***QUESTION OF THE DAY*** Are you happy you did not get WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY?

Yes, every time I reflect back to my journey towards weight loss surgery, I am happy that I did not go that route. I attempted not once, but two times at getting surgery - Lap Band and The Sleeve. The surgeon was very nice, but he indicated the best results for me was to just become healthy. In my early 20s I was dying to just get the weight off - I was looking for the quick, fast results. I ended up getting denied because I was classified as being healthy, just overweight.

What does that mean?
This indicated that I was just overweight and was not at a high risk of needing the surgery immediately. Patients like individuals with high blood pressure and diabetes are cleared as high risk because losing the weight could assist and aid their illnesses. Of course I was angry at the insurance company and my job because they would technically did not allow me to get the surgery. The company I worked for, indicated they would not cover the surgery at all, and when the doctor appealed, this is when the insurance company indicated - I was basically healthy. My solution? He told me to just go on a diet and exercise - the weight would come off. I cried, became angry, and ate myself into a deeper obesity problem...

Do you wish you had the surgery now looking back?
Now that I have tackled this, I know for a fact the surgery was not for me. It is difficult for people to understand the concept of losing gradually. I know people who are only 200 pounds with no real medical issues and are being approved for weight loss surgery. This bothers me because there are too many risk when going in for weight loss surgery. I know someone who lost a close friend because of complications experiences post the surgery. This person ended up with blood poisoning. I know another person who had a bad reaction to anesthesia, and never woke up post surgery. These are real people, but we never heard about them in the news or the health journals, but there are so many risk.

Besides the risks, I look at some people who have had the surgery, and depending on how big they were, they were in need of additional surgery, but most insurances will not cover it because it is considered cosmetic surgery - yes, I am referring to the removal of excess skin. I look at my body now and am so proud to see my body is conforming to what it should look like. I remember when I did the shake diet, and I lost the weight so fast, that my skin started to sag - not sexy.

People who get the surgery, I applaud them for wanting to take a step in the right direction. They want to get the pounds off. I understand some people just need the extra help to lose weight because some are unable to walk or function without help. But, personally, I am happy I found the right surgeon who did not push the issue of me becoming one of his patients. He provided a lot of advise, and I thank him for that indirect motivation. It was meant for me to experience the old life and for me to transition to this new lifestyle because when I speak, it comes from firsthand experience.

So, my recommendation: do what is best for you. If you are sure you cannot push past the challenges and you are in need to get healthy because of major medical issues, then do it! Find a surgeon who cares about you, not the money. Some doctors will do surgery on people who technically do not need it; however, there are some who will not touch you because they know deep inside it is unethical because you really do not need it. Choose your battles wisely. Dr. Jacobs - thank you, and thank you to myself for living the unhealthy life, but transitioning into the healthy side... If I can do it, you can too.

Find your motivation!

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut

Visit: www.successweight.com

Who are you doing it for?

Today while in the post office, I overheard a young lady on the phone. She was talking extremely loud, but her conversation kept me listening. She indicated how the guy she was seeing told her he would not make her his girlfriend until she lost the weight. Now, I have been in this same situation before, so I understood her argument. However, the Tanisha today will not accept that.

She was telling the person on the phone how she hates this diet because all she eats is salad and drink water. Her exact words was, "I hate eating only salads and no burgers. But, I really want to be with him, so I gotta lose this weight now."  I was very taken aback because my mother always say, when a man want you to change all the things about you before he do something with you, means when you do it, he still won't.

I felt bad for this poor girl because she really has not understand that in order for her to be loved by others, she has to love herself. A man or woman should not give you restrictions or guidelines before the decide to be with you. You have to be with someone because you want to be with them - not if they change something first. Then she's doing something that she really do not want to do, that is where she will fail at.

When people (family, friends, doctors, etc.) tell you to lose weight, you are most likely to not start or be successful at it. Why? You have no self-motivation to want to do it. There are certain things that we do because we depend on it: i.e.: you know you have to pay your rent, so you go to work everyday and work overtime when you really don't want to. But, you are doing it because you need someplace to live. For health situations, that same theory does not quickly register over. My mom used to call me and tell me about the different young, wheelchair bound overweight people she seen at her job. She would add scare tactics to this, but she was doing it because she was telling me I needed to lose weight. I would take it in, do a diet, or go to the gym, but once I had an opportunity for why I couldn't stick to it, I used it. I WAS NOT READY!

