I'm all gung ho for my sleeve during the day. I'm doing the diet like I should, exercising, and committing. But at night if I wake up around 3am, I wake up scared and confused..I know this is a lifestyle change, but it's permanent. Am I ready for it? To give up everything I've known for 29 years? I want the end result, but I don't wanna be miserable and not able to eat for the rest of my life..any thoughts?

It is very scary. But, thinking about dying young was scarier for me. Would I rather be able to eat moderately and live longer, or would I rather keep eating like was and die early like my daddy did at age 51? That's why I took the plunge.

You will love your sleeve.....its awesome that I can eat a fraction of what I used to eat and feel completly satisified, and I dont feel like I am missing out on a thing.......my brain still wants to power chow....I was sleeved on Election Day. I am sure that will go away......there's no power chows with a sleeve!!!!!!!!!!!!

You will eventually be able to eat just like a normal person-- just not enormous amounts of food, which ISN'T normal. The 'not being able to eat anything' is very temporary in the grand scheme of things. I think it is normal to grieve food and especially for people like me with a history of binge and emotional eating, it will be essential to find another outlet. Sadness, frustration, depression, anger, happiness cannot be expressed via burgers, pizza and chicken wings anymore.

I've been able to eat anything I want but only a lot less. My doctor has us limit carbs and fats and make sure we get enough protein. I drink a 30 gram protein drink every morning to make sure I get enough protein and then I eat chicken, fish, peanut butter and eggs a lot and cottage cheese and fruit.

I've said this somewhere on here before, but I remember being groggy from anesthesia in recovery as I was coming out of it thinking that I had better hurry up and make up my mind if I wanted surgery or not since it was about to happen. Doubts and fear are very natural. Even well after surgery. There are internal conflicts going on that are much more complex than physical issues. You are making a commitment to a huge change that will be life altering from then on out. You will have to reprogram your eating habits, challenge the ghosts of old habits, find other sources of comfort and control than food, overcome compulsions that rise up out of nowhere to make excuses to not exercise or to eat things you know you shouldn't. You may grieve food, or what it represented to you. You may have situations that arise in social environments that are unique such as eating far, far less than others, no longer indulging in favorite drinks or foods with family and friends, questions about rapid weight loss (if you haven't elected to share that you had a vsg).

We here have a common experience and the more you interact on these boards the more you will realize that many have the same stories to tell, the same questions, the same battles. It is also interesting to see how there are big differences between us in recommendations by surgeons and nutritionists, the progress of our weight loss or stalls, complications or lack thereof, fidelity to compliance with our programs, relationship issues, internal struggles, and many more things.

Am I ready for it? To give up everything I've known for 29 years? I want the end result' date=' but I don't wanna be miserable and not able to eat for the rest of my life..any thoughts?[/quote']

I'm having a Dr. Phil moment.

Your not giving up "everything" you've ever known. Just a horribly screwed up view of food.

"How has it worked for you so far?"

I'm 6 months out now, and I can eat anything. But really I don't want most of the stuff that got me to where I was 6 months ago.

Grab a piece of paper, and write down all the things you've missed out on due to weight. Now add to all the things you want to do once the weight is gone. Then turn the paper over and list everything you are giving up. Once you've done this fold that paper up & put it in your pocket book. Anytime you question if you are making the right decision read that paper.

If you can read that paper and still have real doubts about doing this l, then don't do it.

I had an epiphany during my pre-opt and it was that I really don't need to eat that much food anyways. I actually started looking around at people in my community and the majority of them are over weight and my heart goes out to them. This helps me in making better decisions in eating. I don't eat at fast food joints any more, I haven't for at least 2 years now. I don't miss them either. I will always keep y portions at a smaller size than others. I love eating protein first, veggies and some fruits..... This is how I will eat for the rest of my life and I love it. Even going or have gone organic.... But I do get times where I have a small piece of candy or pie and feel so guilty. I'm working on that....... Happy Seasons to all!

I'm having a Dr. Phil moment.

