I am 3 days out from my surgery. Tomorrow i start on clear liquids in preparation for the surgery. Suddenly tonight it all became very very real. I know this is the right thing to do but I am definitely having an Oh-My-God-What-The-Hell-Did-I-Sign-Up-For moment right now. Ive aleady started mourning the loss of my constant companion and major support mechanism: food. Im freaking out about the post-op recovery and the long term changes to my life. I seriously need someone to tell me i am not about to make the biggest mistake of my life.

Walt

Hi Walt!

I too had many moments of panic as my surgery date approached, and I considered bailing several times. But after a while, I settled down, and by the time the day came, I found that somehow I had released all of my fears.

I think that it is extremely common to second-guess the decision to have WLS. You are, after all, about to alter the anatomy and physiology you were born with! To tinker with the amazing original design of the Creator! We'd have to be nuts not to have that give us pause!

But the benefits of this surgery are so great, so beneficial, so amazingly life-changing and life-affirming. If you are anywhere near as stuck and tormented as I was by life-smothering obesity, I hope that you will think not just of the potential bad (every surgery carries some risk, though RnY has become amazingly safe, statistically), but also of all the potential for good, for freedom, and for your improved health, mobility, and wonderfully improved appearance. This surgery isn't quite magic (though it seems like it still to me!). You definitely still have to commit and to work hard, and the hardest part doesn't even start until a year or three in the future. In particular, the emotions, emotional habits, and thought patterns associated with food and obesity have to be wrangled. But it is doable!

This surgery was absolutely the right decision for me. I am 5+ months out, 95 pounds down and though I'm not yet quite halfway to goal and still have a long way to go, my life has been changed, and I am incredibly grateful.

Your choice is your own, of course, but I just wanted to say that there is a world of good on the other side. Wishing you all the best.

Thank you, Au_Contraire that really helps alot. I know this is the best thing for me in the long run. I need to do this. I need to focus on the positive. Thank you again, i just needed to hear it.

Walt

You are quite normal! To take such a huge step with no prior experience is frightening.There are many unknowns..each body responds differently..and each person approaches surgery with a different mindset. Having the best grip on your goals can help off set these fears.

You need ot know surgery will not be a fix all to food issues. You will need to be diligent to follow all your surgons instructions both before surgery and after. Following those instructions, having them in WRITING and keeping copies of them will be important for the rest of your life.so make extra copies, and when you need to change supplements be sure to record the day and reason they were changed. ( My surgeon had to retire just a few years after my surgery, and I have depended on these instructions).

Your surgeon knows what the results that are to be expected and how it will affect you for life. The nurse tat works with Him/her daily is a good resource for answering all questions just prior and just after surgery...Your response to the surgery is individual. You are unique.

No guarantee can be made as to your results, you WILL control the outcome to a large degree....by how you CHOOSE to live by the instructions you are given.

Some things at first you can notice, .It will take less to fill you up. Surgery can give you control over an area that is not controllable now- by changing your metabolism and calorie needs drastically. Recognizing that food has been a constant companion and stress release is very important to recognise.

Now, you need to take the next step and decide how you can better reward yourself, as you move into this area of your life... Once surgery has had it's first rewards with weght loss, you will be needing new clothing.That can be a good reward.. There are many more rewards one can have that is not food. I would urge you to begin exploring some thing you will be able to use for rewards now.. like,.going walking with a friend/child..just to change things up, so your dependence is no longer on food based rewards.

Before my surgery i was gainig 20 lbs over each year, having messed up my metabolism with every conceivable diet and blood sugars were on the bottom.. It matters not how many calories one has consumed if your blood sugar is hoovering at 35-50 , still need to eat, to get it up.. Surgery stabilized my sugars until I could find more natural things to help maintain them, from going for the root of the disease process

I had surgery, a hybrid of what is done now...23 years ago. I was cut from pelvis to solar plexus. Healing took many weeks from mulitple procedures., completed in one event...I had bad gall bladder, fibroids and many ovarian cysts, banding small bowel resection and large portion of colon removed, and appendix removed, with two banding procedures... I have some real issues, the worst is an anemia, for which i take an iron with all elements needed to absorb,(a liver exract)...and i have a gastritis which "runs" in my family. I would still do it all again...given the same procedure and knowledge that was available then.

