I've done it!!!

Well, I have finally gotten up the courage to mail in my application for surgery. I've had the packet for over a month. Hopefully with everyone's support and guidance from this board I'll be able to go through with it. I read everyone's post about the protein, and not being able to eat this and that, I just don't know..... I have had a love affair with food all my adult life. I don't really think I'm an emotional eater (I don't know, maybe I am) I just love food. (I don't need to be happy or sad to eat) I enjoy cooking it and I enjoy eating it. I can be eating lunch and wondering what I'm going to fix for dinner. My husband and I go on a trip and the first thing I do is look for a restaurant to go to. My husband says I dwell on food too much. In the last few years I have centered my life around food. I've been like a hermit, not getting out much and all I do is eat. How do you handle the transition mentally? (sorry, rambling, I mean after the surgery, how do you handle the transition, of not eating?) I guess I won't know until I actually try it. This is my last resort. Thanks for letting me vent. Peggy

Hi Peggy...I believe most of us have been where you are right now...We all wondered how we would get through it, but you will find new recipies to try, experimenting with new foods and new ways of cooking was fun and a challenge.. Make sure your center has a strong post op care..support groups and someone to turn to as a dietician or experienced staff (many surgeons hire WLS patients) it's such a great help since they have been there and done that. And of course you have all of us to help you through it .. good luck Brenda

Thanks Brenda for the support. I'm sure OSU's Bariatric Program has a good program. After reading some of the other posts concerning the center, I think I will get good care there (hopefully they will accept me for surgery). Besides it is listed as one of the Blue Distinction Center for Bariactric Surgery for our BCBS insurance. Thanks again, Peggy

Hi'ya, Peggy, I haven't been doing this long, but several have told me the first two weeks are the roughest and I've really not been having a bad time at all. My surgery was a week ago today and I am still in the liquid stage. I'm not hungry and only one day have a really had cravings (for the stupidest thing... chips!) Anyway, I drank some protein. And then in about 10 minutes I was fine. Actually { I wouldn't believe this if I wasn't writing it...} My hubbie is kitchen handicapped and my 70 something mother lives with us [stroke patient] and I have been doing at least 1/2 to 3/4 of the cooking for them. It really hasn't bothered me. One night we had potato soup and I blenderized and strained mine and ate it right with them.... ok it was only 1 oz but hey! Togetherness.. right? and I have not gotten sick or vomited or dumped on one thing that I have tried.... not one. Does that give you some courage? I did take one bite too many after I felt the new 'full' feeling.... I wasn't sure yet what full felt like... ! But now I sure do! I just hurt for a while and had to lay down. I am not one bit sorry, I have been walking and even working part time in my home. { we have a family business}. So... take heart and think maybe you are getting a second chance at life that's how I'm looking at it. {{{{{Peggy}}}} hugs, Barbara G.

Hi Barbara, Congratulations on your recent surgery. Glad to hear your feeling ok. Thanks for the words of encouragement and support. I think I'm just scared. Peggy

No matter what anyone tells you, you've got to realize that the surgery and its after-effects are different for everyone. For me, it's been kinda hard. I am getting tired out and dizzy very quickly. I'm one of those having a hard time getting in all my protein, but looking at the nutritional information, I am confident that it will be much easier to get all that protein in once I can vary my diet a little bit. (Still on the Stage 2 full liquid diet) Has it been hard? Hell, yeah it's hard. But knowing what can happen if I fail to adhere to the diet is motivation enough for me to hang in there. Look at it this way: If you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got. Good luck, Sarah

Hey Sarah, if you are getting tired and dizzy you may want to make some adjustments. Dehydration comes easy for newbies as we find it hard to get all the liquids in..Also skipping meals comes easy..make sure you are eating and drinking .. Give me a call.. Brenda

Hi Sarah, Congratulations on your recent surgery. It won't be long, you'll be past this liquid stage and things will get a whole lot easier. Thanks for your words of encouragment and support. Peggy