My mother had bypass and I watched her endure so many of these things and she has regained nearly all her weight and it was a terrible 20 year episode. I am currently scheduled for sleeve and I will say at this point in my life my health and being alive for my children is more important to me than any food (after all, that's how I got here), any relationship (not that I have many to begin with due to an already antisocial nature) and I already refuse to drink. I am 100% sure the journey will be difficult and there will be moments where i am frustrated or disappointed, but no sacrifice no victory.
I had bypass seven months ago. Lost 110lbs so far. I'm pretty cool with all the journey, not complains at all. Skin is starting to flap, but his video about it, the one he says it's a honor badge, made me feel a lot more comfortable with the loose skin on my arms and thigs. He made things even easier for me. He's a true hero. Way to go, DocV
I did not have surgery but went on a complete life changing eating program. Yes I had to give up a huge part of my life which was cake baking. NO-ONE understood!!!
I’m a 56 year old cop black male cop married with children. I just had my surgery less than a week ago. This video hit me hard. I really believe some of those issues dealing with relationships and careers should only be looked at with a therapist. Those issues are deep and life changing and not always for the better. I’ve been a recovering person from some other shit for the last 28 years. I’m hoping that experience helps. Doc, I’m really enjoying your channel. I will consider your experience along with my surgeon’s experience and his team, my recovering friends, my therapist and my supportive family and friends. You really underlined how important my support people are. Thank you
I found this channel now when I’m going through my journey, I enjoy Dr. V because he goes in deep, makes you look at yourself, be real with yourself, the cursing is icing on the cake. Great personality! Thank you for your service. ❤
Hi Dr Vuong. Thank u for making me think. I'm 2 yrs out 166# down and....finding myself struggling bc I am still in a shitty relationship, half in half out on shitty food, struggling with relationships, the job omg the job....so thank u for making me sit here in tears and start deciding now what I'm going to give up bc you're so right.....
I had a dream a long time ago about giving up to get something better. A poor man was shivering on a park bench in a tattered thin coat during a snow storm when a wealthy man bundled in layers of luxurious warm material around him walked by. The wealthy guy offered to give the shivering man on the bench his coat if the poor man would take off his dirty, thin and useless one. The poor man refused adamantly because for a minute he would have nothing and feared the rich man would change his mind and the old man would have nothing. The poor guy had rather keep something useless and die than to risk removing it for a rich fur coat. Hummmm...Have I ever done that? I have. Letting go is trust that the earth will catch us. But it also means we have hope for our future. Better things can come but we have to let go without fear.
Therapy! I couldn’t have been prepared without it! Every few weeks I go and Learn how to be the new me, without the things I have given up, and the things that I may still have to give up, or lose. Thank you Dr V, for another great video!
THIS video is the reason I decided not to get weight loss surgery. I thank you doctor for your honesty and your feedback. The office that I was going to was clearly a money grab type of environment and I felt like they weren't telling me everything I needed to know. That's how it FELT to me. I'm glad I found this video. I'm good.
I am just starting my sleeve quest. My first consult is next week. This video should be required for anyone considering surgery. Thank you, Dr. V, for plain speaking, humor, and compassion.
Actually a good video. Answers: What was I willing to do? Have surgery, change my diet, been fortunate, family and friends have been very supportive Embarrassment? None, doesn't bother me a bit to ask for my food to be done in a special way, don't do this, don't do that, Don't much worry after that, I don't ask for child portions, have you seen what they serve children? Pure, unadulterated simple carb meals that might be appropriately sized but certainly not good for my health. I get to go boxes all the time, love leftovers myself. You don't even have to say wls. Just say I don't eat much, yada yada yada. Ain't none of their business why you don't eat much. Now, I'm not as pure as you say I should be. I had white rice a couple of weeks ago at a Japanese steak house. 1st time since surgery, don't care to have it again, brown rice tastes better, quinoa tastes better, etc. Is my life precious? Absolutely, I'm freshly retired and I want to do a lot of new things and enjoy the freedom and I'm closer now to the end of my life than I was 67 years ago so yeah, life is precious, I've given up nothing important to have this life. Pigging out? Wasn't fun when I was doing it so not giving up much. Simple carbs, wasn't a big fan, Fast food? Really? The only advantage of fast food is convenience, it certainly doesn't taste that good. So, I cook a bit more, My portions are small so cooking 4 meals isn't that big a deal. Convenience? There are clean ways to do it, Steaming veggies in the microwave, air fryers, instant pots, etc. So, do I anticipate weight gain? Actually, yes, I need to gain a little, I've lost too much and whoever thought I'd say that? Not me.