Gastric surgery has given me abilities back that I had lost. It has given me a control of many health issues, and i currently take no prescription drugs, just natural supplements. My arthritis, and distended blood vessels no longer cause constant pain. I can tie my shoes, no longer need slip ons.

I am still over 110 lbs ligher than when I started, my diet is more varied than when on all the restrictive diets I tried that did not work. I have limitations on milk products and take enzymes as needed.

What you need to decide...answer for yourself., not on line. I suspect since you have gotten to the "door" of surgery,you have already considered these

..These are some of the things I considered before I had my major surgery. ... consider these questions once you have answered these you should have clarity on what is best for YOU..

Has what I have been doing, worked to the benefit of my health?

Are their other options I can do/have to give me control over my life?

Have you fully looked at the expectations for surgery and for not having surgery.?

Think about 10 years from now., Where do you see yourself..will you be up OR down if you continue as you have been going the last 2 years...?

Where will my family be, if I am unable to take care of them, because I have neglected to do what must be done for my health?

I hope you will think these things thru and come out reassurred you have made the correct decision for you. Surgery was absolutely right for me.

Post-op recovery was easier than I was anticipated finding the pain levels stayed between 3 and 5. The long term changes have been and will continue to be significant despite bumps in the road. At a support group meeting, an post-op attendee said, "WLS is like taking a giant leap of faith." Without regret, I took that leap five years ago today. Whether you cancel, postpone, or take the same giant leap, wishing you no regrets, as well.

You're not! There are pluses and minuses to WLS. I had RNY, like you will. There are major changes to your relationship with food, the restrictions and all of the rules The bottom line for me: The minuses don't matter! The pluses are so huge! I feel so much better every day and I'm down from 287 to 163. I never thought I could do it! I WILL keep on track by following the program. You lose so little and gain so much. I will never regret the wonderful changes to my life!!!!

I hope that helps :) It's the truth!

Emotions before and after surgery can run from happy to sad. To being just plain scared. It is life changing.

I am glad I had the surgery. It has helped me in life. I was watching life go by and not even getting the chance to participate in it.

I still have issues with food. I know I will always. Since I am a food addict and alcoholic.

Coming here and asking for help is a good way to start the changes that you will have happen. I have learned unless someone else has had the surgery. They really do not understand.

I have said this numerous times but to make list of things you want to do down the road after surgery. Things you can not do now. It helped me.

Seeing therapy also has helped me.

For me I am glad I had surgery four years ago. It feels so good to be able to do things I couldn't do before.

Best wishes to you.

Thank you all for your replies. They have been a tremendous help to me and have reassured me that i am doing the right thing. Its been an up and down day. I think just in the past 24 hours I have really come to understand how much of my life revolves around food. Everytime i get scared its because of how my life is going to change in regard to food: I love pounding down wings during the game, omg ill never be able to do that again, or bbq, or birthday cake, etc. I caught myself so many times today reaching for something to eat without even thinking. Im starting to see that my relationship with food has to change, is going to change, for real this time. I have to give up those things because while God knows I'm going to miss them, Id rather be alive and healthy. I need to stay focused on the positive changes and find new things for my life to revolve around.

Thank you all again for taking the time to reply to me. Please know that your replies really did help and that they were very much appreciated.

Walt

Glad I found your post today, I am having my surgery on Wednesday 11/29 and am getting very anxious as well. These responses were reassuring!

Im going in tomorrow too at 11:15. I know exactly how you feel. Im really nervous, not about the surgery but about the huge life changes. Just keep reminding yourself of all the good things that are going to come from this. Good luck tomorrow.

Walt