You Are My Sunshine

If your doctor is just worried about the informed consent perhaps you can sign that and then take something. Although at that point you may as well just wait on whatever the anesthesiologist will give you. Either way I would get the okay because it could interfere with your anesthesia.

I spoke to the anesthesiologist prior to surgery and she gave me something for my anxiety and also took care to help bring me out gently, as I have a tendency to sort of flip out. She did a great job and the whole experience was a breeze. I would STRONGLY suggest not going against your doctor, as it could jeopardize your surgery, but definitely bring it up again, even up to the day of if necessary.

I wanted a pre med every time I have had surgery. I worry about everything. I never, ever did get one for what ever reason they had. This time I was so ready for the surgery, I almost ran to the theatre. I had a 3 week pre op diet and the end of it couldn't come soon enough. I was fine. I hope you will be too

Did anyone pre-med prior to surgery (like the day of)?
I have anxiety, which was exacerbated pre-surgery. I asked if I could take something prior to going to the hospital, but the doctor said I needed to be able to sign an informed consent. I didn't say I was going to take a horse tranquilizer! I was talking about taking a prescribed med from my doctor that doesn't interfere with my cognitive ability.

Yes I'd waited about 6 yrs had to do a 2 yrs diet plan and they decided they'd keep me on for another year then covid hit that was that I'd already had 2 pre ops didn't think I was gonna get it done then one day got a phone call saying I had to start liver shrinking diet on the mon then it was all go glad now I had it done

Erin Branscom (MyLevel10Life) also has videos on Amazon, but I'm not sure how to use videos on that. And the support group she has is on Mighty Networks, but there's a fee.

Wow, nothing to feel shame about. You are entitled to change your mind. It obviously was the right decision, better than feeling regretful afterwards.

Thank you. I do think that's what I need, for sure. Too much must have been weighing on my mind that I didn't come to peace with.

This is a great point. I can't help but be a bit sad as the days go by and think about how far out I'd be in recovery (and how long it will take for me to get to that actual point, now). But I try not to stay there too long. I do believe in timing, and maybe it just wasn't the right time.
This is funny not funny! I did the same thing. I tried to go in and get mine removed while I was awake and he got 2 shots in my mouth and I was like, uh NO. BYE! I did finally get them pulled but honestly in retrospect, I don't think I actually needed to. Ha.
I definitely am keeping with my psych, and she's been helpful talking about things. I wish I could keep with the in house bariatric psych, too, but that's for patients in the program, and right now I'm not in it. I'm going to step back for a little bit and just work with my regular psych, live life and see where I stand in the new year. Kinda sucks to think about going through that whole program again AND wasting the max out on insurance, but I really want to be in the right place if I move forward, and I guess I wasn't.

Yes trying to do that. Feeling some shame, disappointment.

Well. I went through the program, got approved, got a date, did my 2 week liquid diet, took my Gatorade the night before (to kick you out of ketosis), washed with Hibiclens, got all my Proteins, packed my bag, washed with Hibiclens for the 2nd time...
And then I started to have a meltdown.
I could hardly get to the car. Finally, I got in the car, went to the hospital did (a little late to my check-in time). I went to the counter to check in and just said, "I'd like to cancel my surgery." Dude raised his eyebrows, said OK. And I left. Slammed a Protein Drink in the car, came home and had a little broth with tofu.
I'm not sure how to feel about it. I felt a wave of peace after leaving the hospital. But now I just feel kind of empty. I've been planning this for so long. I told people about it. I did everything that would indicate I was going to have it... and then I didn't.
Has anyone been on this side of things? Did you end up getting surgery later?

Yes trying to do that. Feeling some shame, disappointment.

I wish I had really understood the psychological impact of losing weight beforehand. Massive weight loss may trigger a lot of painful emotions and make you come to painful realisations as well.
As an example, these two things are what I am struggling with most:
1. People treat me differently (makes me feel anger and grief)
2. Men are noticing me again (triggers anxiety and fear)
I really thought I had all my ducks in a row before surgery, but I’m glad I have a therapist I know and trust who can see me at the drop of a hat. I’d really recommend anyone to make sure they have solid emotional and psychological support before starting all this. 🍀

That is what i am most worried about for when i have surgery. I currently drink a ton of Water and love to guzzle it down. Especially right before bed i drink a ton.

I had sleeve and I feel that my team prepared me for the surgery pretty well. The one thing I didn’t really absorb (although I know that they told me) is how easy it is to “eat around” the sleeve. In other words it truly is only a tool. If you wanted to you could eat a little bit every hour and still get in a huge amount of calories. It really is up to the individual to make better choices. Wish I could explain that to all those that think this is the easy way out.

Mine was against it years ago when I asked, but now seems to at least be neutral. She said she has another patient who has had the surgery and is happy about it, and has lost weight. I think you yourself need to decide if you are going to have the surgery, and if so - I'd find a primary that supports and understands wls.

My Primary is against it and I flat out asked him to recommend a colleague who was more compatible with me. I now see another doctor within the practice (who I had seen previously for sick visits, etc.) so not someone 100% new to me.

I really liked Unjury's Protein broth (chicken flavor-ish). It was just a savory broth, but also got the protein in. If you can make your own Bone Broth, that's a win. If you can buy bone broth and add some spices to it, another win. If you go to a restaurant and get some Miso or their house broth - FANTASTIC. I found a local one (SUPER expensive but absolutely divine). Just be careful to strain, if needed.
The other thing, I think, is if you have any store bought, you might have to doctor it up. I added garlic, onion, basil... things like that. It made it more tolerable. Best wishes to you!

