After we talked, I had to hide the tears coming down my face from my co-workers around me. Many of your words hit home in regards to the pain, shame, anguish and such, throughout your lifelong struggle. I know you're a busy guy but I wanted to say "thank you" for opening yourself up to help me and others. You have not only helped me prepare me for the upcoming surgery, but also helped me get in touch with deep-seated feelings I've carried around for years and never confronted. — Robert
Your insights are so true. I eat for all of those reasons. I am sitting at my desk trying not to burst into tears. I can't even begin to describe or understand the raw emotions that you have brought out in me, I feel like you have stirred an emotional wave into my heart and it just keeps going! Thank you. — Sue
This website is dedicated to helping people suffering from obesity deal with the choices and changes of Weight Loss Surgery through information, newsletters, personal experience, and resource links.
Are you morbidly obese? Do you feel limited by your obesity, or that it has kept you from achieving your goals and dreams? Do you suffer from diabetes due to your weight? Has a doctor or friend ever suggested you consider gastric bypass or other bariatric surgery?
Do you feel confused, alone and overwhelmed at the thought of Weight Loss Surgery? Do you have many questions that aren't being addressed or are you afraid to ask about surgically-assisted weight loss strategies? Do you worry that people will think you are taking "the easy way out"? Do you fear weight loss failure — again? Or do you simply feel you need help, advice, guidance and support from others who understand what it's like to be morbidly obese — who understand your life and what you are going through?
If any of those questions apply to you, I'm very glad you came here today.I believe that Weight Loss Surgery — Roux en Y, Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, Adjustable Lap Band or other bariatric procedure — might give you the precious gift of a second chance at a longer, healthier life. But you need the right information, the right attitude and the right support to successfully use this life-changing medical weight loss tool...
Welcome to my story about overcoming morbid obesity through
Weight Loss Surgery!
I’ve been where you are, or where you’ve been. I’ve used the powerful tool of Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) to re-create my body and life, and I’m now enjoying a priceless Second Chance at living a long and healthful life. I created this website to share information, resources, and my assistance, experience, challenges, hope and successes with others who are either considering this procedure, or are recovering from and coping with its aftermath.
I remember how desperately alone, confused and overwhelmed I felt when I first decided to consider Weight Loss Surgery. I had so many urgent questions demanding straight forward and honest answers, but I didn't know who to ask or who to trust. I was scared about the risks, and needed to know what to expect — physically, emotionally, socially and financially. I had heard the "horror stories" about GBGB — what the nurses on the bariatric ward call "gastric bypass gone bad" — and didn't want to try yet another costly, dangerous fad that would prove to be just another demoralizing disappointment.
I feared that I would sabotage myself with my binges and my out-of-control compulsive overeating that had put on the pounds and put off any change. I didn't have a clue how to focus or structure my investigations; whether I was a good candidate for the surgery; how to find and select a doctor and procedure; what it would cost or whether my insurance would cover it; or how best to inform and prepare my family and friends to support my recovery. I didn't know where to start or how to proceed.
I know now that I was afraid to let myself feel any hope that this surgery could succeed where every diet and resolution had failed. I worried that I would waste what seemed to be my last chance to reclaim my health and body. Despite my determination and best efforts, I had never been able to take off the excess weight that was limiting and killing me. My weight loss schemes had never worked before. Why would WLS be any different?
It was.
As far back as I can remember, my weight had always been
the single most defining, limiting, painful and self-destructive issue
in my life. Slightly obese as an adolescent, my body mass continued to multiply until, at age 55, I weighed 360 pounds, was an insulin-dependent diabetic, and suffered from obstructive sleep apnea. My morbidly obese body was wracked with daily pain, and my spirit was burdened and tormented by daily exclusions and humiliations.
My choice to have this admittedly drastic procedure was a positive and life-affirming choice for me. I made it for all of the right reasons. Not to look good, or to avoid other people’s negative judgments about me, or even to be more comfortable in my body – although these are all magnificent blessings I’ve enjoyed as I’ve lost almost half of my Old Self and found my Whole New Self. I chose WLS so that I could stay alive for the people and the life work that are important to me. I hope that those are some of the reasons that you’re considering, or have had, WLS.
