Nervous-pre/op - ThinnerTimes

mamaboo1 · 03-14-2005, 05:33 PM

Hi, first time at this site. Well, I am approved and going in for surgery on 30 March. Very nervous about the risks but more importantly how it will affect my life afterwards, eating has been such a big part of my life, how will I ever cope without my food. Can someone tell me what life at gastric bypass is like? Are you happy that you did it?

watergirl · 03-14-2005, 07:30 PM

You will need to decide if you like food more than being healthy. Like food more than being active, like food more than life itself, because being MO is a slow death.

Sorry to be so blunt, but it sounds like you need to evaluate this further.

My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner. I regret that I watched life pass me by for far too long.

I'm so happy that I did this!!

TabFox · 03-14-2005, 09:11 PM

You need to evaluate what's more important for you....eating yourself into oblivion, or being healthy and LIVING. I wish I would have done this sooner also. After surgery, it's not like you can never eat normally again. You can't and shouldn't eat candy bars, cake, cookies, etc. They make Splenda and many many sugar free food items. Plus, your tastes will change; I know mine did. If and when I get a craving, I have a sugar free fudgesicle. I'd rather have some broccoli and cheese than candy any day. You learn to make better choices. At Thanksgiving, you can still have turkey, dressing, veggies, potatoes, but you won't eat nearly as much. I honestly do not feel deprived at all. Now when I go to a store and can grab a size 10 off the rack and wear it, it reminds me how glad I am that I did have the surgery. The pain from surgery is so trivial and short term compared to the benefits. Watching the fat melt off in itself is a miracle. I suggest you read as many of these posts on here as you can. Read about the successes and complications. Ask questions. These ladies and gentlemen are wonderful!

Tabitha
Open 5/26/04
321/181/???

JJ Girl · 03-15-2005, 12:06 PM

I am waiting for my April surgery - I just decided that I had eaten more than my share of food for 50 years.... I am just tired of being a glutton and feeling so uncomfortable. Once pigging out is no longer an option I will not have to walk that tight rope. What a sense of freedom that will bring. Food has controlled my whole life and I have had enough.

Plus, I know my cravings will go away and it will be fine.

bridgetgirl · 03-15-2005, 12:13 PM

You will mourne the loss of food, you can count it, but know that this is only temporary. For the first 3 months you will follow pretty strict diet and after that it gets easier... whats 3 months of not indulging compared to a lifetime of being skinny and healthy? Remember this girlfriend... nothing tastes as good as thin feels! you'll be able to have your favorites again, but in moderation. The best thing about it all, after 6-8 months food really wont be a big deal at all, you will have control and that feels SO GOOD! big hugs and best wishes!

LizardQueen · 03-15-2005, 05:52 PM

I'm three weeks out today and 28 lbs lighter and I wouldn't go back no matter what. I was having a pity party last week over tacos, but that's behind me now. I know that soon I will be able to have them just smaller portions (no shells). I got through that one bad day with the help of all you great people! I couldn't have done it without you! You guys are the best! You are just going to have to consider, what means the most to you. Do you want to be healthy and have a healthy relationship with food or do you want to stay with things the way they are? Do some soul searching! If you aren't 110% sure the day before surgery-postpone until you have had time to decide what is right for you!

Blueyz · 03-15-2005, 09:36 PM

I have no regrets at all. This was the best decision I made. Dr. Callery gave me a tool for a new life. He saved my life and improved the quality of my life. I am blessed and thankful for having wls.

triciaknox · 03-16-2005, 07:18 AM

Okay, now for some input from someone who started this journey VERY BIG. I would look in the mirror at myself and know that something had to change, but everytime I could start losing I would get sick and end up putting the weight back on (and more). I started looking into this surgery and after a lot of research decided that this was it. Drastic? Yes, but I want to live past 50 and my chances for that were NOT good then. Before surgery it would hit me, "after I do this I can't have ______(insert food name here) anymore" and "am I sure about this?". Then I would look in the mirror. I was having a major pity party one day, feeling very blue about my decision and then it hit me. FOOD did this to me. It wasn't my friend, it was my deadly enemy and it was time to gain the upper hand and break out of the rut that I was in.

Do I regret it? NO!! Absolutely no way! Five months - 101 pounds gone. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Okay, so now I can't eat turkey, hamburgers, soft breads, roast beef, and I sometimes have problems with chicken (if it is dry). Oh yes, and teriyaki (not spelled right) sauce makes me dump. Cottage cheese, no way, milk no way, but then I have always been partially lactose intolerant so those were expected (never been able to eat them before). I can handle some sugar so I have to be very careful with that knowledge. Do I mourn what I can't have? Nope! Food just isn't that important anymore. And I can do more than I have been able to do in years. My energy level is incredible! Now I can do things that I wasn't able to do for years. My progress is constantly amazing my best friend. He will say, "5 months ago you had to take numerous breaks when we went to the swap meet, you sure you are doing okay?", then tell me how proud he is of me. Yeah, I wouldn't undo this for anything in the world!

HAMPTON5555 · 03-16-2005, 08:44 PM

Mammaboo1,

We here at the forum know what a difficult decision you
have made. You must prepare yourself for a life long change and realize that this is a tool. I am relatively new, at around 11 weeks. I have had no complications and can eat what I like in moderation. For me I have said it many timeas here that I feel like I won the LOTTERY OF LIFE.

My situation is mine and my only intention is to let you know that it was the right thing for me. Others have many complications and can not tolerate foods of many kinds post op. There is no way to know who will be the ones with problems and who will not.

As far as the food, I am in the Honeymoon phase and can not be happier for the food to be such a small part of my life. I assume it may get more difficult in time, but for now I am elated by the change in me.

If you decide, then prepare yourself for thr ride of your life!!

Good Luck

Rain

Meaghan · 03-16-2005, 08:54 PM

Tricia,Dale, and Rain,

You guys just re-convinced me that I'm doing the right thing... goodness..only 23 days to go!!!

I really look forward to meeting you all on Saturday too!!!!