Regrets anyone?

[maryl256 5]

I regret allowing myself to get that fat in the first place. Shame.

Its so hard to control

[maryl256 5]

I am 15 days out, the first week for me was hell. I was uncomfortable, thirsty and grumpy. The second week was a million times better but I was still tired. Finally I am feeling normal and getting my energy back. I am down 25 pounds!!!! I love bumping into friends - the reaction of losing weight is amazing. No regrets. Just have some extra help and know the first week sucks. You will do great!

Thanks! You are doing great too!

[maryl256 5]

So I feel like it's perfectly natural to have a period of regret for many of us post surgery. Look, we had our stomachs removed. lol! It's not a small thing.

I didn't do the 6 months pre-surgical therapies and sessions and classes. No, I was dying instead and had this done along with the removal of my gallbladder in order to save my life. I'm not even kidding, I was in and out of the hospital from February through August of last year. Once they determined it was my gallbladder that was destroying my pancreas, which was destroying my kidneys, liver and life, they asked if I would also like to have the VGS. I was unsure but my doc said this to me: Do you want me to make it easy for you? Get the surgery, recover and live. Don't get the surgery and die within 18 months.

Well, can't argue with that.

So I didn't get all that time for my Come To Jesus moment and acceptance. Not all of us do, and even those of us who DO go through all that might STILL feel a sense of regret.

For me it was between week 5 and 6 I think. I'd been sick for almost a year at that point, I depressed and ready to be feeling whole again. I was emotional and realized that the ONE thing I'd always had as my last resort, food, was gone for me now. The last hold of control I had on my fears and regret snapped and I started crying. Actually, it was nurse that started it. I had a specialist appointment and they were checking my blood sugars. I had explained to her that it takes me hours to finish a Protein Shake and so my numbers would be off. She came back at me and held the meter in front of my face and asked me why the numbers were elevated. I tried to respond and all I could do was start crying.

I'd been sick for a year, I'd struggled with almost dying, keeping work up and running, keeping my house/family up and running, I'd been doing everything I could to meet all the post surgical protocols, I was still so sore from having so many organs removed at once. I was a mess and I couldn't handle it. So I snapped. I started crying and couldn't stop. For 7 days. When I met with the doctor that day I apologized to her and explained I was pretty sure I couldn't control it and she was quite kind.

It took me that week to mourn my old life. And not just that, mourn that I would never be a "normal" person. I'd always hoped one day I could be and with having my stomach removed I realized I never could be "normal", not ever, not now.

Well, flash forward 4 months...I'm the happiest I've been since maybe childhood. I don't regret a single moment of the surgery or my decisions, I don't even feel bad that I regretted it. I had to go through those emotions and many of us do I believe. I feel like my experiencing the regret helped me tremendously. It allowed me to be honest with myself about my fears, my hopes, my needs, my expectations - not about my weight but about my LIFE. Why did I regret it and how do I come to accept what's been done? I was able to explore those things. Sure, would have been easier to do ahead of time but I'm not sure it would have been truly authentic for me. I don't think I could have conceived of life, what it's REALLY like, without 80% of my stomach until I was on the other side.

So, yeah, you might have some regret, and that's ok. This is, by far, the best thing I've done for myself regardless of any sense of regret I experienced. I hope you don't hold back your own future in order to avoid a sense of regret. Because the regret I'd be living with right now is that I'd be dying and I'd regret not doing everything I could to live longer.

Thanks for sharing i hope you are feeling better.. at least i dont feel that lost now..

[Finally17 54]

So I feel like it's perfectly natural to have a period of regret for many of us post surgery. Look, we had our stomachs removed. lol! It's not a small thing.

I didn't do the 6 months pre-surgical therapies and sessions and classes. No, I was dying instead and had this done along with the removal of my gallbladder in order to save my life. I'm not even kidding, I was in and out of the hospital from February through August of last year. Once they determined it was my gallbladder that was destroying my pancreas, which was destroying my kidneys, liver and life, they asked if I would also like to have the VGS. I was unsure but my doc said this to me: Do you want me to make it easy for you? Get the surgery, recover and live. Don't get the surgery and die within 18 months.

Well, can't argue with that.

So I didn't get all that time for my Come To Jesus moment and acceptance. Not all of us do, and even those of us who DO go through all that might STILL feel a sense of regret.

For me it was between week 5 and 6 I think. I'd been sick for almost a year at that point, I depressed and ready to be feeling whole again. I was emotional and realized that the ONE thing I'd always had as my last resort, food, was gone for me now. The last hold of control I had on my fears and regret snapped and I started crying. Actually, it was nurse that started it. I had a specialist appointment and they were checking my blood sugars. I had explained to her that it takes me hours to finish a Protein Shake and so my numbers would be off. She came back at me and held the meter in front of my face and asked me why the numbers were elevated. I tried to respond and all I could do was start crying.

I'd been sick for a year, I'd struggled with almost dying, keeping work up and running, keeping my house/family up and running, I'd been doing everything I could to meet all the post surgical protocols, I was still so sore from having so many organs removed at once. I was a mess and I couldn't handle it. So I snapped. I started crying and couldn't stop. For 7 days. When I met with the doctor that day I apologized to her and explained I was pretty sure I couldn't control it and she was quite kind.

