LL1982

How soon after surgery did you start exercising? How often were you exercising, and what kinds of exercises were you doing?

Hi debra102364, I too have horrible social anxiety, but I've had it since I was a teen. It just so happens that it's worse now after gaining almost 80 lbs. in 2 years. I actually started seeing a therapist for social anxiety just recently. She's using the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach. I had to explain to her that a lot of the social anxiety comes from a fear of being judged for gaining so much weight in a short period of time (I gained the first 50 lbs. in 2016, and have been struggling with my weight ever since). I feel terrible about myself. My last Dr.'s visit is August 1st. From there they submit for approval from my insurance company. If all goes well, it looks like we might be having surgery around the same time. I know one thing's for sure though, and that is this. When I weighed a healthy 125-130 lbs. I felt so much better about myself, and my social anxiety wasn't as bad. Weight loss alone will not resolve my social anxiety, but it will definitely help it. I'd like to say that I want to have surgery solely for health reasons, but I'd be lying. I'm tired of feeling bad about myself, I'm tired of avoiding my friends and family because of my weight, and I'm tired of not finding myself to be even remotely attractive. My mood has really shifted though in the last couple of months though now that the last Dr.'s appointment is getting closer. I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even if I'm being judged now because of my weight (which may or may not be happening), I know that soon I will feel better about myself, and know that this very difficult and long journey of being morbidly obese will be coming to an end. I know I will not lose 80 lbs. over night, and I know that this will take a lot of work, especially mental work. Crossing my fingers that I don't get denied, and that we'll both be on the operating table some time in September. Thank you for writing about this topic. Sorry if I've gone on a bit too long. Just wanted to let you know that I totally get it. Both social anxiety and obesity suck. Just glad there's a solution.

Please let us know how it goes! Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery.

I initially posted this under the fitness and exercise forum, but many of the comments came from people who had gastric bypass, but I however am going to having the sleeve done. Not sure if weight loss is the same for those who had a bypass compared to those who were sleeved. To those of you had the sleeve and commented on my original post I thank you again. Below is my original post... ”Hello everyone, I’m in need of some guidance and support. I’m looking to be sleeved in September. My surgeon has told me that unless I can do cardio 40 minutes 6 times a week within the first 3 months, my surgery may not be worth it. I have chronic foot pain and chronic plantar fasciitis, and even the recumbent bike flairs it up. I don’t know how to swim. I’m going to have to rely on chair exercises for a while. I’m hoping that the weight loss with help resolve my chronic foot pain, and that eventually I’ll be able to up my cardio. At any rate, I just wanted to know if any of you were able to lose weight without the regimen of 40 minutes of cardio my surgeon has prescribed. I’m worried that I won’t lose weight if I can’t exercise the way my surgeon wants me to.”

Thank you everyone for your support and feedback. I feel so much more at ease.

Hello everyone. So I started the process back in March, and I have my last insurance mandated appointment with my surgeon August 1st. The time has flown by faster than I thought it would, and it's really starting to sink in. If all goes well and my surgery is approved, I'm looking to be sleeved early to mid September. I know it's normal to be anxious before any type of surgery, but I'm feeling completely consumed by fear. I'm afraid not only of the recovery, but I'm also afraid I may regret the surgery all together. Any words of comfort and/or wisdom would be more than appreciated. Thanks everyone.

How are you feeling today?

Thank you everyone for your input and support. Today I'm feeling fine about the whole thing. I'm actually feeling more excited than scared. I've lost a considerable amount of weight several times in the past only to gain it back. This time around I'm not having any luck losing weight, and am about 20 lbs. heavier than I've ever been. I keep having to buy new clothes because of the weight gain. I feel trapped in my own body, and don't exactly feel good about myself. I know this is the right thing for me to do, and until I actually have my surgery I imagine that my emotions will be all over the place. I'm so glad that I found this forum, and I'm extremely grateful for everyone's support. Wishing you all well.

Thank you, I needed to hear that.

Like others have mentioned, you can say you have a hiatal hernia that needs to be repaired. That’s what my surgeon told me to tell people. Pre-op/post-op diet is similar to VSG as is the immediate weight loss that follows.