Diet… you might as well use the F word!

[MANDY2910]

Some of you who have followed other posts of mine may know that I have to wait 6 months before I can move forward with WLS. Since I have all this time my psychiatrist (who is against WLS for all her patients regardless of diagnosis and had no problem telling me so) says, “I guess you can go on a diet and start losing weight now…if you do it right, in a few months you won’t feel like you need WLS”. That word: diet! I hate it! Just put that one word in your search engine of choice and you are bombarded with ads and quick fixes and 40 day cleanses and the latest version of Weight Watchers. None of them have the same answer for how to lose weight and keep it off. All of them tell you something different and “guarantee” something different as well. No wonder people who go looking for help with their health are so easily confused and misguided! I could have paid for my surgery out of pocket three times with the amount of money I have thrown away “dieting” throughout my life.
Anyway, I am looking forward to never using that word again. WLS is not a “diet”. It is a whole mentality change, a way to look at food differently. I will be meeting with the nutritionist in about 3 weeks and look forward to listening and applying what she tells me, and I do hope I lose some weight in the next 6 months while I am in a holding pattern. Regardless of what my psychiatrist says, this is the path I have chosen. She hasn’t known me but about a year. I have been on a “diet” most of my life. What do they say is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome. I’m ready to get off the merry go round!

 

[dianeseattle]

Since I have all this time my psychiatrist (who is against WLS for all her patients regardless of diagnosis and had no problem telling me so) says, “I guess you can go on a diet and start losing weight now…if you do it right, in a few months you won’t feel like you need WLS”.

Regardless of what my psychiatrist says, this is the path I have chosen.

One word: MALPRACTICE. If there was a factual conclusion that WLS caused death or disease, a qualified medical professional could advise against it. But it's been shown effective and paid for as a legitimate medical procedure by insurance companies, so that quack should pound sand, IMO.

 

[suzannethemom]

That is simply not right. It is not the psychiatrist place to tell you not to have WLS. Their job is to evaluate and discuss any mental or emotional issues you may have. I would request a new psychologist. I am sorry that you are hitting road blocks. You deserve something good to happen, so I really hope things go well with the nutritionist. You are still on the journey.

 

[Elidh]

Mandy, I don’t use the word “diet” to describe how I eat now (18 months post-VSG) for the very reasons you enumerated. Friends will ask me if I’m still on my bariatric diet, and I am happy to explain that I don’t diet, rather, have a new way of eating.

In regards to your psychiatrist, there sure are some misinformed medical folks out there. I was fortunate to have a psychologist who was part of my bariatric team, and she was all on board with the surgery.

Pre-VSG, I had to get clearance from my cardiologist, who clearly has a weight problem. He spent the appointment telling me about his latest diet and how it would work for me. He tried to convince me that the surgery was very risky. I smiled and nodded and when I could finally get a word in edgewise, I politely asked him for the clearance.. . and got it.

 

[MANDY2910]

Mandy, I don’t use the word “diet” to describe how I eat now (18 months post-VSG) for the very reasons you enumerated. Friends will ask me if I’m still on my bariatric diet, and I am happy to explain that I don’t diet, rather, have a new way of eating.

In regards to your psychiatrist, there sure are some misinformed medical folks out there. I was fortunate to have a psychologist who was part of my bariatric team, and she was all on board with the surgery.

Pre-VSG, I had to get clearance from my cardiologist, who clearly has a weight problem. He spent the appointment telling me about his latest diet and how it would work for me. He tried to convince me that the surgery was very risky. I smiled and nodded and when I could finally get a word in edgewise, I politely asked him for the clearance.. . and got it.

I am tired of the negativity surrounding WLS. When you talk to your doctor about it, they start to sweat and studder and try to talk you out of it. “It’s so permanent!” “It’s so hard and not everyone is successful!” Well news flash… being at this weight is hard! I am thinking about a second opinion. I don’t want to upset my doctor because she is wonderful, but I think her personal bias is going to be an issue moving forward. Not sure what to think

 

[3momchaos]

I am tired of the negativity surrounding WLS. When you talk to your doctor about it, they start to sweat and studder and try to talk you out of it. “It’s so permanent!” “It’s so hard and not everyone is successful!” Well news flash… being at this weight is hard! I am thinking about a second opinion. I don’t want to upset my doctor because she is wonderful, but I think her personal bias is going to be an issue moving forward. Not sure what to think

I’m very glad that my primary, endocrinologist, and GYN were supportive of my choice. They all know I tried everything to lose weight. My endocrinologist was the only one who was worried about long term vitamin deficiency, but he wasn’t never hesitant about what I needed.

