Question:
Getting close to wls, how did you feel?

Anyone brought the book vitamins for dummies? I was told that it would hellp alot with daily planning menu of vitamins. My dating is getting closer. Did anyone find that the closer you got to your date the more you start questioning yourself about the decision to have wls? This is the right decision. Just need the extra "kick over the line".    — Toby2 (posted on June 23, 2008)

June 23, 2008
I was questioning myself until a day before surgery. And as the date got closer, I got more scaried. But I weigh the plus and minuses for the surgery, and at the end I had it. So far i am doing good, and beside being tired, I do not have any other complications. Wish you best!
   — H.A.L.A B.

June 23, 2008
What you are experiencing is only normal. I questioned my decision until the actual time of surgery. Even on the way to the hospital, I was having second thoughts. It took me over a year to get to that point because of additional health problems but I am so glad that I made the decision to go ahead with this surgery. Your life will be so much improved that you can't even imagine the differences that you are going to experience. You are definitely making the right decision. As for the book, I didn't purchase it. Your nutritionist will be there to help you every step of the way. Even now eight months out, I still have weekly conversations with her to make sure I am doing things correctly. No need to really purchase this unless it is something that would make you feel more comfortable!! Take care and good luck down the road.
   — sunsetyellow

June 23, 2008
I also am approaching my date of Aug 4. I keep telling myself that I am ready and questioning myself also. I know some people that have been through the surgery, so when I am feeling confused and looking for answers I call them and ask questions. It does help. I am just so ready to get to the other side and have a totally different relationship with food. I have been trying real hard to give up soda, and have been to GNC and looked at the different protein drinks and vitamins. I figured I would wait until my doctor visit and than go from there. That is on July 10. The best of luck with your surgery. And i will keep you in my prayers.
   — tinajohn

June 23, 2008
i too questioned myself especially because I lost 30 lbs prior to wls. i thought if i can do this why do i need wls. the thing is i was practically starving myself before and I knew that I would gain that and alot more if I did not go thru with this. I am now 7 weeks post op and a grand total of 70 lbs lighter (including that prior 30). I no longer take bp, cholesterol or nexium and my blood sugar runs about 85. I only had prediabetes but now I know or sure I say hope that it never develops. I know how you feel because I was a nervous wreck. I am enjoying all the nice compliments I am getting and I feel 100 % better.
   — bikermama

June 23, 2008
Boy do I know what you are going through....my surgery is set for Saturday and I'm terrified...but then I think I wasn't this scared when I got my wisdom teeth out and it carried the same risks so why am I freaking about this.....when I start questioning myself I think of what the alternative will be if I don't have surgery....then it is no contest....I'm going to Mexico by myself, having the surgery done, getting home and geting on with the rest of my life....period. If you want to know how it went, just email me and I'll give you all the details when I get home on July 3rd. I hated the Whey Protein Power at GNC but found Designer Whey that I got at the drug store part of the grocery store...Loblaws in Canada. Walmart probably carries it in the US... I just take a scoop (lots of protein) mix with 1% milk and add strawberry yogure and vanilla extract...really good Tomorrow I'm going to try 1% choclate milk, plain yogurt and 1/2 a banana and vanilla extract. Kind of fun actually!!!!
   — Fredricka MacLean

June 23, 2008
When they came and told me the day I weas having surgery that I would have a hour or so delay I was a wreck. Then one hour later they told me the previous patient still had a complication and there would be anoter delay of about 1 hour. Even though I trusted my surgeon, if they had not knocked me out, I would have left the hospital in a few minutes. I woke up in my room and now 6 months and 110lbs lighter, I would do it all over again. I took three years to make the decision, and only because my Heart Doctor told me I had 3-5 year did I move forward. He also tolds me I was the oldest overweight patient he had as the other guy passed away a few weeks before of a heart attach. I am 62 and the other guy was 65. I never knew him but it got me to make the move. I dieted and regained all my life, and now I eat the right foods and the right amounts. I feel great and all the things that were going to kill me are gone, except for the damage they did before I had the surgery to loose the weight. As to Vitamins, try some designed by Bariatric Surgeons at www.BBvitamins.com. They come cheawable fore after surgery and then you can take them in tablet for capsule form. My blood test come back great. I also recomend that you stay away from most of the over the counter protein drinks because of the carbs and sugar in them. The ones that were OK to take tasted so bad. I found www.unjury.com to have a good product with the right ingreidents and a good taste with skim milk. Some products that were easier to take, just did not do the job for me. The only issues I still have is B-12 dropping which can make you tired. I use a b-12 spray and that helps, under the tounge, but I usually have to go and have a shot about once a month or so to keep B-12 in check. Most Iron did not work for me until I found bbvitamuns.com. Also read Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies". I got it from Amazon.com. Best of success to you.
   — William (Bill) wmil

