I am about a year into a Bariatric program, and I'm really seeking some honest opinions and experiences with bariatric surgery. Has anyone had surgery before? Was it successful? Any regrets? Any advice? I want ALL the information I can get.
(Extra info on me...optional read lol)
I've been overweight most of my life, but I only found it to be troublesome within the past two years. Once my weight started changing how often I was active, or started changing how I felt about myself, that's when I knew I had to do something. I've been in the bariatric program now since February of 2013. I've had a LOT of time to work on myself as well as think about if this is the right choice for me. So far in the program I have done the following:
- Bariatric Seminar
- Updated Physical, OBGYN, Blood work etc
- Appointment for evaluation and acceptance into program
- Individual behavioral medicine meeting
- 6 mandatory behavioral medicine group meetings
- A "how-to" class on exercise
- Introduction to Nutrition Class
- 4 Nutritionist appointments
- 3 voluntary behavorial medicine meetings
What I have left to do:
- Meet my weight loss goal (at least 5% of body weight must be lost before surgery)
- Meet with the surgeon to decide what kind of surgery I want
- Nutrition Meeting about what to eat after surgery
- Surgery!
I think that I have some reservations because I'm already hearing that I'm taking the "easy way out" from people. That bothers me so much because I've been working hard for a year now, not to mention working hard my entire life to try and get this weight off. People seem to forget that surgery is a tool, not a cure-all.
I am thinking of getting the Gastric Sleeve, but I'd love to hear the opinions of anyone that has had surgery before and what they think. I'd also love to hear the opinions of people who haven't had the surgery on what they think of people who do, or what they think of it in general.
This is basically my last chance to really make a decision once and for all on the matter and I want to make sure it's the right one!
(Extra info on me...optional read lol)
I've been overweight most of my life, but I only found it to be troublesome within the past two years. Once my weight started changing how often I was active, or started changing how I felt about myself, that's when I knew I had to do something. I've been in the bariatric program now since February of 2013. I've had a LOT of time to work on myself as well as think about if this is the right choice for me. So far in the program I have done the following:
- Bariatric Seminar
- Updated Physical, OBGYN, Blood work etc
- Appointment for evaluation and acceptance into program
- Individual behavioral medicine meeting
- 6 mandatory behavioral medicine group meetings
- A "how-to" class on exercise
- Introduction to Nutrition Class
- 4 Nutritionist appointments
- 3 voluntary behavorial medicine meetings
What I have left to do:
- Meet my weight loss goal (at least 5% of body weight must be lost before surgery)
- Meet with the surgeon to decide what kind of surgery I want
- Nutrition Meeting about what to eat after surgery
- Surgery!
I think that I have some reservations because I'm already hearing that I'm taking the "easy way out" from people. That bothers me so much because I've been working hard for a year now, not to mention working hard my entire life to try and get this weight off. People seem to forget that surgery is a tool, not a cure-all.
I am thinking of getting the Gastric Sleeve, but I'd love to hear the opinions of anyone that has had surgery before and what they think. I'd also love to hear the opinions of people who haven't had the surgery on what they think of people who do, or what they think of it in general.
This is basically my last chance to really make a decision once and for all on the matter and I want to make sure it's the right one!