“That’s taking the easy way out”, or “yeah, but you kinda cheated”, etc are probably things we’ve all heard, or even thought ourselves, in regards to bariatric surgery. I have to admit that I was of that same mindset before I began this journey. I’m of quite the opposite opinion now. Bariatric surgery is probably one of the most labor intensive, dedicated decisions a person can make…. *if* that person has resolved to change their lifestyle. Surgery is not a magic wand, it is helping hand… Success still depends on change.
I am now almost 19 months from my gastrectomy, and I’m about 50 pounds from my “I’d like to be” goal weight. What I experienced was almost at 6 month intervals…. First was the “holy moley” weight loss, then the less mind boggling, but still rapid loss, then the “little better than average”… If I can offer *any* advice that could help someone else, it would be this…. If you want long term success from the decision to have surgery, you’d better have your lifestyle ducks in a row by this time, or you WILL backslide. Get active, track your food, be healthy… You decided to give yourself a fighting chance… Fight for it. Every pound is a victory, every activity that you can now do that you could never have imagined being able to do is a victory…. LIVING is a victory.
A year and a half ago, if someone had told me “someday, you’ll be able to get up on the stair master and you won’t keel over and die”, I’d have called them a bald faced liar. Today, I do get up there… Most days, it’s for 45 minutes, some days, I do an hour (let’s just say that’s a ridiculous amount of stairs ugh! Lol). I also do weight training and other forms of cardio, and I go to the gym every day… It’s become my routine. I’ve had people tell me that I’m an inspiration, but I don’t see it that way. I see it as part and parcel of the commitment I made when I decided to take back control. If I can do this, trust me…. Anyone can!
Thank you to the patient who submitted this post – if you would like to share your perspective after weight loss surgery, email me janet.huehls@umassmemorial.org
Keep Moving, Be Well
Janet
Please share these posts with anyone you know interested in losing weight with or without weight loss surgery. Click here to learn more about the UMass Memorial Weight Center
These weekly blogs are general guidelines. These guidelines apply to patients who are cleared by a physician for the type of exercise described. Please contact your physician with any concerns or questions. Always report any symptoms associated with exercise, such as pain, irregular heartbeats, and dizziness or fainting, to your physician.
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