Re: Long Plateau!!!

June 4, 2001

Beth, I do wish you luck and I send my love. There's no words I can offer.

You've reasoned all this out, you tried all you know to try. This is not in your

hands to do anything about. I'm not going to minimize your pain. I'm not going

to send you some platitude...you've read all that, you've heard all that and

you're still stuck at a weight that is unacceptable and I'm sorry for that on

your behalf.

Please know that I care about you and how you are feeling. And I am sincerely

praying that something will change for you to make it possible for you to lose

more weight!

Flo

> ** Original Subject: RE: Re: Long Plateau!!!

> ** Original Sender: " Beth " <MGBethie@...>

> ** Original Date: Tue, 05 Jun 2001 10:45:03 -0600

> ** Original Message follows...

>

> Dear Dinah:

> I completely understand what you are feeling. I am so upset with

> my weight loss also. I hate writing that here though because I

> know it will be forwarded to other people and I could be used as

> a pawn in an ugly game but I feel I should speak my " truth "

> I had my surgery just one week before you. I weighed in at

> around 360 - 370... I really never knew exactly how much

> because I could not find a scale that went over 350.

>

> I have lost between 100 - 115 pounds (I usually quote the most

> optimistic figures) while the post ops who had surgery my same

> week and weighed in at 350 or above......have all lost 130 - 150. I

> haven't lost anything in over a month and I have gained 2

> pounds.

>

> I sit here at my desk crying because I have no way to pay for a

> revision that I am beginning to feel I must have if I ever want to be

> under 200. I am sure....without a doubt that yours, mine and the

> other slow losers....simply did not get enough bowel bypassed

> and perhaps were left with to large of a pouch. I believe we did

> not get the best of the surgery we signed up for.

>

> I have spent a major amount of " real " time with MGB post-ops

> and I can tell you that the ones who have lost fast and steady are

> NOT consistently doing anything different from us " slow losers. "

> The ones I know (on average) eat like me, work out like me, and

> lose way better than me.

>

> Some of you might be reading this and say....Beth get real, you

> have lost over 100 pounds in 10 months...that is the same or

> better than Me!

> Yeah well you started out at 270.....NOT 370! You are now in the

> 170's......and I am at where you were when you felt as if you were

> dying from morbid obesity =(

> You are shopping in " regular " stores wearing " regular " sizes and

> planning for your tummy tucks. I am wearing your " before "

> clothes.

> Yeah yeah but you started out 100 pounds more than me. Yes, I

> did, and I was told I would lose faster than you because of that.

> A body that weighs 370 pounds burns much more than a body

> that weighs 270. Just breathing I would lose more.

> Believe me I have heard and thought about all these

> arguments... and then some. And maybe I am jumping the gun

> to call my MGB a failure. I have lost at least 100 pounds.....and

> as I said in an earlier post....I feel sooo much better than I did

> before my surgery and I would gladly march in for a revision

> because my MGB was so easy compared to what I expected.

>

> But ohhh how my pride is damaged....how I feel like a

> failure......how I can't bare to look in my husband's eyes and tell

> him that we mortgaged our home for a surgery that did not

> completely work for me. How I dread living the rest of my life as

> an obese person who failed at losing the weight even after she

> had her stomach cut out and her bowels bypassed!!!! You can't

> get much more of a " fat gross weak willed slob " than that!....or

> can I?

>

> And for those of you copying this letter to ....SHAME ON

> YOU! What I am feeling and what went wrong (if anything) with

> my MGB has NOTHING to do with her crusade. It does not mean

> the MGB is a bad surgery....just the opposite.....it is such a good

> surgery that I am more than willing to have it again!!!!!

>

> However, I wish that Dr. R had a more precise way to judge the

> amount of intestine he bypasses. I truly feel this is the key; And

> hope he finds a way to maximize the bypass so that other post

> ops do not feel the mental torture that Dinah and myself live.

>

> Sorry for being such a sore loser =), especially to all you

> newbies.....cause I know that no matter how fast you lose you

> still worry that this could be your story. With all my heart, I wish I

> were one of the poster girls for the MGB. I am ashamed to be

> this statistic and I am sorry.

> Dinah....please be kind to yourself (kinder than I am to myself

> lol)....you are doing the best you can do with what you have!

> Believe that!

> I have upped my workouts and am keeping a food diary in hopes

> that I can write you all a post on my year anny and

> say....Ooopppsss I was soooo silly for worrying and whining like

> I did.....Wish me luck!

>

> Thanks for reading me.

> Beth in Florida

> MGB 8/10/00

>

> > From: Dinah Boatwright

> > @y...

> > Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 10:23 PM

> > Subject: Long Plateau!!!

> >

> > My plateau has lasted since Jan 30th, 2000. I had surgery on

> Aug 16,

> > 2000 and have lost a total of 50#'s. I do not feel I eat too

> much, or

> > the wrong things. I exercise more than I used too, but not as

> much as

> > I think I should. I have tried protein drinks religiously. I have

> > recently tried to " diet " ! I don't know why, it never worked for me

> > before, but I feel I must do something to lose more weight! I

> was

> > always afraid I would be one of the ones to fail at losing

> weight

> > after surgery, I am beginning to believe it may be true now! It

> is

> > very depressing and I try not to dwell on it. Doesn't work very

> well

> > though. We went swimming at a friend house this weekend

> and she e-

> > mailed me some pics she took around the pool. THAT was

> really

> > depressing...I thought I had made some real progress, but it

> seems

> > the pics speak the real truth. Sorry to rain on everyone's

> parade but

> > I needed to unload! Too much going on right now to keep this

> all to

> > myself! Sorry.

> > Dinah

> >

June 5, 2001

Cheryl, You said it so well. I'm 13 months out and down 90 pounds and I have

made a definite commitment to myself NEVER to be 212 pounds again. The WW

program is good and sensible and I also know I had a horrible time doing

without this surgery and now it is sooo muchhh easier. I keep before,

during and after pic on my desk and my bathroom mirror. It is truly an eye

opener. I took care of a heart patient 10 months ago and yesterday her

family said they would not have recognized me it they had seen me on the

street. Oh how wonderful.

Take care and God bless

Deb in WY

June 5, 2001

Dinah,

Hi, I usually get blasted for this, but I'm going to tell you anyway. Put away

your scales for awhile. Let your body workout it's own weight loss schedule and

keep up the good work with your exercise. I know this is hard for alot of

folks, but it is worth not getting depressed. That's no fun. HUGS

aW

MGB 5/28/00

214/117 lbs

Long Plateau!!!

My plateau has lasted since Jan 30th, 2000. I had surgery on Aug 16,

2000 and have lost a total of 50#'s. I do not feel I eat too much, or

the wrong things. I exercise more than I used too, but not as much as

I think I should. I have tried protein drinks religiously. I have

recently tried to " diet " ! I don't know why, it never worked for me

before, but I feel I must do something to lose more weight! I was

always afraid I would be one of the ones to fail at losing weight

after surgery, I am beginning to believe it may be true now! It is

very depressing and I try not to dwell on it. Doesn't work very well

though. We went swimming at a friend house this weekend and she e-

mailed me some pics she took around the pool. THAT was really

depressing...I thought I had made some real progress, but it seems

the pics speak the real truth. Sorry to rain on everyone's parade but

I needed to unload! Too much going on right now to keep this all to

myself! Sorry.

Dinah

June 5, 2001

In a message dated 6/5/01 10:48:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time, MGBethie@...

writes:

> However, I wish that Dr. R had a more precise way to judge the

> amount of intestine he bypasses. I truly feel this is the key; And

> hope he finds a way to maximize the bypass so that other post

> ops do not feel the mental torture that Dinah and myself live.

>

It has to be hard to be a doctor they are expected to know everything -

basically play God however they are only human!!! This same problem

unfortunatley exists with RNY as well. It is not an exact science each of our

bodies responds differently to what is done to it - our metablisms are

different, or genetics are different there are many other factors at play

here in addition to the amount that was bypassed and the size of the tummy.

June 5, 2001

Cheryl---If you need any help with WW let me know ---- I have LOTS of

recipes!

on

Re: Long Plateau!!!

> Dinah,

>

> I have experienced a long plateau too. As I posted I am trying WW's to end

> this and to train me to eat healthy. Something I have never really done in

> my life. I am focusing on that as much as possible so that it becomes a

> lifestyle and a " weigh " of life. That is the only way I think I will be

> successful in NOT regaining weight. I think it has been said that after

this

> surgery we cannot regain our weight but I know that is not true. I think

if

> we eat too much and choose poorly, after the first couple of years, we

will

> regain weight. Just my opinion. I have made a committment to myself NOT to

> do this. The new WW's point system teaches you that its okay to eat

> something sweet or fattening, you just need to adjust your caloric intake

to

> take this into consideration. Makes too much sense to me. At 384 I could

> never have done this and been successful. Just too far to go for too long

> and I wasn't in the right mindset. Now I am mentally and physically more

> prepared to make this program work. I know I can't rely on my MGB for

life,

> to keep my weight off. It is a tool and I have to use it along with good

> common sense.

>

> I put some before pictures on my refridgerator as a gentle reminder.