Leaving the Post Office, it made me realize how so many people are all in the same shoes - the shoes I once was. Now, I look at MY decision to change MY LIFE. I appreciate the fact I have the willpower and self-motivation to push for a healthier lifestyle - no tricks, no gimmicks, no diets, no pills, and no surgery. It is a great feeling! Find your motivation and stick to it!

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut

QUESTION OF THE DAY: GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY????

So, I always have people asking me random questions, and I feel it is best to answer them here with you all.

The question that was presented to me was, did you consider gastric bypass surgery? The answer is YES! Two times I have gone to well-known surgeons in NYC to entertain the idea of gastric bypass surgery because I felt it was my very last resort. Both times I really did not try anything or put my all into trying to lose the weight, but I knew I did not want to be big anymore.

The first time I went I sat and listened to all the options they had for me. I was looking into the LapBand surgery because I did not think I could tolerate the full gastric bypass. The doctor was very supportive, informative, and provided real information - benefits and risks. So, as he took my medical history he indicated from that day that my insurance may possibly deny it because although my BMI (body mass index) classified me as being morbidly obese, I was technically healthy - no diabetes, high blood pressure, nothing!

When I left his office, he gave me all the options and the details for me to follow over the course of the next couple of weeks/months in the event I was in fact denied. The surgeon submitted all the documentation, and guess what? I was denied! This made me frustrated because it seemed to me that the health insurance company was against me and my goal and desire of being healthy. I went back to my primary doctor, and we followed the guidelines presented by the surgeon over the course of a year.

I got frustrated and did not follow the surgeon's guidelines and just gave up. After the first time, I went back a few years later - the same surgeon. This time, I did what he asked me to do previously, and felt I was going to get approved. I had blood work done, and it showed I had some cholesterol issues; therefore, I knew in heart it was going to get approved. This time the surgeon suggested a modified option of the gastric bypass which is called the sleeve gastrectomy. This option seemed a lot better for me because I did not like the reviews I read about the LapBand, and felt the sleeve was a better option.

Again, the surgery was denied. Boy, this was frustrating!!! I realized finally and just came to accept the fact that regardless of what others were doing that maybe I was not meant to have these surgeries, and God was trying to stop me from making a mistake. Regardless of my frustration, I felt there was a need to just get it done and over with. I knew people who had it done, and some looked great, but some looked a little ---- creepy. They lost the weight too fast that it did not look right on them.

My family did not want me to get the surgery because they heard of so many negative reactions and side effects. I just wanted the weight off, and wanted it off immediately. I never liked to see slow progression, I only wanted quick and fast solutions, but I never realized just how unsafe this surgery could be on me and my life. I have a few friends who have had some form of gastric bypass, and one indicated it was a big mistake. He never changed his mindset about food; therefore, it did not benefit him because although he was slim and smaller than before, he was still a fat kid deep inside. Listening and seeing him in action was unbelievable, and made me realize I could not live my life like that - it was too unhealthy. I really was upset because I felt I had no more options.

Now as I look back on these two attempts, I am happy they did not go through. I had to realize the weight did not come on overnight, and it will not come off overnight; therefore, I had to do my part to ensure I was going to be healthy. Yes, it took me a long time to get it together, but now I see the benefits of my decisions, and know I am not doing it the right way and for the right reasons. I do not have to worry about putting my life in danger by going under the knife. If I am already healthy, then I need to do everything in my power to ensure I remain healthy because this is what I need to live longer.

So, my advise to people looking to get the weight loss surgery, please take the time to realize there is a lot that goes into this surgery, and you could put yourself into a dangerous situation if you do not change your lifestyle. The surgery is meant to help you get to a healthier you, but you have to program your mind to think the very same way. Nobody wants to be overweight, but the reality is until you realize surgery and/or diets will not resolve your issue, then you will constantly fight this battle.

I wish you all the best of luck in your decisions!

TW aka Plus Size Health Nut