 

[dianeseattle]

I am thinking about a second opinion. I don’t want to upset my doctor because she is wonderful, but I think her personal bias is going to be an issue moving forward.

This might not be helpful, but I had a great GP, and also wanted an internist. I'd been referred to an internist years before because of a serious illness most MDs never encounter. I was shocked at the dramatic level of his physiological comprehension. I got tuned up, for sure, putting the brakes on some illnesses heading my way, curing the disease I had, and ultimately, having RYGB surgery suggested to me, even though I had no plans to investigate it.

We don't always know what to ask unless we have really obvious symptoms. I say, Get the best doctor you can find, but add specialists if your health warrants it. You're worth it.

 

[Roni]

Diet is a bad four letter word. I have thrown out a rant or two saying the word needs to be banned and considered outlawed. Weight loss surgery is not a diet. It is making BETTER FOOD CHOICES, HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES, A LONG TERM COMMIITTMENT. it is not about reaching some number on a scale. It is about changing how you look at food for the rest of your life. Weight loss surgery is not TEMPORARY like a diet. T o diet is to do it until you reach a goal then return to all you bad eating choices and regain the weight and possibly more. Diet is depriving yourself until your body says enough I want my old habits back. I hate the word diet, it is a glorified word that does more harm than good. I am done sorry bout rant..

 

[Kcuster83]

I talked myself out of WLS for years, then at my physical is 2020 my doctor actually suggested it in a sense. Not really pushing it, but kind of asking had I even considered it. I talked about my concerns and he gave me some information. I read and read and read talked a a friend who had it. Which actually again, convinced me not to do it without meaning to. I went back and forth for a while and then decided it was probably what I needed to do to get the weight off again but to keep it off this time. I also had a 7 month process to go through for approval, I did get "fast tracked" 1.5 months for being an "ideal patient". So I have my pre surgery appointment next month and I am so excited. I can't wait to get my surgery date!

 

[Lilygirl]

I talked myself out of WLS for years, then at my physical is 2020 my doctor actually suggested it in a sense. Not really pushing it, but kind of asking had I even considered it. I talked about my concerns and he gave me some information. I read and read and read talked a a friend who had it. Which actually again, convinced me not to do it without meaning to. I went back and forth for a while and then decided it was probably what I needed to do to get the weight off again but to keep it off this time. I also had a 7 month process to go through for approval, I did get "fast tracked" 1.5 months for being an "ideal patient". So I have my pre surgery appointment next month and I am so excited. I can't wait to get my surgery date!

Congratulations! What made you an ideal candidate? I have a six month weight. I am very determined and know I can lose weight but can never seem to keep it off!

 

[KarenWV]

Congratulations! What made you an ideal candidate? I have a six month weight. I am very determined and know I can lose weight but can never seem to keep it off!

You hit the nail on the head. We all here know how to lose weight. We each have lost and gained the same dozens of pounds. Weight loss surgery is the tool to avoid the inevitable weight regain and finally to allow us achieve a healthier life. ❤❤

 

[suzannethemom]

I made a list of EVERY diet I have ever done. It was pretty shocking and depressing. I’m so ready for a new healthier way of life.

 

[rjbj]

I was a grad student about 14 years ago when a doctor at the clinic that my insurance covered mentioned weight loss surgery in passing. It planted a seed, a notion surgery it might be a possibility. It took all the years since, failing at every attempt to have meaningful sustained loss, and a pandemic that was not kind to those who were overweight to make me decide to take the leap (in just over a week). I had always intended for surgery after I got tenure (for some reason you think you can't take time off until you cross that line), but the pandemic derailed it for a few years and Omicron kept me away from the hospital in January. It helps that I had surgery a few years ago and could actually imagine what surgery and recovery would realistically be like.

 

[DavesChickLynn]

Some of you who have followed other posts of mine may know that I have to wait 6 months before I can move forward with WLS. Since I have all this time my psychiatrist (who is against WLS for all her patients regardless of diagnosis and had no problem telling me so) says, “I guess you can go on a diet and start losing weight now…if you do it right, in a few months you won’t feel like you need WLS”. That word: diet! I hate it! Just put that one word in your search engine of choice and you are bombarded with ads and quick fixes and 40 day cleanses and the latest version of Weight Watchers. None of them have the same answer for how to lose weight and keep it off. All of them tell you something different and “guarantee” something different as well. No wonder people who go looking for help with their health are so easily confused and misguided! I could have paid for my surgery out of pocket three times with the amount of money I have thrown away “dieting” throughout my life.
Anyway, I am looking forward to never using that word again. WLS is not a “diet”. It is a whole mentality change, a way to look at food differently. I will be meeting with the nutritionist in about 3 weeks and look forward to listening and applying what she tells me, and I do hope I lose some weight in the next 6 months while I am in a holding pattern. Regardless of what my psychiatrist says, this is the path I have chosen. She hasn’t known me but about a year. I have been on a “diet” most of my life. What do they say is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome. I’m ready to get off the merry go round!

