Pre-op nerves and fears of regret- What to expect?

[SleevesUp 4]

In another thread, someone 16 days post-op were having big regrets, for example regarding not being able to drink with meals, gulp Water, ect. Those are also the kind of worries I have about the surgery. It is really hard to imagine having to eat diffently for the rest of your life. Once it's done it's done! You can never go back. That really shocks my nerves to think about. Did anyone else think like me, and how is it for you now, after surgery?

[LexFl 37]

In another thread, someone 16 days post-op were having big regrets, for example regarding not being able to drink with meals, gulp Water, ect. Those are also the kind of worries I have about the surgery. It is really hard to imagine having to eat diffently for the rest of your life. Once it's done it's done! You can never go back. That really shocks my nerves to think about. Did anyone else think like me, and how is it for you now, after surgery?

I am a year and a half out at this point. The first few weeks I kept saying what did I do to myself?! It's a huge and scary change and most if not all of us experience "buyers remorse" in the first couple of weeks. But it becomes the new normal and an even better normal than you've ever experienced. I went in for an annual check up the other day and my doctor asked if I had complaints or regrets and I was able to look him in the eye and say 100% honestly I didn't have a single one. In those first couple weeks when I would think "what did I do?!" I'd repeat a mantra of "I made a life change to become healthier and happier this is just a small part it will be over soon" that got me through the rough patch and since then I've been the happiest I've ever been thanks to my sleeve. Some things change but it's worth the trade off!

[Indigo1991 1,612]

While you do eat differently, some of the difficult things of the early days settle down. By 9 months out, I could drink pretty much as before, including gulping if necessary!

I choose not to drink and eat because I now understand why I shouldn't. I am now allowed to drink until 20 mins before eating and start again 20 mins after. No real hardship there.

I still keep my fluids up - which we should all do irrespective of WLS. I eat Protein first, keep carbs low and take my Vitamins daily. I also remember to keep moving

I eat out at least 3 times a week, socialise with friends, have the very, very occasional alcoholic drink and get on with living what is a much happier life than when I weighed 85lbs more.

Yes, there is a restriction. I eat less. I have to make good food choices to keep myself healthy and full of energy. But do I miss my diabetes? My meds and pain relief? My high BP? My increasing cholesterol? My sweaty body? My lack of energy? My depression?

Nope, not a bit. That's why eating differently doesn't frighten me - the good things that have happened to me post WLS far outweigh the effort I put in to eating nowadays.

I know that being sleeved looks daunting pre surgery - and it is not something to do lightly, without being informed or being prepared for the difficult first weeks.

By having been through it all, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again...

Good luck figuring out what's best for you, keep asking questions here, there's so much advice and support from people who've been where you are :-))))

[MichiganChic 3,262]

You are smart to think about the changes that will be forced on you, and the changes you will need to consciously make for the rest of your life. I also thought about those things, and I really wondered if I could do it. I even hate to admit that in the back of my mind, I sort of thought bullshit, I'm not doing that!

I don't know how or why, but I'm so grateful that through some divine intervention, I actually did do the things I thought I would not do. I actually did make those changes. Maybe in the back of my mind, I knew this was my last, best chance at living a healthy normal life. I also knew someone at work who has RNY, and was very successful. She told me how rigid she was with following the rules, and attributed her success to that. It struck home with me, so I followed her advice.

At first, I think the hardest thing for me was to not eat and drink together. But, I did get used to it, and now I rarely even think about it. I still follow that rule to this day. I follow the no straw rule. I honestly don't think there is a good reason for it, but I don't want to mess with success, lol. I get in my Protein, and I rarely eat bread, rice, or Pasta. That used to be the mainstay of my diet.

I also posted in that 16 day post-op thread, and my response was that I feel so normal. And I am, and I don't consider the changes I've made to impact that feeling. You do adjust to the changes you've made, and they become a way of life, and that's what allows us to succeed. We all know on a conscious level that something needs to change....otherwise we won't lose weight. So you have to eat less. You have to pay attention to what you are eating. You have to go about your life and figure out how to fit it in. I think that's a little different for each of us.

I don't think everyone succeeds after WLS, but I do think everyone can. Our success is up to us, and I think the secret lies in our minds more than anything else. The restriction from the sleeve is a START - after a year, when the newness wears off, it truly becomes a tool that you can choose to use or not. I'm so grateful I paid attention to making those changes early on and recognized the impact they had, otherwise, I'd be on my way back to 300+ pounds by now.

