To 'Those in Waiting' and our Newbies - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Vickichacha · 09-14-2009, 05:06 PM

Prior to and during the first few months post-op I just wanted to know how I would feel further down the track.
In the first few weeks/months my attitude was mostly great -though not all the time.I loved how the weight was falling off but deep down I missed my best friend-food!I was lucky enough not to have any problems with my op- it was the easiest op I have ever had to recover from.The biggest issue was a bit of reflux-that is about it.
Now I am exactly seven months down the track and feel that I have probably reached a stage where physically and mentally I have truly reached 'normal'.
Apart from all the improved health issues that have come my way -heightened self esteem/normal BP/normal blood sugar levels/clearer skin etc etc-I feel like me.The only difference is that I don't feel fat and disgusted with myself!!!I even look at myself in mirrors!!
I am no longer morbidly obese or even regular obese!!I am now just overweight!!!!
We talk about seat belt extenders etc but another humiliation must join the list-car parks. Being able to walk between two parrellel parked cars without either not being able to fit or knocking off the side mirrors.I can do it!!!!.Who has ever had to walk down a whole line of parked cars looking for a space to squeeze through will understand.Especially embarrassing when the people they are with are waiting for them-after they have breezed thru.

Don't be scared of your op. We are so lucky to be given this opportunity.

At seven months I feel that can eat anything I want.I do have to make sure I eat healthy ( and I need to get better at that)but other than that I have put my old friend to rest.The head hunger has gone and I no longer feel like I am missing out.If I go out with friends I don't care what they eat.I am happy with just a piece of garlic bread and some salad -usually off their plate!! I eat some protein beforehand and sit and relax.I am just not hungry at night so don't care.
I am still naughty and eat junk but this is where the VSG is a great tool.The other day I craved for a choc coated ice-cream.I drove down to buy one but had to put half the ice-cream back in the freezer for later.I just couldn't finish it.Isn't that awsome?Eating it didn't make me feel sick it just became a chore.
At seven months my idea of portion size is also changing.Once that ice-cream would have looked small.Now it looks huge.I was never into sharing a dessert with someone.Now if I do I would probably only want less than an eighth.

It has stopped being 'I shouldn't' to 'I don't feel like it'.

I used to go to bed feeling guilty-every night- because once again I had eaten too much during the day-yes every night.I haven't done that for seven whole months!!
All the best
Vicki

suebry05 · 09-14-2009, 05:36 PM

fabulous!! keep up the good work

Highlandlass · 09-14-2009, 06:15 PM

Every single word you said applies to me as well - except I am just 3 months out (tomorrow). I remember the guilt of getting up at 2 in the morning to have a snack (and never a healthy snack - not that anything can be really healthy in the middle of the night). I don't feel physically hungry - but still have those head hungry moments, but not as often any more. I too have shared a dessert - only one small forkful does it right now and things are just to sweet and sugary for me. Yes, all you newbies or waiting for surgery folk, it is not the worst surgery, but the benefits are tremendous. Being psychologically ready is a huge part of the process and being healthy on surgery day is imperative. Do what your doc and NUT tell you and take advantage of the expertise of people here at this site and you will be successful. Thank you Vickychacha for starting this thread!

CollyLo · 09-15-2009, 10:42 AM

Thanks for these posts! They are exactly what I needed to hear. I am only 3 weeks into the Lapband post-op and am so excited to be on my way to health. I am a little obessed with the scale right now because I am losing some weight everyday. I have got to stop weighing myself everyday.

I feel great and have not gotten sick once (other than horrible nausea the first week).

I am learning the difference between head hunger and real hunger. the weekends are a bit of a struggle due to a family of 4 males eating in front of me. Sometimes I just go to bed early to avoid them right now. I am looking forward to breaking this food addiction once and for all.

The only issue I am struggling with is believing I will succeed this time. I have failed SO MANY diets that I have lost faith in myself. I just don't want to screw this up!!

Laureate · 09-15-2009, 04:59 PM

Vicky and Lassie, these are great posts. I may have to print and put these up on my refrigerator. I've just got a little more than a month to go on my own surgery.

I have done really well in previous surgeries, and I hope it holds true this time. But it's nice to gear your perspectives from further on out.

Hychap2009 · 09-15-2009, 05:45 PM

Oh yes Vicki you're a Godsend. You have inspired me and helped me to keep my eye on the ball. Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us.

ohsoprissy · 09-24-2009, 07:50 PM

Wow, thanks for your honesty. This helps take some of my worry away. I am still worried I am going to screw up on the "eat this how many times a day and how much" part of this deal. I feel like I am still not prepared. I mean, I made this decision right? My surgery is in less than two weeks and I am having a mental battle with myself.

CollyLo · 09-25-2009, 09:51 AM

I am on week 5 now and can eat regular food. The best advice I can give you is take each stage at a time. I was so overwhelmed before the surgery about all the things I had to remember, so I broke it down into stages and only worried about the one I was in. For example, the first 3 days are liquid. Stock up for that. The day before you start the full liquid diet, stock up for that. Take it one day at a time. Don't think too far ahead.

I am a little nervous about this eating regular food now because I have lost 23 pounds and have stopped for the last few days. I am so paranoid that I am not going to start losing again. I just started going back to the gym to lift weights along with the cardio I have been doing. did anyone else experience a plateau for awhile after starting solid food again??

ohsoprissy · 09-25-2009, 10:44 AM

CollyLo - great advice. I am sure your hold will be temporary. I know that so many people have done it before me and reading about everyones successes makes me feel SO much more comfortable.

I am going to meet with the nutritionist and hopefully that will give me a better feel for what I am up against.

Highlandlass · 09-25-2009, 01:16 PM

Hi Laureate, I am happy that any part of what I said could help you prepare for your surgery. It won't be long now for you and I wish you the very best of everything! I wish I had found this site before my surgery - I had one close friend who supported my decision totally and closer to my surgery date my kids and husband knew. I have told my Nut about this site and she has included it in her information to patients. I think we get tons of support here from our piers - and that is more important than anything else, as far as I'm concerned. We are the ones who have been through the overweight times and the surgery and we are the ones who can speak to physical, emotional and mental challenges. Of course our doctors and nuts are well versed in the medical and scientific information and their advisements must come first, but to hear from another "loser" that all is well and normal really does help.
Keep in touch and I just know that before long you'll be saying "did I really have the surgery?" because its going to be that easy! Cheers.