Why is this ALL I'm thinking about now!?

[KalelsWifey 318]

Suddenly today just shy of a week from Gastric Bypass am I questioning my decision to go this route vs the Sleeve... Literally, numerous times today I have actually gotten anxiety that perhaps I made the wrong decision... Knowing fully I cannot go back! If anyone else is or has had these feelings, I would appreciate your insight as to if you agree, don't agree and what led you to understand why you calmed yourself out of this emotional moment. I know the medical reasons why I chose GB... Just feeling a little sad.

Much appreciated ????

[Djmohr 6,965]

@@KalelsWifey,

It is normal to have the anxiety you are having when headed to this surgery. I can tell you that I had my heart set on the sleeve and then found out that it could make my reflux/Gerd issue much worse. I researched like crazy and got a second opinion and in the end decided that I would move forward with the bypass.

I was very excited once I made the decision to be moving forward but honestly I was nervous to have the surgery. I think everyone is.

Here is the thing, I used deep breathing exercises to help me remain calm, listened to a lot of calming music and just took great care of myself the weeks leading up to my surgery. I was able to calm down and remind myself of all of the reasons I was taking this route in the first place.

Turns out, it was the best thing that ever happened to me outside of marrying my husband and having my children. I have not regretted it for even 1 second. When I woke up in recovery, yes there was pain but it was tolerable.

I have never had any complications and I believe it is because I followed the plan laid out by my bariatric center of excellence.

You will do great! You just need to take some calming breaths, listen to some music or read a book and try to relax.

You are about to have a whole new life and you are going to be amazed when you realize you can do things you could not do before. There are so many more positives to having WLS than things to be concerned about.

Please be good to yourself!

[James Marusek 5,244]

It was difficult after surgery. But things do improve dramatically. Having said this, it still took about 6 months for me to reach my "happy state", when all the issues and problems were resolved.

[The Candidate 3,215]

I can very much relate to your indecision. I'm currently going through my approval process with Kaiser. I started this journey nearly a full year ago. And I'm a little less than 3 weeks shy of completing my Options classes (6 months worth), with expectations of having surgery this summer.

Last year, after extensive research, I went into this 100 percent sure I wanted the sleeve, but in the last couple of months that's changed. Now I'm 90 percent sure I want the bypass. I'm saving my final determination for when I finally get to my surgical consult in the next month or so. But the niggling doubt of whether I'm making the right choice either way, sometimes, keeps me up at night.

[Band07 374]

I was a band patient, then sleeve and as of Thursday (4/23) Mini bypass. I never had any regrets or hesitations with the first two but for some reason even though I'm physically doing pretty good, I'm even back at work today, I've had a terrible time emotionally with this one! I keep feeling like wtf did I just do to myself? I'm scared to death now of a life of being sick and dumping.

[kaseyw0od 24]

My gastric bypass surgery is tomorrow and I'm STILL contemplating whether I'm getting the right procedure or not! Obviously, there's no turning back now but I don't want to regret anything...

When I first started thinking about surgery, I was 100% for the sleeve. My turning point was when I was talking to a couple people who were sleeved and they said they can eat/drink whatever they want. To some, this sounds good, but to me it was a big red flag. I don't want to be able to eat bad food, I want that restriction. I don't want to be able to eat the bad foods that got me here in the first place.

My surgeon also told me that bypass patients lose more weight at a faster rate, and that's what sold me. If I'm gonna get the surgery I might as well get the procedure with the better stats. Don't get me wrong I've seen plenty of people do well with the sleeve and it is different with every person, but I just know myself and the bypass is the right choice for me!

[KalelsWifey 318]

Truly I thank each and everyone of you for responding to this topic! Each of your situations have helped me to understand that the decision I made was a good one and I am only a week post on so I must five myself time to adjust. I agree on so many levels with what you all have stated and perhaps I was going through a 'poor me' moment when I should be ecstatic that over this weight-loss journey I will be the me I once was. Not living my life based on food, but living life to enjoy all of its other beauties. Hugs to you all thank you.

[FeelinGood2015 23]

I had those thoughts too, leading up to the actual day. Then I had a mini-meltdown in the hospital right after the surgeon came in to speak with me before they took me back. I started crying and could not stop! It was a mixture of fear of the unknown, mourning the foods I would longer be able to eat with great abandon, the changes I knew that were coming... a whole bunch of things. I was able to calm down and started thinking about the pros of going through with this. And they far outweighed the cons. Once you are on the other side of it, you realize that really is the right decision and you will be able to handle it. It's a challenge at first, but it is completely doable. I am three weeks out and very happy I did not let me nerves get the best of me!

[KalelsWifey 318]

Congratulations @@feelinggood! Your not alone, I so cried when my surgeon was speaking to me right before they wheeled me into the or. I have been speaking to numerous people who've gone thru either sleeve or bypass and the concensus is this: initially we are making these crazy drastic changes. Doing so much good for our body. Getting it healthy so we can correct our initial mistakes of more than likely overindulgence. When we reach our points of what makes us feel great, energetic, beautiful or handsome we can then introduce in extreme modification those little thimgs we once enjoyed. I've began to understand carbonation will absolutely ruin your ability to completely maintain as it is a main trigger for weight gain bc it slowly allows you to stretch your pouch and not allow you to feel the restriction of maybe one or two Hershey's kisses and suddenly you've had twelve... I love sprite. It's absolutely delish to me, but when I began this journey I said if I want this bad enough this is what will ruin me and set me up to fail so I can give you up!

I'm glad your doing well. Three weeks out is great. I imagine you still on your moist, soft Proteins, you can't go eat everything right?

[FeelinGood2015 23]

No I absolutely cannot eat anything at this point. I found THAT out a few days ago when I got cocky and decided since I was doing so well, I would try and eat some soft pork chop. Small bites. Chewed really well. TOO EARLY. I had my first dumping event that lasted for three hours! It was horrible. I would go throw up, come back to my desk (I work from home) and sit for about 5 minutes, and then I would need to throw up again. THREE HOURS! I was taught a lesson by my body. And believe me, I heard it! So I am on the mushy/soft food phase, which is where I am supposed to be. Soft scrambled egg with a little cheese, refried Beans with cheese and guac, yogurt (I LOVE the Dannon Light and Fit Greek Whips! The lemon meringue tasts JUST like a real slice!), egg sald with light mayo, mustard, and a little dill relish, skim milk... I am fine to be here for awhile.

What's really cool is that I do not miss the sodas, or my beloved sweet tea. I was a fiend with both of those and now I don't even think about them. So that's a plus. It does get better and having lost 22 pounds now, I am happy with my decision and grateful I get this chance to be healthy again.