I totally agree with you! I've been there, as well. You have to do what is good for you. So many people don't understand and don't want to try. Good luck with your journey!!

 

[Kcuster83]

Congratulations! What made you an ideal candidate? I have a six month weight. I am very determined and know I can lose weight but can never seem to keep it off!

Apparently, following all of the directions and advice of all the professionals that I met with and loosing weight through the process which was showing that I was already making changes to prepare for surgery (or after surgery life). At my first dietitian appointment I was told I should start tracking and was given a specific calorie range to stay within. I have done both consistently for 6 months now. Was active in every class and showed that I am "dedicated" and taking the process seriously. All sounds a bit obscure to me but it got my pre- surgery appointment moved up almost 2 months so I am ok with it. hehe

 

[Lilygirl]

Apparently, following all of the directions and advice of all the professionals that I met with and loosing weight through the process which was showing that I was already making changes to prepare for surgery (or after surgery life). At my first dietitian appointment I was told I should start tracking and was given a specific calorie range to stay within. I have done both consistently for 6 months now. Was active in every class and showed that I am "dedicated" and taking the process seriously. All sounds a bit obscure to me but it got my pre- surgery appointment moved up almost 2 months so I am ok with it. hehe

That is so terrific! I understand that certain criteria need to be met but I am glad you were able to move yours up a bit.

 

[RuthieD]

Mandy - I love how you have reframed what could have been a bad experience with your psychiatrist. I hope they are good with the mental health medication management part of their job, because it sounds like they are fairly ignorant about WLS.

 

[Mal44]

Some of you who have followed other posts of mine may know that I have to wait 6 months before I can move forward with WLS. Since I have all this time my psychiatrist (who is against WLS for all her patients regardless of diagnosis and had no problem telling me so) says, “I guess you can go on a diet and start losing weight now…if you do it right, in a few months you won’t feel like you need WLS”. That word: diet! I hate it! Just put that one word in your search engine of choice and you are bombarded with ads and quick fixes and 40 day cleanses and the latest version of Weight Watchers. None of them have the same answer for how to lose weight and keep it off. All of them tell you something different and “guarantee” something different as well. No wonder people who go looking for help with their health are so easily confused and misguided! I could have paid for my surgery out of pocket three times with the amount of money I have thrown away “dieting” throughout my life.
Anyway, I am looking forward to never using that word again. WLS is not a “diet”. It is a whole mentality change, a way to look at food differently. I will be meeting with the nutritionist in about 3 weeks and look forward to listening and applying what she tells me, and I do hope I lose some weight in the next 6 months while I am in a holding pattern. Regardless of what my psychiatrist says, this is the path I have chosen. She hasn’t known me but about a year. I have been on a “diet” most of my life. What do they say is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome. I’m ready to get off the merry go round!

This surgery was recommended to me first a while ago, but guess what! My doctor flat out refused to recommend me and said something along the lines “I don’t believe people should get these surgeries”. So not cool. It’s her personal opinion, not supposed by data but she pretty much discouraged me and blocked the process. 2 years went by, my health deteriorated and it ended up doing it anyway.

 

[Bettyg]

I am tired of the negativity surrounding WLS. When you talk to your doctor about it, they start to sweat and studder and try to talk you out of it. “It’s so permanent!” “It’s so hard and not everyone is successful!” Well news flash… being at this weight is hard! I am thinking about a second opinion. I don’t want to upset my doctor because she is wonderful, but I think her personal bias is going to be an issue moving forward. Not sure what to think

I don’t you the word diet either. As I tell my husband. Do not tell me I can’t have something. It makes me want it more. I’m a grown ass woman I deside what go in my mouth and I right now want and need to eat better to get to we’re I want to be. So I’m resonsable for my our come. I want this so bad. I have days where I want some chocolate. Have some and stop. Get going and keep going

 

[dianeseattle]

i feel ya. but i decided to restore the word diet to its proper medical meaning. I never use "diet" to mean a decrease in food in order to lose weight. i have a healthy diet. so I don't have to "diet."