Question:
HOW DO YOU MAKE YOURSELF BELIEVE THAT YOU DID THE RIGHT THING?
Hello Everyone, I am 1 week post op and am having NO problems. I really feel great NOW, but I am slowly starting to have fears about whether or not I did the right thing? I find myself startig to cry about whether I will be here in 5 or 10 years to be with my children. The main reason I had the surgury is because I wanted a full life to spend with my children. Now a week later I have to deal with these protein drinks and vitamins and dehydration and worrying whether or not I could get a leak in my stomach. It all is just starting to really scare me. I did do my research and I knew what I was getting into, but I can't help the way I feel now. Any input greatly appreciated. — Tanya F. (posted on December 12, 2003)
December 12, 2003
Take a breath, you're feeling all the normal feelings after surgery. You've
taken the first steps to ensure you are going to be there for your children
in 5-10 years by having surgery. I can assure you that you'll get better in
dealing with water intake, protein drinks, food, exercise, eating habits;
it just all takes time and practice, no one expects you to have it down to
a science at one week out! It took me what seemed forever to get the water
thing down but now I can't image not drinking this much water everyday. I
have a great protein drink that I have every morning without fail (Amplify
Chocolate Flavor) that tastes incredible, but it took several hits and
misses until I found one I really loved. You have to love it if you have it
everyday! Just focus on healing right now, drinking water and getting
healthy; it gets easier and your fears are going to lessen as each week
goes by; I had my meltdown at week three but now at 3.5 months out I can
honestly tell you surgery was the best thing I have ever done for myself!
— Michelle R.
December 12, 2003
What you are feeling is pretty typical the first couple weeks after WLS.
Here's a tip to improve your attitude and to validate your WLS decision.
Get a tape measure and measure your neck, chest, waist, hips, arms, and
thighs. Then repeat the measurements every other week.
You will be pleasantly surprized that inches come off much quicker than
pounds do for most people. You may hit a plateau on the weight loss, but
it's amazing that inches usually always still come off during this period.
I'm about 2 months post op and I'm losing inches a whole lot faster than
I'm losing pounds. And it's the inches that other people see, so what a
tremendous visible benefit!
— rleffler
December 12, 2003
You don't have to make yourself believe it. When the weight starts coming
off and you start feeling and looking better there will be no doubt that
you did the right thing. You are experiencing what we all went thru early
out. It will get better. Just think of all you would miss out on with
your kids by staying obese. You might die from obesity and then what?
— Delores S.
December 12, 2003
All I can tell you is start looking at your reflection in mirrors and store
windows as you walk past them. One day soon you are going to just stop and
think "who IS that??" I sometimes forget where I started and
how far I have come, but it is an amazing thing. Now at goal for the most
part, I have so much more stamina for my family and for work. As you
know, all us northerners are dealing with loads of early snow. During last
weeks blizzard here in NY, I was able to shovel the walk 4 times during the
snowfall without being winded a bit. What an incredible feeling. Give it
time, and you will see that you did the right thing.
— Fixnmyself
December 12, 2003
Believe me what you are going through is normal. I guess I was slower than
most, but it took me 6 full months to feel physically well again and as if
I had done the right thing. What I have found has been a great success for
me mentally has been to take a picture of myself each month and make a
scrap book of them. I started with a picture the day before surgery and
will be a year out in January and have a picture for each month with my
weights and the date recorded. The progress is amazing to see! I also
keep a diary of my weekly weights. When you are feeling down about not
loosing as much as you think you should have, all you need to do is refer
back to pictures and weekly loss records and you will be encouraged. Good
luck! 252/125
— sherry H.
December 12, 2003
The hard part is over! Deciding to have WLS, and getting on that
table!:(<P> 6 months from now you will look back and wonder why you
were concerned. Generally about 50 pounds maakes the difference! Just be
patient.
— bob-haller
December 12, 2003
Tanya,
If you've had children and gone through post partum (sp) depression, what
you're experiencing is about the same. I know because every regret I had
reminded me of child bearing. After you've lost 20% of your original
weight believe me your moods, attitude and confidence that you did the
right thing will kick in. I can't emphasis enough to give yourself time.
Most of us can sympathize with you. Hang in there girl!!!!! The rewards
will be great.
— Agnes B.
December 12, 2003
Wait until you go to a department store and buy clothing that is
"normal" sized. You will have an incredible feeling. Stay with
it.. you did the single best thing you EVER did for yourself. LAP RNY
10/8/02, down 133. Going for full belt lipectomy next week on 12/22.
— Steve B.
December 13, 2003
I had my surgery on Monday, the 8th, and am also feeling great. I have no
doubt that I will be here to enjoy life to its fullest and latest. That
is, of course, as long as I don't kill myself with some fun activity.
haha. What I plan to do for the rest of my life is keep in touch with the
various groups and learn as others learn so that I take the very best care
of my new body.
Like you, my other option has been to face death way earlier than when I
would like to go and certainly not enjoying myself as I would like to be
able to. I look forward to the protein drinks, vitamins, minerals, and
just moving on with life. I have spent most of the last 35 years going no
where, now is my time.
Good luck and you did the right thing by coming here and getting those
fears out of your gut.
Sandra
— Arizona_Sun
December 13, 2003
I also had surgery on the 8th and feel good, but I'm happy you asked this
since I've been feeling the same way. But I am already seeing the pounds
drop (about 10 so far) and am looking forward to the protein drinks and
vitamins to further heal me. Good luck on you continued success.
— Dragonfly2B2
December 13, 2003
I know how you feel!!! I am almost one week post op, but i have been
miserable from fevers and aching. And, like you, i have been depressed.
As for all the side effects we "could" get, just take a deep
breath and be reasonable. So far so good, right? You will deal with them
one by one if they even happen, thats all you can do. And, as for me,
there was no making my self believe that i was doing the right thing, i
know that it was either this or die. Plain and simple as that. I had
tried many other diets and even had an abdominal banded gastroplasty in the
mid 1980's, nothing helped me. I am counting on this surgery. Remember we
all go through an emotional period, and thats all it is, really, just try
to ride it out. Good luck and God Bless, Sherri
— Sherri S.
December 13, 2003
I look in the mirror. I run down the hallway. I look at my son's smiling
face and feel him wrap his arms all the way around me. Those are a few
ways I make myself believe I did the right thing. :)
— Dragon G.
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