Changing my life forever

[RSM 69]

I don't have a surgery date as of yet, but should within the next 2 weeks. It has been a very long wait so far but will (hopefully) be worth it. The actual surgery does not bother me, what does bother me is the hunger strike I will endure 2 weeks pre-op and then forever. Like all overweight people, I love to eat, which is why I am so overweight. Time to control it,,,,does anyone have any comments on getting over the mental hump of changing my lifestyle forever? I should be past this point by now and looking forward to new adventures.

[Diana_in_Philly 1,426]

I loved to eat good food before surgery. I still love to eat good food. But I eat it in much smaller quantities now. I'm not sure about what you mean when you say "mental hump of changing my lifestyle forever"?

From being sedentary and in pain from carrying too much weight on your bones and joints to being able to do things?

From being able to buy clothes in the big or plus section to walking into any store you want and buying clothes?

What I can tell you is that in the last 11 months, my life has changed. Memorial Day weekend 2016 I went to the University of PIttsburgh with my older daughter for a campus tour - she was considering applying. I couldn't make it through the whole tour. She and my husband and other daughter finished the second half of the tour and I had to take refuge in the bookstore and sit down - I was in too much pain from the walking.

Fast forward to end of June 2017 - back out to PItt for two days of orientation. Parked the car at the hotel and walked everywhere -- 5-8 miles a day and then came back to the hotel and worked out for an hour in the gym. Had no pain. No shortness of breath. Was able to eat whatever I wanted (albeit my choices are much better now) just in smaller quantities. So we went to this wonderful little Breakfast and lunch place again - I had the same breakfast - a sausage and cheese omelette - with their version of home fries. I ate less than half of the omelette and had two bites of home fries. My daughter had my toast. The food was still amazing. I just ate less of it.

Once you get in your head that the only thing you are giving up is large portions and a sedentary life - it's not too bad.

I went zip lining in Jamaica at the beginning of the month. I was well under the weight limit. Went hiking and horseback riding, too.

Your life is going to change for the better.

[RSM 69]

Sure, the mental hump comment was meant as getting bast the barrier of the necessary psychological thoughts to be successful in my new journey in life. I appreciate your words and they are a good reflection of your success and do help me quite a bit in working towards my own.

[Ldyvenus 317]

There is no long term hunger strike. The sleeve is basically a 6-12 month head start on making lasting, healthy changes to your diet. You can fill your sleeve up all day long with a whole chocolate bars, whole handfuls of chips, or 4oz of Protein and a few bites of veggies.

[RSM 69]

29 minutes ago, Ldyvenus said:

There is no long term hunger strike. The sleeve is basically a 6-12 month head start on making lasting, healthy changes to your diet. You can fill your sleeve up all day long with a whole chocolate bars, whole handfuls of chips, or 4oz of Protein and a few bites of veggies.

I understand, guess that I am a bit on a roller coaster here as this is really becoming a reality.

[DaddysQueen 1]

I too have the fears of being constantly hungry but my understanding is with the sleeve comes the internal chemical changes so those hunger signals come less frequently.

[KIP-MI 42]

I completely understand where you are coming from RSM. I too am very worried about this "new relationship" with food. I've been joking saying it's like getting divorced from an abusive spouse. You know he's bad for you but you keep going back for more...and one day he'll kill you. Okay that was dark but you get my meaning.

I'm hoping to have my surgery in October so I've got a couple of months to go still. A couple of months to worry about not only the surgery itself but also this new relationship. How will I get through that first two weeks? How will I get through the following weeks without solid foods? For someone who's life has revolved around food...celebrated with food...how am I going to cope?

So my point is I feel you RSM but if everything I'm reading is true I think it will be worth it!

[RSM 69]

We will probably having the sleeve about the same time, so I think we can do this.

[dstgirl11 22]

I hope this is helpful, but I had a mentor. My sister had surgery in December and she became by backbone when I wanted to give up. She would call or text and ask how I was feeling and offer suggestions. If she wasn't available, another friend that had surgery two years ago and is very successful was my backup. In other words, try obtaining a buddy to assist you when you are getting ready to start your pre-op diet that will hold you accountable.