It is so interesting how some people react when my clients tell them that they have had a bariatric procedure, call it the sleeve, mini bypass, full bypass, revision surgery.

“You took the easy way out”.  Excuse me?  “Yes, you had surgery.  That’s not the same as doing it through exercise and diet”.  (say that with a high-pitched, whiney voice)

Let’s back up a bit here.  My clients have done ALL the diets.  They have done ALL the exercises.  Some of them have lost and gained hundreds of pounds.  So you think it is unfair that they hopped a plane to Mexico, paid thousands of dollars, recovered from a surgery, and then learned to eat all over again while getting a lot more active?

Woo Wee, watch me get on my soapbox. 

If you don’t like the fact that “so and so” went to Mexico for bariatric surgery, then look the other way and keep on dieting and exercising and complaining. 

My clients did the math in their heads. They were sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.  They were depressed and tired of feeling out of control.  Their bodies were showing signs of metabolic illness, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugars.  Their backs, hips, knees, and ankles all hurt.  They had tremendous inflammation.

They were all eating the Standard American Diet (SAD), and following the darn rules.  They still kept gaining weight.  Thanks, SAD.  Thanks for LYING to us.  Thanks for selling us all your junk food and pretending to take care of us. Thanks for all your food labels that confuse us.

So “Karen”, you prefer your friend to feel poorly daily.  Do you like seeing your BFF depressed?  It makes you happy for your buddy to have back pain?  Do you feel like it’s your business to shame them?

I think I need to get off my soap-box, because I may start using four-letter words now.

Look, guys, if “Karen” does this to you, remove her/him from your life until he/she chills out. If they are your friend, they will be happy for you.  This decision is hard enough without having the “shamers” try to prevent you from taking control of your health.

“But you only need to exercise”.  “But you only need to diet”.  “But you only need to get some of those prescription diet pills”.  “But you only need to be happy with yourself”.

“Thanks, but you don’t live in my body”. “Thanks, but you don’t live in my brain”.

Don’t allow the “negative Nancy” to prevent you from doing what you know you need to do to get healthy.  Sure, there will be genuinely concerned people.  Those people also love you and understand your decisions. 

If Karen or Nancy is reading this, sorry for using your name.

May I say something?  Maybe (just maybe), if you change and get super healthy, others around you may feel like they have to take responsibility and get healthy also.  Change is HARD.  Most people don’t want to change.  Are you challenging them to do better?  Think about it.  Maybe that is why they lash out at you and your decision to have weight loss surgery?

You do You Boo. 

Your body.  Your mind.  Your money.  Your decision.

Only YOU know what you should do.

You do You Boo.

I’ll support you whether you choose to have surgery, try to lose it on your own, or gain 5 more pounds.  You are in charge of yourself. 

I get it. 

Healthy Hugs.

Sheri Burke – your bariatric RHN

Shout-out to all you amazing bariatric BOSSES.  You made the decision to hop a plane, have your bariatric surgery in Mexico, and take control of your health and your life. 

Now what?  I mean, what comes WITH that decision to lose weight? 

(Ahem) Lifestyle changes!   I know, I know – you already know that.  But do you? I mean, we all “talk the talk”, but are you “walking the walk”? 

Lifestyle changes are going to keep you safe from regain.  They are your protection against “going backwards”.  And, you can make these changes at any time along your journey. 

Let’s say that you had your surgery 3 years ago, you lost weight, you are feeling better but you are starting to slip a bit. You find yourself watching more Netflix, or eating more slider foods, or going to bed very late.  You can make changes NOW. You don’t need to wait for the next 5 years to “see what will happen”.   You already know what is going to happen if you continue along the slippery slope.

What lifestyle changes have you implemented?  I think that some of the most important ones include:

• Becoming more active – Exercising and moving more.
• Learning new kitchen skills – cooking at home more.
• Learning more about nutrition
• Making sleep a serious priority.
• Learning how to manage stress better with techniques.
• Spending less time Netflix-ing.
• Doing some self-discovery as to “why” we gained the weight.

What other lifestyle changes have you made during your journey up to this stage? I am sure you can add to my list above.

Do you see how you can implement any of these lifestyle changes at any time along your journey.  The journey doesn’t end when you reach your goal weight.  This doesn’t have some finish-line.  We are constantly working and striving for better and improved health. 

Ask yourself some questions:

1. “Am I happy with my current diet”?
2. “Am I content with the amount of exercise I am getting”?
3. “Am I taking care of my health”?
4. “Where can I improve my lifestyle”?

Even if you are at your goal, and you are feeling great, where is there room for improvement?

If you are not at your goal and you are struggling, where is there room for improvement?

If you want to discuss, reach out to me.  I’m always here for you.

Healthy Hugs.

Sheri Burke – your bariatric RHN