Can we ever be prepared enough?

I am reading through all the stuff sent to me about what to expect with the Sleeve. I have been researching for years (granted it was another surgery, but the sleeve was a part of it). I am finally about to have surgery (date not set yet but it will be by next week), the dream is becoming the reality.

Post-ops...How prepared did you feel going into it? Did everything fall into place? I just don't know how I can make myself feel like I wont screw it up or "break" it despite the research

No. You will never be prepared "enough". Just roll with it. Follow your guidelines, give yourself a chance to heal and feel what you feel. It's a roller coaster but worth every minute :) xoxo

Candy's right.

You know how those prenatal classes and baby books made you feel like you were all set - then you went into labour and it wasn't like you'd imagined at all? Yup - it's like that.

No amount of reading will truly prepare you for not being hungry. You really don't know what stuff is going to taste like post surgery. You have no way to know ahead which foods will sit well and which will make you hurl. (Homemade yam fry? Really? ONE yam fry?)

Prepare as you can, get your support team organised, get your house extra clean to come home to and be ready to adapt. It won't be exactly as you imagine, but it'll be so worth it.

Kelly-Anne

Thanks guys!!! This really put my mind at ease... at least as much as ease as possible. Since I was given the ok to get the surgery going (my mom is giving me a loan.. she is a saint!) I have been on edge knowing it will really happen. Not sure I like these emotions... haha

First you need to be confident that you researched enough to know that you picked the right procedure for "you".

Than you "should" pick the surgoen that has the same goals that you do. Picking the wrong procedure and/or wrong surgeon can be mistake number one and or number 2.

You should be all learned up on what is expected of you and you are willing to make all the proper lifestyle changes messesary to make this a successful effort.

I don't think anyone is completely ready for it in terms of knowing everything. When my time came I was pretty ready for it.... It was do this and make it work or get dead. I went into it with no fears... Just do it and let's get on with it.....

Be confident that your surgeon has a plan laid out for you that will get you to your goals..... Than it is much easier cause you have to think less. You see many people here who have very little direction and it seems much harder.

The WL phase should be a time that you just "do" what your told and follow the plan. During that time is when your supposed to learn and develop new long term lifestyle changes that will carry you through maintenance. People get so wrapped up in the WL and yes it is a big Part But what good is the WL if you can't keep it off????

The best case scenerio if you were to break it down in thirds.....

- proper VSG
- commitment & compliance
- aftercare/education

Not everyone gets that.... If your missing a part of that your gonna have to make it up in the other areas.

Most people that do well at this have really embraced the changes. It's really quite something to see what people have done and their success.

Embrace it and commit to it and you'll be fine.

frisco

IMO:

Frisco, your response should be a mandatory lead thread once a week for all newbies...so well said!!!!!

Everyone else has said it pretty well before me. There are some ..ummm...minor things that I was supried about. Nothing major after lurking here for months before hand and reading everything from my doctor. Things like there are periods that I have gone through that I hated most food... Or where I thought protein shakes were the necture of the gods. My taste and type of foods that I loved have changed. Stalls happen... And you already know about hair loss and it is likley to happen to you too. Even though you already know this kind of stuff it feels different when it happens to you. This really do fall into place but you do feel like you are screwing stuff up in the begining. It doesnt take long for this to become a new norrmal. Best of luck!

I read and read and read - but it really didn't matter post op - I was so foggy with drugs and anesthesia that it just made me forget all the instructions.

Luckily I was smart and just before my surgery I went to Target and bought a binder and some tabs and took all the info the surgeon and nutritionist gave me and organized it by stages - pre-op, right after surgery, 1st week, 2nd week, ect.  and showed it to my family.  That way whenever there was a question - we had a quick and easy reference guide that was invaluable!

Good luck!

I think it was easier for me because between recommendation for this surgery to the actual surgery date, I only had about 2.5 months.  Crazy.  But in that time I researched the crap out of this and stalked this site and others non stop.  You sound ready.  Set your date and trust in your own decision and your surgeon's skill.  Congratulations!

You guys are wonderful! Thank you! So many great tips and words of wisdom. I guess the biggest hurdle is fear... fear of unknown, fear of failing, just fear. You "fail" so many weight loss programs (or things with life in general) and failure seems like common place. However, I know I am not a failure. I work hard for everything. This is going to be a great tool, I know it, and I know I have help of anyone here! So thanks again guys! This helps me feel more prepared.