[McButterpants 2,846]

Great answers, Indigo and MichiganChic.

I'm 12 weeks post op now and have returned to a fairly normal life. Let me rephrase - a new normal life for me. :-)

I cannot eat like I did before - that's a good thing. It's frustrating at times, but I have come to terms with it. The other day I let myself get really hungry. I wanted to eat fast and more because I was so hungry. I just looked at my husband and said, "I am so frustrated right now." Then about 10 minutes later, it passed. I ate my tiny meal slowly and it was all better. While I can't drink Water as fast as I used it, it's OK. If I stay hydrated, I don't need big gulps of Water.< /p>

The thing is, your new habits and way of eating become normal. I thought I was going to have to restrict myself a lot - but really, it's not restricting, it's making good choices and those good choices are easier to make.

It's good you're thinking about post-op life. This is a life changer. For me, this made my life so much better already.

Best of luck to you!

[Nell65 44]

Thanks for the honest look into what we are all about to dive into. It's about changing our lifestyles for the better! It's about a time where we are feeling like a rollercoaster. Excited, nervous, anxious and wondering if this will be what we hope it will be. Keep positive. Baby steps to relearning how to maintain a healthier you. Sometimes when I start thinking too much, I get myself talked out of it. But then I am right back to no, this is what is going to be a great tool for me to get on with a better life. We all have moments of doubt about this surgery. But after seeing friends who have succeeded far beyond their wildest dreams and how much things have improved for them, it inspires me to write my own story that will be just as fantastic!

Nell

[SleevesUp 4]

Thank you all for your kind and honest words, they really encourage me! I am hoping with all my heart that I will feel the same as you all do post-op. The scary thing is the unknown, even though you try to prepare yourself, it's impossible to know what is "on the other side".

A couple of questions: Why is it we can't drink through a straw? How much alchohol can you drink and how does it effect you after being sleeved?

Thank you so much

Edited February 9, 2014 by SleevesUp

[McButterpants 2,846]

I think the straw thing is due to sucking in air while you drink - I think I remember that. My doc gave out a Camelback type Water bottle that has a straw...He didn't say "no straws".

As far as alcohol...I had my first drink in four months just the other day. I was a little nervous. I didn't make a good choice - I had a DiSorono and Coke. The Coke was a bad choice, but I did it and I enjoyed it - I stirred a lot of the carbonation out of it. I drank about 2/3 of it - I sipped slowly. I can tell you, however, when I got up, I felt tipsy, like buzzed, not drunk. I had another one the next day and tolerated it fine. A better choice would be a Vodka/cranberry or Vodka/Lemonade.

[SleevesUp 4]

Thank you for your answer McButterPants. I tell you, my emotions are all over the place tonight. One moment I am sure I will do it, the Next I am scared like nothing else. *sigh*. Watching a show about a 600lb girl who had gastric bypass. I feel for her! And I am blessed not to be that heavy. (Don't think I ever would be though). Watching her struggle really makes me think.

[LexFl 37]

Thank you all for your kind and honest words, they really encourage me! I am hoping with all my heart that I will feel the same as you all do post-op. The scary thing is the unknown, even though you try to prepare yourself, it's impossible to know what is "on the other side". A couple of questions: Why is it we can't drink through a straw? How much alchohol can you drink and how does it effect you after being sleeved? Thank you so much

We can't drink through a straw at first because it creates air pockets in the stomach that are uncomfortable, also you drink faster through a straw. Eventually I found I was able to. I get drunk way faster now but for me it's gone as quick as it came. So I drink a little and slowly.

[Band2Sleever 78]

just wanted to share that I am so, so nervous. I am pre-op and my mind is going from completely convinced that I am a having surgery... to almost phoning up the surgeons office to cancel it.

How did anyone else deal with extreme nerves and doubts pre-op?

[re14768 72]

I'm feeling the same way also..I keep thinking I will not get approved. Especially since I have completed all my requirements..now all I'm waiting for is for doctor off to submit to insurance. They still haven't. I keep thinking, they did submit and I didn't get approved. Especially since my BMI is only 40.3..Keeping fingers crossed.