Maybe

> you could put one by your scales. I know that when I look at that picture

I

> gain some peace and some confidence. I also experience a lot of gratitude.

>

> I won't blast someone for putting away their scales but for me personally

> they are my checks and balances NOT to regain. If I find myself up, I know

> I'm eating poorly. I am predisposed for obesity and I believe I have the

fat

> gene in me so I have to be acutely aware of where I am all the time. As I

> said, I am committed not to regain.

>

> I've been losing for so long, over two years, that I think my body has

> adjusted and is holding on to the weight for dear life. I know that it

will

> be slow now and that's okay. As long as I am maintaining or not losing, I

> don't freak.. All I want now is to drop 30 lbs and learn to eat healthy. A

> novel idea for me ... haha....

>

> Take care and my best wishes to you,

>

> Cheryl

>

June 5, 2001

Hi Cheryl,

I have been on WW since day one - I think the most important thing for me is

to learn something about my eating habits, etc. I don't snack without

thinking about it first - if I am hungry I will eat something but I make

good choices. I weigh in tonight but should be done about 85 pounds since

surgery (8 months ago yesterday). I have gotten quite a few negative

comments about my staying with WW but I believe it gives me the " assurance "

(if there is such a thing) that if I eat within my points range (which I do

almost every day - some days over some days under) I will make it to my goal

(regardless of whether or not the surgery " worked " for me) and will be able

to stay there. I look (and have always looked at) the MGB as a tool which

allowed me to eat smaller portions and therefore control my intake. WW is

what has and will continue to teach me what to do with the food itself!

E.mail me privately at jwmson1@... and let me know what kinds of

things you are interested in - I have a lot of things in Wordpad and can

send you a zip file (that way we won't be tying up the list!).

Let me know how the weigh-in goes!

Re: Long Plateau!!!

> ,

>

> Sounds great. I'd love some recipes. Are you doing it now? Tonights the

big

> one week weigh-in. The pressure is on.... haha..... I've done well, have

> stayed within my point range and actually banked a few....

>

> Cheryl

>

June 5, 2001

,

Why would anyone be against your learning how to cook and eat healthy?

GEEZ..some people need a life. I think it's GREAT. I love to look up lowfat

recipes, especially crock pot recipes that are without fat or close!

I am not a member of WW but a woman in my water aerobics class is and I may

start going with her because I love learning positive things!

Hugs and keep your chin up...there is never anything wrong with bettering

ourselves! Especially if you have family that don't have the benefit of our

tummies!

HUGS

in ark

3-08

322-257

June 5, 2001

Beth,

I am going to come kick your butt! 115 pounds in 10 months?

What are you thinking?????? That is wonderful, your right on track.

Sure some people lose faster and some don't.

Compare yourself to your past experiences did you lose slow or fast did you

eat candy bars and chips while you were on those diets? NOT! I love you

Bethie you are one of my Favorites, please don't do this to yourself!

Believe me I know where you are coming from but listen to this and use it,

You can think positive and hope and pray for the best possible out come, you

can reach your goal in time, enjoy your accomplishments now and just look at

the more you lose will be more to celebrate later. Enjoy this journey, take

pleasure in the fact that you have lost 115 pounds in 10 months, be proud you

have accomplished such a great feat. Look at all the wonderful possibilities

ahead. Or you can just give up and be down on yourself for not losing 135 in

10 months. I know you will be much happier BNBETH the winner on a journey to

a size 12 or where ever you want to be.

Bethie I sometimes fall in this pit, and then I slap myself and say HELLO I

am alive and have many things to endure in life that can be a learning

experience or I can chose to quit and suffer with and for nothing. I would

take your 100 pound loss, I would take half of that in a minute. If you

can't be excited and proud of yourself then I will be for you.

Today Beautiful Beth Brown announced she lost 105+ pounds!

I am so proud of her accomplishment and proud to call her my friend!

Love you!!!

xoxox

Trish

June 5, 2001

Oh Beth. I hurt for you.

I know you don't want to hear this, but could it be that your body IS at a

weight set point it likes? It sounds like you have done fabulous..you are

eating well and exercising and have lost a great deal of weight. I, too,

would want more and feel like it CAN " T stop here. I would feel just as you

do...I know that. But could it be you aren't done yet?

No one here is judging you, I hope. I know that this can happen with any

surgery and to any of us. I have seen RNY patients suffer exactly the same

way. In fact a girl I know who was 406 and had surgery was losing great the

first month, and now hasn't lost anything the second month and she is

tormented. But I keep telling her that she was in the 360's for quite a

while prior to surgery so maybe it's a bump not a brick wall? I hope that

is all it is for you and you will glide to the other side soon.

