tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5911681794668520002.post3809694916585885771..comments2023-05-01T02:15:08.005-07:00Comments on Gwen's WLS Journey: School's out for summer....Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5911681794668520002.post-84444878997676218832008-07-19T14:15:00.000-07:002008-07-19T14:15:00.000-07:00Blair, I understand the idea of the "preemptive st...Blair, I understand the idea of the "preemptive strike" and wanting to nip an obesity problem in the bud. I hope it works for you. Do you have a surgeon who will do your surgery?<BR/><BR/>You are less likely to have loose skin problems than people who have more weight to lose. It's impossible to predict how you will do, though. Like I said, I have loose skin, but not as bad as most people. I will probably have a tummy tuck one day, but it's not urgent. But I'm about 10 years older than you, so yours is likely to do even better.<BR/><BR/>Good luck to you.Gwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15921409535089655387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5911681794668520002.post-16019864327768199662008-07-16T23:16:00.000-07:002008-07-16T23:16:00.000-07:00Thanks Gwen for taking the time to thoughtfully an...Thanks Gwen for taking the time to thoughtfully and thorougly respond to my previous post. I appreciate your advice and opinion.<BR/><BR/>Here's a bit more about myself. I hope it provides insight as to why I've chosen lap band as my last resort. I have gained a significant amount of weight in the past few years. I went from 135 lbs to about 175 in about 2 years. This pattern of rapid weight gain has happened to me frequently over the past 10 years, in 2 year cycles. In order for me to lose the weight in the past, I have had to go through DRASTIC measures including extreme caloric restriction (e.g. 700-800 calories a day) and running 5 miles a day, 4-5 times a week. This has taken a huge toll on my body. And exercising at the current weight has exacerbated the destruction I've done to my back and knees as a result of all that running. Because of my desire to lose weight, I have been working out (albeit in much pain) for the past 7 months. However, despite KILLING myself at the gym, I've lost at most 3 lbs (and gained them right back plus more when I've stopped). It is so frustrating when you aren't seeing the fruits of your labor.<BR/><BR/>I recently had tests done and the doctor confirmed that I have unusual hormone levels (much like a P-Cos sufferer without actually being one). Because of this factor, it is very difficult for me to lose weight despite all the exercise and relatively "normal" eating habits (e.g. I eat about 1800 calories a day, 3 meals a day, NEVER eat fastfood, do not like sweets at all, no soda, no late-night eating, no emotional eating, etc.). As a result of this imbalance, I carry all of my weight in my stomach and upper body area-- which is quite unhealthy for my heart, breathing, and sleep-apnea issues. My triglyceride levels are also very, very high. <BR/><BR/>I realize that I don't presently have a BMI of 35. But at the rate that I am gaining, I will get there and beyond. I am also likely to develop Type II diabetes as my most recent blood-work has shown (high glucose levels and a genetic predisposition for it). I would rather not have to wait a few more years before I get to that point. It's why I've chosen to be proactive and "preemptively strike." <BR/><BR/>Again, caloric restriction has worked quite well for me in the past, and in that sense, I feel that the band is good for someone with symptoms such as mine. Because I have only had success with caloric restriction AND exercise, I feel that the band facilitates both of these objectives. It limits my appetite and calorie intake and as the weight drops, it helps me get back to the gym without having to endure painful workouts because of the excess weight. You might be wondering why I don't just see a nutritionist to work out an eating plan. I have met with a nutritionist in the past, but it hasn't solved the problem of the irritability and all-around terribleness I feel when I eat less than 1000 calories a day. And despite meeting with nutritionists, I have managed to gain the weight right back in incremental periods of time.<BR/><BR/>I also think I'm a good candidate for the band, b/c I'm not someone who'd cheat with it. I, for the most part, already have relatively good eating habits. The one thing I have struggled with is carbohydrates (e.g. breads/pastas)-- which is incredibly bad for someone with hormonal imbalances (since it is a contributing factor to truncular obesity). The band is a good deterrent for eating an unnecessary amount of these foods. <BR/><BR/>I realize that the band is a very drastic procedure. I've been considering this surgery for quite some time now and my recent diagnosis and bloodwork pushed me to make that final decision. Because calorie restriction has worked for me in the past, I am confident that the band will aid me in this endeavor. In the past, while limiting my calories, I've been irritable and a complete terror. I know that even with the band, I will experience hunger but I believe that that hunger will be considerably alleviated than the hunger I'd feel without the band. I also don't suffer currently from emotional eating so I'd have no problem differentiating real hunger from head hunger while banded. <BR/><BR/>Now back to my original post.... because I carry so much of my weight in my upper body (e.g. stomach, shoulders, upper arms, chin, neck, etc.) I am worried what will happen to me if I lose the excess 40+ lbs... I'm in my mid-twenties and in previous years, my skin has "bounced" back. But my stomach is currently HUGE (I look like I could be 7 months pregnant) and this is the area I am mainly concerned with... However, I'd still rather be at a healthy weight with excess skin than stay at my current weight without excess skin.<BR/><BR/>Any advice now that you've heard my spiel =) Thanks again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com