Dreams and/or reality

OK for the past 5 years wls for me has been a dream, and now it may actually happen. All the dreams I've had of losing 50, 75, 100 lbs have been fansasy. I see that some of you have done this. Did you like me before surgery dream of what it might be like someday? I do all the time, espically now that I am close to having it done. Its all I can think about.

Also I've read some posts on other boards of people not have stellar weight loss results because of their eating. I do not eat right now, but after my surgery to give myself the best chance of losing weight I plan on eating right and exercising at least ever other day if not everyday.

I know a VSG is a tool which can help lose weight and I just don't want to blow this opportunity.

Did you guys feel this way also?

Jack,

I had Lap RNY 5 months ago and since surgery day have lost 70 lbs. I also thought about my procedure a lot before it became reality. Actually I began researching this last June and had surgery last October so looking back on it I did not wait a long time to have WLS.

As for folks that regain after their surgery I'm sure they are a tiny fraction of people that go through it. Don't worry much about not eating right post surgery. It is a fact that your taste in foods will change. For instance I cannot eat any fatty or greasy foods now, they make me nauseous. I have no desire for sweets. My dinner last night was half a large chicken breast marinated in white wine and sesame oil then baked (covered) in the oven to retain moisture along with steamed zucchini and yellow squash. I eat low fat foods now because that is what I prefer, not because I force myself to.

Exercise is something you will want to make time for. Plan on any aerobic exercise for 20 minutes a day and weight training for at least 20 minutes every other day. I have lost fat and gained muscle mass with this regimen. Oh, and don't forget your protein requirements and drink plenty of water, at least 64 oz. / day.

Don't worry you'll do fine. Food becomes less of a priority following WLS because you simply cannot eat as much and if you do....................

Good Luck,
Bruce

Great post.  Thanks, I needed that!!

I know a VSG is a tool which can help lose weight and I just don't want to blow this opportunity.

The "honeymoon" is your chance to reeducate yourself on the right way to eat, exercise, nutrition etc.  If'n you don't learn your new lessons then the fault is on you - not on your procedure!  

Your concerns are waranted. Just be focused on learning a new lifestyle and you'll be fine. I never thought I would see the day when I would work out 2 hours a day and eat right because I wanted to !

I spent a lot of time thinking about life after surgery prior to me committing to having surgery.  After I started my preop program I pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind and focused on doing what I had to at that time to make it through to the next round of appointments.  The only time I really started to imagine life after surgery was the week of my surgery.  I pushed it to the back because I knew from friends who have had WLS that nothing I did would really be able to prepare me for what life would be like. 

We talk about diet and exercise and how food choices need to change, these things I did focus on but more because it helped me in my preop phase.  There is so much mental stuff that goes on that I knew I wouldn't be able to prep for that life.  This time last year if someone told me I wouldn't have a desire to eat for days on end I would have never believed them.  If someoene told me I would be in a pissy mood because I was having difficulty working out I would have laughed.

The reality is that the morning of my surgery I knew I had to adopt and embrace the new lifestyle I had chosen.  I did this like I had never before even with complications.  I still take each day one at a time but have set out clear goals that can be measured. 

When I started this my surgeon said if you get under 200 you will be doing good, I pulled a number out my butt and said well I want to be 185, and now that number really isn't important to me. Sure I would like to lose 10-20 more pounds of fat because I know it will help me in my physical pursuits but I quickly gave up on this being about a pursuit for a number.  I made this into a pursuit for LIFE.  A life I could be proud of and I believe I have achieved that I have achieved a life in my few months since surgery that those around me are proud of.

Attitude will carry you through the tough time, if you go into this knowing you will dominate it then you will do well, if you go into it timidly then you will have a more difficult time.  Make this a journey about the life you not only want but deserve and embrace the lifestyle and you won't have to worry about losing weight and eating right because they will become a result of a lifestyle you chose to follow.

Good Luck and sorry for the wordy post

Before my RNY surgery in October I never thought I could lose the weight. I had 10+ years of failed attempts. So, I didn't dare dream about being slim again.

But, 5 months later I'm almost at my goal weight and feeling much better (both physically and mentally).

I've had concerns / fears about stretching out my new pouch and regaining the weight. But, I have new confidence that isn't going to happen. For example, I cut out all carbs last September (no potatoes, rice, bread, pasta, etc). I just returned from a business conference where all the food was provided. There was no option or opportunity to order something else.

I found that my body handled that situation quite well. I could eat the salads and vetables at every meal but really didn't have room or even the "urge" to eat the forbidden foods (carbs). I can handle some meats in small doses and moderation. But I have very little interest in meats and mostly ate the vegetables. There were even some days when the salad at lunch was filling enough that I didn't even feel like dinner.

Yes, I had tried the potatoes and a little bit of the tortila sandwhich wrap. Even had a little rice at one meal. I ended up gaining 1 pound last week which doesn't concern me. I've learned that my eating habits have changed drastically and the urge to return to my old diet just isn't there.

I'd really encourage you to stick to a strict post-op diet. Retrain your body and get used to eating good food. I'm finding this is a lifestyle change I can live with and enjoy.

It's good to hear that your surgery is "all you think about".  I was the same way. I needed that focus. I needed to beleive that losing weight and having my surgery was the most important thing in my life.  It helped me avoid making excuses to not go through with my decision.
Good luck.