What has been the hardest part of your journey thus far?

[Alex Brecher 10,512]

@@xoxococojay,

Great question! It’s a great way to prepare yourself for the journey ahead.

One of the hardest parts for me is something that is unique to the lap-band, so it will not apply to you if you are going for the gastric sleeve. For me, a challenge was to get into the “green zone,” which is the exact right level of restriction that the adjustable band gives based on how full the surgeon fills it. It was tricky for me to figure out whether I was hungry because the band was not tight enough, or because I just needed to get used to the hunger. On the other end, it was tricky for me to figure out if I felt pinched because the band was too tight, or because I needed to be patient and wait for it to feel more comfortable.

A lot of weight loss surgery (including gastric sleeve) patients do have the mental challenge of realizing that this is forever! You will never get your stomach back, and you will never be able to eat endlessly again. On the other hand, this can be a huge relief, because it is a major step towards controlling your weight forever.

I think a lot of it is about staying positive and thinking about opportunity rather than loss.

Good luck as you move forward!

[xoxococojay 842]

@@Alex Brecher thank you!!!

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[cbonet 336]

Trying to figure it all out. What I can have, can't have, exercise, pain, .....

[rubia72 200]

Learning how to not be depressed when everyone around you is gulping down food and drinks[emoji19]

[BestDayEver 418]

The hardest part for me was finding out how little support I received from a close friend and some family. Now that was a bitter pill. But screw what others think. I did this for me, my husband and kids. I have no regrets, none what so ever. I'm so much healthier 17+ months later.

[Pinkberry2 128]

Hardest part for me has been learning how to eat all over. What works what doesnt. Exercise is fun for me i had no sense of loss or depression people talk about ive been happy since day 1 ????. This has been something ive wanted my whole life so its been a dream come true. I will say i thought the weight would fly off faster then it has been???? but still not one regret.

[Sai 785]

@@Sai i've heard two different things from two different surgeons about the pre-op diet. Exactly what is it?

I've heard that it's only Protein shakes and liquids. Another surgeon said Protein Shakes and small meals and Protein Bars. Did you eat actual food during pre-op or just liquids?

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I had to drink 5 Protein Shakes with Water (or 4 with milk) plus 1 cup unsalted broth. Nothing else. It sucked lol.

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[KristenLe 5,979]

@@Sai I'm hoping the preop diet is the hardest part of my journey too!

[LittleLizzieLilliput 919]

The hardest part for me is convincing myself that this doesn't mean I'm giving up food. I did a liquid diet for 16 months and my emotions and fears were telling me that this means doing that for life. But it's SOOO not! It's the opposite of that. It's to allow me to keep a relationship with food, only slightly changed.

My brain kept trying to throw a tantrum of panic but I muscled through and now I'm excited for this next year.

Sleeved on 10/10, healing well, excited for my life to change. Hell, maybe I'll finally go to Europe!!

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[dianemar 45]

I struggle getting my Water in, it tastes terrible to me, and with working I tend to not pay attention of the need to drink, then break comes and then I have to eat, then I forget to drink after a 1/2 hour. on and on.....

[newlife9-27 37]

Mine is eating and drinking too fast. Had my 2 wk check up. 21 lbs so I am happy.

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[highfunctioningfatman 2,675]

My only frustration is that I can't drink plain Water. I immediately feel bloated in my stomach and it truly kicks my butt. I drink Propel instead.

[higher 966]

Fantastic thread

[rolosmom7 740]

Post op for sure. Pre op diet wasn't fun but you get used to it in 2-3 days (I was on Optifast). But having the gas pain, not being able to have Water for 24 hours, the constant struggle to get in Water after - it was rough. Everything tastes like fake sugar or fake salt. broth tasted like I was licking a salt cube, even if it was low sodium. Protein drinks taste like sugary sweet chalk.

Once you get to purees and mushys it gets better. But I did tons and tons of research, have a huge binder detailing all my diet steps, ways to help with mental health, etc. I thought I was prepared, and when it hit me in the face, I wasn't.

[kelliev2015 136]

Immediately after surgery it was the gas pains. They were horrific for me and had me literally screaming in pain at the hospital which is crazy cause I never verbalize pain like that.

A few days after, I had a really hard time getting my liquids and Protein and was getting about half of the recommended amount. I did enough to not get dehydrated though.

At 10 weeks out, I still struggle to get my 80 grams of protein. My weight loss has slowed to a crawl which has been difficult to deal with. I'm starting to step up my workouts and really focus on getting my protein in.

Overall, I've had a great experience. I've been able to tolerate everything, have never been nauseous and have healed well. [emoji3]

Edited October 17, 2016 by kelliev2015