I had no idea that revisions cost as much as the original. That is awful for

anyone that needs one. I hope you don't need one and that everything gets

rolling again soon.

PLEASE don't beat yourself up. I know our words won't stop you from it, but

it will do no good and so much harm. Love yourself and IF there is any way

you can put the thoughts away for the summer and get out and enjoy your

already achieved success, maybe it would kick the plateau's butt right outta

town? If it didn't you'd still have a friendlier summer.

Talk to your hubby.....I bet he is very proud of you! I know you must be a

very special person. You did not post a hateful, spiteful post, like I would

have if I'd felt half as frustrated and downheartened. I bet your hubby

feels like he has the best wife he could and he is so glad you have lost

enough to feel better than you did a year ago!

HUGS AND BEST WISHES

in ARk

3-08

June 5, 2001

Dinah,

I have experienced a long plateau too. As I posted I am trying WW's to end

this and to train me to eat healthy. Something I have never really done in

my life. I am focusing on that as much as possible so that it becomes a

lifestyle and a " weigh " of life. That is the only way I think I will be

successful in NOT regaining weight. I think it has been said that after this

surgery we cannot regain our weight but I know that is not true. I think if

we eat too much and choose poorly, after the first couple of years, we will

regain weight. Just my opinion. I have made a committment to myself NOT to

do this. The new WW's point system teaches you that its okay to eat

something sweet or fattening, you just need to adjust your caloric intake to

take this into consideration. Makes too much sense to me. At 384 I could

never have done this and been successful. Just too far to go for too long

and I wasn't in the right mindset. Now I am mentally and physically more

prepared to make this program work. I know I can't rely on my MGB for life,

to keep my weight off. It is a tool and I have to use it along with good

common sense.

I put some before pictures on my refridgerator as a gentle reminder. Maybe

you could put one by your scales. I know that when I look at that picture I

gain some peace and some confidence. I also experience a lot of gratitude.

I won't blast someone for putting away their scales but for me personally

they are my checks and balances NOT to regain. If I find myself up, I know

I'm eating poorly. I am predisposed for obesity and I believe I have the fat

gene in me so I have to be acutely aware of where I am all the time. As I

said, I am committed not to regain.

I've been losing for so long, over two years, that I think my body has

adjusted and is holding on to the weight for dear life. I know that it will

be slow now and that's okay. As long as I am maintaining or not losing, I

don't freak.. All I want now is to drop 30 lbs and learn to eat healthy. A

novel idea for me ... haha....

Take care and my best wishes to you,

Cheryl

June 5, 2001

Dear Dinah:

I completely understand what you are feeling. I am so upset with

my weight loss also. I hate writing that here though because I

know it will be forwarded to other people and I could be used as

a pawn in an ugly game but I feel I should speak my " truth "

I had my surgery just one week before you. I weighed in at

around 360 - 370... I really never knew exactly how much

because I could not find a scale that went over 350.

I have lost between 100 - 115 pounds (I usually quote the most

optimistic figures) while the post ops who had surgery my same

week and weighed in at 350 or above......have all lost 130 - 150. I

haven't lost anything in over a month and I have gained 2

pounds.

I sit here at my desk crying because I have no way to pay for a

revision that I am beginning to feel I must have if I ever want to be

under 200. I am sure....without a doubt that yours, mine and the

other slow losers....simply did not get enough bowel bypassed

and perhaps were left with to large of a pouch. I believe we did

not get the best of the surgery we signed up for.

I have spent a major amount of " real " time with MGB post-ops

and I can tell you that the ones who have lost fast and steady are

NOT consistently doing anything different from us " slow losers. "

The ones I know (on average) eat like me, work out like me, and

lose way better than me.

Some of you might be reading this and say....Beth get real, you

have lost over 100 pounds in 10 months...that is the same or

better than Me!

Yeah well you started out at 270.....NOT 370! You are now in the

170's......and I am at where you were when you felt as if you were

dying from morbid obesity =(

You are shopping in " regular " stores wearing " regular " sizes and

planning for your tummy tucks. I am wearing your " before "

clothes.

Yeah yeah but you started out 100 pounds more than me. Yes, I

did, and I was told I would lose faster than you because of that.

A body that weighs 370 pounds burns much more than a body

that weighs 270. Just breathing I would lose more.

Believe me I have heard and thought about all these

arguments... and then some. And maybe I am jumping the gun

to call my MGB a failure. I have lost at least 100 pounds.....and

as I said in an earlier post....I feel sooo much better than I did

before my surgery and I would gladly march in for a revision

because my MGB was so easy compared to what I expected.

