New New New- I'm new and have questions.

Hi All!  I'm learning so much about what to expect from your posts.  So informative and real.

I registered for my initial seminar.  10 years of wanting this and finally starting the process.
I have questions -
So - after surgery does it feel like a diet? or do you feel like this is just your new life?
Does it take much to avoid unhealthy food now or is it natural? 
How long after your surgery did exercise begin to feel natural?
How long (really) did it take you to recover?
Do you have advice?
Was there anything you wish you hadn't done?
What are you glad to be able to do that you weren't able to do pre-surgery? 
Did this make the surgery worthwhile?
Was it worth the risk?

I'm so excited to be able to shave my legs without grunting, tie my shoes without a red face, walk up the stairs without having to stop to take a breath, ride my bike, go skiing/snowboarding, not be as embarrased to go swimming, go on a roller coaster, hop out of bed, date confidently, not be the butt of jokes, sit in an airplane seat, sleep in a regular sized sleeping bag, wear regular sized clothing (and enjoying the shopping experience!), choose a hairstyle based on my age and facial shape (inverted triangle)- not just whatever style goes with a round face, use the exercise equipment at a hotel without dying, being considered or denied for a job/promotion  based on my experience and knowledge and not denied because of my weight, to look in the mirror and like my image.  So- excited and probably have months to go.

Thanks for any help you can offer.  I'll be reading past posts too!

Hi Smiles,

     I like all of the very good questions you have ask. I'm just running out the door. All I can do is tell you about my experience this past year. I will come back to fill you in later today or tomorrow.    Mag   

 Great Questions,

First good luck on your journey.  I honestly have to say be prepared for a roller coaster ride. I can only speak for myself but I did not feel like my normal self for about 4-6 months after surgery.  I didn't have the energy, I was tired, and sometimes emotional during that time.  Of course your body and mind are struggling to adjust to your new lifestyle and the changes in your nutrition.  

I went back to work full time 2 weeks after surgery. I definitely wish I would have stayed home for about 4 weeks or maybe gone back part time. Having to deal with the fatigue and return to work was difficult.  

I started truly working out at about 4 months out, that was when I felt I had the energy prior to that I was walking on a regular basis.  RIght now, I work out regularly it's part of my routine, I know I am more energetic when I do  it regularly and it helps with stress management as well :)  i am doing things I never did before, 5ks are a regular part of my life, I did a sprint triatholon last year and will do another this year. And I am going to train for  a 1/2 marathon.  

Food-no one is perfect, I try to eat healthy most of the time. Everyone is different some people will dump after having sugary or fried foods or too many carbs. Dumping is different for everyone as well, and trust me. Once you have an episode you won't try to eat that food again for a while.  But, like I said I have a new normal and I'm trying more healthy food and veggies and good choices are a new habit.

I am having a health issue that my Dr, thinks is related to the RNY, luckily I am still healthy and although it is impacting my lifestyle, I can't say that I have had any of the problems that can happen or that you read about.  

Do I regret surgery? Nope not one bit. It is a struggle everyday but the reward for me has made all the hardwork pay off.  Sorry for the long response, but I hope you find it helpful.

Oh and one thing to think about.  I would think about who you choose to tell about surgery and when.  Everyone has an opinion on the surgery and they don't hesitate to share. So I would think about how open or not you want to be.

Lourdes

That is a wonderful list of questions Smiles.  I would do the wls again in a heartbeat, yes, yes, yes!!!!!  The list of things I can now do is so long that it would take paragraphs.  Yayyyy wls, wish I had had this done a couple of decades ago, but I was not in the proper frame of mind at that time.

This is a lifestyle change, does not feel like a diet at all, I wish my hubby would eat the things I eat, we could be healthy together.  I fix healthy meals, he supplements these with the carbs that he craves.  I can leave them alone most of the time.  Amazingly, 3 french fries is all that I want when we do fast food together.  I eat most of my meals home cooked, I know what is in the food and can serve the small portions that I need.

I was up and walking shortly after surgery, had my hubby walk outdoors with me the first couple of weeks after surgery.  Started exercising with more intensity after 6 weeks.  Work insisted that I take the whole 6 weeks off because I need to lift at a moments notice at work.  I am glad that I took that amount of time off.


No regrets, loving the results.  Keep reading posts, ask all questions, find a local wls support group and let us know here what we can do to help.