I am pretty confident I can do what you have done. I feel the same as you about my willingness to do. I had a gastric sleeve just three days ago. While in the hospital, I binge watched Dr. V's videos and they came in to see what I was laughing about. I showed nurses, nutritionists and assistants his videos. They especially loved when he said in one video, "Go to Mexico, ya'll! They have excellant doctors there." I was in Tijuana just yesterday afternoon. Home now. Feeling great like I just got a new Christmas present. Still binge watching Dr V. My "fat" pimp...lol.
I'm 1 week out and honestly the ONLY thing I'm willing to give up is large portion sizes. If my surgery cant handle the foods i love but in moderation this is going to be a miserable life. So much regret and fear right now.
Then don't do it now. Start researching paleo, keto and carnivore. I'm following keto for life. Yes, the mindset is still required. You have to start changing your mindset. I no longer eat the things I need to avoid...or at least I now put them in their proper place of my food priorites...as an occasional TREAT only. I have strict boundaries around them that I could never follow in the past. Why? Because I'm feeding myself lots of healthy fats and proteins and other nutrients and no longer overloading my body and brain with carbs from high starch and high sugar foods. But you have to get your mind set around being ok with telling yourself "no" even when you feel lije your body and brain are having a full on temper tantrum over your cravings....in the beginning. Once your body and brain start to understand that you have other sources of energy besides carbs and sugar, it starts to get on board. It starts craving those things less. It gets full easier. Energy starts to pick up. Focus improves. And you start discovering that if you really want somehing forbidden on occasion, there's a recipe for it out there using real ingredients to substitute the ones you''re replacing. And they're healthier ingredients. You also start creating your own easy and delicious dishes. I suggest giving it a shot for at least 1 month, working on your mindset and your diet changes. Then, if you don't start seeing changes in your weight and overall physical and mental health....THEN consider surgery. No surgery in the world will fix the problems that got you obese in the first place. I would only do surgery as a last resort, and only after I've worked on the habits and mindset that need changing. Btw, I'm 51 lbs down since February 2019, and halfway to my goal. I'm training my body and brain in a whole new way of looking at food for a lifetime change and allowing my body and brain to follow suit at its pace. The result? All my health markers are finally where they need to be, I have a healthier oerspective on food, wuthout giving up enjoying the foods I eat, I don't eat all day long anymore, I typically eat one-two small or nedium meals per day, I'm losing weight and feeling better than I have in Years! I'm not 100% better yet, but my body and brain are continuously getting better. And all these changes are happening naturally and gradually. And there's been no yo-yoing on the scale...just small 5 lbs fluctuations here and there while me weight drifts downwards. I never in my life thought I'd be able to stick to such drastic changes in my eating and cooking habits. And yet here I am.
WOW!!!!!!! I have just found you, what amazing timing! I will be having WLS soon and this is just what i needed being that the “why would you do something like that to yourself” questions have begun from friends and family! I will stay true to myself because “MY” life is precious!!!!! Thank you!!!!
He said in one video that it is natural to be hungry and unnatural to be full. Feeling hungry means you are alive and you can celebrate being alive. Hunger does not mean you are starving. It means you are alive. That is starting to be my mantra when I feel hunger. However, I am learning that appetite is different from hunger. Appetite is my mouth. Hunger is my stomach. Sometimes my mouth wants something but my stomach does not. I'm trying to get the two to be in agreement. That's hard.
All I can say is Wow, Wow, Wow! Actually that not all I can say... this video resonated deeply! I have not had the surgery yet. And I did say, once I have the surgery I'll be able to cut out 'bread' etc. NOW I'm thinking...go get the ingredients for the green smoothy, and do the Sunday food prep, do the journaling , these are the things I have been told to do in the past, but haven't for a variety of excuses. Now that it getting close to being approved for surgery, it is time to really listen and take active steps that I refused to do before. Thanks Dr. V. For making these videos.
