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.

16 minutes ago, sharonintx said:

I find the article overbearing and obsessive.

May I ask obsessive in what way?

8 minutes ago, 2shea said:

May I ask obsessive in what way?

WLS is not a gift. It's a choice. A tool yes, but not a gift. Whether we chose it for health or vanity reasons it is still a choice. To have someone tell us too bad if you don't want to drink your water, too bad if you don't like vitamins etc. is ridiculous. This is not daycare. For whatever reason, having WLS is a choice. I don't know about everyone else but reading a long-winded article about what our actions will be no matter if we like it or not is much like listening to politicians on the news. I'd sooner drink a gallon of water and wash down a couple dozen vitamins before I'd pay any attention to a presumptuous windbag of an article. If you choose WLS then you also make your choices thereafter.

To me if I view it as a gift, it's because of the fact that these surgeries exist. The fact that we had the surgery was a choice. With making that choice we chose to do what we had to do to succeed. After the fact, what we have to do becomes the next choice. What I got from the article was if you know what you have to do to succeed, whether it be crushing pills or drinking protein shakes ( Other methods for those that cannot physically do that) get over your complaining/crying and make the choice to do them. Otherwise your making the choice to fail.

I personally found it motivational and again thank you @Neversaynever for posting it.

I think of it as both a gift and a tool. It is, of course, a tool that is in my toolbox for losing weight. It will be driving the bus for the next year and all of the weight I lose will be because of the surgery. After that, it's on me. It is also a gift, for me, because of all of the other abdominal surgeries I have had on my intestines, I never thought that I was a candidate for the surgery. I went to the original seminar back in March with the intention that I would have the surgery if they say I can, but that I would do the diet plan no matter what. Here I am three days post-op and I'm very happy that I could do it.

I get that for you @sharonintx it is overbearing and obsessive, but for me, it is well-written and to the point. I CHOSE to have this surgery. It is up to me to make sure I do not fail.

This is a godsend. Thanks for posting this!

I c

On 09/08/2018 at 08:18, Neversaynever said:

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.

Rlpeach@gmail.com

13 hours ago, GreenTealael said:

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...

I agree 100%. When it comes to life or death (witch is the case for most people facing this surgery), you do what you have to do. I like your spirit.

I love this article. In fact, I just set daily alarms for my calcium since I have been forgetting.

I can't comment on the insurance aspect in the article. In the UK, fewer people have insurance. You either wait a long time to have the surgery with the National Health Service or pay to go private.

However, I have split feelings about the content and tone of the article.

I agree that we have to take responsibility for our health and not expect someone to wave a magic wand over us. If people pander to our weaknesses, they do us no good.

But getting a 'kick up the butt' doesn't motivate everyone - it can make them feel oppressed or even rebellious. Concerned but firm encouragement can work just as well.

But I accept that some people may find the disciplinarian approach motivating.

Edited September 9, 20187 yr by looly

25 minutes ago, looly said:

I can't comment on the insurance aspect in the article. In the UK, fewer people have insurance. You either wait a long time to have the surgery with the National Health Service or pay to go private.

However, I have split feelings about the content and tone of the article.

I agree that we have to take responsibility for our health and not expect someone to wave a magic wand over us. If people pander to our weaknesses, they do us no good.

But getting a 'kick up the butt' doesn't motivate everyone - it can make them feel oppressed or even rebellious. Concerned but firm encouragement can work just as well.

It might of came across better if the sentiment were more introspective and less preachy.

23 minutes ago, looly said:

However, I have split feelings about the content and tone of the article.

It's your usual "Oh-I-am-so-tough-and-YOU-can-be-oh-so-tough-too" standard internet pep talk that's quite popular in the whole dieting and fitness community.

Some people love it, others hate it, I roll my eyes and sigh at it.

tahoegirl96118@hotmail.com

Why take anything in a literal sense? You read an article like this and you adapt it to fit what works for you. If there is nothing that works for you and you "Completely" disagree disregard it all together. Obviously with so many variations from one persons program to the next there is no set method of success. You come to sites like this and read what works for others and what fails for some. Compare it to your situation and use what works and learn what to do if something is failing for you. Pass that information along so in the end we can all make better choices to help us succeed.

Edited September 9, 20187 yr by J San

2 hours ago, J San said:

Why take anything in a literal sense?

I took it literally because there didn't seem to be anything metaphorical about it. Don't mind me - I'm just being facetious!

But I do agree with you - if you don't like an article, pass on and ignore it, because someone else might find it useful. I was jut putting an alternative point of view.