receive the surgery. It's changed my life and actually given it back. I've very grateful to the tool/gift and team that did the surgery and have been my support along the way.

I was getting this surgery by hook or by crook... I was not falling down at the mercy of insurance companies. I don't know who does but they should fight harder/smarter...

7 hours ago, Frustr8 said:

And I also consider it a gift, a present I thought was unavailable to me. You see I am 72 and 2/3 years old. I was afraid life had passed me by, I was doomed to die obese , lonely and in pain. Then I heard of the lifeline of Bariatric surgery, was I strong enough to grab a hold on that line or let it go by like some things in my,life had? But I reached out trembling in August 2015, and although many twists, turns, roadblocks ensued. last Wednesday at 7AM my RNY,bypass was done, God Bless Dr Needleman and even more bless the principles of Bariatric medicine that gave me a chance I almost missed out on. As I recover, I am a little sore from,my 5 little holes and the intestinal prodding that went on. But,it friends, it is bare-able, every day that passes I will regain more strength, my days changed from gray and dismal to sunny and full,of hope.FYI,I did it under Medicare and Medicaid no deductables, no co-pays. Things are going to be good for even great grandma aged person. if I can rock it all you youngsters should be able to, come join me, Frustr8 in the journey of life!

I think it's time for a new name...

I find the article overbearing and obsessive.