Any Regrets? - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

MiladyB · 08-03-2006, 10:13 PM

Shauna, so many of us have had that period of regret soon after surgery. I know mine hit right about that 1-2 weeks post-op time. Besides your hormones recking havoc with your body and mind you have to realize that this is also a time of grief. Things aren't what they were before. Your life has changed and it is totally normal, maybe even neccesary to allow yourself to grieve your old ways with food. Food was my "friend" for I don't really know how long! You have to allow yourself the opportunity to mourn your "friend". It takes time but it DOES get better!! I am now 6 months post-op and I no longer have the regret that I first struggled with. I am down 115 lbs, my diabetes is under control without meds, my blood pressure is better than it has been in years, I can go through a crazy nursing shift at work and not limp out to the car because my knees hurt, I can ride a bike! which I haven't done for over 15 years. I could go on and on about all of the positive things this surgery has brought into my life and I am getting past the need for food to be a "friend".

Be patient, Shauna. Be easy on yourself and allow yourself to grieve. Then look for those little "wow" moments. They will come...I promise you....and when they do all of a sudden you will realize what "life" really is and you will be living it!

AprilShowers · 08-04-2006, 07:29 AM

What you are feeling is so normal.. I am 2.5 weeks out and I still get a bit of that. Post op day 10 was the hardest for me and I cried all day. It wasnt that I couldnt eat take out it was just the overall picture of what this meant for me.. for life. I have faith in others who have been out longer who say they have no regrets and say life is so good and that is what I focus on and I get by one day at a time. If you feel the need to cry do so.. you are loosing your old self and its only natural. But it will get better day by day

deadboy · 08-04-2006, 08:18 AM

I wouldn't say I regretted WLS, but during that first recovery week I wished I'd had the lap band. Now I couldn't be happier. And to answer one of your questions, if you continue to follow doctors orders with suplements and food requirements you are very unlikely to be a malnourished 60 year old. In fact in my case I would have been much more likely to be a dead 60 year old due to complications stemming from morbid obesisty. This surgery is such a gift.

When you talk about eating normal, normal is relative. You will eventually be able to eat pretty much whatever you want, but hopefully you'll have retrained your mind to only want to eat what you need. It's a commitment, but a healthy one, IMO. You'll come to grips with it.

LisaBoston · 08-04-2006, 03:58 PM

Hon, this surgery is SO EMOTIONAL. We think about food so much and the actual surgery prior to and then when it happens a flood of emotions happen.

Take one day at a time. IT DOES GET MUCH BETTER. I can honestly say, I am at 6 months and feel totally normal. I have since about 3 months post op. I live my life better than I did before. Food doesn't control me, its just one of the things I have to do each day like brushing your teeth.

Take this time to heal, focus on other things...maybe a craft or start walking program ect. You also have to remember that you body is getting WAY less calories and fat. Fat is needed in your brain and helps regulate seretonin levels, which are directly related to emotions/depression. This is normal. This board is a great place for support and maybe spend some time surfing here and reading. Best to you.

chellchatting · 08-04-2006, 04:19 PM

Ok Gina...my friend...tell me how are you doing it ...50 lbs gone already??? We had surgery the same day...I am at 263 today so that is 36 lbs vs your 50....What do I need to do different to get nmore off???? My husband said I need to get on the treadmill more - I dont have acccess to a gym right now but i have a nice treadmill at home ...too hot to go outside her ein the desert (120's) and I have been getting on treadmill slow pace for 15 min a day. I guess I should up it? HELP ME FRIEND....

Hugs
M

LyndasRoom · 08-04-2006, 07:30 PM

It's great to see you! How are you doing? Feel like you've done about 2 bajillion situps? My abs hurt so badly the first week! It all gets better from here! I can't believe after all that waiting, I'm back to my life so quickly!

LyndasRoom · 08-04-2006, 07:48 PM

I had my surgery July 11. I've experienced no buyers remorse, and haven't really had any big problems to speak of. My biggest issue is finding foods I like that provide proper nutrients for my needs at this juncture. Good luck to you!

Gina in NY · 08-05-2006, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chellchatting

Ok Gina...my friend...tell me how are you doing it ...50 lbs gone already??? We had surgery the same day...I am at 263 today so that is 36 lbs vs your 50....What do I need to do different to get nmore off???? My husband said I need to get on the treadmill more - I dont have acccess to a gym right now but i have a nice treadmill at home ...too hot to go outside her ein the desert (120's) and I have been getting on treadmill slow pace for 15 min a day. I guess I should up it? HELP ME FRIEND....

Hugs
M

No dear, I had to lose 10% in order to get my surgery. 28 pounds there and 26 since, I'm losing 1 to 2 pounds a week - that is all. I was just talking about how different it is to be this size. Actually, it has been over 12 years since I was this weight. I remember I was 240 when I got pregnant with my son who is now 11!

At 36 pounds, you are way ahead of me, and I do an hour in the gym every day so it is just what our bodies do - let go of all thought that you can control it! (I mean, don't eat big macs, but you get the idea)

michelleJC · 08-05-2006, 08:26 AM

Shauna,
Once the weight starts coming off and you see that all of your efforts are working, you might start to change your mind. The first couple weeks were hell for me and I know were for a lot of others as well. Our bodies and our minds are readjusting and we are saying good-bye to one of our best friends, FOOD. It is a tough one. Do we every eat "normal" again. I would have to say not. Food is not an enjoyment anymore, at least not for me. I eat to survive where as I used to live to eat. Food just can't be a major focus anymore. You have to find other things to do. Join a support group, buy a bike, go the library whatever it takes to take the focus off of food and put it back on us where it belongs.
As far as long term, I worry about that too. Being in a nursing home or something and someone not understanding that I had this surgery 40 some years ago and the effects on our bodies. It is something to think about.

ready4achange · 08-05-2006, 10:42 AM

From everybody's posts I have read you are getting lots of support and information. You are just starting out enjoy your ride. My surgery was Sept 28, 2005 I am older than you.(52) The only regret I have had was that I didn't have the courage to do this sooner. I did have a slight complication , an infection, which I was in the hospital for a week . But I just kept saying " I can do this" Give it a while. In a week or so you may change your mind....
Sandy