Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Is Surgery The Easy Way Out?

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass procedures (GBP) are any of a group of similar operations that first divides the stomach into a small upper pouch and a much larger lower "remnant" pouch and then re-arranges the small intestine to connect to both.

 

In October/November (can't remember the month) my grandma had the Gastric Bypass surgery. Watching her lose the weight has been amazing. My grandma has always struggled with losing weight, and this has been a life changer for her. I am very proud of her.

Has it been something that I have thought about doing? Sure! I mean why not? Get my stomach cut down to two ounces, shed the weight fastish (maybe fast at first, but it can slow down over the years), and hope and pray I still have good eating habits the rest of my life. And I mean at my age and weight, at one point it seemed/seems like the only thing that can help/save me. But is it the easy way out?

The way I saw it was, I was cheating. At my age of 24, getting the Gastric Bypass just seemed like it was the easiest way to lose the weight, since I had so much to lose, an easy out. Then something clicked, seeing my Grandma making the life changes she has made, made me think maybe it isn't the easy way out. 

Then I would think of how my friends, family, and work peers would see me. And if you know me, it's very rare, that I care what people think about me. If I went through with this surgery would they think I was just lazy, and gave up? Maybe they would think she is only doing this because she doesn't want to exercise and/or eat healthy. Or would they think, well just because she is having this surgery doesn't mean she will stick to it. This thought has impacted me more than anything in current life, that my friends, family, and work peers will judge me for having the surgery. 

 

Recently we had open enrollment for health insurance. I changed my insurance to the plan that pays up to $25000 for the Gastric Bypass surgery. I did this thinking this was the only option I had at this point in my life and it would be best for me. Then the thinking of the easy way out came storming back in. So I still have it up in the air. I am going to walk through all the steps which can take a year or longer to get approved to have the surgery. During those steps I am going to work hard on a plan that will hopefully help me in this on going battle. If I can show myself that I can lose X amount of weight in X amount of time, then I don't see the point of having the surgery.

 

I haven't started anything just yet. But my goal start time is Monday April 29, 2013. Why wait until then? Because it's how I roll, it helps me be prepared. Until then, I will keep on writing to those who will read and then keep at it all during my journey. 

Gastric Bypass Surgery:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_bypass_surgery


Posted by at

4 comments:

  1. EmailApril 24, 2013 at 4:52 PM

    Dont worry what anyone else thinks Jess-your life your decision,I will only add that you are so young and if you travelled down the path of improving your nutrition and mindset lessons with some excercise I think you would learn alot about yourself during the process and come out the other end with a story that may help others,Uncle Doo would like to do just that! You are so beautiful,love Karen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 24, 2013 at 6:14 PM

      Thanks Karen! I feel that at my age, doing it on my own would be best learning experience. I am still going to learn about it, going to a seminar on May 1st with mom. The process usually can take a year to even get approved with health insurance, but during that year I could be doing something to help me and if that works then there would be no need for the surgery.

      Delete
  2. EmailApril 24, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    And I agree by all means surgery is not an easy way out at all!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. EmailApril 24, 2013 at 6:35 PM

    Easy way out or not? something i have to question about this would be how would you feel about it? i mean say loose the weight? you would be proud of that as you should be. however would it effect you in regards to how you feel about yourself? I guess only you can answer the question is it the easy way out? do you see it as you are not discipline enough at 24 to control what goes in your mouth? if the answer to this question is no I am not discipline enough then you have to ask why would you be discipline enough to do what the doctors say to do after you have the surgery? Jess you are a very strong willed person and you CAN/WILL do whatever you put your mind to period. I know that surgery is not easy and grandma has done it and i feel at her age this is something that had to be done. Her health for her age was a major factor in her decision if she did nothing she would have gone down hill at a much faster pace than by not having the surgery. Don't know if you want MY opinion but I am not going to pass on the opportunity to give it. You are too young to have the surgery. my opinion. I think your attitude and self worth will sky rocket when you loose the weight through diet and exercise all of which you are fully capable of achieving. I Love you and know how hard it is to shed unwanted weight and i have a personal chef on my team and it is still super hard. you have friends and family around you that can and will encourage and help in any way possible. sometimes it is just hard to humble ourselves and seek that help. YOU WILL DO IT NO MATTER WHAT decision you make. your new life starts the day you wake up and tell yourself your worth the change. Uncle Dale

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)