Reasons why I want VSG...

   1.     I want to get rid of my diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis... 2.     I want to have more energy 3.     I want to be at a normal weight (goal is 150 lbs.) 4.     I don’t want to die young 5.     I want to see my kids grow up and my grand kids too 6.     I want to be at my kids graduation, wedding... 7.     I want to fit in an airplane seat without the belt extender 8.     I want to go ride bike with kids, play with them without being breathless 9.     I want to go up stairs easily 10.I want to be healthier 11.I want my friends and family to be proud of my accomplishments 12.I want to make love to my boyfriend without being out of breath and without struggle 13.I don’t want to take so many medications 14.I want to eat less and healthier

Of course the list could go on and on but those are the most important ones. Anne

Hi Anne, it's a great idea to write down the reasons you want this surgery. Keep that list and look often at it. Because this is a long  and not so easy journey, and focusing on our goals is necessary.

I don't want to discourage anybody, but I am two weeks out, and the last week has really been tough for me. I am in the  " buyer's remorse" phase. It seems that everybody passes through this phase. I find it really difficult because everything I try to eat gives me nausea or pain ( even broth or protein shakes), I struggle to ge****er and every bid in... and I don't have any rewards yet... I have lost 15 pounds since surgery, total of 35 since january but clothes I wore before are still tight, I don't noticed changes yet. I cannot imagine the day when I will be able to eat at least a little bit of meat or salad... And I feel isolated, because I can't eat with my family and friends, or even go out, because I 've got to try to eat and drink all day long. And my family hasn't change the way they eat. Yesterday, I had to go to the hospital to see my mother-in law, and we stopped at Mc Donalds and everybody was eating fries and big Macs in the car, I smell that and I have nothing to eat except some crackers...

I wonder if I want to lose weight THAT MUCH. For now, I was feeling way better before...   I have already stopped 2 HBP pills, but I feel weak, having some low BP, and I have to get my CPAP machine adjust because it seems that my sleep apnea is getting better... but I don't sleep well because it is not adjusted yet. I have to hold on tomy goals... But now,  I am thinking, well, it wasn't so bad sleeping with that machine, and hey, I stopped 2 pills but I have to take much more vitamins...Sorry, this is what I feel right now, hope it will be different next week.

Again, I don't want to discourage you, everyone has different experiences, but I just want everybody to really think of why they want this surgery and to be prepared, and focused on their goals, because this is FAR from the easy way out...at least for me and for now...

((hugs))
Diane

Hi Diane,
I am so sad you are going through this phase but for some reason everybody goes through this. I can just imagine how hard it is to watch the people you love eat what you used to love and not be able to cheat because you can't. There's is no grey area or anything like that. You just can't. Your body doesn't let you. I have a feeling it will be the same with my friends. They go out twice or even three times a week and they eat a lot. All you can eat ribs at Montana, all you can eat Fajitas at Lone Star, Chinese buffet, the list can go on. My relationship for food will take a hike. It won't have a choice. Will it be hard? You better believe it but it will pass just like everything else in life. We will fall into the routine of things and it will become our new way of living. But in the meantime, you must wait it out ma belle and know that we are here for you and we support you. We belive in you. Don't let up!

Derek -xxx-

Thanks Derek, it's good to see friends around here. I feel like nobody really understand how I feel now, and my family is not being very understanding in eating in my face... but I have to learn to stand this, I choose to change my life, they did not. I read a lot before, and I knew this phase was coming, but it is much more difficult than I thought... but I know it will pass...  Thanks for being so kind and listening...

((hugs))
Diane

hi diane -i'm new to the board but i wanted to say thanks for writing - even through the dark times - its important for all of us pre-ops to hear the good the bad and the ugly so we can go into this with our eyes open.  I feel optimistic though, that things will turn around for you soon, and once you move past the nausea and the pain, you'll feel the motivation and joy again. 

"everyone was eating fries and big macs"  sigh...this is frustrating i bet.  would you feel guilty putting your foot down and saying there will be no more mcD's, or at the very least, not around me?   Its disappointing when our family can't get on board and support in the way we think they should.  But for once we need to put ourselves first.  Hope today gets better and better.

Hi Elena, I hope I didn't scare you! I had a very easy first week and was very optimistic and the second one was not,  it's different for everybody, but you have to be prepared in case... I tried putting my foot down with the family, but they are so afraid that this surgery will change the way they eat  (wait til I can make supper lol) and they are not ready for this, so they are making kind of a fast food party... It's my choice, not their choice, but in the long term, I hope it will benefit my family.  My husband... well I don't understand why he is sabottaging my efforts...  I think he is afraid too of what that change will mean in our lives ...

