I'm very interested in WLS but then part of me things I can fool myself into pretending I've had it. Has anyone changed their mind about having the surgery after doing the pre-op diet and having success or just even playing a mind trick on yourself? Curious. Thank you!

I’m not sure how many people would frequent a support site meant for bariatric surgery patients if they were able to “trick” themselves in this manner.

For most people that have come to the point of needing surgery to help fight our obesity, we have already tried diets, pills, and “tricks”. Surgery is often what we feel is a last resort and not undertaken lightly.

You cannot fool your body into thinking you have had WLS, there are proven metabolic changes that happen.

A liquid preoperative diet is non sustainable for any human, WLS not withstanding.

It sounds like you have a lot of research and thinking to do before you make a decision regarding your health choices. Good luck to you.

3 hours ago, Panda333 said:

I'm very interested in WLS but then part of me things I can fool myself into pretending I've had it. Has anyone changed their mind about having the surgery after doing the pre-op diet and having success or just even playing a mind trick on yourself? Curious. Thank you!

As above WLS is a very serious commitment, a huge decision not to be taken lightly.

It's totally up to the individual if you choose surgery or not.

Also as above most of us have spent years dealing with diets and yoyo-ing with weight loss and hit a brick wall to where there's no other option but to invest in WLS and a whole new way of life!!

Like most people I've been researching all the different surgeries and complications and the good vs the bad for months now!

When you've been through 20 years dealing with weight issues and body image and social cruelty and going through school life being put down and never having a real girlfriend then WLS is definitely a serious option so that I can finally get my life back on track and live longer!

It is definitely not an easy or simple process at all..

Tnx

I tried tricking my mind several years ago with a meditation CD that actually walked you through mock WLS. Spoiler alert: it didn't work. If I was able to lose and maintain weight by mental tricks or any other means then I would not be on this forum. I have never heard of anyone going through the pre-op process and diet with the intention of forgoing surgery in lieu of "tricking" the mind. If you have the spare time, money, and energy required to jump through the pre-op hoops then I recommend investing it in something that you intend to follow through with.. whether or not it is weight loss related.

Nope...no tricks
You need to be ready and fully committed

I honestly had the same thought during the pre-op diet. But I also thought back to previous times I'd dieted. Without an additional tool (WLS), I'd never been able to keep at it for long. So, even though I lost a lot during pre-op, I also knew that there was a 0% chance I would be able to live long term like I did on the pre-op diet (which was only liquids - shakes and yogurt, basically). Frankly, nor did I want to.

My pcp saw me through 6 monthly appts to fulfill my insurance requirement. The surgery was her suggestion to begin with and she had a lot of experience with patients doing their 6 month pre-op appts. She did say she had a few people decide not to do the surgery after successfully losing weight during the 6 months. She did not say what their long term success was. I had to lose only a couple of pounds each month to keep my insurance criteria right so I didn't bust my butt and lose anything more than a few pounds monthly. My surgeon did not require any diet pre-surgery except the day before surgery fast soni didn't have any big losses to make me think I could do it on my own instead.