It took me that week to mourn my old life. And not just that, mourn that I would never be a "normal" person. I'd always hoped one day I could be and with having my stomach removed I realized I never could be "normal", not ever, not now.

Well, flash forward 4 months...I'm the happiest I've been since maybe childhood. I don't regret a single moment of the surgery or my decisions, I don't even feel bad that I regretted it. I had to go through those emotions and many of us do I believe. I feel like my experiencing the regret helped me tremendously. It allowed me to be honest with myself about my fears, my hopes, my needs, my expectations - not about my weight but about my LIFE. Why did I regret it and how do I come to accept what's been done? I was able to explore those things. Sure, would have been easier to do ahead of time but I'm not sure it would have been truly authentic for me. I don't think I could have conceived of life, what it's REALLY like, without 80% of my stomach until I was on the other side.

So, yeah, you might have some regret, and that's ok. This is, by far, the best thing I've done for myself regardless of any sense of regret I experienced. I hope you don't hold back your own future in order to avoid a sense of regret. Because the regret I'd be living with right now is that I'd be dying and I'd regret not doing everything I could to live longer.

Bless you and thank you for your honesty

[maryl256 5]

I am 5 months post op and halfway to goal.

I no longer need to use my bipap for sleep apnea.

I am no longer diabetic. My last A1C was on the border of prediabetic and normal, so soon. I won't be prediabetic either.

My knee pain is 90% gone (losing weight doesn't bring back cartilage unfortunately).

The tendonitis in my elbows that has been plaguing me for the past two years has resolved itself. I think the main reason it wasn't healing before was because I was always having to push myself out of a sitting position.

I haven't had an edema flare in my feet in months, even though I don't take meds anymore. I don't take prescription meds at all anymore.

Do I regret not being able to gorge on the foods I loved? Sure... But that's a passing thought. I also allow myself a few bites of foods I am craving. 2-3 bites of sushi rather than stuffing myself at an AYCE. One egg roll from my favorite restaurant in San Jose (when we drive down to see the surgeon) rather than the 6-12 I use to put away. I splurge on high quality ingredients, like fancy cheese or expensive cuts of steak. food is about quality not quantity now.

True.. food is about quality not quantity.. i will keep that in mind.. i also have prolapsed disc degeneration and the doc is also suggesting me to go for the back surgery.. maybe going for the sleeve, there wont be so much weight pressing on my back.. and it will get better..

[w8onit 40]

im gonna be honest as hell. im 6 weeks out and the first week after i would cry and have a breakdown everyday. i couldnt drink 10 little medicine cups of Fluid so i thought how would i ever eat again? im eatting solids now and yes it is sad for me that i cant eat nearly as much as i used to . it gets easier everyday and they say youll be able to eat more as time goes on. but this was the idea of this tool. to not eat as much as i once used to. i lost 33 pounds and im feeling fantastic. although i have a long way in my journey, i now truly have a different outlook on life. im happier and im not as depressed as i was 30 pounds heavier. for me it was more mental than anything else. you do have to change your relationship with food. im still adjusting but to me it will be worth it in the end. its gonna be frustrating i can tell you now. but do whats best for YOU. no one can tell you whats best for you, except for you. i dont regret it anymore. im excited to see more weight come off . good luck in your journey

[maryl256 5]

im gonna be honest as hell. im 6 weeks out and the first week after i would cry and have a breakdown everyday. i couldnt drink 10 little medicine cups of Fluid so i thought how would i ever eat again? im eatting solids now and yes it is sad for me that i cant eat nearly as much as i used to . it gets easier everyday and they say youll be able to eat more as time goes on. but this was the idea of this tool. to not eat as much as i once used to. i lost 33 pounds and im feeling fantastic. although i have a long way in my journey, i now truly have a different outlook on life. im happier and im not as depressed as i was 30 pounds heavier. for me it was more mental than anything else. you do have to change your relationship with food. im still adjusting but to me it will be worth it in the end. its gonna be frustrating i can tell you now. but do whats best for YOU. no one can tell you whats best for you, except for you. i dont regret it anymore. im excited to see more weight come off . good luck in your journey

Thank you! Good luck in ur new journey too!

[Losho 9]

WELL SAID ORIONBURN I 2nd THAT EMOTION! STILL WAITING FOR MT SURGERY DATE! Peace to all!

[honebeck 6]

I'm 2 months out and loving my sleeve! It's an adjustment, but well worth it! I've dropped 50 lbs since Jan. 4th and feel great! You have to remind yourself of the strength you have within you to make positive changes. Yes, it's important to change eating habits, but the sleeve helps you to do it if your committed to the change. I liked to eat then and still do. The difference is slowing down and enjoying the first three bites instead of woofing down a whole plate and only remembering to enjoy the last three bites! I still enjoy food, but I'm learning moderation. I also don't crave sweets as much as I used to. Once you detox them out of your system, you don't crave them all the time. I have zero regrets.

