New guy with questions

[seaboy81 4]

Hi. I'm 300 at my heaviest and set for surgery if approved in July. I got over the guilt issues with the surgery but struggle with diet, body issues and fear of surgery. Anyone got some nice words of encouragement or wisdom?

[VSGJean 68]

You'll do great!! It's the best decision I've ever made for myself. Do what your doctor tells you. Don't worry when you're in a stall, it's normal and it WILL happen. Make sure you take Chapstick with you to the hospital.

[seaboy81 4]

While getting ready for the surgery did you ever lose your motivation?

[LiggleLiggle 84]

Yes, what she said . You will do great. Stick with this forum and learn all you can!

[makemyownluck 785]

I lost my motivation plenty. I had insurance issues from the start, so when surgery finally happened, I almost expected something to change at the last minute!

I'm only 5 days post op, but I feel better everyday. The actual surgery isn't that terrible and recovery is just a week or two of discomfort and inconvenience compared to my whole life ahead of me at a healthier weight with a happier outlook on life!

Hang in there- doubt is normal, anxiety is normal - but if you know you can't tackle your weight on your own, then it's better to get through the process and start healing asap!

Good luck!

[DonRodolfo 1,416]

Hi. I'm 300 at my heaviest and set for surgery if approved in July. I got over the guilt issues with the surgery but struggle with diet, body issues and fear of surgery. Anyone got some nice words of encouragement or wisdom?

Welcome! There are LOADS of wisdom on VST, just start surfing and ask questions. I learned a lot just going to my mandatory NUT (nutritionist) appointments and I suggest you start going to support groups.

[Kennedy310 33]

Hi. I'm 300 at my heaviest and set for surgery if approved in July. I got over the guilt issues with the surgery but struggle with diet, body issues and fear of surgery. Anyone got some nice words of encouragement or wisdom?

You've already been given some great advice by these folks, and I'll just add my experience to that.

I am 6 weeks post surgery & very glad I made this decision. I've lost 47lbs, I have more energy & I can feel myself getting healthier day by day.

I too had insurance issues. In fact, my first request was denied just 6 days before surgery! It was a huge blow to my psyche because I had mentally prepared myself for the surgery. It was like the rug had been pulled right out from under my feet. Not surprisingly, I turned to food for comfort to ease my sadness. But 2 months later, the insurance issues were straightened out & I was ready for surgery once again. I was nervous, but I kept reminding myself that I was doing this to get healthy again.

The first couple days after surgery were challenging because of the pain, BUT my doctor told me to utilize the pain meds to get through it. A week later, I was off the pain meds completely & on my road to recovery.

The best news is that I can confirm that this really is the tool they say it is. The road is not perfect & I still have a long way to go, but this surgery has made my relationship to food so much better. I'm not controlled by hunger like I used to be. I don't crave sweets like I once did. When the urge to eat for emotional reason strikes, I simply put my mind on whether I feel any physical hunger. If I am hungry, I eat. If it's just an emotional trigger, I can now say, "Nope, don't need to eat now." and the urge goes away much easier.

Don't be afraid of the emotional ups and downs pre-surgery. Take them on as best you can & know that the challenges will make you stronger. So, when you do have this surgery as a weight loss tool, you will be able to manage it all the better.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

[Amie 90]

Welcome to VST. You will learn a ton on this forum. It will help you feel ready for surgery. Everyone has a lot of opinions, and all the doctor s seem to have different pre and post op instruction. You'll figure out what works best for you. I wish you luck, you be losing before you know it.

[seaboy81 4]

Thanks everyone for the support. I will get through the low points. It is nice to hear I am not alone.

[North25guy 4]

I had my sleeve done on April 9th so I'm a little over 1 month out. I've lost 35 lbs so far and the entire experience hasn't been that bad at all. The pain after surgery isn't too bad and the recovery afterwards was a lot easier than I expected. In the hospital, take some gas-x strips with you, drink Water when you're supposed to, and walk as much as you can. In the weeks after surgery, you'll get sick of your Protein Shakes, but keep taking them. Plus make sure you take a multivitiamin (gummies are great), a Calcium and b Vitamins in liquid form until you fully heal. You're going to do great.

[VSGKirk 855]

There hasn't been 1 day that I've even remotely regretted the decision to have VSG surgery!

[deannagail 16]

Hi. I'm 300 at my heaviest and set for surgery if approved in July. I got over the guilt issues with the surgery but struggle with diet' date=' body issues and fear of surgery. Anyone got some nice words of encouragement or wisdom?[/quote']

Congrats on your decision to take control of your health and life!!

Be patient with yourself. It is not a matter of IF you will stall. It is a matter of WHEN. You will learn your sleeve and your body. For me personally when I stall if I up my calories and carbs it triggers me to losing again. Sometimes it takes a few days for it to kick in again, but it does happen.

Your taste buds will change. Foods you loved before will turn your stomach and foods you never cared for before you will crave. It is an adventure for sure!!

Keep one pair if your biggest jeans and shirt to try on on those days that you just aren't feeling the results that everyone else is seeing.

Everyone has an opinion. Take the good with the bad, research and make the best decision for you. AND follow YOUR doctor and nutritionist recommendations.

Sorry for the long post. . VSG is my new favorite topic!

Heaviest 01/01/13. 298.9

Surgery 02/13/13. 270.0

Current weight. 220.0

Goal 160-170