But ohhh how my pride is damaged....how I feel like a

failure......how I can't bare to look in my husband's eyes and tell

him that we mortgaged our home for a surgery that did not

completely work for me. How I dread living the rest of my life as

an obese person who failed at losing the weight even after she

had her stomach cut out and her bowels bypassed!!!! You can't

get much more of a " fat gross weak willed slob " than that!....or

can I?

And for those of you copying this letter to ....SHAME ON

YOU! What I am feeling and what went wrong (if anything) with

my MGB has NOTHING to do with her crusade. It does not mean

the MGB is a bad surgery....just the opposite.....it is such a good

surgery that I am more than willing to have it again!!!!!

However, I wish that Dr. R had a more precise way to judge the

amount of intestine he bypasses. I truly feel this is the key; And

hope he finds a way to maximize the bypass so that other post

ops do not feel the mental torture that Dinah and myself live.

Sorry for being such a sore loser =), especially to all you

newbies.....cause I know that no matter how fast you lose you

still worry that this could be your story. With all my heart, I wish I

were one of the poster girls for the MGB. I am ashamed to be

this statistic and I am sorry.

Dinah....please be kind to yourself (kinder than I am to myself

lol)....you are doing the best you can do with what you have!

Believe that!

I have upped my workouts and am keeping a food diary in hopes

that I can write you all a post on my year anny and

say....Ooopppsss I was soooo silly for worrying and whining like

I did.....Wish me luck!

Thanks for reading me.

Beth in Florida

MGB 8/10/00

> From: Dinah Boatwright

> @y...

> Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 10:23 PM

> Subject: Long Plateau!!!

>

> My plateau has lasted since Jan 30th, 2000. I had surgery on

Aug 16,

> 2000 and have lost a total of 50#'s. I do not feel I eat too

much, or

> the wrong things. I exercise more than I used too, but not as

much as

> I think I should. I have tried protein drinks religiously. I have

> recently tried to " diet " ! I don't know why, it never worked for me

> before, but I feel I must do something to lose more weight! I

was

> always afraid I would be one of the ones to fail at losing

weight

> after surgery, I am beginning to believe it may be true now! It

is

> very depressing and I try not to dwell on it. Doesn't work very

well

> though. We went swimming at a friend house this weekend

and she e-

> mailed me some pics she took around the pool. THAT was

really

> depressing...I thought I had made some real progress, but it

seems

> the pics speak the real truth. Sorry to rain on everyone's

parade but

> I needed to unload! Too much going on right now to keep this

all to

> myself! Sorry.

> Dinah

>

June 5, 2001

Beth

Hang in there you are probably on a platue. I often bounce around on a pound

or two for a while before losing again. I think your stats so far are great.

YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE!!!! You should continue to lose just hang in there.

I'll be praying for you

Long Plateau!!!

>

> My plateau has lasted since Jan 30th, 2000. I had surgery on

Aug 16,

> 2000 and have lost a total of 50#'s. I do not feel I eat too

much, or

> the wrong things. I exercise more than I used too, but not as

much as

> I think I should. I have tried protein drinks religiously. I have

> recently tried to " diet " ! I don't know why, it never worked for me

> before, but I feel I must do something to lose more weight! I

was

> always afraid I would be one of the ones to fail at losing

weight

> after surgery, I am beginning to believe it may be true now! It

is

> very depressing and I try not to dwell on it. Doesn't work very

well

> though. We went swimming at a friend house this weekend

and she e-

> mailed me some pics she took around the pool. THAT was

really

> depressing...I thought I had made some real progress, but it

seems

> the pics speak the real truth. Sorry to rain on everyone's

parade but

> I needed to unload! Too much going on right now to keep this

all to

> myself! Sorry.

> Dinah

>

June 5, 2001

,

Sounds great. I'd love some recipes. Are you doing it now? Tonights the big

one week weigh-in. The pressure is on.... haha..... I've done well, have

stayed within my point range and actually banked a few....

Cheryl

June 5, 2001

<<<Cheryl, You said it so well. I'm 13 months out and down 90 pounds and I

have

made a definite commitment to myself NEVER to be 212 pounds again. The WW

program is good and sensible and I also know I had a horrible time doing

without this surgery and now it is sooo muchhh easier. >>

Thanks Deb. I think we think alike. I just cannot be obese again. It was too

dangerous and also too painful. I love my new self, something I haven't done

in a long time. I am trying to incorporate that into my philosophy. That I

love myself, therefore I must do what it takes to keep myself healthy and

happy.

