There is no get thin quick plan out there that will work long term. If you want to lose the weight and keep it off you just have to do the work. I think most people don’t want to do the work. Sitting around is definitely easier. Eating whatever you want is definitely easier. It’s about loving ourselves enough to want to make ourselves healthy and happier. I’m definitely happier now at 237 than I was at 378. Sure I’m not thin, but I’m healthy and still striving to be healthier.

I also have come to realize that if we don’t fix our minds we can never fix our bodies. It’s all about how we deal with ourselves and view ourselves. For me, it was realizing that anxiety held me prisoner and that it drove me to eat to stuff down my feelings. When I realized that taking a walk could feel as good (even better) than eating a pint of ice cream I was on my way.

Sure I still struggle, I go back to old ways sometimes and wanting the battle to be over. But it’s never going to be over, this is my life. I can either make it the best one I can or I can sit around feeding my face, killing myself. I am doing my best to learn to truly love myself. I think that is the bottom line.

I also think surrounding yourself with like minded people is what will help you stay on track. If you hide what you’re doing then you are just secretly telling yourself that you are going to fail so why bother. It’s about setting up a support system that will make it harder to fail than succeed.

I know I’ve gotten off track with this so I will get back to what I think about WLS. I think it’s a personal choice. I wouldn’t change having it done. I think it taught me many lessons. I think for the people that have it done they think they don’t have the power to do it on their own. I wish I could tell them all how powerful they really are. I think for me the exercise showed that to me. It showed me just how strong I am mentally and physically.

When people ask me about WLS I tell them what I think. I think if you have serious health problems and you need to get the weight off as quick as possible then it might be a solution. But I also tell them they need to be aware of the side affects (dumping, vomiting, etc). I think people that have WLS are so happy to be losing the weight the side affects seem worth it to them so they aren’t really honest about it.

I also tell people that therapy is something everyone can benefit from. We ALL have issues with ourselves so why not try to fix ourselves mentally as well as physically. I’ve been in therapy over 2 yrs now. I just go once a month but it really helps to keep me focused on what’s important to me and what I would like to change about myself and my life.

So I wouldn’t promote WLS but I also think people have to find things out for themselves. Hopefully they look into it enough to know what it’s all really about.

“Where are people weak and vulnerable?” they queried. “Aha! We shall hit them where it hurts: in the stomach!”

Thus they began battering individuals’ self-esteem, driving such people as felt insecure about being fat to the doors of the touted saviors, weight loss surgeons, cash or health insurance providers’ pre-certification in hand.

And the dough kept rolling in…

Do y’all ever just wonder why this stuff has to be so hard? Is this the price of living in a world with cars and chemo and antibiotics? Because if so, it’s one hell of a price; for so many people, it’s just stupid hard.

WLS is dieting enforced by reworking of the digestive tract. It is drastic and some folks do find it useful by letting them drop enough bulk that they can start working out, but seriously, someone who needs WLS to walk/shower/clean house probably also needs a physical therapist to help build muscle and ensure they’re using it properly.

Oh, and my solution to getting winded when walking was to get my asthma treated. Funny how being able to BREATHE improved my breathing better than any diet….

As for third-class health care in Mexico – these clinics and hospitals specifically recruit Americans, and apparently do a fine job of it. I know any number of people who have had a fine Mexican holiday with WLS right in the middle.

Only would they consider borrowing health care advice from the lowest denominator, for fat people.