I have a magnet on my fridge right at eye level. It has a picture of an extremely fit/athletic woman and it says, “What you eat in private, shows up in public.”
I thought about this when a patient came in recently, angry because she wasn’t losing weight. She had eaten a large fast-food lunch just before she came and brought her extra-large soda with her into the office. I can’t help but think that she did that to thumb her nose at me and Betty – nobody can honestly say that they’re unaware of the “no soda” rule.
So here’s my mistake of the week:
do not assume your weight loss or gain either affects anybody else or is anybody else’s responsibility
I am not trying to be harsh, but your success or your failure is your own. We can help, cajole, educate and fill, but the final choices that are made when you stand in front of the fridge are your own. We will know whether or not they were good choices when you come to the office and weigh. I will celebrate your triumphs and console your setbacks, but in the end you get to keep your weight or lose it, nobody else. Rebelling against the rules or against the doctors or Betty or Amy or Lori doesn’t accomplish anything in the end, except sabotage your goals.
3. December 2009 at 8:24 pm
Quitting the soft drinks was the hardest for me; 2 weeks preop I quit smoking and caffine(and eating lol) but really i figured if the good lord gave me this last chance to finally beat this weight battle by bringing Betty and Dr.Heiker into my life then I’m not going to let a carbonated drink ruin the blessing I was given….my health is more important
13. December 2009 at 3:33 pm
Thumbing their nose at you and Betty is not a smart move. They are only cheating themselves. I don’t understand why people can’t see this. It is not affecting your weight or your health if they don’t follow the rules. It only affects us. Lap banders make good choices and stay in the box. It will pay off and the weight will come off.
24. December 2009 at 12:08 pm
January 16th, will two years since I got banded. I can still say that it is the greatest gift I have ever given myself. I have lost more weight than I ever thought I could. I love to shop and have more energy and can do fun things with my grandchildren. I had my last Diet Dr. Pepper on January 15, 2008. I have not had any kind of carbonated drink
since then. Mainly I drink water. I thought I would miss them but I don’t. I would urge everyone not to risk your band by not following the rules. I wish everyone “Happy Holidays” and Merry Christmas.
24. December 2009 at 11:53 pm
Thanks for sharing your story!