My questions and needs were just as urgent, although very different, after my Weight Loss Surgery. At every step of my recovery, I faced new challenges relating to nutrition, food choices, exercise, coping strategies, and the profound changes in my relationships and life.
In my early post-op recovery, I was sometimes desperate for authoritative guidance. Other times I just needed to talk with a successful WLS veteran who could give me a reality check, reassurance, or practical help with my problems. What were the best meal replacements, protein powders and supplements? How could I possibly meet my daily protein and water requirements? What could I eat when I was on the road or at meetings? How could I best deal with social activities organized around food?
Why did I feel "head hunger" even when I knew that my stomach was already full? How could I deal with this emotional eating? How should I respond to people who made stupid or mean comments or asked rude questions? When would I start feeling better? Was I losing as much weight as I should be? Why did my weight loss stop or slow, and how could I get past plateaus and keep on losing? Did everyone experience the same kinds of digestive and bathroom problems? Was I normal? Was I on track?
Later, as I moved farther away from my surgery and tantalizingly closer to my goal, new needs emerged — including fundamental issues relating to rediscovering who I was as a thin, fit person, and adjusting my self-image and presentation to the world. I found that I had to create a whole new lifestyle and a whole new self-identity that matched my new body, not my Former Fat Self.
There were times when I slipped and "fell off the wagon" and didn't know how to end my relapse and resume my weight loss. Sometimes I just needed someone who was empathetic, respectful AND real to call me on my stuff, remind me that many of the stories I told myself were no longer true or applicable, and help me get back on track.
I tried to meet my needs on-line, and even organized a local support group. But I learned that I needed much more.
Today, one year after my surgery, I am at my goal weight! I weigh less than 200 pounds for the first time in my adult life. I have lost more than 160 pounds and shed my corpulent mass, my diabetes, my sleep apnea, my lethargy, my despair and my shame. My BMI, originally way over 50, is now under 30. I am no longer considered obese.
Every day I either walk several miles, vigorously and uphill, or engage in resistance weight training. I look and feel great, I wear “Large” size clothes (down from 4X) bought off the rack, and my energy and life force have multiplied exponentially. After my recent physical exam, my doctor reported that I am of “normal size and great health” for the first time I can ever remember. My body, spirit and life have been transformed through my diligent and effective use of this incredible tool of WLS — and this precious gift of a fully functional appetite regulator. I thank my Higher Power every day for my second chance at good health and a long life. These outcomes are truly miraculous!
My recovery and path have not been easy, and I still struggle with the severe limitations I experience with respect to both the amount and variety of foods I can comfortably consume. On balance, however, having Weight Loss Surgery has been an unequivocal blessing, and it was one of the smartest and best choices I’ve ever made.
When I started on this path I had no idea of the ways that my life would be changed and improved by the dialogue my website and newsletters have created with thousands of extraordinarily brave and powerful people throughout the world. I had no idea that I would be both joining, and helping to build, a dynamic “virtual community” of people with common objectives, concerns and experiences. This past year of deep, honest and authentic sharing of myself with others, and learning from them, has helped me to feel part of a community of special souls who can understand my feelings, experiences and challenges like no one else in my life had ever understood. I can’t overstate how much it has meant to me – and how much it has helped me to achieve my WLS goals – to be part of this vibrant community of sensitized, open, caring and loving people.
You are now cordially invited to join this community. Elsewhere on this site I have shared information and links about my lifelong struggle with my obesity, my journey to and from my Weight Loss Surgery, my life work and helpful links to other resources.I have also created a series of newsletters – Through Thick and Thin – in which I share from my heart about my path to and after my bariatric surgery.
Most of all, I hope that this website, and my story and path, will help you to decide whether this procedure is right for you and to find and follow your own path to health, longevity, happiness and fulfillment of your purpose in this life.
Glenn Goldberg, J.D., R.C., Member, International Coaching
Federation
Through Thick
As far back as I can remember, my weight had always been
the single most defining, limiting, painful and self-destructive issue
in my life. Slightly obese as an adolescent, my body mass continued to multiply until, at age 55, I weighed 360 pounds, was an insulin-dependent diabetic, and suffered from obstructive sleep apnea. My morbidly obese body was wracked with daily pain, and my spirit was burdened and tormented by daily exclusions and humiliations.
