Help! Last-Minute jitters about permanent 'non-reversible' effects of WLS

I’m one week into my pre-op liquid diet (my Sleeve WLS is Tuesday March 3^rd) and I’ve suddenly started worrying (A LOT) about the “permanent" nature of the surgery. I’m completely at ease (finally) with the surgery itself. But, all of a sudden, I find myself dwelling on the fact that I will be restricted to ½ cup meals til the day I die! I keep thinking: “7 years from today on a Friday night (hypothetical situation) when I join my friends for pizza and beer I’ll be limited to a few slices of pepperoni. PERIOD! I’ll NEVER sit down to a big juicy  ribeye steak EVER AGAIN! This is it: FOREVER! I’m going through with the surgery and certainly I know the health benefits and the health risks by NOT having the surgery. But the prospect of “NEVER-EVER" having a nice big meal, even once, the rest of my life is scring me!!  Am I the only person who ever got spooked like this (a week before WLS?) HELP please!

Dave,
 First of all.....take a deep breathe! It's not gonna be that bad......Eventually, after you learn to eat again, you will be able to eat, in fairly "normal" portions. Like for instance, at about 2 years out, I was able to go out to eat with my boyfriend and we would share a sandwich or a plate or.....I would buy a full dinner and take a doggie bag home. (or if he was starving, he would finish my plate too)
 Yes, I eat beef! I LOVE steak!! I eat it at least once a week, or whenever I can afford a piece of fillet mignon! You WILL be able to tolerate all meats, if you just learn to eat them again! Not all people, gag or get sick from meat. I just made sure I learned to tolerate all types of meat. And that meant to KEEP TRYING, even after a piece of chicken got stuck or some pork roast didn't go down well, I kept trying! Wait a few days or a week and try that meat again! You probably won't get sick again, if you chew well, eat slowly and teach your body to accept meats again. It's all a matter of being patient and learning to eat again!
 I see you're having the sleeve. Thats good! Your pyloric valve will remain in tact, which means no dumping! Or hardly any, from what I've been told....(i'm RNY)
 Also, I can eat about a cup and a half to 2 cups food now. I am 4 and a half years out and I love pizza! Granted I don't eat a whole pizza anymore, but I DO enjoy a few pieces!
 I think you have the last minute jitters, which is perfectly normal! WE all had these crazy thoughts right before our date.....But NONE of it is true! Just put your time in, like everyone else has had to, and you'll be fine! You'll be able to sit down to a really nice meal, once again, you just won't eat enough for 2 or 3 people, like I once did! Like we all say......this is not the easy way out! But it IS a way to work your way to a healthier life! You can do this! It's not that hard....just a few adjustments, thats all. Good luck to you and you upcoming surgery.....you'll be fine! Take care!

THANKS Lyn! I keep telling myself: "Consider the alternatives" ... I'm 55 years old - 6'0 and my start weight (pre-op liquid diet) start was 406. Though my med problems are "under control" now, I KNOW it's only a matter of time 'til things start to shutdown -or worse (and I HATE hospitals!) ...

But after 40+ years of choosing to eat WHAT I wanted WHEN I wanted it in obviously WHATEVER portions I wanted, I suddenly realized that aspect of my life is history... It's a good thing, yeah, but SCARY nonetheless. Your reply helps, believe me! I'm pig-headed (pardon the pun) so I have not cheated (not even one bite) on my pre-op liquid diet and I'll do whatever it takes during rapid-weight-loss to shed the desired 150+ pounds. I know I'll have to eat sensibly the rest of my life but HELLO! I haven't done too well "staying" on diets up until now. (Go Figure!)

With the sleeve, and 150 lb from now, if I know -today- that I can occasionally have a decent size piece of steak, a slice of pizza, maybe even 1 beer I'll be OK. Thanks again, Lyn! (This is my 1st post ever and you're my first reply)

Hold up! Wait a minute! It's not as bad as you think.  I love to cook and before my surgery I kept thinking I won't be able to eat pound cake, but to be honest I really haven't missed eating any of the old foods. I have not had the overwhelming desire to eat all those comfort foods I thought I would miss. The day before my surgery I was on 80 units of Lantus at night, and a sliding scale of novilog three times a day. I also to oral meds for my diabetes, a thyroid med, and 4 other blood pressure medications. Now I only take 1 blood pressure pill and my thyroid medication. So far I have lost 102 pounds and I feel great. 