Well. I went through the program, got approved, got a date, did my 2 week liquid diet, took my Gatorade the night before (to kick you out of ketosis), washed with Hibiclens, got all my Proteins, packed my bag, washed with Hibiclens for the 2nd time...
And then I started to have a meltdown.
I could hardly get to the car. Finally, I got in the car, went to the hospital did (a little late to my check-in time). I went to the counter to check in and just said, "I'd like to cancel my surgery." Dude raised his eyebrows, said OK. And I left. Slammed a Protein Drink in the car, came home and had a little broth with tofu.
I'm not sure how to feel about it. I felt a wave of peace after leaving the hospital. But now I just feel kind of empty. I've been planning this for so long. I told people about it. I did everything that would indicate I was going to have it... and then I didn't.
Has anyone been on this side of things? Did you end up getting surgery later?

Foodie here as well. The first few months are hard because there are a lot of restrictions, but after that, there really aren't. You just eat much smaller portions. I'm OK with that. I can eat pretty much anything, I just don't eat a lot at one sitting anymore. But honestly, neither do most of my never-been-obese women friends. When we meet for a meal, for example, they (and I) will usually just order an appetizer - or else order an entree and take half of it home. I think that's the way a lot of "normies" eat.
note that I am several years out. Of course, the first few weeks you aren't eating half an entree - you're eating maybe 1/4 cup of something. But that's temporary.

This was one of my concerns also. I am a total foodie that loves having a wine and snack night with my husband. After surgery I didn’t drink wine for about 3 months…..I really didn’t want to….even when my mind was craving it. When I did try it again, it took me hours to sip on maybe 2 ounces of wine. I didn’t feel tipsy or anything….I just wanted Water more. I am 4+ months out now and can drink a whole glass, slowly. If food/snacks are involved it takes me a lot longer. The thing is I now have to listen to my (much smaller) stomach for cues on when to stop eating/drinking and not what my head is telling me I want.
The thing is, it doesn’t bother me in the way I thought it would. I can still have a fun time shooting the s%it with the family while eating and drinking (way) less. I have no regrets.

I can't say I had any particular feeling of loss related to food or drink. I was a binge eater and drinker. If one was good ten was better. My requirement for surgery was to stop me from binging. If I could break the cycle, I could do this.
Surgery isn't a magic weight loss button. All the rules still apply. Calories in vs calories out. Surgery just helps in some ways, especially early on. For a time it stops you over indulging at meals. But this effect tends to go away for most people with time, and then you are counting on the good habits you've developed to keep you going.
You indicate that you have a big family and spend a lot of time hanging out, shooting the .. and grazing and enjoying wine. The scary part in regard to grazing is not that you will lose it, it's that you won't. Grazing is by far the way many/most post-ops fail and regain their weight and more. Surgery can stop you from eating a lot of food at one meal. But, it doesn't stop you from grazing for hours at a time.
Evaluate your needs from surgery. This is not a short term diet it is a life long lifestyle change. Do what you can sustain.
Good luck,
Tek

I don't drink (never liked the taste) but I've definitely been enjoying food a lot since surgery. I eat a lot less (I am less than 2 months out, so I eat about 2 oz of meat/protein at a time), so that is definitely hard, but I still enjoy the food. Is this process easy. NO WAY! You have to change your relationship with food or it won't work. You can still enjoy food, but if you eat the same crap food you ate that made you obese, you will lose weight then gain it right back, or you will not lose much to begin with.
This has been the hardest part for me. I am resisting changing WHAT I eat, because I enjoy rich, sweet, restaurant foods. I don't want to eat simply seasoned, fresh, healthy foods. But I want this process to work, so I'm doing my best. I travel every week for work so some days I buy food from the grocery store and eat roast beef, hummus, prechopped veggies, ff greek yogurt, Protein Shakes, etc in my hotel room, and yes, it's a bit sad. Sometimes I do go out to restaurants and order something, enjoy my few oz of Protein and a tiny bit of veggies, but I feel like it's not healthy enough...
If you think you can live your old life eating five course restaurant meals after surgery, sure, you can do that after a few years, but you will gain your weight back. Just like any other weight loss scheme, you have to eat less. Right now, I physically can't eat much at one time, but if I were to graze or eat junk food, my weight loss would slow.
And I was counting on not being hungry and I'm starving all the time. And I was counting on my tastes to change so I wouldn't like unhealthy food. Nope!
This is hard. Think carefully. I don't regret doing it, but it's the hardest thing I've ever done, and I lost 100 lbs through diet and exercise. This is way harder in many ways.

Hi - I've started the process of VSG, got my consult, letter of medical necessity, insurance etc... but I have one burning question....

How do people cope? I assume most of us (overweight) got here by over eating for fun / comfort etc. I am a big family eater/drinker - i.e. love hanging with family and shooting the ... for hours while grazing and enjoying wine - the fear of that disappearing scares me to death. I know I can't be the only one - so I'm curious about other peoples experience and regrets if there were any.

I'm currently 290, highest weight was 330, lowest was 178.6 about 8 years ago after losing weight on slimming world on my own. I feel like it's pathetic that I can't just do that again - I also never felt 'hard done by' when I lost the weight before, but I was still able to (over)indulge at holidays etc.

Clearly the before approach didn't work and I've been morbidly obese my entire life, but I'd love some feedback from the veterans here about coping with that loss, having the sense to see past current eating joy and realize that joy that comes with the ability to be active, not self conscious about weight etc...

Any help / advice is greatly appreciated!

Brian.

Love this. It's so common. I no longer welcome people sharing their 'concerns' with me.

Yep, people who aren't obese and struggling cannot understand what it's like, can't understand the despair that comes with it, alongside the health problems.
And unfortunately, even people who love you can struggle to understand it, and sometimes even react with underlying jealousy if they're overweight themselves. Annoyance dressed up as concern.
Glad you've shaken the comments off! You're gonna do brilliantly. 💪