Well, my number has come up and the Weight Management Clinic is ready to send me to a surgeon. Now I'm rethinking the whole thing and am in a major mental pickle. I am happy with the success and commitment to my journey that I'm experiencing with Weight Watchers but at the same time I know my history. I know how I feel today but what about a month from now? Will I still have the same drive and commitment as I do today? I think I will but I've been down this road so many times before I really can't predict where my mindset will be.
So, if I decline the surgery now on the optimistic prediction that I will have the drive and motivation I need to reach my 80 lb weight loss goal, what if I find that I lose that drive and want to revisit the surgery? Will it even be an option? Will the waiting list be so long that I've lost my opportunity to realize my dream of finally being slim?
There are three different techniques available and the surgeon to whom I'm being referred only does one - Roux en Y, my least favoured option - but it's the one with the highest success rate. I am heading down to the US tomorrow to meet with him to discuss the surgery. I'll be honest - it's drastic and your life changes drastically afterwards with regards to what you can and cannot eat. It doesn't become a choice anymore - your body will reject food that you aren't supposed to eat. Very "unprettily", I might add. And there's no guarantee of success - look at Carnie Wilson for example. She's gained a lot back.
I like having a choice, however the secret to achieving success the old fashioned way is to exercise choice combined with a huge helping of self control. All of that is within my control. Do I have what it takes? For 6 1/2 weeks I haven't faltered (well not badly if you read the last blog), and I am in total control. I love the choices I have and enjoy a little bit of chocolate or a nice hearty steak now and then. These may not be options after the surgery....
I prefer one of the two other procedures - Verticle Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) and Duodenal Switch (DS) - which are less drastic but have lower success rates and I'm waiting to hear if OHIP even covers them. I've received conflicting information about it. My other challenge is that the clinic in Ottawa ONLY seems to refer to the US doctor for the RnY procedure so if I want them to send me for the other procedure options in Montreal, I may have a battle on my hands.
So you see I am very conflicted. I know that the surgery is a success if the lifestyle is changed as well. I'm well on my way to the lifestyle change. Surgery would make me lose faster. But would I take it for granted and try to eat food that I shouldn't eat? Do I want to be on vitamin supplements for the rest of life? Can I handle "dumping syndrome"? Can I be successful in my weight loss journey without the help of surgery? AAARRRRGGGH!!!
1 comments:
just want to clarify a few points. I am not sure where you got that the RNY was the most successful of all surgeries. Statics have shown that the DS which is actually more drastic due to the increased malabsorption has the higher % of success. The Sleeve is relatively newer so the statistics are just no there to show how it will compare.
The "dumping" syndrome is only a possible side effect of the RNY so you may or not may not have to deal with that unpleasantness. As well dumping can be worked through... Each time you eat the same food apparently the dumping gets less harsh. From what I am told you can eventually eat something that may have at one time made you really sick without getting sick.
There is also another couple options for WLS but they are not yet covered by OHIP. That is the lap band and the gastric balloon.
you have made your decision by now but I thought this info should be noted for those using your blog as research.
Cheers
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