I need some help - advice

I am a week away from my surgery date. On day 4 of my liquid diet and have lost 8 pounds. This loss along with SO MANY horror stories I've read on google, have me QUESTIONING if I should get this surgery.

I know that I need it. I know that I have such a hard time losing any weight without it. I know that the second I put any kind of food in my body (at this moment, it would be a cheeseburger) I will gain those 8 pounds back immediately. I KNOW THESE THINGS TO BE TRUE.

I know that I'm always hungry and I eat too much food. I know that my cholesterol levels are horrible and I need to get it under control QUICKLY.

But I keep going back and forth on how I feel about my surgery date. If I should get it. If I will ever be able to eat food anymore. If I will be able to enjoy my life. Will I be able to be a person again???

I know in my heart that this is ridiculous and food does NOT equal life.... but I just struggle with this because it is a LIFELONG commitment, and that's pretty scary.

Take a deep breath!! You've got the part about it being a lifelong commitment correct, but there is so much more! Yes...you will be able to eat again (and all the things you love...albeit in much smaller quantities) and you will definitely have a life! One that is not hindered by all the excess weight you are carrying now...nor the high cholesterol and anything else you may be dealing with! I laugh when I go to Sam's Club and buy a 44 pound bag of dog food (that I can barely lift) and realize that I used to carry two of those around on my behind all the time! Hang in there...we can all promise you that it will be the best thing you ever did!

THANK YOU!!!!

What you're going through right now isn't uncommon. The first 3-4 days of the liquid diet are rough. And it's really common for any new diet to cause 8-10 pounds of weight loss right away. But, remember, even if you were to reach your goal weight without surgery, maintaining that weight is ALSO a lifelong commitment. Being healthy is a lifelong commitment no matter how you get there.

The VSG is a useful tool that will help you with this. So, the question is, do you want to try to do this with or without a useful tool? I know I'd rather dig a hole with a shovel than without one..

My husband had gastric bypass 10 years ago. He was one of those horror stories - but, I do think that if he had to do it over again he would do it. He has lost 100 pounds and looks great. He doesn't struggle with his weight any more. I have always struggled with weight. I was afraid of gastric bypass, but vsg sounds so much better. From my husband's experience I know I'll be able to eat again, I know I'll have a different relationship with food. I also know that unless I do it I will never lose weight. I want to experience not being the fattest person in the room and being able to walk up a fight of stairs without huffing and puffing.

You will have to make your decision on your own, but know that life will be new and exciting but it won't be over. It will be starting new!

Keep us posted on what you decide.

I'm still going to do it. I am not worried about changing my life. I'm worried about something going wrong and living with irreversible complications.

But it I would rather just pull the trigger and give myself a shot.

Complications can happened but they are rare. I'm sure you've done your research and found a good competent doctor. Your surgery will go fine.

The VSG is an awesome tool and you can use it to gain your health. No matter what you do your life will change. You can have this surgery and start on your way to a healthier and probably happier life. Or you can continue the way you are, gain more weight, have a harder and harder time doing the things you want. Miss out on so much life because you can't keep up, your sick or you are in pain.

I highly recommend you get a therapist and find a support group even if you don't have surgery. This is all about so much more than food and you (and we all) need all the help and support you can find. Including what is right here.

I hope what you are going through is just cold feet, but honestly, there is no going back. This is an irreversible surgery. Make sure it is 100% what you want to do. That being said, I have no regrets and it was the best decision I have ever made. Now at almost 3 years out, my fat pants are size 6.

Thank you everyone, for your help, advice, words, etc.

For clarifications sake, and after a lot of thinking, I'm 100% sure (and have been for months) that I want to do this surgery. I think the scary thing is reading the stories about complications, people that can't eat for 6 months, almost die, etc. Or you read the forums about people that regret it post-op. It's scary to think that something could go wrong and then I could be one of those people.

But that's a 10% chance. I can't give up on my 90% chance because something bad could happen. (because honestly, nothing in life is guaranteed and something bad could happen at ANY time)

It is not a 10% chance. It is a one chance out of many thousands, maybe a million that you will have complications.