Successful WLS = Starting a Whole New Life? - ThinnerTimes

remaininlite · 09-01-2005, 12:10 AM

I'm very close to a surgery date. I always thought being in this position of waiting for a date would leave me terrified...but I'm actually excited, and quite honestly, a little impatient! Anyway, I'm 23 years old, not married, in college, and I am perceiving me having a successful surgery as me being able to start life all over again. Am I being too idealistic about the positive effects of this surgery? It feels like I have not been living, just existing for the majority of my life (I've technically been overweight since I was eight years old), like I've been in a dream for this whole time, and once I have the surgery and work through getting the weight off, I can wake up and truly start to live the life I was meant to live. Am I expecting too much out of the surgery, or is it normal to think your life will change dramatically for the better? Am I setting myself up for a huge disappointment?

Christina · 09-01-2005, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remaininlite

I'm very close to a surgery date. I always thought being in this position of waiting for a date would leave me terrified...but I'm actually excited, and quite honestly, a little impatient! Anyway, I'm 23 years old, not married, in college, and I am perceiving me having a successful surgery as me being able to start life all over again. Am I being too idealistic about the positive effects of this surgery? It feels like I have not been living, just existing for the majority of my life (I've technically been overweight since I was eight years old), like I've been in a dream for this whole time, and once I have the surgery and work through getting the weight off, I can wake up and truly start to live the life I was meant to live. Am I expecting too much out of the surgery, or is it normal to think your life will change dramatically for the better? Am I setting myself up for a huge disappointment?

Jared,

The best advice I can give you is to really follow the plan to the letter afterwards. If you do, you WILL succeed!!!! If you don't, I can't tell you what will happen. Make the most out of your honeymoon period and that means exercise regularly and eat the right things. That is the time when you will lose weight the fastest and the better you do with diet and exercise, the faster you'll lose it. I honestly never thought I would get as small as I am now.. I can wear a size 2 or a size 0 now.. that is totally unreal to me. It is actually too small for me.. and I never thought I would think I was too skinny.. lol

So my thought is if I can do it, you certainly can..

CiCi · 09-01-2005, 06:54 AM

Jared, your positive attitude is MORE than half the battle. Christina is right... as long as you follow the rules, you will succeed!

I will say, for me, this has been a once in a lifetime experience. I have a new lease on life and it feels magical! I was telling Bridget the other day that I felt POWERFUL... and I really do. I feel like I have control again... and I can take on the world (if I wanted to).

Right before surgery is a nervewracking time for so many... it's normal. You start second guessing yourself and wonder if you should go through with it. You've come so far, Jared. Hang in there and do what your heart (and doctors) tell you. The first month or so is trying, but it is worth it!

Best of luck to you!!

lealphachienne · 09-01-2005, 06:56 AM

with a ton of patience and hard work. I was normal weight as a teen/young adult. I partied hard and had fun. I never, ever thought obesity would affect my life. No one was fat in my family. The men might have a beer gut, but no obesity. I thought I had it all as a young adult. Then, I gained weight and spent 10 years battling it, up and down. At first, it wasn't that concerning. I was otherwise healthy. I subscribed to the notion that you can be fat and fit. My body said otherwise. I started to develop health problems, which then in turn made it even more difficult to keep the weight off. I became severely depressed, stopped going out, thought I was the ugliest person in the world. All that I had accomplished seemed useless and pointless. What's the point of having a nice house, car, and job when you can't go out and enjoy the simple things in life. I couldn't even enjoy a walk amonst the spring flowers. Since I had the surgery, I had gained a lot back internally, more self assurance. I also lost a lot in the process, my house, my job, my husband, and yet, I'm much more satisfied with my life. I have a lot more respect for the little things.

Well, and I'm damn sexy too

NelleBelle50 · 09-01-2005, 07:59 AM

Hey Jared -

I'm almost at my surgery date, too. Same experiences, but I'm ten years older.

I'm looking at this as a new beginning and a new season of my life. My life after I loose the weight will be what I make it, but I have no expectations that this surgery is a magic pill. It's a tool we use to loose weight and make ourselves healthier and happier. I'm not expecting to find someone to marry, I'm not expecting to be beautiful with no saggy skin whatsoever. But either one of those would be nice......

So, what I'm trying to say is don't put your expectations so increadibly high you'll be dissappointed with your life.

And sit back and enjoy the benefits that come.

Nikkiart29 · 09-01-2005, 09:28 AM

No, you are not setting yourself up for a huge disappointment. I, too, have been heavy for most of my life and was just floating through my life not doing anything exciting, just working, sleeping, the every day routine! I missed so much! I'm on my way to getting back to normal, and I can't wait to do MORE with my life! You will not regret it; or, at least, I don't! I can't believe I waited so long!!!! And, yes, following the rules are KEY! It IS a lifestyle change, but is well worth it!

bridgetgirl · 09-01-2005, 10:49 AM

Dude TOO much positive attitude is NEVER wrong. You are your #1 fan, you can do anything you want and succeed at all if you put your mind to it.
You are going to have a fabulous enriched and fulfiiled life as long as YOU believe it. I beleive in you, I know you are gonna make your mark on this world. 23 is a great young age to get a second chance on life. You will have such an appreciation for things now, more patience... you'll see. Great things are in store for you.

gramamarc · 09-01-2005, 11:07 AM

Just don't forget that losing the weight is half the battle. You also have to change your outlook on life, try to figure out why you kept eating and keeping the weight on. Just remember that losing the weight does not change everything else in your life, it just makes you skinny!
M

HeatherT · 09-01-2005, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christina

Jared,

The best advice I can give you is to really follow the plan to the letter afterwards. If you do, you WILL succeed!!!! If you don't, I can't tell you what will happen. Make the most out of your honeymoon period and that means exercise regularly and eat the right things. That is the time when you will lose weight the fastest and the better you do with diet and exercise, the faster you'll lose it. I honestly never thought I would get as small as I am now.. I can wear a size 2 or a size 0 now.. that is totally unreal to me. It is actually too small for me.. and I never thought I would think I was too skinny.. lol

So my thought is if I can do it, you certainly can..

what is the honeymoon time frame - and my goodness what did you do to lose the weight - what exercises did you do???

i just hope all goes as good for me...
thanks for any advice - this board is the BEST!!

Christina · 09-01-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 100tolose

what is the honeymoon time frame - and my goodness what did you do to lose the weight - what exercises did you do???

i just hope all goes as good for me...
thanks for any advice - this board is the BEST!!

Ahhh the beloved honeymoon period. That is the time after the surgery when you lose the most weight in the shortest amount of time. I took full advantage of this time and exercised diligently and watched what I ate. I have to admit I am less of a gym goer these days as I just don't seem to have the motivation to go, but I know I need to. I still eat the right things, and avoid sugars. I try and limit my carb intake but don't deprive myself of things I want. Somtimes we make sugar free pies or buy them or get sugar free ice cream as well. Just beware that these are still high in calories and so you have to be careful how much you consume. One day at a time I think.. that is what did it for me.

The honeymoon period is different for all of us.. the more you had to lose, the longer the honeymoon period lasts.. mine lasted about 6 months.