One week post-op & discouraged after what I read

You're right on schedule to feel buyer's remorse. The hormone dump of fat loss coupled with anesthesia is BRUTAL. I promise - it will get better. Keep trudging through and IT WILL GET BETTER.

With as new as you are it's so normal to be in the doubt stage. I think most everyone who has had surgery goes through that in the first few weeks of recovery. I know I did. With any of the surgeries they are what you make of them. There are people who are very successful and people who are not. I had the sleeve over two years ago and I have lost over 200 pounds and I have been maintaining for almost a year now. The key for me is staying accountable. I think many times when people regain its because they have gotten too comfortable and stop weighing themselves regularly and go back to their old lifestyle. As long as you stay diligent and know that this is not just another diet and that you have made a commitment to a new life then you will do great. As you go keep a journal or start a blog and keep progress pictures and measurements for encouragement so that if you have a bad day you can look over everything and remember why your doing this and see your successes. My dr had me write a letter to myself in the beginning about what my life was like with the extra weight and why I wanted to do this. I still go back and reread that now and again for encouragement when I need to and it helps me to continue to stay on track because I never want to go back to living life from the sidelines.

The letter idea is so good! I'm 4 days post-op and love all the tips everyone shared on this thread. Just joined the forums. Taking this one day at a time!

Please don't lose heart. The first month after surgery was hard for me, too. It took a while for the stomach to heal and for me to learn how to eat with my new tummy. But it gets better.

On the plus side, I was successful beyond my grandest dreams. I lost 225 pounds, going from a BMI of 60 to a BMI of 24. And I've been maintaining for about 4 years.

I don't want to make it sound easy. It is hard work. I have to watch what I eat every day because it would be so easy to gain the weight back. The surgery doesn't make it easy, but it makes it possible.

You can do this. I look forward to hearing your success stories in the future!

Best wishes,

Carol

Hi,

I am a couple of days of being exactly 1 month out since having sugery and let me tell you...everything you have said, I went through in the very beginning. I felt like maybe I made a mistake. I cried when I had to take meds and vitamins because they made me sick. I had ZERO energy, I have insomnia. I thought about eating and wanting a chicken parm sub alllll the time. I felt anxious and very depressed. I felt hungry but when I ate, it wasn't that satisfying feeling. I got upset thinking about foods I could no longer have and thought about how before surgery, i would be happy with a box of cheez its and milano cookies!

I talked to my mom, nutritionist, surgeon and advice from fellow vsgers...

I promise you that what you'e feeling now and going through will pass. It's all very new to you and takes time getting used to. I am just now starting to get my energy back. I am now understanding when to stop eating and how often and how much. My hunger is totally different now too, I think because I'm on the 2nd to last stage and my food options made a huge difference. I would encourage drinking the 64oz of water if you are not getting it all in. That was/is a major issue with fatigue and helps your hunger big time.

Just know what you're feeling emotionally is completely normal for this stage and it will get better with time. Hope that you continue to stick around! xx

I am 6.5 years out, and have no regrets. The first month out was the toughest for me- I never lost my hunger, so I was hungry all of the time. It was great once I could start eating purée foods :). I usually have 3 meals a day and a couple of high protein snacks to keep my hunger away. Hang on in there, it will get easier!