Please share your story of how you felt mentally the 1st month of surgery

I'm full of questions today.... Monday I had an appointment with the dietician to go over the liquid diet before surgery and the diet after sugery.  I've been mentally preparing for this part the whole 6 months I've been waiting to meet my insurance requirements but reality just set in about it right now.  I'm NOT freaking out  but I'm just curious how hard is the mental part of this surgery the first month? It was a wake up call last night when I was eating some soup and realized I will only be able to eat a tablespoon at a time for a while after surgery.  How does your brain deal with that when your use to having like a can of soup?    I don't have to start the liquid diet for a few more weeks yet although I know it will be difficult I think it will be manageable because I feel I'll have addrenaline to get this surgery done and preparing for all the stuff I want to get done before surgery (cleaning, etc.).  I'm just wondering is there a period of deep depression after surgery? I believe as a pre-surgery person there is only so much I can do to prepare for this part but until I'm actually in the situation it will be hard to imgaine the struggle I will have in my head and body.  Anyone willing to share their struggle with us?  Any advice you have to deal with the emotions that I know I will be dealing with.   Some people when I talk about this think I'm backing out of surgery or say maybe i'm not ready for it.  I don't feel that way at all I feel its important to think about these things because it will be my reality and I want to be prepared for it as much as I can and expressing fears is part of the way I prepare. 

I can honestly say I was nervous about that too.  It all went smoothly though!  I was not ever hungry and I had little interest in food.  You feel full or satisfied with that amount so I never felt deprived.  But I can say at 3 months out I still put too much on my plate!!  I take more than I could possibly eat and it is still WAY less than I ate before!  So that is the one area I struggle with.  But when I am full or have had one bite too many I will get the hiccups~so I know immediately to STOP eating.  I hope that helped- I know I was nervous too about all the after things but now looking back I really did worry for nothing!! But I am the worrying type so that's just how I was!  Well good luck with your surgery and liquid diet! You will do just fine! Kristi

Hey Dear!  The first month CAN be a rollercoaster.  MY first month wasn't bad but I know that I struggled with my head wanting food and me not actually being hungry.  Mad at the TV for soooo many blasted food commercials putting the food idea in my head.  The closer I got to being able to eat real food I was a wee bit scared but believe me one mistake and tummy will let ya know!!!  Just remember EACH person is unique and experiences can vary!  BUT good to know stuff before heading into it!!  For the depression after surgery that is also unique!  If after you have ANY signs that bother or trouble you get help right away (you are not crazy!!!).  SO, my best advice, there would be to get a therapist lined up ahead of time, that is knowledgeable and experienced with WLS patients, just in case so all ya have to do is make an appointment!!  BEST TO YOU, and I'm sure you'll do great!

I think you are wise to consider this-it is a huge mental adjustment, because your body will be telling you ENUF and your mind/mouth will be saying-"just one more taste!'

I honestly did not have too hard of a time the first few months-because  I could tell myself to go slow/eat the small portions because I was HEALING inside and didn't want to hurt anything.  It got hard after about 6 months when the old habits started creeping back.  I have always had depression issues-so I made sure to take my prozac-and keep my appts with my shrink.  Many people have a mourning period afterwords, some even regret the surgery for awhile, before the losing really gains momentum to get them excited. Being honest with your feelings can only help you prepare for the changes to come-because your body will change, and your mind will have to catch up.  Add to that the fact that women are affected by the huge hormone surge when they lose quickly-so your emotions can be all over the place. The only advice I can give is to go into this as informed as possible, willing to make the changes you need to-and take charge of taking care of your HEALTH.  You will have to make yourself do things you may not want to or feel like-sipping water, cutting out soda, watching out for sugars/fats.   Fear is natural-as long as it doesn't control you.  Good luck!! lynn

Thanks ladies! That helps to know that hopefully it won't be as bad as I imagined.  I think I might have a little party to say good by to some of my favorite foods before my liquid diet. They were good comfort while it lasted but come to realize those foods weren't very good friends to my body so I will be glad to say good bye and move on to healthier ways.   I already have a counsleor that I see weekly for over the last year and her son had surgery so she is very helpful and I'm on anti-depressants for the past 15 years so I think I'm doing everything I can to prepare myself and its good to get kind of that confirmation from all of you.  Thanks for your support. 

