TheNewJen14

Don't cancel your surgery!!! What you're feeling is normal and let's just say that the negative feelings will pass the closer you get to your date.

I was "all over the board" emotionally prior to WLS--One day i'd be happy about the surgery then the next day I would feel the opposite.

Because I was a 20 year yo-yo dieter, I knew how the lose the weight but NOT how to keep it off. The result was more regain over & over & over again till I hit my highest weight of 330. I felt like a failure and the medical issues from being morbidly obese was more "pile on" of negativity. I couldn't walk up stairs, problems w/breathing walking to my car, sleep apnea, back pain, knee/joint pains, asthma, couldn't fit in booths at restaurants, airlines.... and so on.

Focus on the things that you plan to do once you get your health under control and ignore everything else. Put yourself (your health) FIRST this time. WLS is a tool to help you get to your goal but it's not a "cure-all" for everything going on in your life.

As far as the skinny co-workers chatting-- IGNORE THEM. Their story is NOT your story and YOUR JOURNEY is NOT their journey.

Check with the surgeons office to see if they have WLS support groups that meet and start going to the meetings. This helps me ALOT to hear the stories, tips etc from others that are in the same boat.

And know that even after the WLS, there will be good & bad days. I'm still on my WL journey and even on the worst days I don't regret having RNY done.

Good Luck to you both!!!!!

Thank you, Ms. Laydee. I have a list of things that I am looking forward to and reading that again helped today. They say that nothing worth having is easy. So maybe all this hard work will all be worth it.

I am so glad this has been posted. I have my surgery on the 3rd of September and am now on day 5 of the liver shrink diet. I am so fatigued and weak. My emotions are all over the place. I have been heavy a long time and now weigh almost 300. I am ashamed of my body but at the same time it is my fat shield. It protects me I feel defenseless about losing my body but want to be healthy and live longer. I talked to someone the other day about this and she told me that it is very understandable about having this shield and also the feeling you will lose your best friend- your weighty body. I don't know what I will be or how I will feel afterward. I know I am quite scared and depressed. I have been crying lately. My emotions are raw. I know I am rather negative now too and that bothers me too. I don't feel the excitement that others do and have even contemplated cancelling the surgery. I've had the excitement before but the negativity has thrown me for a loop. I sure would like to hear from others who have dealt with this.. I hope we can get through this.

Hi Salem! I feel like part of what we are going through is like mourning a friend. I know for myself, I have turned to food for so many years to comfort myself and pick myself back up. Now I will have to find something else. Today I continued to work on my list of reasons to do the surgery. Tying my shoes without holding my breath of having to brace against something. Picking something up off the floor with my hand, not the very tips of my fingers. I have a lot of there that I read today and it somehow helped me remember that this is all for the good and in a year, we will be like the others... eating for nutrition, not for comfort, exercising, and finally LIVING. Because at 335 pounds, I am merely existing.

What you are going through is completely understandable. I read so many posts about people struggling through the pre-op diet. Rapid weight loss leads to some hormone changes that can affect mood. So, know that what is happening now is temporary. Picture yourself where you want to be a year from now.

You can private message me or email me anytime you feel ready to cancel. You have already been through so much by preparing for the surgery. You can do this!

I know that surgery is not the easy answer. And I know I will work harder than I ever have and will have the best outcome.

However, today I am feeling a little negative. I sat talking to my boss and my co-worker (who, put together, weight as much as me). Both are very fit and very active. They track every calorie and work out frequently. Well, as they sat there talking about their eating habits and exercise habits, I immediately felt fatter than I ever have in my life. I just couldn't shrink far enough into my chair. I felt so resentful to them for making it look 'so easy'. I also felt so much envy that they could do it and I never could. And, truth be told, it really is not that difficult. You eat less than your body burns and you lose weight. I guess it's much easier in theory than it is in practice.

As I continue down my path, I am grateful that I finally found a tool that could help me get my life back. But with so many emotions flying around (including grief for the life lost already and excitement/fear for the life that lies ahead), I find that everything is a little more challenging right now.

I know I'll look back in year, a completely changed person, and feel so proud that I overcame all this.

Just wondering if there's anyone else in Ohio and pre surgery with me.

Cleveland here! I am hoping to have surgery in January or February, depending on the length of the approval process. I am going through the Cleveland Clinic.

I'm so sorry to hear that. Does it eventually go away?

