Don't understand

So explain it to me. Why do I read where folks are 1 - 8 weeks post op and say "I hate this WLS" or " I can't believe I did this to myself".  What is that about? Is it because of the post-op diet, physical pain, or is it mental?  I guess I'm confused as to why one would say or feel that way knowing they have been given a chance to regain  or better their health and happiness.   What am I missing here?

I know for me it was both physical and mental. Physical because I didn't have any energy at all. I couldn't even walk around walmart with being exausted. Then there was the mental. Thinking that great what have I done, I can't walk without getting tired, I can't even eat. Thinking I couldn't do anything. That feeling wore off as the energy level went up and the pounds started coming off. I started feeling so much better and getting off all the meds. Now if someone were to ask me if ai would do it again the answer would be "In  heartbeat!!!!" Brenda

Bob,          I believe that it is a combination of all elements of post WLS that contributes to these feelings, as well as, how each individual has prepared themselves for this journey.  Some individuals actually expereince Head Hunger and these are physical symptoms of hunger, but when your pouch will not allow you to eat to satisfy this feeling it becomes mental.  Others do have a tough time with the recovery process of the actual surgery and begin to think WHY DID I DO THIS, they blame themselves, because for years we have been told that it is our fault for being obese and in a way it is, but we beat ourselves up and blame ourselves, as if we deserve the pain we are expereincing, this is where support groups really come in play and are very beneficial.  Another thing is the fact that we have an addiction to food, otherwise we would never have become obese and if we do not face this addiction, then we do not know where to turn.  Facing this addiciton is a must in order to be successful with your weight loss journey, otherwise the chances increase that you will transfer your addiction from food to something else.  The post op diet is so drastically different from what you are use to having and very harsh, since most is pureed, it does play a mental part in the regrets of having this surgery.  Therefore, if you can get past this and realize this is temporary and that LIFE after WLS is Wonderful, then you will succeed, but Support Groups are an integral part in ones success, regardless of what stage you are at in your journey.  Hope this answers some of your questions, I am sure others will  have more to add......... Shelia

For me it was the exhaustion. I had to rest after walking down the hallway or taking a shower. I am in my early 40s and I had never felt so tired or short of breath with activity before in my life. After 3 weeks I felt like a new person and have been loving life everyday since. I actually wish I had started this journey many years ago.
Hope this helps!

Thanks for the replies folks. I guess I am just so anxious and excited to get the surgery and start my journey to a new, healthier me that I can't see how I could regret it afterwards.

Sense I too am pre op maybe I don't have the right to comment and I've had some of the same concerns. But for me as with others this will literal cure some of my illnesses, so when I have doubts I focus on that. I think each person is so unique, heck you've had major surgery your a single parent maybe no or little outside support, the kids still need attention, certain things still need to get done your it. Thats a pretty big burden when you've just had major surgery, your energy level is low and heck you probably even feel selfish for having the surgery. We all know we have to take care of ourselves but for so long we haven't felt like we deserved it. I'm just thankful when I go thru the surgery I know I have the support of my family and all of you. You all have already helped me with doubts, in ways you can't imagine, for that I thank each one of you. Bob

It's good to ask these questions prior to your surgery.  You get to hear the answers from veterans.  And, we will never try to persuade you to "get" or "not get" surgery.  That is an answer that only you can provide to yourself... I thought it was interesting...  one guy couldn't decide whether he wanted it or not... and was going to try some other avenues...  he wanted us on the board to talk him out of it, but the general feeling of the board members was "If you can spend your money doing XXX and YYY, instead of having surgery, then go for it! "  My opinion is...  if you can just walk away and not think twice, the surgery isn't for you!  I always know how bad someone wants surgery by their reaction to their insurance company denial.  If they are devastated, then they wanted it pretty bad.  If not, and they say OK I am going to wait, or I 'm  going to just walk away from this...  they don't really need it YET....  still maybe some more soul searching to do.....  or maybe they need to try another method... exhaust all other choices/options...  maybe some day they will come back and be ready.  Just my opinion though.

My roommate had surgery 2 mos before me.  He said when he woke up, the first thing he thought was "Oh My God!  What have I done?"  He does not regret it now, but at the time, it was just a big shock to his body.  I never thought that.  I did plenty of research and made my choice...  I was determined.  Mike had many health problems though and did not have much of a choice.  it was either, "Do this, or die."  He had major heart problems.  With me, I had some health issues, and they would have continued to get worse over time, but not a life or death situation like Mike's was.  I had 3 mos of a weight loss program and weekly support meetings to prepare me... but little did I know that nothing can REALLY prepare you!  I will say one thing...  losing the weight is just half the journey.  The rest of the journey, and this will determine whether or not any one is a success or failure, is the work that they do on the inside of their brain.  THAT is where the weight loss battle is lost or won.  Period.  No ifs, ands or buts.  You have to work on the mental part.  Its just as important as the physical part.  I have heard it said many times over that a surgeon bypasses your intestines, not your brain.  OH wouldn't that be glorious if he could just snip that one part of our brains that cause us so much turmoil and struggle with food and our weight issues? There was a point in my journey that I regretted and even resented my weight loss surgery.  It was this past July.  I had a gallbladder removed, and it made life really bad for two and a half months.  I blamed the weight loss surgery but it wasn't that at all.  It was the gallbladder but it was easier for me to blame the wls.  And Tim helped me realize...  if I had not done it, then I would be facing a lot of health issues very soon that COULD have meant life or death...  I had 3 out of 5 cardiac risks...  within 5 or 10 yrs I would have had a heart attack.  Many people grieve food.  They grieve that they can no longer sit down at their favorite restaurant and have a love affair with their favorite buffet...  or dish...  or dessert...  it comforted them.  It brought them acceptance that they longed for...  I have heard many people say they want the surgery, but they are afraid that they have to give up food...  they love it too much. 

I think everyone pretty much answered the question for you. I am glad you are asking because everyone should know the good and ugly of going through with the surgery. I think most people will have some sort of "what did I do" feeling at one time or another. It may last 5 minutes and it may last 5 weeks but it will usually hit you. For me, it was the exhaustion. I had never had a major surgery like this and did not plan on having the exhaustion. I wanted the surgery so I could have more energy but that just isn't the case for a while afterwards so I was disappointed and didn't understand. I could barely take a shower and wash my hair with shaking and needing to sit down. It lasts for about 5-6 weeks and it does get better when you start to eat soft foods agian. That was the worst part for me. Also, you will eventually go through food withdrawals and get depressed about not getting to eat certian things your body craves and is used to eating (like a cheeseburger). I guess what got me through those depressions was just talking about it on the boards with people who had been there and can say - it will get better. But in the end, I can look back and say it was all worth it. It just takes time.