Doubts

[law001 40]

Hi-

Just wondering if anyone has regrets or misses eating a huge salad or gulping down a half bottle of Water? ? I'm on Day 6 of my pre op liquid diet. Unfortunately I cheated last night with pizza and I feel terrible about it but at the same time I am questioning my decision. My surgery is 5/7. I am so ready to lose the weight but at what cost, I've been asking myself. I have lost the weight in the past but a car accident in June totally ruined by newly found healthy lifestyle. I also have a lot of negativity coming from family members that think I'm not "big enough". But really, what is big enough? I'm 5'4 currently weigh 205 and have moderate sleep apnea...is that enough?? Idk, I am very emotional now...maybe it's the lack of food that has been vulnerable to the negativity.

I know that it's my decision but I'd appreciate some insight....

Thanks

[vsg_joanna 67]

I'm 3 weeks out today and I have zero regret. To make you feel better about the Water gulping... I was worried about this to since I've always been an avid water drinker and couldn't imagine not being able to chug a bottle. The about of water I'm able to drink at a time is perfectly satisfying! salad however, I never liked it, so I don't miss it!

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

You have to be ready to make a commitment to do this if you want a lifestyle and weight change. pizza is temporary goodness, your health is permanent. It is a choice in life. For me and my husband, our health problems were more important, and quality of life. Good luck with your decision. Only you can decide. There is a ton of information here, and may people have WLS and a lot of people have the first questions: When can I have pizza? Fried chicken? Won Tons? This sleeve will give you the help you need to get healthy but it is not magic for sure! You will still want that food you love.

[LFitz66 8]

I was 210 starting weight and even though I am only 3 weeks out, it has been worth it for me so far. It has reset my focus to exercise and to remember to put my health and food choices first.

Also I was afraid of the Water consumption as well, but I can still drink a lot. You will see that liquids go down pretty easily.

Edited April 28, 2014 by LFitz66

[Jen:) 40]

I am 3 weeks out and have definitely had regrets at times. I'm not one of the lucky ones who can drink liquids easily. I can only take 2 sips at a time, after the third I throw up (happened twice). I've lost 28lbs, which is great but I definitely miss being "normal". I feel good most of the time..unless I have to eat or drink, then not so good. I think this will pass tho, with time. I've never met someone who regretted their decision after losing weight

[law001 40]

It's crazy!! I have researched for almost a year now. I've been so excited and nervous too but now that I'm almost a week away from surgery the doubts have surfaced. Thanks for all your advice!!!

[cdouglas35 1]

I got nervous the night before. I felt like a had just given up. That I was just fat and lost. I had my surg this past Wednesday. In feel great. Lots of support. I,say be honest about your feelings, wants, and needs. Cry if need too. Ask someone to hold your hand express your weight loss struggles. Reaffirm your future goals.

[Fluffnomore 1,235]

I'm six months out and honestly, I feel pretty normal. The first 8 weeks are tough depending on your surgeon's food restrictions. Now I am used to eating 1/3 to 1/2 half of a restaurant meal and simply eating less. I also have a 28 ounce water bottle attached to my side and I am able to drink 3-4 of those during my work day with no problem. In other words, except for a short period of time at the beginning of the journey, the eating habits we have to adopt really don't look like anything to the outside world…even the no drinking and eating at the same time just seems strange to us; I've never had anyone comment on it. The only thing that sometimes happens is if I go out to a place that serves enormous portions and it appears I haven't eaten much of anything. Sometimes a server will be concerned that I didn't like it but once I start packing up my to-go box that disappears too.

I don't miss eating too much. I never binged so I don't really know if that makes a difference, but I certainly overate. And I guess I feel like I overate plenty; enough that I don't really need to do that now. When you're at this point in the process 8-10 weeks feels like forever, but there is a lot of uncharted Water past that timeframe as well. You can do this.