June 23, 2008
I haven't read that book, I'll have to check it out. Nevalle, all of us go through the very same things you are. My thoughts up to surgery alternated between excitement, worry, anxiety, being stressed out, thrilled and terrified. Up until the very moment I was put under anesthesia, I wondered if I was doing the right thing.... I told everyone around me that and they said everyone says the same thing. You are doing the right things now though, you have obviously done a lot of research, I see you asking questions here very often and even to me in person. Knowledge really is power and that you are getting. I was scheduled for WLS about 5 years ago and just had a bad feeling about it, not anxiety, just a bad gut feeling (no pun intended) and cancelled. At that time, I wasn't ready and couldn't go through with it. I can't really explain it, I just couldn't do it and that was the right decision for me at that time. 2 years ago in August I had LapBand and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. We all question ourselves, we all wonder why we just couldn't do it on our own? For me, it all boiled down to this one point, I could always lose the weight, but I could never keep it off. I needed to do something drastic to save my life and keep the weight off for good. I was literally eating myself to death. At 402# with a BMI of 71 and change at the young age of 40, I had to do something. It is a slow process, but I no longer have diabetes, hypertension and am down to just 2 pills per day. I will probably be off of my CPAP within the next 20#. You'll know. Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

June 23, 2008
I haven't read that book, I'll have to check it out. Nevalle, all of us go through the very same things you are. My thoughts up to surgery alternated between excitement, worry, anxiety, being stressed out, thrilled and terrified. Up until the very moment I was put under anesthesia, I wondered if I was doing the right thing.... I told everyone around me that and they said everyone says the same thing. You are doing the right things now though, you have obviously done a lot of research, I see you asking questions here very often and even to me in person. Knowledge really is power and that you are getting. I was scheduled for WLS about 5 years ago and just had a bad feeling about it, not anxiety, just a bad gut feeling (no pun intended) and cancelled. At that time, I wasn't ready and couldn't go through with it. I can't really explain it, I just couldn't do it and that was the right decision for me at that time. 2 years ago in August I had LapBand and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. We all question ourselves, we all wonder why we just couldn't do it on our own? For me, it all boiled down to this one point, I could always lose the weight, but I could never keep it off. I needed to do something drastic to save my life and keep the weight off for good. I was literally eating myself to death. At 402# with a BMI of 71 and change at the young age of 40, I had to do something. It is a slow process, but I no longer have diabetes, hypertension and am down to just 2 pills per day. I will probably be off of my CPAP within the next 20#. You'll know. Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

June 23, 2008
I am glad that you asked this question. I am also going through this doubtful phase. My WLS is tomorrow 6-24-08. My nerves are on edge, but I feel its is the best solution for my life long battle.... that I have been winning then loosing, then winning then losing big time, then winning but in the end I lost again. Time out time to get off the roller coaster. I am ageing everyday and I don't want to loose out on the best young years of my life. So I am going for it. After all what do I have to loose other than weight? Lenab
   — 1 Slim Gem D.

June 24, 2008
I didn't question the surgery, I did a lot of research and knew it was right for me this year and this time. Books to DEFINITELY read before and after surgery ..... Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies, Before and After. Vitamins are basic after surgery - B12, Calcium, and Multivitamin. These other books help you understand all about surgery and things you can expect. (and future recipes). I'm 15 days post op, feeling good, down 33 lbs. and wouldn't change this for anything. Three days max you will feel kind of bad, but it's all worth it once you see pounds melting away. Good luck!
   — survivor08

June 24, 2008
I too hope to have surgery this summer (if my insurence stuff goes ok) and I'm soooo nervous. I have been researching and waiting for this moment and the closer it gets the more nervous I get! I'm so young...some days I think "maybe I can lose weight on my own..." but then I never can. There are so mnay other health issues going on with me that are making things worse as well. All of my doctors say that if I have WLS and loose the weight, then my polycystic, prediabeties, sleepapnea, and migranes will go away. I know all of the reasons why I should have it, and the only reason why I shouldn't is FEAR. The doctors told me I would be lucky to live past 40. That's scary. I know I need this change or I won't be able to be live happily.
   — Megan M.

June 24, 2008
One of my doctors told me that whatever decision I made was going to be the right one. I second guessed myself until the surgery was done, no second guessing then. I'm a couple weeks out and while not ready to say it's the best thing I've done, I don't regret it. Down 25 lbs and clothes are looser. I question whether I could have done before this surgery but looking back, I really did it all. I lost plenty of weight and gained it too! Good luck on your surgery! I'm sure it will be worth it in the end.
   — Mary714

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