I'm being a bad girl.....

[RuthFour 15]

I'm going to be having roux en y surgery hopefully within the next six months or so. It's been a long wait and in order to speed along the process I sort of lied (pretty much lied) about habits and behaviour modifications that I supposedly have put into place. I know that I'm probably setting myself up and as a result am frightened about what's ahead for me. This wait has been draining and I've actually gained weight as a result. I should be off cafeinated coffee and drinking more Water and I'm not. I guess I'm just hoping that this is not a predictor of things to come. I know that these changes must happen for this to be a success or I'm in for a painful ride. I hope I'm not fooling myself.

Did anyone else tell little while lies. I'm in Canada and they screen you very thoroughly prior to putting you through to your appt with surgeon. I can't believe the cravings I have now. They are ten times worse than they've ever been and I'm banking on the surgery helping with that.

I would love to hear from people who can relate or have had experience with same. I guess I'm looking for reassurance.

Thanks for listening, Ruth

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

I certainly didn't make all the changes I should have before surgery. I drank Diet Coke up until 2 days before surgery. I thought I'd have a big goodbye party with it but now I can't remember the last one I had. Haven't craved one yet since surgery... it doesn't even SOUND or look good/appealing. Something I thought would never happen because I was a major addict.

I did get the "eat slower" app and try to make time between bites but I didn't do it consistently. I have done that now that I'm on some solid foods (4th week soft food stage).

I'm following the plan to a T because I don't think I could do anything else. I haven't had any pain/nausea/vomiting at all but I don't want to push it at all, so I'm staying on plan. Besides, when you're only getting in around 325 calories a day, you DEFINITELY want them to be good, nutritious Protein. My NUT or surgeon didn't suggest that number of calories -- just the 60 grams of protein. But if I manage to squeeze in that amount of protein, I don't have room for anything else.

The surgery is a tool and you have to use it wisely but in the beginning, you really don't have any other choice and that's a good thing!

[RuthFour 15]

Thanks so much for responding Ginger. I keep on second guessing myself thinking that maybe just maybe I should try and do it without surgery. But the cutoff point for surgery is 65 years of age and I just turned 60 and I'm closing in on 300 lbs. I feel shitty and I'm responsible for it. At one point, I was more active and now I am so sedentary, that climbing the stairs is a challenge. That worries me too. I must admit that most of the comments I'm coming across are positive but then I'll come across "the one". So again, it's great to hear from people like you.

[Postop 405]

I gained over 30lbs. from the initial appt. to the date of surgery. Needless to say they weren't thrilled w/me. But I got it together and have worked hard these last 9 years. I believe you can, too.

[ambpete 26]

Hey RuthFour......Go for it like i'm doing. I have had the same issue thinking I could do it myself. Guess what...I cant. I am 68 years old and having my gastric bypass on July 8th. Only 1 week away. My doctor has actually done surgery on a 74 year old , with great success. I need all the help I can get and I am ready. I want to be around for another 20 years or so, so I will make these changes necessary. Please keep me posted on your journey! Us seniors gotta stick together. We can do it!!!!

[LeanerLena5426 61]

Hi Ruth,

Have you strugged with 'emotional eating' and issues like that? Because it sounds like you're beating yourself up a bit, and I can certainly relate to the emotional side of a weight issue. I would definitely recommend that you try not to beat yourself up! But I also believe--and this is based partly on personal experience--that without making tough changes to the way we approach food, even surgery won't work. I work with a woman who had gastric bypass about 10 years ago, and she weighs about 300lbs now (I guess she continued to overeat, and stretched her pouch and/or at junk food 'sliders'). For me, I had to make serious changes to my lifestyle and my approach to food. It was HARD! People who say that surgery is the easy way out don't have a clue. I really struggled with the mental aspect of it, the way it sounds like you are. My advice would be to give yourself a break, and recognize that if doing it yourself were that easy you would have done it already. It's not easy, it's brutal--so you don't have to beat yourself up for having coffee with caffeine. But I would also suggest that you start the process of making permanent changes. Start small, and realistic, so that you can actually stick to it, and feel good about yourself instead of feeling like a failure. Maybe half-decaf half regular? Or adding in one Decaf a day after you've had your caffeine...you get the idea. It's a good way to get used to saying "no" to yourself and not giving in to all your cravings, practicing for post-op.

I think you should go ahead and have the surgery, too. You can be honest with the doctors, they know we all struggle with food or we wouldn't be here in the first place. You're not the first patient to struggle with a pre-op diet! As you get closer to the surgery date it becomes more important, because the healthier your body (and your liver) is during surgery the more likely it will be successful (and you'll come out healthy). So keep that in mind too, whenever those urges kick in for something that goes against the doctor's orders. You need to follow the pre-op diet in the weeks right before surgery, for your own safety.

You are definitely not alone. A quick search through these forums will reveal a number of people who struggled with this very thing. So don't feel too bad! Best of luck to you.

[RuthFour 15]

Thanks "ambpete" and "Loopy" for your responses. It's great to hear from a "senior"! Holy crap, did I just say that. Still am in denial about my age. And Loopy, I am hoping that as I get closer to my surgery I will feel differently. I have no illusions that it is necessary to make changes in my lifestyle. I am quite frankly nervous and very apprehensive. I am and have always been my biggest critic.

Again, thanks for the feedback.

[jacileggs 402]

What part of canada? I'm in southern alberta.

[RuthFour 15]

I'm in Ottawa, Ontario....

[pik 262]

My biggest issue has been getting the fluids in that I need. There is no way in the world I could ever f=drink 64 oz of Water a day!

I do not mislead the dr or nutritionist about it though..... I see them both tomorrow for my last visit before surgery.

[shellbell79 44]

Thanks "ambpete" and "Loopy" for your responses. It's great to hear from a "senior"! Holy crap, did I just say that. Still am in denial about my age. And Loopy, I am hoping that as I get closer to my surgery I will feel differently. I have no illusions that it is necessary to make changes in my lifestyle. I am quite frankly nervous and very apprehensive. I am and have always been my biggest critic.

Again, thanks for the feedback.

Hi Ruth! I'm in Ottawa too! I was wondering how you are doing? I'm scheduled on Nov. 5th..

[RuthFour 15]

Hi "shellbell79"... I have just had my surgery October 23rd...things are moving along as they should. I had a minor complication which made it a tad more difficult in recovery but I'm on the mend. Would love to hear from you after your surgery. Only 2 more sleeps, right?

Let's compare notes after your surgery. Good luck, they get you walking as soon as your able (like same day or next) and out in two days give or take.

Ruth

[shellbell79 44]

I'm sorry to hear about your complications. I'm glad to hear you're on the mend though. What kind of complications if you don't mind me asking? Yes, 2 more sleeps.

[RuthFour 15]

Shellbell79....I had an existing hiatus hernia. It turned out to be a "giant" hernia which they weren't expecting and most of the my stomach was up in my chest. They had to pull it down and tighten things up...just took a little longer and essentially was two surgeries in one. Not really a complication of the RNY...and not entirely uncommon.

Don't you worry....I'm sure you'll be fine. Just walk, walk, walk after the surgery to get rid of the frickin' gas. I haven't been doing that enough. And if you're like me "farting" will be the highlight of your day!

[shellbell79 44]

Bahahaha! Gassy highlights, very funny yet practical advice. We're you at the civic?