Cheryl

June 5, 2001

,

Let me say that I think the WW's program is an excellent resource for longer

out post-ops. I think the amount of food would be difficult for the newly

out folks. I think it works well b/c if you follow it and eat the right

foods you are feeding your body, so it doesn't starve itself and retain

calories, and losing weight.

I'm sorry you have taken criticism for this plan. It's a good healthy

program. It has been recognized as one of the most successful weight loss

program for long term maintenance. That says something to me.

Cheryl

June 5, 2001

Dinah and Beth,

My heart breaks for you two. I can imagine how heart breaking this is for the

two of you. I too, am a self-pay, like you Beth, and to think that this might

NOT work - - - Gives me chills! Especially, since I'll be paying for this

surgery for some years to come. It would be easy to pay for a surgery that got

you to your goal weight. I just pray that you two's weight loss will pick back

up and that you WILL make it to your goals!

Love,

in OK

Long Plateau!!!

>

> My plateau has lasted since Jan 30th, 2000. I had surgery on

Aug 16,

> 2000 and have lost a total of 50#'s. I do not feel I eat too

much, or

> the wrong things. I exercise more than I used too, but not as

much as

> I think I should. I have tried protein drinks religiously. I have

> recently tried to " diet " ! I don't know why, it never worked for me

> before, but I feel I must do something to lose more weight! I

was

> always afraid I would be one of the ones to fail at losing

weight

> after surgery, I am beginning to believe it may be true now! It

is

> very depressing and I try not to dwell on it. Doesn't work very

well

> though. We went swimming at a friend house this weekend

and she e-

> mailed me some pics she took around the pool. THAT was

really

> depressing...I thought I had made some real progress, but it

seems

> the pics speak the real truth. Sorry to rain on everyone's

parade but

> I needed to unload! Too much going on right now to keep this

all to

> myself! Sorry.

> Dinah

June 5, 2001

I remember Dr. R saying that if this surgery doesn't work, then it isn't the

patient that's failed it's him. So, with that in mind, I understand that the

surgery can't be done free. I mean there's the hospital fee, that isn't going

to be waived, and the anest.(never have been able to spell that word) isn't

going to waive their fee. But since Dr. R says himself that he's the one that's

failed, why wouldn't his fee be waived and why can't there be some sort of

" discount " with the hospital.

I'm just thinking out loud.... Because if something like this happens to me,

there's NO WAY I could have a revision done. I could never afford it, as I was

self-pay the first time. It makes me scared that it could happen to me, too.

Even since the beginning, I've been afraid of failing this too. Like I did all

the diets I've been on.

I also heard Dr. R say that he doesn't want us to ever have the " I'm on a diet "

mentality again. Well, if a person stops losing, wouldn't you have to " diet? "

Again, I'm just thinking out loud...

I hurt for those of you that aren't where you want to be.

With Love,

in OK

June 5, 2001

Dear Beth and Dinah, I am very sorry for this disappointment for both of you.

I am one of the smaller ones also. I truly hope that you both will not give

up. Please keep us posted and I pray that you find a way to get approved for

a roux en y lap. I have noticed that it has been more successful for those

over 300. Good Luck, O.

June 5, 2001

Ohhh Flo thank you so much for your prayers and love. I value

you more than I can say.

And well since you were so sweet I guess I will stop sticking

pins in my very life like voodoo doll of Drema....you know the one

I made right after she posted that she lost 145 pounds, was at

goal and had her MGB just one week before me!

LOLOLOL

Just Kidding!!!! I am so happy for Drema! And me being jealous

of Drema is nothing new.....I was jealous the moment I realized

she had you for a Mom! You are an amazing woman, Flo and

Drema is a very lucky girl!

Much Love,

BethBNBeth

> Beth, I do wish you luck and I send my love. There's no words I

can offer. You've reasoned all this out, you tried all you know to

try. This is not in your hands to do anything about. I'm not going

to minimize your pain. I'm not going to send you some

platitude...you've read all that, you've heard all that and you're still

stuck at a weight that is unacceptable and I'm sorry for that on

your behalf.

>

> Please know that I care about you and how you are feeling. And

I am sincerely praying that something will change for you to

make it possible for you to lose more weight!

>

> Flo

>

> > ** Original Subject: RE: Re: Long Plateau!!!

> > ** Original Sender: " Beth " <MGBethie@a...>

> > ** Original Date: Tue, 05 Jun 2001 10:45:03 -0600

>

> > ** Original Message follows...

>

> >

> > Dear Dinah:

> > I completely understand what you are feeling. I am so upset

with

> > my weight loss also. I hate writing that here though because

I

> > know it will be forwarded to other people and I could be used

as

> > a pawn in an ugly game but I feel I should speak my " truth "

> > I had my surgery just one week before you. I weighed in at

> > around 360 - 370... I really never knew exactly how much

> > because I could not find a scale that went over 350.

