Katie Jay’s Tips on Losing the Obesity Mindset
By Kathy Stream
As a freelance writer for NAWLS, I find myself thrust into the WLS community.
I dove in nearly two years ago, hoping to absorb and learn and grow through osmosis or photosynthesis or something. For me, someone who has not had bariatric surgery, I was (and still am) eager to learn all I can about the procedures and the people who undergo them.
One thing I’ve learned is that mainstream America still thinks that having bariatric surgery is cheating. According to shows like the Biggest Loser, we should all just be able to work hard, eat less and achieve the pants size of our dreams.
Not that doing the work is “easy,” but the misconception is that this is the “real” way to lose, and if you have surgery, you are taking the easy way out.
What is “easy” about having major surgery? It’s a huge deal, not without risk of complications. NAWLS members continue to share with me the agonizing decision process they endured.
For example, friends and family members are not always supportive for a variety of reasons, which initially created more stress and indecision for many.
While I struggle to get rid of 25-30 myself, I have never been morbidly obese. I can only imagine my desperation to be healthy and happy if I was some 300 pounds.
In my experience, a WLS patient is not something you become for the day or for a few weeks until your follow-up appointment.
A WLS patient is someone who commits to changing their lifestyle for good. It doesn’t matter how the excess comes off, maintaining health and happiness is a daily process.
The WLS men and women I’ve met are courageous. They didn’t take the “easy” way out; they faced their fears head on. Every day, many weigh their food, map out meals, and take numerous vitamins and supplements.
The people I’ve met keep food logs, attend support group meetings, exercise, and drink lots of water. It’s not easy staying on track. Especially, for those who also struggle with emotional eating and carb addiction.
Despite the media’s portrayal of WLS patients, they are to be commended. Don’t let the turkeys get you down! During moments of weakness, remember that your NAWLS friends are a great resource and source of encouragement.
As Katie always says, “Never give up!”
By Kathy Stream, freelance writer for NAWLS. To contact Kathy for your writing needs, email her at kathy@streamwriter.biz.
Related posts:
- The Real Secret to Losing Weight after Weight Loss Surgery In the August 2008 issue of the American Journal of...
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- Weight Loss Surgery Success: The Power of Your Dark Side Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Luke Skywalker...
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- Tags: bariatric surgery, bariatric surgery success, bariatric surgery support, Carbohydrate Sensitivity, Emotional Eating, food addiction, food diary, food log, head hunger, Katie Jay, NAWLS, perfectionism, sugar addiction, sugar sensitivity, Trigger Foods, type II diabetes, weight loss surgery, weight loss surgery retreats, weight loss surgery support, weight regain, WLS, WLS Lifestyle, WLS support
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About Katie
The author of Dying to Change: My Really Heavy Life Story, How Weight Loss Surgery Gave Me Hope for Living, and Small Bites: Daily Inspirations for Weight Loss Surgery Patients, Katie Jay, MSW, Certified Wellness Coach, is a nationally recognized expert on weight loss and weight loss surgery. She is the founder and director of the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery (www.nawls.com). An online membership organization created to help weight loss surgery patients master their eating, mindset, and lifestyle to achieve long-term weight loss success.
Debra Taylor
October 30th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Katie, I would like to comment on the misguided notion that WLS is cheating and easy. Aside from the major surgery, learning to eat correctly and overcome your addictions to food is extremely hard. I am in my fifth year after surgery and I have maintained my goal weight. But it is a constant dilligent effort to stick to the diet plan, monitor my nutrition, and supplement in order to stay healthy and get the proper protein. Truly successful GB patients have to stick to a healthy diet, not only eat less, but in some cases, try to eat enough (if your pouch is very sensitive). If anyone thinks that a person can have surgery and never have to worry about food or gaining weight again is sadly misinformed or simply foolish. I am so glad that I chose this route…it saved my life and changed my life…but it is constantly hard work. The difference is I worked hard trying to lose before, but the RNY surgery was the only thing that gave me results. I am very happy with my results, but I want everyone to know that it is VERY hard work to keep it off just like anyone else who diets.