Some GOOD News About WLS, PLEASE

Kathi,  Don't be discouraged by all the negativity you hear at other places.  Even my husband was against my RNY at first.  He was afraid something would happen and he would lose me.  I ran a surgery center when we met and we did a lot of cosmetic surgery, so I wasn't nearly as worried about it as he was.  I educated him, showed him the updated statistics, but nothing really convinced him.  I finally had to look at him one day and say "Honey, I love you and I know you love me, but if you can't support my decision for this surgery, then just don't say anything."  He  clammed up for a few days about the surgery but then had an attitude adjustment and became very supportive.  Tonight he cooked salmon for me, is considerate of what I can eat and what I prefer.  He loves that I don't hurt anymore and can walk without groaning. 

My weight loss has been gradual but steady.  I'll lose, then the scale will jump up a little, then I'll hang there a few days, then I'll lose again.  Overall, I'm going downhill!  I"m not hungry.  I don't feel like I'm missing anything or feel sorry for myself not to drink diet Dew.  I'm thankful I don't take diabetes and hypertension medicines anymore.  I'm thankful my feet don't burn and tingle when I put them on the bed.  I'm thankful I can wear a shirt that matches my student officers.  I'm thankful my children aren't teased because their mom is so fat.  I"m even thankful that my fat arm "wings" are looser than they use to be.  I"m thankful for this forum and the wonderful devotions we have every day! 

Don't fret the pre-op diet.  You will be so motivated to have the surgery that you will stay on it.  I was an old pro at Atkins and I did not cheat an ounce.  I weighed and measured everything, stuck to what I know works for me, and I lost 20lbs in the 10 days prior to surgery!  Just do your best one day at a time, and keep coming here for all the great encouragement you will get.
Laura

Thank you so much!  I really appreciate your response.  Because I have had surgery in the past, I am not concerned about surgery as much as if I will regain the weight.  Since that has been my history (and shame) in the past, I don't want to go through this and change my "innards" for nothing.  I don't trust me.  I love the idea of not being hungry for a year, I did not know going into this, that that did not last.  I love the idea of not being able to clean my plate, at first.  I am afraid of the idea that this could happen again.

The first person I ever met who had WLS surgery regained all of her pre-op weight plus about 60+ pounds.  We were at a conference for people with eating disorders.  We weren't supposed to leave once we were there.  She left in the night to go out for candy bars.  I was shocked!  I don't want to be her.

Since I went to the orientation at the hospital (August 21) where the surgery is to be performed, I have started walking and chewing my food thoroughly.  Just by doing that, I have lost 17 pounds.  My husband says that if I can do that I can lose the rest on my own.  I can't.  I never have been able to do it "on my own" without diet pills or some sort of a stupid diet.  Nothing ever sensible for me.  I am not telling ANYONE other than my mother, my daughter, my husband, my mom's friend (who had very successful RNY 3 years ago), and any medical personnel who need to know.  My out of the immediate area family, including my son, are not in the loop.  I don't want to discuss the pros and cons of this surgery with uninformed people or people who have not walked in my shoes.  My mom & my daughter have to know because I need their help post surgery.  My mom is very supportive; my daughter is not expressing an opinion, but has said it is not for her.  As I said, my husband is as supportive as he can be without words.  He reminds me to chew my food.  He is trying to stop forcing food on me and he walks with me.  He only discusses the surgery if I bring it up.  He tries not to show that he is concerned or that he really doesn't want me to do this, but I know it is back there.

I know I hate the idea of giving up Diet Coke, but am doing that starting yesterday.  May as well get the cravings out of the way BEFORE surgery, rather than after.

Hi Kathi. I too am new to the whole thing and it sounds as if we are in the same boat. I contemplated for a long time before I came to the final decision of going forward with the surgery. I'm just beginning my journey and still have lots of questions. I too have only heard mostly the bad stuff but here recently that has changed. I had the chance to go to a meeting a few nights ago and hear all the good and bad stuff about the surgery. I realized that if I don't do something soon to change my life; having the surgery won't matter. I won't be here. So after much prayer for myself and prayer from others I know this is the right thing for me to. Besides, when three different people approached me in the same day who had no idea that I was even thinking about bypass surgery and said I should think about it, I knew it was time to  move forward with my decision. The meeting was the first step. Now, like you, I am trying to make changes and it's really hard. I'm glad to know that there are people lie you for me to relate to. If I may, I'll keep you in prayer. Remember, If God can bring you to it, He can bring you through it. God bless you in your journey.