Question:
Were any of you afraid to do things because you were MO? Has it changed after WLS?
Ok, I am a big chicken. Whenever my friends want to do something like climbing down a cliff to the beach, or mountain biking, etc., I find myself begging out. I have always been so unsure of myself. If anyone is going to get hurt doing something like that, it will be me. It always is. I am just wondering recently if maybe I am so unsure of my movements because I weigh so much more than other people. Example: I was at a park with my boyfriend last weekend, and he jumps off the side of the bank to a rock in the river, and proceeds to jump from rock to rock. Then he tells me to come with! No way would I do that, I would fall in, I know it! I am just thinking maybe I am like this because things like that are harder for me, since I weigh a whole extra person. Did any of you feel like this post-op, and did it change once the weight was gone? I would like to be more daring like that, and I hope that maybe I will gain confidence in my physical skills as the weight drops. Thanks! — Jennifer Y. (posted on March 8, 2002)
March 8, 2002
OH YES! 124 pounds lighter makes ALL the difference in the world.
EVERYTHING is easier, even walking! No more wounded cowboy walk. I am
looking forwaRD TO SPRING SO i CAN GET OUT AND DO MORE!
— bob-haller
March 8, 2002
I went mountain climbing...you know, hiking, rappeling, tyrolean transverse
and zip line kind of stuff at 317 pounds, so, I feel like I have always
been reasonably active. But when I hit over 450, I was concerned that if I
took a fall, it would seriously damage my own bad self, so I began limiting
what I did. After the surgery, I bought a 3 wheel adult bike because I was
afraid of falling, just so I could ride. I was inspired by some guy with
cerebral palsy who was riding one as part of a bike club...I said, Cool, I
could do that....Just recently, now that I am down to a svelt 294 pounds, I
joined a yoga class and it is kicking my butt! I even volunteered to be
the class demo so the teacher could show the class how to do downward dog,
table, prone mountain, half lotus, etc. How ballsy is that? Any way, I
say, just keep movin' to the beat, baby.
— merri B.
March 8, 2002
I am still pre, but boy do I ever feel that way! I am only 24 and when I
was in college I played lacrosse and was in great shape (even at 185
pounds). Just recently I had a business meeting in California. People
were going rock climbing and kayaking and I was so afraid that I was too
big to do it! (I am now 265 pounds). It was heartbreaking which is why I
want the surgery so bad to help me! I am counting on it changing my life
in that way! Normally, I would have loved to do those things!
— emilyfink
March 8, 2002
Just want to weigh-in by saying I am pre-op and I feel the same way. The
truth - thing are harder for us. Guess I know things will get easier
because of the weight lost but when will the confidence return? When will
we stop feeling and acting like people who are scared to truly live?
— Yvette W.
March 8, 2002
Extra weight may be part of your concern. In addition to the fear of
getting hurt, I always had in the back of my mind that I would look
ridiculous attempting to try more active new things. There is also the fear
of starting something, finding you are too out of shape to finish and then
what in the world do you do? Losing weight may help with these concerns.
You may also just have a cautious personality.
— Bobbie B.
March 8, 2002
Oh yes, weight loss has made a big difference in my life. I was always
afraid I would fall, or wouldn't fit or someone would make fun of me. But
now, it is totally different. I rode a motorcycle for the first time and it
has changed my life. We are going to buy one now. I still have reservations
about some things, but overall, losing 113 pounds (60 to go) has given me
my life back. You will gain confidence, trust me you will have so much, you
won't know where it came from!! GOOD LUCK!! Love, Laura
— laurac82101
March 8, 2002
Even at 195 I was an avid horseback rider, however I had to stop when I
reached 245 for all the reasons you mentioned.I havent ridden now for 2
years.Beleive it or not that was my primary motivating factor in deciding
to have surgery.At this point,I have lost 35 lbs so far, and plan to join a
gym within a few weeks so i can get back a little of my former muscle tone
before riding again.Although I do feel very self concious and worried about
falling...etc,it means so much to me that I will do it come hell or
highwaterLOL!I have already announced to my husband that I will be buying a
horse of my own again within a year!
— Stephanie H.
April 29, 2002
Wow, I wish I'd seen this posted in March. May I add my own resounding
"YES"? Lately I've been boating, swimming, and waterskiing
(tubing). I'm a pre op too. I think just knowing I was finally going to
have some relief gave me the courage to do these things. I remember being
told when I was a kid that cats' whiskers are as long as the width of their
bodies, to help them navigate in and out of tight spaces. I wonder if we
also have some "sense" of our size and it makes us avoid certain
tasks too? I was also self conscious of my body in a bathing suit and being
out in public. Well, I haven't noticed anyone stopping their fun to stare
at me or make mean comments. If it's this good now, I cna't wait to see how
it will be next year.
— NicoleG
September 19, 2003
I have lost 70 lbs after WLS (still have another 90 to go) but I can tell
you that there are several things I can do now that I couldn't do before
surgery. Every time I stand up, I feel so light. I feel like I could walk
forever - so much more energy. I rode a bike last weekend for the first
time in years. I've had my bike for 4 years and could never go riding with
my family because when I got on the bike, I felt afraid. Now it feels
great after only 70 lbs. I really believe that you are afraid because
you're really too heavy to do those things now. It will be different after
surgery once you lose the weight. Good luck!
— aferrendelli
Click Here to Return