Your not giving up "everything" you've ever known. Just a horribly screwed up view of food.

"How has it worked for you so far?"

I'm 6 months out now, and I can eat anything. But really I don't want most of the stuff that got me to where I was 6 months ago.

Grab a piece of paper, and write down all the things you've missed out on due to weight. Now add to all the things you want to do once the weight is gone. Then turn the paper over and list everything you are giving up. Once you've done this fold that paper up & put it in your pocket book. Anytime you question if you are making the right decision read that paper.

If you can read that paper and still have real doubts about doing this l, then don't do it.

Veryyy well said, I am pre-op and have been having anxiety (not as much doubt) but I think I will also take this advice!

I'm all gung ho for my sleeve during the day. I'm doing the diet like I should, exercising, and committing. But at night if I wake up around 3am, I wake up scared and confused..I know this is a lifestyle change, but it's permanent. Am I ready for it? To give up everything I've known for 29 years? I want the end result, but I don't wanna be miserable and not able to eat for the rest of my life..any thoughts?

I think its natural to have anxiety about this. I am having the surgery on Wed, and have had these same thoughts and mostly at night when all my thoughts can creep in on me because every other outside interaction is now quiet (in the middle of the night)...This may be your internal fears of the unknown which is basically what it is for me. Sure there are chances for complications, however I look at it as this is my chance for a new lease on life...I have to live for myself and for my child and I feel that if I DON'T get this done, I will be gone way before my time.

I wish you peace in your decision as only you can decide, but just know that it is natural to have that fear and anxiety...but sometimes the fear of the unknown holds us back from turning a new page and starting the new chapter of our lives!

All the best!

-Cassie

I know how you're feeling..I have surgery in 10 days and the past few nights all I think about is am I doing the right thing ? What if I'm sick all the time afterwards? During the day though I'm fine and ready for it.

Grab a piece of paper, write down things you've missed due to weight. add to the things you want to do once the weight is gone. turn paper over and list everything you are giving up. Once you've done this fold that paper up & put it in your pocket book. Anytime you question if you are making the right decision read that paper.

somaiswhat

when OTR talks "everyone" listens!!

I am going to do the paper - memo, note - sounds like a good idea - you too???

you are pre-op, waiting to be sleeved, having doubts?? normal!!!

you wnat the results "yesterday" without doing the hard work? sorry bud, not gonna happen

you know this is a lifestyle change, eating habits etc. - you won't/shouldn't be miserable through the process

you will be able to eat whatever you like, small portions

you can eat "candy" for example - not the best choice IMO, but the option is there if you want to eat a small bit - then you won't feel deprived

IMO the benefits from the WLS out'weigh" any problems/sorrow/missing food

btw - I LOVE dr. phil, oprah and her ah ha moments too

take care

good luck

I'm all gung ho for my sleeve during the day. I'm doing the diet like I should, exercising, and committing. But at night if I wake up around 3am, I wake up scared and confused..I know this is a lifestyle change, but it's permanent. Am I ready for it? To give up everything I've known for 29 years? I want the end result, but I don't wanna be miserable and not able to eat for the rest of my life..any thoughts?

I've had all of these thoughts and fears. I think it is pretty normal to have fears about the unknown, which is what us pre-sleevers are facing. I smiled when I read, "i want the end result, but I don't wanna be miserable" because I'm already miserable. I'm miserable every time I shop for clothes. I'm miserable every time I put on my swim suit. I'm miserable every time I sit down to eat and I inhale the table. I'm miserable when I feel like I'm out of control every time I put food into my mouth. I'm miserable wondering if there will ever be a way out of this fat body. I'm miserable every time I try to diet and gain every bit of weight back plus more.

I've finally decided that I don't want to be miserable any more. I refuse to be a slave to food any longer in my life.

It is scary, but staying the way I am now is even scarier for me. I'm done and I'm moving forward!

Good luck in your journey, whatever you decide. Know that there are others just like you- including me.

Now I'm freaking out reading about all these denials..unfair to deny us after we're literally working out asses off!!!! Ugh..