From Overeating to Drinking All Meals?

[cmcrider 4]

I'm 2 weeks pre-op... September 9th. Nervous. Crabby. Uncertain. The concept of going from my usual diet - which is why I need the surgery - to eating pretty much nothing for 2 weeks prior to surgery in order to have the surgery is just not registering with me mentally. I rescheduled three times due to this mental block - and am now in day 2 of pre-op diet. I also have to get over the idea that this is a copout. Why do I need to have my stomach made smaller to keep me from eating less??? I don't mean to offend anyone out there - but for me it is definitely a personal sense of defeat to need this procedure. Anyone else having similar thoughts or concerns?

[JerseyGirl68 1,172]

I thought about needing surgery that way for about 30 seconds.. .then it hit me how much harder it was for me to go through with it, take control of my health and finally do something that would get me where i need to be.

This process is not easy, it is not a cure all and it is not a cop out. It is a permanant, life-altering change that we have to work at to be successful.

I am proud that I took the steps necessary to move my life forward in a positive, healthy way. I make better choices now. No one makes me... I make me.

You may not be ready and that is ok. You need to do what is best for you. Figure out if you're mentally as ready as you will be physically to undertake surgery and post op.

It's great that you have started the pre-op diet, its not easy and it takes committment. Only you can know if now is the right time for you.

Best of luck.

[notime 340]

My opinion is that it is not the pre-op diet getting to you but that you really haven't made up your mind about having the surgery. Good luck to you in making this decision. Please update us on how you are doing as this evolves.

[TwinsMama 483]

My opinion is that it is not the pre-op diet getting to you but that you really haven't made up your mind about having the surgery. Good luck to you in making this decision. Please update us on how you are doing as this evolves.

This so much! Once you've decided this is the right thing for you, sure you'll have your doubts, but you will also power through all the hurdles.

Cmcrider, have you talked to anyone (psychologist, nutritionist, etc)? My Dr would not allow rescheduling more than once unless there was an extreme emergency. What does your Dr think about you rescheduling so much?

Also, this journey (at least for me) has been 80% mental and only 20% physical. If you are mentally stuck, it might be worth it to talk to a counselor to figure out why you're letting external factors sabotage your progress with this surgery.

[indecision 863]

My opinion is that it is not the pre-op diet getting to you but that you really haven't made up your mind about having the surgery. Good luck to you in making this decision. Please update us on how you are doing as this evolves.

Totally agree with this! I hope you are able to get it figured out internally so you can move forward without hesitation!

[Karnie 66]

I'm 2 weeks pre-op... September 9th. Nervous. Crabby. Uncertain. The concept of going from my usual diet - which is why I need the surgery - to eating pretty much nothing for 2 weeks prior to surgery in order to have the surgery is just not registering with me mentally. I rescheduled three times due to this mental block - and am now in day 2 of pre-op diet. I also have to get over the idea that this is a copout. Why do I need to have my stomach made smaller to keep me from eating less??? I don't mean to offend anyone out there - but for me it is definitely a personal sense of defeat to need this procedure. Anyone else having similar thoughts or concerns?

Just know that this is definitely NOT a cop out! What would be easy to do is keep going down the road of unhealthy eating. Trust me when I say that the work STARTS after the surgery. It is not an easy journey.

You must be focused and ready to dedicate your life to making better choices. Everyday I have to make sure that I drink enough Fluid. Everyday I have to track my Protein. Everyday I have to take my Vitamins. And at least 5 days a week I have to do some form of exercise. For me, these are things that I couldn't (well, wouldn't) do for myself before I was sleeved. It is only a tool. So it only works if you work it!

This is a major, life changing decision that should not be taken lightly. I toyed around with the idea for years before I made my decision. But once I made it, I knew I was ready. If your are wavering then I would take the advice of others in this forum and speak with a professional. Having part of your stomach cut out is not something you want to do if you are not 100% comfortable with the procedure.

I wish you success in whatever decision you make!! :-)

[SuzyB 182]

I have had those thoughts also. I have tried on my own and failed. I have chosen to go the surgery route as I want to be healthy. I have 4 kids and I need to be here for them. I have been defeated enough.

[CarryOn7 61]

I have had those thoughts also. I have tried on my own and failed. I have chosen to go the surgery route as I want to be healthy. I have 4 kids and I need to be here for them. I have been defeated enough.

I'm right here with you. I've tried way to many diets, had small success & then crashed & burned. It's taken my over a year for me to decide if this was the right decision for me, then sought out a Dr. I don't want to be sidelined anymore. If I don't get this under control, some sort of health issue will come up & there may not be a second chance.

Best of Luck to Everyone going through their Journey's it's not easy, nor will it be, keep your eye on where you want to be. We'll make it.

[Mrs.FullerRN 189]

I also have felt like this is a cop out and like I'm a failure for not doing it the "right" way. Then I decided I'm only a failure if I let this excess weight control my life any longer. I'm only a failure if I know I can't do it on my own but still don't get any help.

[LBD 121]

I also have felt like this is a cop out and like I'm a failure for not doing it the "right" way. Then I decided I'm only a failure if I let this excess weight control my life any longer. I'm only a failure if I know I can't do it on my own but still don't get any help.

Yes! As the ENT (who last week needed to extract a penny from my 6 year old's nasal cavity) put it, "Life is about not making the same mistake twice." Well, I've had my fill of bad choices, missteps and failures and it's time for me to make a change and mean it. For me getting this surgery is about knowing what I need for success, choosing something that is not a temporary fix. Those temporary fixes like Nutrisystems for example, (remember that dehydrated burger with the fake grill marks that soaked up Water like a sponge?) The thought of attempting something like that again is nauseating particularly because ultimately I would gain everything back and more. Life is short and I'm not messing around anymore!!!!