Thought provoking segment on the Today Show this morning. As someone who was overweight by age 7 (see First Communion photo) - I have literally been fat my entire life (entire meaning 40 years worth). Granted WLS surgery was not around 30 years ago (when I was a teen) but since my weight never affected me (physically - other than clothes, in relationships or in work situations) I had not considered the surgery. I had also never had any type of surgery or even been in a hospital (other than visiting and that was only 3 time). Never a stitch or a broken bone.
I know that the closer I got to surgery - the more I thought about the complications. And the weight (no pun intended) of my decision. Is a 17 year old ready for such decisions, for the vast amount of follow up and learning? I don't know ...
I know that I wish I had learned to be a better eater when I was younger. I wish I learned about nutrition. I wish I learned better ways to handle stress, boredom, anger, happiness and any other reason why I over ate.
Here's an easier question. I cleaned out a pantry this morning. Is there any reason to have Ramen noodle soup any more?
I don't think there is, too much sodium. But keep maybe one or two around for emergencies if you want to!
ReplyDeleteAnd I wish I could have gotten the surgery at 17, the younger you are the better your skin bounces back! And (and maybe this is a horrible thought)... if I hadn't been morbidly obese I might not have settled for the guy who got me prego, I wouldn't have 4-year-old twin boys, and I could have been living out my dreams.
Told you it was horrible.
That's tough question - when would you be ready? I was overweight my whole life too, but I always thought I could handle it on my own, so to take that step as a teenager would to have admitted I couldn't. I see younger girls who blog having surgery in their 20's and I envy them - it wasn't an option for me at the time. I don't know I knew many people who had RNY years before I had LB surgery and it wasn't something I would even think about it. It took a health scare for me to face what I needed to do.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about teaching kids to eat better and hopefully that helps. I'm trying so hard to change the fat cycle with my daughter.
My first instinct is to say that a teenager can learn new habits. But, really, I couldn't change my habits in the long run....... My whole life would be different if I would have had this surgery in my late 20'3- early 30's.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, then I would not be the person I am or where I am now.
Everyone is different and no one else knows their struggles.
Hmmm interesting topic. I honestly think that my life would have been much different if I had gotten my weight off when I was younger. I seriously have had such negative experiences in life due to my weight.
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