> >

> > I have lost between 100 - 115 pounds (I usually quote the

most

> > optimistic figures) while the post ops who had surgery my

same

> > week and weighed in at 350 or above......have all lost 130 -

150. I

> > haven't lost anything in over a month and I have gained 2

> > pounds.

> >

> > I sit here at my desk crying because I have no way to pay for a

> > revision that I am beginning to feel I must have if I ever want

to be

> > under 200. I am sure....without a doubt that yours, mine and

the

> > other slow losers....simply did not get enough bowel

bypassed

> > and perhaps were left with to large of a pouch. I believe we

did

> > not get the best of the surgery we signed up for.

> >

> > I have spent a major amount of " real " time with MGB

post-ops

> > and I can tell you that the ones who have lost fast and steady

are

> > NOT consistently doing anything different from us " slow

losers. "

> > The ones I know (on average) eat like me, work out like me,

and

> > lose way better than me.

> >

> > Some of you might be reading this and say....Beth get real,

you

> > have lost over 100 pounds in 10 months...that is the same or

> > better than Me!

> > Yeah well you started out at 270.....NOT 370! You are now in

the

> > 170's......and I am at where you were when you felt as if you

were

> > dying from morbid obesity =(

> > You are shopping in " regular " stores wearing " regular " sizes

and

> > planning for your tummy tucks. I am wearing your " before "

> > clothes.

> > Yeah yeah but you started out 100 pounds more than me.

Yes, I

> > did, and I was told I would lose faster than you because of

that.

> > A body that weighs 370 pounds burns much more than a

body

> > that weighs 270. Just breathing I would lose more.

> > Believe me I have heard and thought about all these

> > arguments... and then some. And maybe I am jumping the

gun

> > to call my MGB a failure. I have lost at least 100

pounds.....and

> > as I said in an earlier post....I feel sooo much better than I did

> > before my surgery and I would gladly march in for a revision

> > because my MGB was so easy compared to what I expected.

> >

> > But ohhh how my pride is damaged....how I feel like a

> > failure......how I can't bare to look in my husband's eyes and

tell

> > him that we mortgaged our home for a surgery that did not

> > completely work for me. How I dread living the rest of my life

as

> > an obese person who failed at losing the weight even after

she

> > had her stomach cut out and her bowels bypassed!!!! You

can't

> > get much more of a " fat gross weak willed slob " than

that!....or

> > can I?

> >

> > And for those of you copying this letter to ....SHAME ON

> > YOU! What I am feeling and what went wrong (if anything)

with

> > my MGB has NOTHING to do with her crusade. It does not

mean

> > the MGB is a bad surgery....just the opposite.....it is such a

good

> > surgery that I am more than willing to have it again!!!!!

> >

> > However, I wish that Dr. R had a more precise way to judge

the

> > amount of intestine he bypasses. I truly feel this is the key;

And

> > hope he finds a way to maximize the bypass so that other

post

> > ops do not feel the mental torture that Dinah and myself live.

> >

> > Sorry for being such a sore loser =), especially to all you

> > newbies.....cause I know that no matter how fast you lose you

> > still worry that this could be your story. With all my heart, I

wish I

> > were one of the poster girls for the MGB. I am ashamed to

be

> > this statistic and I am sorry.

> > Dinah....please be kind to yourself (kinder than I am to myself

> > lol)....you are doing the best you can do with what you have!

> > Believe that!

> > I have upped my workouts and am keeping a food diary in

hopes

> > that I can write you all a post on my year anny and

> > say....Ooopppsss I was soooo silly for worrying and whining

like

> > I did.....Wish me luck!

> >

> > Thanks for reading me.

> > Beth in Florida

> > MGB 8/10/00

> >

> > > From: Dinah Boatwright

> > > @y...

> > > Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 10:23 PM

> > > Subject: Long Plateau!!!

> > >

> > > My plateau has lasted since Jan 30th, 2000. I had surgery

on

> > Aug 16,

> > > 2000 and have lost a total of 50#'s. I do not feel I eat too

> > much, or

> > > the wrong things. I exercise more than I used too, but not

as

> > much as

> > > I think I should. I have tried protein drinks religiously. I

have

> > > recently tried to " diet " ! I don't know why, it never worked for

me

> > > before, but I feel I must do something to lose more weight!

I

> > was

> > > always afraid I would be one of the ones to fail at losing

> > weight

> > > after surgery, I am beginning to believe it may be true now!

