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What did you do when you were scared post-surg?



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I am getting my sleeve on 1/5. When I get scared I look at before and after photos. Also had a friend Rec'd making a list of all the reasons I'm doing this so I can look at it when I get the jitters. I have 25 anxious and excited days to go! What would u Rec'd I do?

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The many reasons I went ahead with the sleeve. Diabetes: got very tired of sticking myself 7 times a day like a human pin cushion. 2 weeks out and now I only test. As my weight continued to climb before, I could picture myself in a wheel chair as my mother was for 10 years and dependent on someone forever to push me around and take care of me. My like was getting limited in what I felt like doing. Wanted to live to see my only granddaughter marry and have a baby.

I was on a path of self destruction. Since of was put on insulin 2 years ago I have gained 25 lbs. My eating was totally out of control. I was so very depressed and cried all the time. I never wanted to go out. It was too much trouble to just get dressed.

Now 2 weeks post-op I have lost 27 lbs and have clothes that I have not worn in 2 years. I have noticed that the depression has lifted for me. I want to go places even though I am so very tired weak. Tomorrow I am going to drive myself Xmas shopping and do as much as I can. My new life is starting and I couldn't be happier. This was a very big decision to have this surgery at age 66. My husband tried to talk me out of it but I kept going. So far I don't regret one minute of all the things I had to go through for 9 months and the pain after surgery.

Best of luck to you.

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I highly recommend keeping busy. Start walking (if you don't already) as much as you can to get yourself ready for all the walking you will need to do. Order your Protein samples, but don't try them till after surgery, your taste buds will probably change. Start a pinterest board with inspiration pics and exercises (my favorite thing to do now). Make another one with high protein low carb recipes for when you are able to eat solids again. Take lots of before pics from all angles. I wish I hadn't hidden from the camera so much but I have a few. I was lucky enough to have a cruise scheduled during the month before, so it helped keep my mind busy. I'm not saying take a cruise but maybe there are some opportunities to volunteer in your area over the next few weeks that will keep you busy? food bank, toys for tots, etc... I hope this helps a little. :)

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I dont regret mine at all. I no longer need and diabetes med. I was on insulin 3 times day. Sugar still run extremely high. The day of surgery my sugar was 301 today it barely runs between 87- 100. My liver had fatty liver disease that was turning to cirrhosis from fat. I have alot more energy. I am able to exercise, walk, clean house and I don't tire as easy, I also don't get short of breathe. Different ones are always complimenting on how good I look. I am 9 weeks post op I have lost around 53 pounds. I have dropped from a 24 in jeans to a 16. I have went from 3x - 4 x shirts to lg-xlg shirts. You will like it after you have it done. I got scared the last week. It is almost pain free surgery or was for me. Nothing worse than a cramp. Yes walk all you can, it keeps soreness down.

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For being as heavy as I am I was healthy. I had no comorbidities pretty amazing with a bmi of 51. But I was becoming borderline high bp and was also pre diabetic. So i keep telling myself I am doing this to prevent any future weight related illnesses. It's a huge deal and even on the way here yesterday I keep saying to my husband am I doing the right thing? It was more nerves and being nervous about surgery. But I did it and right now am at peace with my decision.

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When I am feeling uneasy about the surgery, I come to this website. I read and respond to posts and that helps. What helps me the most is to stop by the chat room. Sometimes I get the support i need. Other times I get to support other and that helps the most. Good luck!!

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I went through a few days where I was literally saying goodbye to people. Everyone thought that I was over reacting but I was truely convinced that this was it. I had to constantly remind myself of why I was doing this: to not be sweating all the time, to not have my knees hurt when walking, to not get diabetes in the future, to live longer, to be healthier, and for me most importantly, to be a good example to my kids when I finally do have them.

Being heavy has held me back. I constantly feel as though people are judging me by my weight and not by my worth. I am a worthy person, of love and of good things in life. You only live these days once. Once the day is over, it's gone forever. I just want to be able to look back at my life when I am older and know that I took chances and I tried to make things better for myself. To know that I did try to live life to its fullest.

The 30 minutes before surgery while I was sitting on the gurney in my gown with my IV in, I was texting my brother who was telling me, "it's not too late to back out. I can come get you and you can go home and think about it" I found comfort in being so sure of this decision.

And it's something that I don't regret. I am only 2 weeks post op. but I am learning just how strong of a person I can be. And it's nice to see that food doesn't control me anymore.

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I went to the gym to help deal with my anxiety! It helped me be more calm and focused and it also helped increase my physical strength which aided in my recovery after surgery!! Hang in, you will be so glad you gave yourself the gift of health !!

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I so needed to read every response and one that stood out was SeriouslyChange!!! That is exactly what I'm going through right now I guess it is the fear of the unknown but I am determined to live a long healthy life no matter what!!! This site is what helps me through this emotional journey!! Thank You to all GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

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Don't worry too much about it. It's normal to fear the unknown, but a few days post op when I was walking I was thinking to myself, "wow, I seriously wound myself up and I'm perfectly okay."

You'll do great!!!! :)

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Thanks for posting all the responses. I am going through exactly the same thing. Nerves sometimes are getting the better of me but I think worst case scenario... I either die forkful by forkful or change. Some outcomes are scary but for me it is in God's hands and so far this is where he has lead me.

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    • LeighaTR

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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