traceyinflorida

I have debated this surgery for a couple of years now. One of my diet buddies had gastric bypass four years ago and I was amazed by her transformation. After attending a surgery information session, I decided to give diet one last go. I figured if I was going to make a drastic change in my eating after surgery, why not just try to make a drastic change in my eating without surgery. A year later, I had only gained weight and was at my highest weight of 272 and completely miserable. I was down to two pairs of pants and a few tops in my closet that still fit. I had gone to an amusement park with my daughter and could not fit into many of the rides. It was humiliating and sad. My energy was low. I was having episodes of sleep apnea at night. I feared for my future health and life. Then, my diet buddy who was now four years post op ran in the NY Marathon! I was truly happy for her and proud of her. I was also inpired. I thought, what am I waiting for? I scheduled an appointment with my doctor and got the process started. My insurance required six months of diet and excersise in a supervised setting, so I signed up for nutrition counseling through the bariatric support program my surgeons office had in place. I was a little disappointed that I could not just go have the surgery, since I was READY, but I took this as a time to get my head around the changes I would need to make over the long term. I lost 12 pounds over that period, which was not great, but at least I was moving in the right direction. While I waited for my insurance approval (which took far longer than I had hoped) I had my final good bye tour with food. I gained a few pounds, but I was coming to grips with the fact that I would not be able to eat some of my favorite foods within a few weeks. Once my surgery was scheduled for June 4th, I followed my 2 week pre-op diet religiously. I cheated only once, with a small piece of pizza in a very weak moment, but otherwise followed the diet to the letter. I was determined that my surgery would go well, and scared that if I did not follow the diet carefully that they would have to cancel the surgery. I lost 15 pounds during that time! The hardest part was the first couple of days of sugar withdrawal. I had the worst headache and was so tired. However, once I past that, I found that I no longer craved sugar or carbs! During the straight liquid week, I did crave texture and flavors (which led to the pizza cheat) but knowing that I was losing weight and working toward something made it easier. My surgery went extremely well. I had never had surgery before and was terrified. I was so surprised when they were waking me up and it was over. I was scared about nothing! The worst part was the nausea as the anesthesia wore off, but I found the more I walked around the hospital, the better it got. By the time I was discharged on the third day, I felt pretty good. By one week post op, I felt great!! I am still in the liquid phase of my diet and getting a little impatient with it, but I just keep busy and remind myself that this too will pass and to take it slow. I am so excited to start this new phase of my life. I am feeling a little daunted and challenged by the lifestyle and eating changes I will need to make, but I know this new tool and gift of my gastric sleeve will help me through it. I already have so much more energy, being 34 lbs down from the darkest days of my life. I am looking forward to my future as a healthier and thinner me!