ksgypsy

I'm so sorry this has happened to you!
I think it's time to find some new friends! I know it's hard to socialize during Covid, but do you have any hobbies or interests that would lend to joining a club? Gardening, hiking, skiing, cycling, golf, etc? If you could find some friends with non-food involved hobbies, then you would eliminate some of the problems. Likewise with dating, instead of going out to eat or to a bar, how about going hiking, skiing or playing mini golf. Just trying to think of a few ideas!

So, I feel funny writing about this, but...has anyone else ever experienced a negative change in their social life post-op?
I had my surgery back in January. Although my physical health has made drastic improvements, I'm afraid my mental health has taken a toll.
I noticed people have been treating me very differently since having the surgery. I've been getting so many rude comments, I can't keep up. They think I "took the easy way out (not realizing it was actually quite the opposite: the last resort)," and/or are freaked out by all my new eating habits and restrictions or are saying cruel things like "oh, you'll just gain it back like so-and-so did anyway, you watch." A lot of them have also proceeded to claim my changed appearance "weirds them out." Some of my now ex-friends have even gone so far to complain that I "betrayed the body positivity movement by giving into society's expectations of what women should look like." What the actual heck? Even dating, something I thought would get better as I lost weight, is just as bad as it was before. Since I can't drink alcohol anymore or eat a lot of foods, guys have been pretty hostile. Although I've been private about my surgery while dating (simply stating I have a strict diet I need to follow), that hasn't stopped guys from being mean or rude.
Bottom line here is I've lost a lot of friends this past year and my love life is no better than it was. I'm extremely lonely and depressed.
Has anyone else ever encountered this? What can I do to change it? Why is there so much social stigma towards this surgery?

I started the process in November '19 and completed my requirements at the end of August. I had 6-months of documented appointments with my PCP as well as 3 with Nutritionist, 2 with YMCA exercise program and 3 with Psych. Unfortunately, our insurance switched on 9-1 (after I had completed all appointments) and there was a couple of weeks delay until they turned it in for approval. Once I received approval, the Surgeon's office called to schedule the pre-surgery appointment. That was held last Thursday. Friday they called with my date. Looonnngg process but my date is Nov. 4th!

Thank you for replying

I didn't get mine until I finished all required appointments and insurance was approved. After that, I returned to the Surgeon's office and they called the day after with my surgery date. You'll find a lot of variation on this topic.
Good luck!

I'm scheduled for Nov. 4th

On Thursday October 22nd, had 2nd Surgeon appointment. The next day the Surgeon's Nurse called with the date of November 4th for my rny! He typically requires 2-weeks liquid diet but said to start Monday when I'm back from camping. Surprised but very excited it's happening so soon! Started my process on November 15th, 2019.
Wishing much success to all!!! 😺

Hey there! (new on here)
I have my bypass Nov 4th! Started on Slimtime 3 days ago and pretty much feel like my stomach is eating itself constantly... so that's fun😒.
I'm nervous and excited in equal measures. Now if I could just stop being so irritable and feeling so overwhelmed!

Just got the email my surgery date is NOVEMBER 20TH. I'M SO EXCITED
Sent from my Nokia 2 V using BariatricPal mobile app

My date is November 5th for bypass.

I’m scheduled 11/9 for bypass. I start my liquid diet tomorrow. Finally starting to sink in a feel real!!

I’m scheduled on November 2. I just started pre op diet on Sunday. It’s been hard so far. I have gotten premier Proteins in different flavors. I have lots of sugar and calorie free Water mix ins. broth sips. I have been trying to find sugar free popsicles but my stores are out so far. I have 4 oz tupperware already so I didn’t want to get 2 oz ones. I did get a larger bottle (32 oz) and a cup (16) for work. Maybe something that can keep you busy? Coloring. Drawing. Music. Reading etc. I’ve found it easier when I’m busy.

I am scheduled to be sleeved on November 18th.

November 10th!

Surgery Gastric Sleeve scheduled for November 24th. My doctor told me to start liquid diet on the 17th of November, just one week prior to my surgery vs the 3 weeks I've seen some posters say. Also I was told I had to stop smoking at least 4 weeks prior to the surgery, any smokers with help on this?

Yes, I'm November 17th.

Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

So glad I have found this community, it’s exactly what I have been looking for. Surgery date 17 Nov. revision from 15 yr old lapband to sleeve.

I am having my lapband removed and laparoscopic bypass surgery on 24 November. I am excited, but also nervous about the removal part of the surgery. I really hope it is a smooth operation.
I feel much better prepared this time around because I have been working with a therapist since February who specialises in emotional eating and uses a mindfulness approach. She has helped me unlock the why and I have had several Aha moments in discovering why I have been an emotional eater since I was a child.

Hi Ladies,
This is what I have done to get ready so far.
1) Purchased my pre-op liquid diet shakes called Optifast and I will be starting them on Oct. 19th
2) Bought the required Vitamin supplements recommended by my bariatric team for the 1st two months after surgery.
3) Purchased Premiere Protein for my Liquid Protein supplement for after surgery
4) Purchased a small single serve blender "Ninga Bullet" to help me with making my shakes yummy and my pureed food yummy (I'm hoping)
5) I'm telling my office on Oct 19th that I will be having surgery on the 10th of November
6) Joined a very local WLS group so I can connect with people in person. I think I am going to initiate some group walk events so we can meet outside safely. We are in a rural area so that will be easy for us.
That's it so far....

My surgery is Nov 23!!!

As of today, my bypass in on November 10th! And I also started this in August of 2019!
1000islandgirl, we are twins lol.
I need to start getting ready, thank God I work from home!

Hello I am Nov 16th and truly afraid but ready for the lifestyle change. I have already bought items such as Bone Broth and Protein Powder unflavored. I would like some feed back on other supplies and recovery. hope your surgery goes well.

I have been scheduled for November 12th for my sleeve. I am ready to finish what I have started. If you have any tips for the first few weeks after surgery.

OMG! I finally made it to “one-derland”!!! After a one-month stall at 204.5, this feels great!! Great way to start the weekend!!! 🎉💃

I definitely had my share of complications (nothing life threatening) over the years and had more than one revision because of this but I don't regret it.
The only thing I regret is that I postponed revision from lap band for so long. I don't know if hesitating bought me some complications that could've been avoided but in the end it's speculative so no reason to mull it over in my head.
When it comes to "regret": I don't think you will get many "I regret it" answers for several reasons.
1) Most people on here are relatively early out. They're still in the weight loss phase when rewards are rolling in big or in early maintenance phase. That's too soon for e. g. long-term nutritional deficiencies or transfer addiction to roar their ugly heads. It's also too early for regain struggles.
2) There is high selection bias on internet boards. Here you either see "surgery newbies" or very successful people who want to Celebrate their success and maybe make sure to stay on track by posting here or simply continue hanging around because they want to stay in contact with certain users.
3) People having serious ongoing complications or insufficient weight loss or major regain and therefore feeling regret don't tend to hang around here. Maybe they meet elsewhere or suffer in silence, I don't know. Once in a while you see a new user posting about regain and "wanting help". They make a thread, get several answers and seem to vanish into thin air again but they don't hang around so you can e. g. follow their journey for some months to come.