Thank you very much - this is one of your best videos ! I am one year out and lost about 60 kg. The journey is not easy because it changes life in so many ways. Never thought that before. But all in all I am fine. Step for step coming nearer to myself and enjoy to feel ME. Your work helped and help me a lot. I give you a big hug and send many greetings from Germany
I 💙Dr.Vuong he keeps it real and has a good sense of humor thanks for your teaching. I don't have wls but I'm here to learn for my friend who's getting it.
My PCP just send a referral to a Bariatric Team. It is time to take care of ME. It will be a challenge. But I will give it all I can. Including the mishaps along the way. I will take it all 👍
Thank you so much ! You are so encouraging, passionate about what your teaching, and I love the level of honesty you deliver with each message. The humor makes me stay engaged but I love the realness of your videos they are so relatable.
Watching your videos keep me on track as far as the right mindset I need to be in to succeed, and your questions are part of this new habit I am working on developing called mental athletics. I couldn't be more grateful for you and your content, and will do my best to support you in all your financial endeavors. Thank you so much for breathing life back into my life!
Thank you for this video. Definitely needed this. I'm 4years out from surgery and oh boy it's been a wild ride. Small weight gain but i decided to get it in check.
Oh wow, I’m torn on whether to have this surgery and came across your channel. Thank you for telling the truth. I was really skeptical about what the doctors and nurses were telling me.,It just seemed to be too good to be true. Now I have a new light on things. They were telling me some things that I wanted to hear. This most definitely will be a permanent lifestyle change and no looking back to the old ways in order to be successful. It will be super hard especially if you had the same habits for over 30 years of your life. It won’t be easy at all but you gotta be true to yourself in what you really want. Thank you Dr. V
I am just in the beginning process, doing all the testing, then will meet my surgeon for the first time in three weeks. This video is thought provoking in the best way.
You make a good point about the job. I had a second job driving passengersfrom the airport to a ski town which was fun and paid well with tips but it was way too much sitting. Combined with my desk job during the week and it was killing me. I'm doing housekeeping on the weekends now and it's better than any gym workout 💪 I'm not preparing for weightloss surgery but have lost 60lbs on a whole foods plant based diet since July. Weightloss make you feel really vulnerable for sure.
I have a pit in my stomach after this video. So deep, because I have to face these things in my life. I feel like he should close with prayer, because it reminds me of an appeal at the end of a powerful sermon. As a religious and spiritual person, I feel like we medicate and cover up with religion instead of allowing it to help us address these human very real human issues! This is too valuable.
My old story will be: When I was 300 pounds, I was a goddess! Fat floats and back then I could walk on the water. Now I'm a normal human being so now you can talk to me. 😂🤣
You are rough, man… honestly rough, tough and raw!! But you’re right.. I’m in the pre-surgery stage and I will definitely address these questions before my pre-op appointment next month. Thank you!!!
Love all your videos!! You keep me focused and I have already changed my life style even before surgery. Keep it real.... My favorite new quote from you is “your one fucking potato chip away from failure!”
I'm preventing surgery by finding a diet that works for me both in weight loss and overall health. But yes...whether you have surgery or not, the mindset has to be a continuous progression for life. Saying "no" to yourself to the things that hurt your success more often than you say "yes" is an act of love to yourself. This is actually one video of his that I can actually get behind. I still enjoy a good cheesecake. But it's a no-wheat no sugar cheesecake, homemade with real ingredients and tastes like a NY cheesecake. I make it when I'm in the mood to make it (NOT when I'm craving it. Then I slice it into very small skuces (it's filling and satisfying enough I don't need or want a huge slice. And cheesecake is still one of my favorite desserts). I then put the remaining slices in individual zip lock bags and put them in the freezer. They last for at least 1-2 months before they go bad. I have a slice on occasion as a treat only, and I still include it in my carb and portions count for the day. I top it with a homemade sugar free blueberry topping...nomore than a tbsp is plenty.
I had to give up all animals products they made me sick and anything with artificial sweeteners they gave me headaches. So I'm a total vegan and love it
Keeps it real and the f bombs are hilarious! Heres the deal you need to hear this! Your personal doctor won't tell you this so he's just trying to keep you in check with yourself!
WLS will expose all of your flaws, weaknesses and insecurities. What am I WILLING to give up? 😳🤔😃 I am watching and 👂.....nervously....I am preparing for surgery.