[Amanda Nicole Hosaflook 65]

I do regret it. I am 4 months out. I've had some issues and have been rehospitalized a couple times. I was happier fat. food made me happy. I still have trouble staying hydrated and getting my Protein in. My bariactric center isn't very supportive. I feel more punished than encouraged. I've lost 60 pounds though! Started at 252 and I am at 192 now. Really think about your decision. Once you do it there is no going back. I just have to make the most of life now with no energy.

[laurenanastasia 12]

Law, I had the same concerns that you did. I'm 5 weeks out and things have been different and it's been a huge adjustment. I have only regretted it once and it lasted a couple hours then I remembered why I did it in the first place. If you're not going in for the right reasons you'll be very unhappy. I looked at it this way: I had a nice, long relationship with food. I basically ate what I wanted for 28 years and it's all over. Time to move on. food isn't your friend, it doesn't care if it makes you happy, sad, fat, miserable or elated...so why do we care so much? Honestly, since my surgery, I feel free.

Amanda, I'm sorry to hear you're having such a hard time. I think that when you could eat whatever you wanted it was easier to push your feelings of unhappiness down, it was not that you were actually happier. I've found the mental aspect of this to be extremely challenging too but I can tell you seeing a therapist or counselor will help significantly. I'm sorry you have regrets and I hope you start to feel better soon.

[Fluffnomore 1,235]

I don't know if it's fair to say that everyone who is overweight who is unhappy but I think many of us are/were. My experience is that I didn't realize to what extent I was numbing or ignoring certain things until I had that enforced period of time when I couldn't be up to my usual tricks. As I mentioned above, I have a friend who had the surgery 4 months before I did and she was the first to tell me, "I don't WANT to be feeling my feelings" because once she couldn't go have a cookie or pour a glass of wine she found that she was frequently much angrier than she remembered being prior to surgery. Even though I was expecting that, on some level, it was still hard to be dealing with it once I'd had the surgery. Finding good coping mechanisms is so important, and it must be incredibly frustrating to also feel like the tool for weight loss is giving you trouble.

[MisforMimi 760]

Law, I had the same concerns that you did. I'm 5 weeks out and things have been different and it's been a huge adjustment. I have only regretted it once and it lasted a couple hours then I remembered why I did it in the first place. If you're not going in for the right reasons you'll be very unhappy. I looked at it this way: I had a nice, long relationship with food. I basically ate what I wanted for 28 years and it's all over. Time to move on. food isn't your friend, it doesn't care if it makes you happy, sad, fat, miserable or elated...so why do we care so much? Honestly, since my surgery, I feel free.

Amanda, I'm sorry to hear you're having such a hard time. I think that when you could eat whatever you wanted it was easier to push your feelings of unhappiness down, it was not that you were actually happier. I've found the mental aspect of this to be extremely challenging too but I can tell you seeing a therapist or counselor will help significantly. I'm sorry you have regrets and I hope you start to feel better soon.

laurenanastasia, I just copied and pasted this into a separate document for when I start having regrets or second guessing my decision. So true, food (nor my fat) is NOT a friend and I am ready to let go of my illustrious relationship with food.

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

I do regret it. I am 4 months out. I've had some issues and have been rehospitalized a couple times. I was happier fat. food made me happy. I still have trouble staying hydrated and getting my Protein in. My bariactric center isn't very supportive. I feel more punished than encouraged. I've lost 60 pounds though! Started at 252 and I am at 192 now. Really think about your decision. Once you do it there is no going back. I just have to make the most of life now with no energy.

Amanda, I seriously wish you would talk to someone, some counselling. Also, I agree our surgeon has not been proactive once surgery was done, which I don't think is right. My husband and I have each other for support, and our primary Internist is a Godsend and he has taken over our care. He is really on top of this. We are 67. Once surgery was done I realized we were on our own. Find the right doctor who is supportive when you need him. Plus a support group or someone in your city. It is what it is and the bariatric surgeon did his job but doesn't hold our hand. I expected a little more from his staff though. You are doing fantastic Amanda, and you will get to that happy place. If you were my age and you knew this surgery were going to give you a few more years on earth (I so hope), then you would see things so differently. God Bless and count those every blessings and most importantly, take care of your body and your health. Linda