nasuscat

My surgery is scheduled for Monday 8/18. Excited and a bit nervous. Eager to get it over with though....

I too am being sleeved on Aug 18. Very excited and a bit nervous but I know I have made the right decision. I just wish I had done it years ago. Retirement is just a year and 1/2 away and finally I will be doing more than just sitting at a desk every week day. Problem is that I have carried so much weight for so much of my life that I am experiencing all sorts of complications such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and my knees have almost given up. The idea of having the time to do all the things I want to do and not being able to do it because I am physically unable is what finally pushed me over the edge. I am very lucky that my husband is extremely supportive. I have only told a few close friends and their reactions are all different but none of them have been negative nellies. I am still up in the air as to what I will reveal if folks at work ask a direct question regarding my (hopefully huge) weight loss. I will decide on a case by case basis and go from there. I have really found this website to be very helpful and supportive. I thank all of you that have taken time to share your experiences. Good luck to all.

I had my orientation meeting at Kaiser yesterday which included time with the bariatric dietitian. According to her never again will I be able to eat a tortilla, a spoonful of rice, a bite of Pasta, a piece of bread etc. The only starch in my life can be one piece of well toasted bread or 5 crackers such as Saltines. And, that's just part of the food restrictions. I think you get the picture. I can certainly live with that for the recovery period. No problem. But I don't want to do it for life. My husband and I travel a lot and I love trying the new foods at our destinations. I have read so much information from people and purchased cookbooks written by post WLS patients that say you can eventually eat just about anything in very small amounts as long as you are chewing enough. Part of the reason I am fat is that I love food and I love to cook. I see this whole process as an opportunity to change the way I cook and eat to match a new healthier life style. However, if it is true that I have to eliminate most foods from my diet I am considering not having the surgery. Would love to get some feedback.

I have an appointment with Kaiser today to review weight loss surgery. In preperation I have been reading many of the postings on this web site for which I thank all of you contributors. My concern is the very restricted diet both before and after the surgery. If I could do that successfully, it seems that I wouldn't have been fat all my adult life. A liquid diet for days on end is really hard to comprehend. I am hungry all the time...that's one of the main reasons I'm fat. I understand that eventually the lap band will assist with lessening the feelings of hunger and will encourage me to eat less overall. I am mainly worried about the pre-op liquid diet. Am assuming that after the surgery it will be easier since I won't feel that well to begin with. Would love some input. One more question (so far). How soon should I be able to expect to return to work which consists of a desk job? What have been your experiences? Could the recovery from this surgery be compared to gall bladder removal? That I can relate to. Thanks in advance for any and all help. Susan