Just read that chronic nausea syndrome can happen after surgery. Anyone know the prevalence? I read it happens to 'many' patients but wasn't sure really how 'many'?

I had RNY on July 28 & never had any pain or complications at all. My only issue was the anesthesia, which I knew would happen. I was walking the next morning, sipping my Water, had crystal light that night & had a Protein Shake the next morning & left @ 11am I went home. I walked a mile per day since the day I went home. I'm up to 3 today, just not as fast as before surgery yet. Went back to work 2 days ago, tough getting back into that routine, but I don't regret it, and I hope this helps & that you have a good experience like me.

Thank you Laurie! I am so glad that everything was smooth for you.

WOW!!! I needed to hear this! Thank you!

Are you pre or post surgery Boppin'?

Hi Jen! You just described my feelings exactly. We are very similar in height and weight as well. I am day 2 post op... Although I've had some post -op issues, the surgery itself went well. Maybe TMI, but, after they took out the catheter I was obviously expected to urinate in the bathroom ( I may also mention that I am on the heaviest menstral cycle I'v e had in over a year). Well everything went well until I realize I couldn't bend to wipe myself. It was rather eye-opening and embarrassing to have the nurses' aid wipe for me. And the second time I went to pee, I roughed through the wiping part, but my underwear fell to the floor and I could t pick them up. Again, mortifying. Luckily my nurse was super understanding to made me feel a bit better. So far the best information I could give you is to advocate for yourself. If you're in pain, tell them. If you need help in the bathroom, tell them. There is a reason you're in the hospital and the nurses are there to help. - Angela

Nurses deserve every penny they get! What kind of post op issues did you have?

THANK YOU! Thank you everyone! Sometimes you just need to hear something positive! <3

I have been in the post-surgery room and I have been reading so many posts about complications, sickness, ER visits, narrowing 'pipes'... It really is scaring me. I am in my 2nd month of my 6 month prep period and one day I am 1,000% sure it's the best decision and the next day I change my mind. I am 5' 3" and 331. It's surgery or death for me. But I am still scared. Perhaps it's because I decided to go with the RNY over the sleeve because if the longer term results. RNY seems to have many more complications. Is there anyone out there with a positive bypass?

Congrats! Did you have surgery at the main Cleveland Clinic campus?

Hi!! I live in the Parma area and I work in Bedford. Going to the Clinic has been a pain because of the drive and the parking but I keep pushing myself. Nothing worth having is easy, right? I have 6 months preop so I will finish up in December. Approval is right after, takes about a month. Then surgery probably in January or February. Where are you from?

OMG Jen! I am in Parma also!! I had six months and will finish that up this month on the 15th with my nutritionist. But I am starting nursing school the end of this month and I can't take time off so I am going to schedule it when I am on winter break!

I am having a hard time...with no one to talk to about what I am going through! My friends are only half supportive! Husband is supportive completely but still has fears about me leaving him afterwards!

I would love to chat and since we are so close maybe we could walk and workout together! Being so close in our journey it would be wonderful to have someone to talk to!!!

That is so crazy that you are in Parma too!! I'm so sorry you're having a hard time with people not being supportive. Luckily I have my husband and my mom who have been very supportive. My boss and my coworker have also been very supportive so I feel very lucky. I would love to get together and talk. Even though I have support it would be nice to actually go through the process with someone.I am currently at 330. But they want me to lose 20 pounds before surgery. Right now I am in a period where I seem to be eating more instead of losing because I keep thinking about everything I can't eat after surgery. My therapist suggested that I read a book on binge eating so I started that book and hope it helps. I have been traveling a lot for work right now. This week I am in Milford Connecticut. The travel is kind of hard for me. And I think even more so after surgery because of the limitations on what I will be able to eat.What is your schedule like? Are you currently working?

Hi!! I live in the Parma area and I work in Bedford. Going to the Clinic has been a pain because of the drive and the parking but I keep pushing myself. Nothing worth having is easy, right? I have 6 months preop so I will finish up in December. Approval is right after, takes about a month. Then surgery probably in January or February. Where are you from?

I'm in Cleveland. I will have my surgery in February. I am going through the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Brethauer is my surgeon. I am not sure which procedure yet. I want the sleeve but I think with my crazy sweet tooth that the RNY would be more successful.

Wonderful! What surgery? How are you feeling?

I'm in the very beginning stages. I just got all my blood work, chest x-ray, psychological evaluation, and ultrasound. The nutritionist is next week and the surgeon is 8/18.