Post surgery I’ve found that I can’t eat Salmon. I have no problem with steak (small.... thin slices of medium cooked steak) but salmon does NOT SIT RIGHT. I don’t care if I take a nickel sized bite, mash it with my fork, chew it like a cow chews the cud..... It ain’t gonna happen. I used to LOVE salmon. Now the thought of it kind of disgusts me. (So far I’ve never thrown up, but just the overall disgust and malaise isn’t worth it).
I stumbled on your videos while looking up a little bit more about to expect about wls even though ive have watched 2 people close to me go threw it, and both have very different results. So here is my situation, what about us who hate food? Those of us what have been taught to think food is the energy? I begain struggle at 10 when drs told me "if you would just brake your ankles" at 24 i had my first surgery to put synthetic cartridge in both my feet Ive have had 16 surgerys on my right foot and 2 on my left foot, 3 of which has been in the last year because i broke my left ankle and all the tendens and ligaments was gone so my foot dr regrew those tendons and ligaments, and i had 2 on the right foot because he had to sew the tendens and ligaments because i am so talented that i can trip over my own shadow. I am 40 now at 5'1 1/2 im having wls to save my feet i am 190 pounds. I grew up a dancer. I am having wls because i want continue to be able to walk around sixflags with my autistic boys so the can continue to do their social skills training so they can live a halfway normal life when i die. I am not like most people who are having the wls. I see the other men and women in the wls offices they are so much bigger then i am. I am having the surgery for my children and so i dont loose the ability to walk i have fought for many many years to keep that simple ability. And i dont see any other way to be able to continue to walk with out the wls. Im not afraid of any spot light pointing out my flaws, i do wear my flaws as a badge of honor. This is the first time i have done anything for my self since i have had my children, its my birthday present to my self and for my children. Alot of your points make lots of since however when you talk about the over eating aspect it really doesn't apply to me i eat maybe 1 cup of anything (meaning my whole dinner will fit inside a measuring cup) and that is all i eat in a day. I dont snack or eat sweets. I have busted my azz not to weigh as much as my mom used to weigh which was over 400 pounds and i even weigh less then my dad who weighs 240. When i look in the mirror i see a woman who weighs over 600 pounds which makes me hate food even more and makes me want to eat even less. Do you happen to have any advice for people like me? I love my children so much that i want to be able to walk sixflags again with them again. I would love nothing more to be 80 or 90 pounds. Ive got everything set up to have the tummy tuck and a boob job, when i have lost all this fat. My wls will be December 4th and my birthday is December 5th i am excited and cant wait🥰🥰 my fat dr when i told them about my eating problem they told me im part of that 2% that doesn't constantly eat or over eat or even eat super sugary foods, so i ask because they dont know what to tell me can you please help me out?
Dr.V... Im 56 and just begining my weight loss process. Im making tons of phone calls to begin the process to end up with "Hurry up and Wait" answer to just about everything. Ive thought about it for years and years but have always had insurance that wouldnt cover WLS. Now finally the world is changing. Im 5.5 and 260 lbs. In 2012 i followed a specific way of eating lost over 60 lbs in 3 months and had a stroke. Now ive decided that I DO want to live another 20 or more years. im trying to pick myself back up and get moving to enjoy life once again. Is there any way that you know of to help expedite the process? Im practising what i take away from your videos so i am more aware of what to expect to come away with. Trying to change my lifestyle to life with the sleeve surgery. Eating the way you suggest. Any advise you could offer i would be so incredibly thankful.
I love u Dr.V! U have no idea how u inspired me and encouraged me. May I have your email? I live in Los Angeles. I would like to do the lose weight surgery. May I ask u how can I get in touch with you? I have some questions to ask u if u don’t mind.
I’m getting closer to being cleared by the nutritionist and social worker and then meeting with the surgeon and now I’m feeling scared and depressed and terrible. I’ve never been able to stabilize my weight. I’m scared I’m going to die in surgery or have terrible complications. I can’t leave my husband and daughter! I am a failure because I can’t lose weight it’s very good for a while and I do lose it then it comes back. I’m 300 pounds and I don’t want to be trapped in this body anymore and I want to be happy and for my family to be proud of me but I’m worried. Can anyone help me push through this and find the courage?