To be almost Medication Free Is Great!  That's why I'm doing the lapband, I was told I would be off my diabetes and high blood pressure medication, and I can't wait.
I'm only 39, did weigh 230, (now 216), and take 9 different pills during the morning and more in the evening.  When one of my doctors told me to have the lapband done two years ago, I didn't listen, I thought, I can lose the weight by myself, I lost only 16 lbs, but gained it back and then some. But when I was told I was a diabetic at the beginning of this year, I said, that's it.  I'm having it done, and if the Army is willing to pay for it, i'd be stupid to not have it done.
So here I am, into the 10th day of my two week liquid pre-op diet, and my surgery is set for July 7th. I look at it as not losing weight, but losing the medical problems that usually go with being overweight. Both my parents found out they had diabetes at around my age of life and now, they both are legally blind, mom has had several strokes, and so much health problems due to diabetes, I do not want the same for me, even tho' I know this surgery isn't a miracle cure, but it's a stepping stone that will lead me onto the right path. 
P.S. I've already lost 14 lbs just from the liquid diet....lol

Dave,
I had lapRNY 7/18/08 and could not be happier about it. As for eating, I know alot of people who go to counseling to deal w/ addiction ( me included, I call her my food therapist) This has REALLY helped me. I used to be so pre-occupied w/ food. EVERYTHING focused on food, when, where etc.
I can eat about 3 oz. max and I look at it as ..I am a cheap date and or I have three- four meals out of a food order.  
Yes, I do go out to eat... and sometimes I order off the kids menu but usually nothing is that healthy so I have to order off the adult menu and get a to go box ASAP.
I eat steak at least once  a week and as long as it is not dry I do just fine.
Jitters is normal, I always try to live one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time. Just remember that you do not need to live to to eat anymore ...but eat to live!
If you ever want to chat further you can email me at [email protected] . Stay strong and enjoy the ride, because people tell you your life will change..and they are RIGHT!!
Shelly

Wow, how amazing that I would read this NOW!  I am having RNY surgery on March 16th and today I snapped at my husband for pointing out to me his "sugar free" snowball that he got down the street with my little one after school.  I have been home sick with the flu for the last few days and so I have had alot of time on my hands to worry.  I am  worried about not being able to eat any amount of the things that I truely enjoy eating, like red meat, and carbs.  I have been trying alot of the protein replacement meals for flavor and frankly I am not having any luck with  stomaching any of them.   I want to make sure I get all of  my protein in and do what I am supposed to do, but even  the Unjury unflavored stuff is not easy for me to  stomach.   I am scared that I will be the one in the million who dumps on everything and regrets this decision.  KNOW  THAT YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE.  I hear everyone goes through this thought process.  Keep your head up and keep posting for support!!!

I am pre-op, scheduled for sleeve on May 11. I worry the same as you, I love steak. I know that while I may not be able to eat it all at one meal, I will still be able to have it. I recently treated a girlfriend to dinner who is 8 years out with rny. She out ate me! She enjoyed most of her steak and a few bites of broccoli, when we got home, she ate the rest of her steak and had 3 cookies and a glass of milk. Now, she is very thin, due to some other illnesses, but her ability to put it away amazed me. I don't assume everyone can eat as she does, she really needs to gain, but the point I am trying to make is she got to have her steak, twice! Also with pizza, perhaps not a whole slice, with all the dough, but I bet one can enjoy the flavor of the toppings without getting to crazy,once in a while. Best of luck to you.

I'm scheduled to have the sleeve done on April 7th - I know exactly what you are feeling. At my pre-testing appointment they called it the last supper syndrome. I know this will help me lose the weight and I will be able to eat again - but it just seems that when I look at the list of foods that might bother me I feel like everything I like is on that list. I'm a major picky eater - bread is one of the hardest things to give up - my favorite thing about pizza is the crust. But its not even that its giving up salads, corn and other things I really enjoy. I know this is my best option I just wish I knew I would lose the weight I want to if I am going to be giving up all this stuff plus I'm paying 25k cash for my sleeve (insurance doesn't cover it). I have a lot of fear but I'm super excited to start losing the weight. Anyway sorry to go on but I'm there with you. Good luck!

The Sleeve removes the portion of your stomach that makes you feel hunger, so you won't be wanting food as much as you do now. 

Less than 3 months after my RNY I joined a dozen friends for a week in NYC.  I brought along all my protein drinks and food supplements figuring I would dine in my room while everyone else was eating out.  Guess what!  I ate out nearly every meal.  I just ordered a healthy appetizer, or shared a meal with my friend who had RNY last summer.  No problems and I never felt deprived!  No such thing as NEVER EVER.