- LONG post

[Guest guest]

<Worried and feeling like a complete failure,

in Ark>>

SUSAN!!!!

YOU are not a failure. NO matter what happens, you are not entirely in

control of how well you lose. You have some things you can do but you can't

control it completely. NOR could we control our genetic predisposition for

obesity. I know I have that gene. My entire family on my Dad's side is

pretty much large, with weight problems. And we are southern and that means

entertaining/socializing ALWAYS means TONS of food. There is also the gene

of addiction that is linked in our family.

When we first investigated this surgery we were told it is a tool. I was so

heavy at surgery (354), starting weight at (384) that my body chose to

respond well to the surgical adjustment. After about 14 mos I quit losing.

Prior to that I ate whaterver I wanted, including junk, sweets, fats etc.

Basically at about 230 I quit losing and plateaued for about, let me think,

six months maybe.

I then got tired of this, and very afraid of gaining b/c my intake was

increasing and that scared the snot out of me. To gain and become morbidly

obese again was NOT an option.

To make a long story short I started taking a long hard look at myself and I

knew I was NOT doing all the right things. I had allowed the surgery to do

all the work without changing ME, the culprit that created this mess. Yes I

had help but I have to accept responsibility for some of this. Can't blame

it ALL on genes.

I was not eating a diet low in fat. I was not focusing on fruits and

vegetables. I was not excercising. What did I do? I looked long and hard at

myself and decided I would start putting some work into this project. I

began exercising and I later joined WW. Prior to WW I lost about 30 lbs and

since WW I have lost 10 more. Everyone tells me not to lose more but I weigh

190 so I must b/c I KNOW I am solidly (like a rock) built and carry weight

unnoticeably.

DO I eat perfect? NO, do I try to consistently eat well?As much as possible.

For instance. This month is a toughie with all these celebrations in the

family. A week down at the Outer Banks (we stayed only 4 days thank god), my

birthday, Rudie's birthday and our anniversary YESTERDAY. I also had to go

on an appointment at the beach. This past week I ate fried seafood twice,

last nite I had a really nice dinner (chicken oscar) for our anniversary,

with a few ummm sips of wine. So I had three meals that were high in fat. I

worked hard to eat a little better and less the rest of the week. I gained

4/10 of a pound. Most probably fluid from the salt and constipation (a

current problem). I was telling Rudie last nite that I did what normal

people do. I ate whatever I wanted during the special dinners and I cut back

at other times and I basically maintained. I can do that now thank god to

this surgery and the positive look in life it has given me. AND a positive

approach to eating sensibly and healthy.

SORRY for the long story. I just want to say, and I have said it before,

that this surgery was indeed a tool. I have to do things to make it more

successful. From the very beginning we are advised to change our diets (the

Ornish Plan recommendation). Some of us do, I suspect a LOT of us don't.

I am in no way inferring anything about what you are doing. Only stating

what has worked for me. Some people have done the LoCarb to jumpstart their

losing again when they have plateaued.

I feel for you, I know you are frightened and we will continue to listen and

support you.

Cheryl

-194 since pre-op

-164 since MGB 6/17/99

190 current size 12/14

GOAL, 170 or size 8/10