It

> > is

> > > very depressing and I try not to dwell on it. Doesn't work

very

> > well

> > > though. We went swimming at a friend house this

weekend

> > and she e-

> > > mailed me some pics she took around the pool. THAT

was

> > really

> > > depressing...I thought I had made some real progress,

but it

> > seems

> > > the pics speak the real truth. Sorry to rain on everyone's

> > parade but

> > > I needed to unload! Too much going on right now to keep

this

> > all to

> > > myself! Sorry.

> > > Dinah

> > >

June 5, 2001

Beth, don't give up!!! Your loss is good for the time that has passed since

your surgery. You will probably continue to lose for some time yet. I know you

are disappointed, but you by no means are a failure!!!!!

Speaking plainly, it sounds like you are having the depression problem that so

many of us have after this surgery. Are you taking anything for it? If not,

please look into it. It hurts me that you are so down on yourself.

It is good that you can share your feelings with us. They are very real and

your pain is coming through. Here is a {{{HUG}}} from me and a prayer is going

up for you also.

Pat

Long Plateau!!!

>

> My plateau has lasted since Jan 30th, 2000. I had surgery on

Aug 16,

> 2000 and have lost a total of 50#'s. I do not feel I eat too

much, or

> the wrong things. I exercise more than I used too, but not as

much as

> I think I should. I have tried protein drinks religiously. I have

> recently tried to " diet " ! I don't know why, it never worked for me

> before, but I feel I must do something to lose more weight! I

was

> always afraid I would be one of the ones to fail at losing

weight

> after surgery, I am beginning to believe it may be true now! It

is

> very depressing and I try not to dwell on it. Doesn't work very

well

> though. We went swimming at a friend house this weekend

and she e-

> mailed me some pics she took around the pool. THAT was

really

> depressing...I thought I had made some real progress, but it

seems

> the pics speak the real truth. Sorry to rain on everyone's

parade but

> I needed to unload! Too much going on right now to keep this

all to

> myself! Sorry.

> Dinah

>

June 5, 2001

>

> Today Beautiful Beth Brown announced she lost 105+ pounds!

> I am so proud of her accomplishment and proud to call her my

friend!

>

Ohhh Trish that was a low blow! The nerve of you to take the very

words I used on you and send them back to haunt me. Very

clever my dear.....and oh so very true!

Thank you for reminding me that sure I may be eating Peanut

Butter and Jelly instead of Surf and Turf but it is very rude to

loudly complain when some are starving.

I adore you Sweetie! I will try remember to keep the " attitude of

gratitude " and keep pluggin along!

Love,

Beth

June 5, 2001

Bethie,

I hear ya girly. YOU can't give up. I have been at this weight for six

months. I really want to lose this last 30 lbs of weight and I am gonna do

WW to do it. I think I've reaped the benefits possible for this surgery.

Maybe not, who knows.

My heart aches for you b/c I feel your pain.

Huggies ....

Cheryl

June 5, 2001

I wanted to throw my two cents in. My daughter and I had our surgery in Dec

of 99. I weighed 280 at 5'11 and she weighed 350 at 5'5. Since that time I

have gotten down to 145 and she has gotten down to 220. Now at 5'11 I am

below my goal weight and am very happy but she on the other hand is only 5'5

and 220 is still very heavy for her. She has not lost any weight since her

one year mark which was 12-20-2000 but on the other hand I have not lost any

since that time also but that is not a big thing for me since I am under my

goal weight. She is very happy with what she has lost but she still is

considered obese by the standards for her height. I have e-mailed Dr.

Champion about converting her over to the RNY so maybe she will have a chance

at obtaining her goal. Liz

June 5, 2001

One more thing I wanted to add is my mother and brother in law had surgery

with Dr. Rutledge in May of 2000 and August of 2000. My mother has only lost

around 75 and my brother in law has lost around 80. That seems a little odd

considering my daughter and I had lost 130 to 140 pounds at the year mark.

Liz

June 5, 2001

Liz,

I'm sorry that the mgb didn't get your daughter to her goal. Please let us

know how she's doing. She'll be in my prayers.

On the up side, congratulation to you! There are advantages to being tall,

huh? I'm 5'8 " and large framed and have always felt like an amazon woman...

considering my starting weight was 303, I should be happy I was at least 5'8 "

or I'd really have been miserable.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Love from OK,

MGB ~ 3/29/01 ~ Dr. R

303/256.5 @ 2 months

In a message dated 06/05/2001 9:31:11 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

smittyx03@... writes:

<< Subj: Re: Long Plateau!!!

Date: 06/05/2001 9:31:11 PM Pacific Daylight Time

From: smittyx03@...

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