[LA_Blueeyes 1]

No I have no regrets! I was sick and tired if being so tired, taking so much medicine and not having a life. Not easy had to really mentally focus on what I wanted for myself. 70 pounds off land 50 to go. No medicine except my antidepressant to help me sleep. Doing normal every day tasks with ease.
NO REGRETS.

[Julie norton 2,850]

My take is you are not going to believe how your relationship with food can change.
It is possible to not "fight" yourself and or food for long periods of time. No one is perfect!
Best of luck for changing your health and life.

[fee1972 7]

4 days post op, the only regret I feel is the pain from having the surgery, other than that I am just home relaxing following my Dr's orders, taking it one day at a time, looking forward to the future of a healthier me......

HW 243

SW 237

CW 232

[Sandee29 113]

Mary,
If you have this surgery, why would you have it?
I had it b/c I've lost the same 70 lbs about 4-6x's. Since the surgery I'm off my cholesterol meds and my diabetes meds. I had no energy to do anything before the surgery and now I go to the gym 3-4x's a week and feel good about it. I love that I'm fitting into normal- sized clothing and feel good about myself.
No, you will never be able to eat the same way again but you will be able to eat the foods you like/love- just not the same quantity.

Good luck with your decision!

[maryl256 5]

I'm 2 months out and loving my sleeve! It's an adjustment, but well worth it! I've dropped 50 lbs since Jan. 4th and feel great! You have to remind yourself of the strength you have within you to make positive changes. Yes, it's important to change eating habits, but the sleeve helps you to do it if your committed to the change. I liked to eat then and still do. The difference is slowing down and enjoying the first three bites instead of woofing down a whole plate and only remembering to enjoy the last three bites! I still enjoy food, but I'm learning moderation. I also don't crave sweets as much as I used to. Once you detox them out of your system, you don't crave them all the time. I have zero regrets.

Thank you! U are doing great too

[lb2017 13]

So I feel like it's perfectly natural to have a period of regret for many of us post surgery. Look, we had our stomachs removed. lol! It's not a small thing.

I didn't do the 6 months pre-surgical therapies and sessions and classes. No, I was dying instead and had this done along with the removal of my gallbladder in order to save my life. I'm not even kidding, I was in and out of the hospital from February through August of last year. Once they determined it was my gallbladder that was destroying my pancreas, which was destroying my kidneys, liver and life, they asked if I would also like to have the VGS. I was unsure but my doc said this to me: Do you want me to make it easy for you? Get the surgery, recover and live. Don't get the surgery and die within 18 months.

Well, can't argue with that.

So I didn't get all that time for my Come To Jesus moment and acceptance. Not all of us do, and even those of us who DO go through all that might STILL feel a sense of regret.

For me it was between week 5 and 6 I think. I'd been sick for almost a year at that point, I depressed and ready to be feeling whole again. I was emotional and realized that the ONE thing I'd always had as my last resort, food, was gone for me now. The last hold of control I had on my fears and regret snapped and I started crying. Actually, it was nurse that started it. I had a specialist appointment and they were checking my blood sugars. I had explained to her that it takes me hours to finish a Protein Shake and so my numbers would be off. She came back at me and held the meter in front of my face and asked me why the numbers were elevated. I tried to respond and all I could do was start crying.

I'd been sick for a year, I'd struggled with almost dying, keeping work up and running, keeping my house/family up and running, I'd been doing everything I could to meet all the post surgical protocols, I was still so sore from having so many organs removed at once. I was a mess and I couldn't handle it. So I snapped. I started crying and couldn't stop. For 7 days. When I met with the doctor that day I apologized to her and explained I was pretty sure I couldn't control it and she was quite kind.

It took me that week to mourn my old life. And not just that, mourn that I would never be a "normal" person. I'd always hoped one day I could be and with having my stomach removed I realized I never could be "normal", not ever, not now.

Well, flash forward 4 months...I'm the happiest I've been since maybe childhood. I don't regret a single moment of the surgery or my decisions, I don't even feel bad that I regretted it. I had to go through those emotions and many of us do I believe. I feel like my experiencing the regret helped me tremendously. It allowed me to be honest with myself about my fears, my hopes, my needs, my expectations - not about my weight but about my LIFE. Why did I regret it and how do I come to accept what's been done? I was able to explore those things. Sure, would have been easier to do ahead of time but I'm not sure it would have been truly authentic for me. I don't think I could have conceived of life, what it's REALLY like, without 80% of my stomach until I was on the other side.

So, yeah, you might have some regret, and that's ok. This is, by far, the best thing I've done for myself regardless of any sense of regret I experienced. I hope you don't hold back your own future in order to avoid a sense of regret. Because the regret I'd be living with right now is that I'd be dying and I'd regret not doing everything I could to live longer.

Wow! Thanks for sharing your story. I read every word of it. I want to do it and I've struggled with my weight forever so I'm really ready. I just have to wait until my health insurance kick in next month. But again that you for that because I'm terrified of having complications and not being able to recover but God's got my.