Actually, my first couple of months after surgery were extremely hard. The head hunger was almost unbearable and I constantly ate too much. There's really NO way to prepare yourself for this before surgery, because there's no way to imagine what it's like to be full on 3 Tbsp of soup. Commercials are really difficult, especially during the liquid diet, so stay away from TV if you can.  Like everyone else says, it's a totally personal experience, and everyone is totally different. I never really got that "full" feeling after surgery like everyone else and was always "hungry".  Good luck to you! It's worth it to have the surgery. Farrah

I had a great attitude about the surgery.....up until I walked into the OR!!!  I kept thinking, " I should just go home, I cant do this..blah blah blah." Then I had the surgery and it was a breeze. Got home and started thinking about cheeseburgers..mmm (I hate cheeseburgers!) Depression hit on the second day home "What have I done, I need my food fix, I want, want, want...." I then stopped the "stinkin thinkin" and told myself, What did I really have to loose! My life or my fat....well, my life won hands down!!

Best decision I have ever made next to marrying my husband and having my two children!!!!

I think attitude does play a big part. Think positive. The benefits out weigh any thing else out there. Food is so temporary....you eat it, one second later its gone....you loose the weight and its gone, gone, gone... You can do it!!!!!!!

I felt like garbage.  Emotional.... pouty.... tired.... and just sh tty :(

It passed .... I dont regret it..  I dont think you can imagine eating with your pouch when you still have a big tummy.  You wil go through some "what did I do" feelings..but they pass and its so wonderful.  Its all work and a journey....dedicate a year to adjusting to you, but you wont feel bad the whole. Just adjustments.

 

I must be the weird one -  I felt GREAT after surgery.  Never mourned food.  Was thrilled at being full on 3 Tbsps of food.  NEVER felt any depression at all - just elated with every ounce lost and every increased movement gained.  After 21/2 years, I have not had one regret, and it has been a relatively easy journey for me.  I am still thrilled I had the surgery.  Right now I am dealing with some "nibbling " and "grazing" issues, and a small weight re-gain (5lbs), but aside from that - no problems at all!  As veryone else has said - everyone's journey is different - my husband mourned food  and resented others' being able to eat - I didn't.  Anyway - good luck on your journey - it is a wonderful thing! Laura

Ok, so I'm only 2 weeks out, but I have been all over the place emotionally.  I have been having the weirdest cravings.  My mind keeps telling me that I want whatever food I can see or smell, but at the same time, I have no desire to actually eat.  The other day, I got a craving for a grilled ham and cheese sandwich.  WTF, it's been like 5 years since my last grilled ham and cheese, why would I suddenly want one now?  Well, it's just my head playing games with me.  It's not too bad (the cravings), it's just that the things you find yourself craving can be surprising.  Well, except for Domino's, they are evil.  They have a commercial on at every commercial break during prime time.  Every night.  I would just about kill for a slice of of pizza.  But, some of my coworkers just about live a McDonald's, watching them eat and smelling their food really isn't that bothersome (today though, one coworker had a salad, and that looked really good).  I take it as a good sign that I'm craving salad!  Healthy food!  I am having a terrible time with my liquids.  I didn't have any trouble with liquids the first week.  Week 2, full liquids, started fine.  But the last few days, I get pukey feeling just thinking about, or smelling, any of my soups or protein drinks, or pretty much anything that isn'****er, or very diluted fruit juice.  Every time I "eat" the last few days, I get sick feeling.  Like a bad hangover and you can't puke, but you know puking would make you feel better, but you just can't.  So I wanted to cry yesterday.  I was hating my surgery.   I had a day or 2 early out, when I could smell food, and I wanted to eat, and got sad (or mad, depending on the situation).  But most of the time (not counting the last few days) it's really not a problem.  I love what my scale tells me, so the value of the trade-off, at least for right now, is not even debatable.  My joints are already happier, too.  My energy is returning, so that makes everything easier, and moods better.   Distraction is probably the key to getting through this stage with a semblence of sanity.   Also, I picked up a book from Amazon.com that had some very useful material.  It's called, "The Emotional First Aid Kit."  Subtitle, "A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery."  Written by Cynthia L. Alexander, PsyD.