I think this wls  will change a lot more than my weight !

Thanks for your support.

That is one interesting list Anne. On the same note, here's my top 10 list of why I want surgery.

1. I want to live a healthy life and grow old and not die at a young age.
2. I want to get married with my beautiful grilfriend and want to look good on the wedding day.
3. I want to have kids; watch them grow up, graduate, get married and have kids of their own.
4. I want to excel at sports. I want to push myself to be better at everything I do. Something my weight prevents me from doing right now.
5. I want to have wild and steamy sex with my girlfriend. There's only so much I can do at my size and well, for me it just doesn't cut it and it frustrates me.
6. I want to be able to sit comfortably in our chairs at work, on the plane, in some cars, at the arena, heck I'd even like to have people sit next to me on the bus. I feel bad taking up 2 spots all the time.
7. I want to go shopping at normal people stores instead of the Big & Tall store. Not only will it cost me less but the clothes is so much nicer.
8. I want to start going to the gym and do weights and do cardio and not be scared to hurt my knees. I'd love to run. I'd love to have abs, pecs and biceps.
9. I want to go to the beach and take my shirt off and be stared at because I look good and not because I am obese. You know, have a nice sculpted body. That would be fun.
10. I want to be able to eat heatlhy and know that what I am eating is good for me. Eat when I'm hungry and not when I'm bored. Eat nor mal quantities of food and not double serve at every meal.

That is a small list of what I really want out of this surgery but it's my list.

Derek -xxx-

Ok, maybe I should post my top ten too, it will help me stay focus... to get through this phase...

1. I want to be able to walk, and work, and not use a cane, or took an handicapped parking place and have pain in my knees.
2. I want to feel like 44 yo (or less), not 75...
3. I want to see my boys graduate, marry, and I want to be an active grand-mother...
4. I want to be a good example for my kids.
5. I want to be able to leave my husband if the situation doesn't change, and be able to find someone that will really love me. I don't do that now because I am too afraid that I will stay alone because nobody will love a big mama like me.
6. I don't want to be looked at because I am the biggest person in the place.
7. I want to be able to sit in a plane or go to a show and not avoid  going places because of my size.
8. I want to have more energy to take care of my kids and myself.
9. I want to go on vacations with my family, and be able to play in the surf, walk the beach and do whatever I want.
10. I don't want to develop heart problems or diabetes, and to be cured  ( or at least better) of my HBP, sleep apnea, asthma and arthrosis.
11. I want to be able to shop in a normal store, and not having to feel discouraged because nothing fits well.
12. I don't want to be embarrased anymore when someone ask my weight or my clothing size.
13. I don't want to be disgusted when I look at myself in the mirror.
14. I don't want to feel as a failure, because I cannot lose weight, and stop having people  telling me that I should lose weight for my health ( I KNOW it...)
15. I want to go to the doctor and have my problems checked and discussed, instead of being told: we cannot do anything, it's because of your weight...

Ok, well, my top ten is 15... And I could go on...

Thanks Anne for that post, it helped me refocus in this difficult phase...

Diane

What an awesome list Diane! Sorry about your husband however. I hope things get better for you!

Diane! My sleeve SISTER! I had no idea you were having such a rough time, I'm sorry to hear it and trust me I can sympathize with the family all eating fast food and I'm sipping on a YOP with protein powder-- it sucks!! And get this yesterday I was running errands and my family asked me to pick up KFC for dinner!! I had to drive home with the smell of KFC it was like torture.

I have to believe it'll get better for you Diane, I can finish 1/2 cup of soup, 1 bottle of yop, an egg, some forkfuls of potatoe-- it's not alot of food but the variety has sure helped. You'll get there eventually but good I know it feels like forever. And I know what you mean about the weight loss, you're doing great! I've lost 10lbs in 2 weeks that's it! Although I have read that it picks up when you're on solid foods week 3 and 4, but already I'm panicking that I'm going to be one of the slow losers....great.

It was only 2 weeks ago Diane we need to have some time for our heads to catch up with our tummies. I'm thinking good thoughts for you and if you ever get in a slump email me at [email protected] - My cell is in the shop so when I get it back I'll give you my number if you want to have a chat.

Reasons for surgery
1. Avoid the diabetes that has taken my grandmother, uncle and is in the process of making my mother, my two aunts, my cousin very sick
2. Have children without complications
3. Be as athletic as my dog is
4. Not hearing my dr. complain about my weight!