1 Month Pre-Op and Nervous

Hey guys,

Im very new here (I made my account last night).  I'm about a month pre-op and I'm getting really really nervous about it. 

I became chunky after puberty but lost it all during highschool. I gained it back during the end of highschool and into college. So I've been obese for about 7 years. Im currently 25 with absolutely no health issues besides my weight.  My doctor even told me that if he hadnt seen my weight on the chart, he wouldve thought I was a very healthy 25 year old.  Thats a big reason of why I'm getting nervous. 

My biggest fear is that I will sacrifice my "good" health after the surgery, becoming vitamin deficient, malnourished, or other stomach/digestive problems.  Did anyone else have these fears? 

Also, I'm really desperate for answers since I havent made my WLS very public. Only my boyfriend and parents know that Im doing this surgery.  I havent told any of my friends or extended family members and neither my boyfriend or my parents are incredibly understanding of this process.  I really dont have much of a support system. So i really need your answers to my nerves!! 

Does life go back as it used to after a while? I dont mean as much as eating (obviously that will change), but feeling the same on a day to day basis? 

Thank you! Please feel free to add me. 

 

-Marissa 

I was always a little "thick", and became obese during college.  Obesity aside, I was always considered very healthy.  However, six months out, and now I actually FEEL healthy.   My 6 month blood work just came back perfect.  No deficiencies, no digestive problems, and I'm definitely not the gal with the strictest plan.

Life doesn't go back as it used to be, because it's better!  I feel incredible, it's like you get so used to being big, that you forget how good being "normal" is.  New, healthy habits are easier to get used to than you expect. 

I only told my family, and a couple of close friends about my surgery.  Your health is your personal business, and you are without a doubt allowed to pick and choose whom you confide in.  Not everybody will be supportive, as I painfully learned from my brothers, but this is your journey, and the only approval you need is your own.  That being said, these boards have been insanely helpful and supportive.  It's the best tool to have in your arsenal!

I guess I mean, can I go back to life as usual?   Will my social life be affected by this (I cant go out and drink with friends or eat a slice of cake at a wedding).  Im just nervous that I'll always have to think about RNY for the rest of my life.   Is it like that? or do things go back as they were, with the obvious feeling better and healthier? 

It depends on your social life now.  I had a big group of "friends" who are heavy into drinking and partying.  It makes them uncomfortable to be around somebody not partaking, so I see them far less often.  I've had "friends" who have been constantly trying to one-up me, or knock me down for whatever reason.  So, yes, there's been a definite shift. 

However, I now spend more time with a smaller number of better friends, and as a result, I'm happier, even while going out less frequently.  Good friends won't care if they are drinking and you're sipping water (or snag a bite of their wedding cake!).  Those are the people you want to be around.  As a bonus, who knew that it's actually kind of nice to wake up on a Saturday morning and not feel like garbage!

It does take effort to plan social activities that don't revolve around food.  However, I've noticed that even when it can't be avoided, nobody really seems to notice how little your eating.  Everybody is focused on their own food! 

6 months out, I do still think about my sleeve fairly often, but I'm finding it's happening less and less as I adjust to this new life. 

Thank you so much for your input.  I dont drink too much and honestly I really hate the feeling of drinking (i'm lightweight, if you can believe it, lol), but I do occassionally social drink (1 or 2 drinks).  Can you drink beer/alcohol after surgery?  

I dont want to constantly think about dumping syndrom every day! Does that happen with the sleeve? 

I can't speak for RNY patients, but I've been able to drink just fine. I never come close to over doing it, and keep my drinks to one an evening, for the sake of calories. Even then it's pretty rare I even bother. I don't get drunk super fast like others have said. I'll just get some water and sip on that. Same as with the food, people are usually too caught up in their own order to pay any attention to yours.

I've heard here and there about people experiencing dumping-like symptoms with the sleeve. However, I didn't think that was possible, so either they're experiencing something else, or I've been lucky. I also haven't experienced any acid reflux, which I know is very common with sleeve patients, so I guess I'm lucky in that respect as well. My doctor said age is playing to my benefit there.

How far into the process are you, exactly? I kinda feel like your doctor hasn't talked to you about all this very much. Vitamin deficiencies, stomach issues and malnutrition CAN happen but more often than not in rare cases or when the patient is not doing what they are supposed to be doing. What are the co-morbidities you have accompanying your weight?

Also, what you need to understand is that this surgery thing is a 100% complete life change. Its not like getting a breast augmentation where it sucks for a while, you heal, and then you go back to being normal. You WILL adjust your eating for the rest of your life, or that 11,000.00 surgery was a waste of your time and everybody else's time, not including insurance money.

You WILL need re-evaluate what needs to be consumed and what doesn't. Alcohol is fine once in a while but pay attention to what you are drinking and how much. Its INSANE how many calories and grams of sugar (which turns to fat if not burned off!) are in a glass of wine or a margarita, etc. REALLY think about this, hun. VSG and RNY are prob the best for the younger crowd, like us, the DS has the most risks of the issues you are afraid of. The Band calls for MAJOR self control.

Perhaps I just misunderstood your post, but that's my reflection...

Just my thoughts. Welcome to the sight, by the way :-P