Question:
Has anyone else had doubts about WLS???
Please help!!!! I am scheduled for surgery in 9 days. I am so scared. Not so much of the surgery itself, but if I am making the right choice. I wonder if I will be able to follow the "rules" of eating after...will I be able to do without all the food I love....will I want to exercise....etc. If anyone out there has a few minutes, I would love to have someone to talk to. Please email me... [email protected]. Thanks, Nan :) — Nan G. (posted on November 3, 2002)
November 3, 2002
It is really normal to have the feelings you are having right now...I am 2
weeks post op, and I was an absolute basket case for a month before my
surgery. I cried all the time, and was sure I was making a mistake. It's
fine to be afraid, this is a big step, but as long as you have done all
your research and are doing this for the right reasons you will be fine.
GOOD LUCK!!
— Linda 1.
November 3, 2002
Hey there! I too had serious doubts before my surgery. What kept me in
line was the realization of how disappointed I would be if I didn't have
it. Let's face it...any major surgery is a huge risk and can be extremely
scary. Don't be afraid if you will make the correct choices in
food.....most of the time, your body really lets you know if you haven't!
(Mine has at least.) And don't kid yourself...you'll probably miss the
food, but the reason for this surgery is to make better choices and become
healthier. Keep that in mind and good luck in whatever you do!
— Jamie H.
November 4, 2002
Oh Nan, do I ever remember your pain! The doubts about life afterward
almost made me cancel my surgery. I have lost almost 50 lb now and am so
thankful I did not cancel it! I was exactly like you, food was such a
constant companion and I LOVED eating it, all day long. I kept thinking I
had never eaten right before or exercised before so why did I think I would
do it afterward this time? I don't know why, but as you start losing
faster than you ever have before in your life, you become more and more
motivated to do the right things. You move so much freer that it actually
becomes FUN to do the things you couldn't before, including exercise. And
as for the food, you will still enjoy it but won't be able to sabotage
yourself by eating all day. Good luck on your surgery. After a month or
two, you will feel so differently!
— Becky P.
November 4, 2002
Nan,
My surgery is scheduled for this Friday and I am having many of the same
feelings that you are. There are a few of my friends and family who look at
me as if I've lost my mind to go to such drastic measures to lose weight.
But then they've never had to deal with it. I've heard all of the negative
and am definitely afraid but I just keep focusing on the positive. Whenever
little doubts start creeping in, I think of all the things I will be able
to do with my kids before they get too old to enjoy me. They are 14 and 12
already so I feel this is my chance. I'm thinking after losing 100 pounds -
DisneyWorld would be a great treat for us all. But in the meantime, I know
it will be a hard road for you and me and all of the others having surgery
soon but we can do it. Just keep telling yourself that. My philosphy is
that if I can get through major surgery like this, I can handle a little
walking. I think that once we see the weight coming off we won't care about
food near as much as before. I know I've been rambling - (I'm nervous too!)
but just wanted you to know that you're not alone.
— Donna B.
November 4, 2002
Nan, I am almost 3 months post-op and I still regret this surgery. What
noone is telling you is that not everyone loses weight easily with this
surgery (RNY). If you think this surgery means an end to dieting, think
again! Basically that is all it is...dieting. I exercise and did everything
right (trying to hover around 600 calories with almost exclusively protein)
...the water..etc...but some days I felt so weak....WORSE than the old
dieting days...and so I added some carbs...toast, potatoes, etc and have
re-gained 5 pounds in as many days JUST LIKE IN THE OLD DIETING DAYS! And I
am not quite 3 months post-op yet! I went through hell with this
surgery...woke up in sheer agony.....had terrible trouble with
breathing/fluid in lungs/etc...and for THIS? NO IT WAS NOT WORTH IT! And
let me tell you...I was very optimistic going into this surgery...thought I
would sail through it like many supposedly do....it has been a horror from
the get-go....all the days of nausea and vomiting and weakness...and now
the weight gain...
— chealsea L.
November 4, 2002
I understand your terror at completely altering your digestive system, but
wanted to let you know that today, as I celebrate my 7th month anniversary
of WLS and my 70lbs. weight loss, it has hit me that I feel absolutely,
perfectly, 100% normal - I sometimes forget that I ever even had WLS! It
is so exciting to have control around food, control that I never had at
all, even in my "thin days". So as you embark on your journey,
keep in mind that regrets and complications may occur, but if you are part
of the lucky majority, they will be fleeting, and far outweiged by the
benefits of WLS. All the best to you!
— rebeccamayhew
November 4, 2002
I understand your terror at completely altering your digestive system, but
wanted to let you know that today, as I celebrate my 7th month anniversary
of WLS and my 70lbs. weight loss, it has hit me that I feel absolutely,
perfectly, 100% normal - I sometimes forget that I ever even had WLS! It
is so exciting to have control around food, control that I never had at
all, even in my "thin days". So as you embark on your journey,
keep in mind that regrets and complications may occur, but if you are part
of the lucky majority, they will be fleeting, and far outweiged by the
benefits of WLS. All the best to you!
— rebeccamayhew
November 4, 2002
Nan, my surgery is scheduled for December 11th and I'm having the same
feelings! But the way I'm staying focused is by looking at all of the
pictures on the website, reading the stories of the members, and thinking
about how much better I'll feel a few months from now. I didn't come to
this decision quickly---I've researched this surgery for almost 2 years and
know that this is my only chance for lasting success. I'm not about to
change my decision in one month's time! Hang in there--you can do this and
you can be successful---we'll all keep you in our prayers!
— asumamma1
November 4, 2002
Hi Nan: I think WE ALL second guess ourselves at some point prior to
surgery. I also was worried I wouldn't be able to follow the rules since
I'm a sugar junkie. I'm one month post-op and just had my first Halloween
without a single grain of refined sugar in any form. I can't believe this
happened, but because I know certain foods will be an absolute NO-NO, I
don't even think about them. A food that will cause you problems will turn
into a non-desired food! Best wishes on your surgery! Christina (-34#,
one month post-op)
— Christina W.
November 5, 2002
Hi Nan, do I have reqrets, of yes!! All the years I wasted not able to play
with my children when they were small. All the embrassing times when I
couldn't fit in a booth when eating out. All the times I sweated so much I
had a constant rash under my tummy that made it painful to walk at work.
All the times I felt like the biggest one at any function. All the times I
couldn't find any clothes that didn't make me look like I had a tent on. I
tell people all the time itis a last resort, you must be ready for this,
not just the food changes but the changes in your life. These changes are
all "good". Now I can walk all over with my Grandkids, actually
look forward to walking, where I never would before, who wants to lug
around almost 300 pounds. To be able to go and buy cute clothes, and look
good in them, can anything be better? I can remember climbing into bed and
hearing my tummy slap around, that is not a romantic sound. Yes my reqrets
are many, especially that I waited till I was 60 years young to have it
done. Now my girls come in and try my clothes on, and say Mom cool
clothes!!!! I am so happy for all of the young women on this site who have
had the surgery done before there life is 1/2 over. Please consider all of
this before you make a decision. I have not heard many negetive comments at
all, so many happy stories of lifes changed for the better. God Bless you
in you decision.Suzie Meriwether
— lostitall
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