I recently read an article on Facebook about weight Loss. In it the author emphatically said "weight loss is in a person's control." There are no outside factors to weight gain except that fat people are lazy and eat to much. They firmly believed this and dismissed any medical evidence negating this. Medical evidence such as genes, thyroid disease, PCOS, or other factors such as medications and environment. The author firmly stated "You want to lose weight? Shut your mouth and exercise. No one is going to help you, not God, not a personal trainer, no one." At the end of the "article" was a plug from the author trying to sell a $7000.00 weight loss system.
As ridiculous as most of the article was, there was some good points. To really lose weight, you need to want to lose weight. You have to have dedication to lose weight. Be dedicated to a work out schedule, to a new way of eating. You need to put in hard work, sweat, tears, and blood to lose weight. No one can do that for you. Even those of us who chose to use the tool of weight lose surgery. The surgeon doesn't go in, cut out the stomach and viola! Skinny. If only it was that easy. It's not, I have watched My 600 pound life, I have talked to patients who have had LapBand, The sleeve, and RNY.
In fact I am on month four of a six month process to be approved for surgery. (More on this later)
To qualify for the surgery first you need your regular doctor to refer to the program. Dr. C and I have had many conversations about my weight, and different options. Weight Loss was something we both wanted me to check out. Most places have some sort of surgery seminar or meeting where they go through the surgery. From there I need to meet with dietitians and nurse practitioner every month, once a month for six months. There s also some sort of therapy component to the program. (I had to go once, do a test, and talk to the therapist.) There is blood tests, and sleep tests, and meetings with occupational or physical therapist, there is documentation of everything. Including everything I put into my mouth. There are vitamin regiments you need to start that you will be on the rest of your life. This is just the approval process.
There is pre-operation which in most cases includes a liver shrinking diet, as well as a liquid diet for a certain amount of time. Then surgery- major surgery with at least a 1-2 night hospital stay, followed by more liquid diet, more therapy, walking daily.
If you are a woman in child bearing years, you become instantly insanely fertile. Your body is going through major changes, so most programs do not want you to get pregnant with in the first 18-24 months. My personal program is I am required to go on 2 forms of birth control for two years. The plan at this time is Mirena inserted at the same time as my surgery.
Patients put their lives on hold for this surgery. It is a major commitment, and major life change, for essentially a tool to HELP with weight loss. As a patient you need to be 100% committed to the program and have faith in the process.
Faith... You hear this word probably on a daily basis. "Have faith in the process." "I rely on my faith." "Have faith in me." But what does faith mean? According to dictonary.com there are two meanings of the word faith. 1.) complete trust or confidence in someone or something. 2.) Strong belief in God, or in the doctrines of a religion based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.
To lose weight or get healthy, you do need to believe in whatever program you chose to help you with your weight lose. There are many to chose from. Currently I am in the process of getting approved for weight loss surgery. I am eating less carbs, drinks less soda, eating more veggies, choosing low fat over high fat. I am also reading "The Obesity Code" by Jason Fung. This book makes so much sense to me. This summer I was doing "Lazy Keto." By have switched to something similar only with out such high fat content. I've lost 25 pounds since January. Its a slow process but I believe in it. I have faith in it.
You need to believe in your ability to exercise- to some degree. I fake it till I make it. I do water aerobics several times a week, I love it! It is hard for me, but I keep putting one foot in front of the other. Depending on the teacher it can be extremely intense.
I have faith that along with good food choices, my exercises is going to help improve my health.
I have faith that God may help me. He is not magically melting pounds off of me, that is not what I mean. But every time I feel discouraged, or upset. I say a little prayer. "God help me have the will power to make it through." I mutter this, and soon I find myself being complimented on my weight loss, or my increased energy. Something small, but something that gives me a little boost. Just like a little wink from God.
So truth time.
I've posted this on my Facebook page, so I apologize if you read this already.
This summer I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and high blood pressure. Dr. C told me I would not make it to forty if I didn’t make some serious changes. I have. I’ve been trying to stay away from soda, and carbs, and exercising more.
I’ve done a lot of thinking and praying and have decided that I am going to do the RNY bariatric surgery. I am in the program now. My insurance has a ton of crazy requirements, so once I meet these the program will submit to my insurance for approval or denial. This will be around January. I am hoping I can have my surgery either late February or Early March.
I know some may feel this is the easy way, but believe me it’s not. I have to do a ton of things to even just get approved. It’s a tool to help me lose weight. A tool that I have faith in. I have faith in my doctors, and in my team to help me through this.
The next year or so will be super emotional for me. It’s an emotional process. I will need a ton of support as it will be a totally different lifestyle then what I am used to. Family support is crucial to the program and they encourage family/friends to be an active part of the process. So if you ever want to come to meetings or appointments please let me know.
Please follow this blog with me on my journey.
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