What can you expect before you have Weight Loss Surgery

[Suzannesh 376]

Hi, Everyone,

What can you expect before you have weight loss surgery? What can you expect once you arrive at the Hospital? What can you expect the 1st month after having weight loss surgery?

First before you have weight loss surgery you can expect a basket FULL of feeling and emotions. You will have a bag full of MIXED feelings along with emotions. This is quite normal for most of us. I think the biggest fear is the unknown. We are excited that we made the choice to have weight loss surgery. Then the closer you get to having WLS you feel all of these feeling and emotions. You will think I can’t wait to have the surgery; I am scared to have the surgery. You will have all these feeling plus a lot more. Some of the feelings and emotions I had were: happy, sad, scared, excited, fearful, alarmed, anxious, nervous, worried, pleased, blissful, ecstatic, delighted, content, glad, lucky, and fortunate. And some I probably didn’t mention. You will second guess yourself, and ask yourself, is this what I really want to do? Yes, it is!!! You may think I should be able to do lose this weight myself without having WLS. If we could lose the weight on our own and keep it off, believe me we would have already done it! So I want you to know having all these feeling and emotions are very NORMAL, because most of us have had all these feeling and emotions before we actually had weight loss surgery.

Now when you arrive, I can only speak from my experience, because I was a self- pay patient, and went to Mexicali, Mexico for my surgery. I know flying there on the plane, and I kept asking myself “am I nuts going to Mexico to have Weight Loss surgery?” Believe me I had done a lot of research before I made my choice and I actually worked with some who had been there before me. Then I arrived in San Diego, and I was waiting for the driver Ernesto to pick me and others up, and I kept think, what if he doesn’t pick me up and here I am sit in San Diego? Well here he comes walking down where you pick up your luggage with a BIG sign with my name on it—I felt so much better when I saw him. There were about 4 other people in the van all going to have Weight Loss Surgery too. We had a great time talking, and the 1.5 hours of driving went by fast, as we all got to know each other. I have remained friends still with these people, and that was 4 1/2 years ago. We went through a lot together and we were all very successful at our weight loss and have kept it off. Once I got the hospital and actually saw the hospital, all my fears went away. I was greeted by the nicest and warmest caring staff I have ever met in ANY hospital. This was a Sunday, and they were doing all our tests that afternoon so we would be ready for surgery the next morning. After we all got our test taken care of we were driven to an extremely nice and beautiful hotel. We were each given a really nice room. They told us that we could eat anything we wanted for dinner that night. We got together as a group and ate dinner that night. So of course we all ate just want we wanted that night. We had a small amount of paper work to fill out that night too. One of the Doctors came to the Hotel and spoke with us as a group and answered any and ALL of our questions about the surgery we were going to be having. We were also given some medication to take before we went to bed, so we would sleep well. I was so excited, I really didn’t sleep that well. We were picked up the next morning at 7:00 AM—NO food that morning because of the surgery. The driver took us back to the Hospital, where we were checked in with our own nurse who speaks excellent English. We all had private rooms that big with a TV. Our rooms were all close to each other and that made it nice too. They didn’t tell us the order we were going to surgery, but that we would have surgery that morning. The nurse gives you some nice drugs to relax you while you wait. After surgery they tell you that you can get up and walk when you feel ready once you get back to your room. I was up and walking around 2 hours after I went back to my room. I felt good. They manage the pain extremely well. They only pain I felt was in my shoulders and that is from the gas that they pump into your abdominal area, so that they can do the surgery. They did 3 tests on my new stomach to make sure I had NO leaks and that everything was working well before they let me go home on Friday morning. I have never received such excellent care as I did at the hospital I was in.

When you arrive at home please prepare to have the foods that you will need when you get home after the surgery. The 1st month is the hardest month that you will EVER have to do. It is retraining your brain, and learning to eat a small amount of food. Your brain was so used to eating large amounts of food, and now you are not able. This is what my doctor had me do. Please follow the directions that YOUR doctor wants you to do when it comes to eating. For me it was 10 days of NOTHING but clear liquids—that is the worst stage, but it does get better after the 1st 10 days. The next 10 days were creamy foods, and the last 10 days is mushy foods. You do this to give your new small stomach a chance to heal. Look at your thumb—the size of your thumb is about all you can hold when it comes to food or liquid in your new stomach. They made your stomach small, and now it is swollen from the surgery. It will get better as time goes on, and you should be able to hold about 6 to 8 oz. of what you are eating or drinking. You REALLY need to learn to sip Water ALL the time you are up and awake. You do not want to get dehydrated. It truly is a job trying to get the amount of water in that you need. Carry the water around with you so that you remember to sip it all the time. I remember thinking to myself “what in the world have I done to myself?” That only lasted about 2 hours when I realized that what I did was save my own life. This will be the hardest month you will ever have to do, but it is only for 30 days, and you can do anything for 30 days to get to where you want to go!

You have done the right thing. It is pretty normal to mourn the loss of eating all the things you used to eat. In time you will be glad that you can't eat all that food. I NEVER FEEL HUNGER anymore. I am so glad I do not feel hunger. I know I need to eat something, so I eat. As time goes on, you will discover that the lifestyle changes that you are making are pretty easy. I never feel deprived. I just eat small amounts of food and now and then YES, I have a treat. Sometimes just having one bite of something satisfies my need for that food. If I have a desert, I don’t have a large piece of cake, just a small amount is all I need; only 1 cookie, not the whole bag full. I have learned to bake things that taste yummy and don’t have all the calories and sugar that I used to think I needed to make it taste good. Your taste does change a bit after having Weight Loss Surgery, and that is good, because sometime things just taste too sweet; so your taste does change some.

Just remember I am always out here to help and support you. You are making the right choice for you. This is ALL about YOU and NO one else. If you have any questions please just send me a note and I am more than happy to answer any and all your questions. NEVER look back, you are going to love who you are about to become!

[asmaclare 38]

Thank you I'm a week from surgery and hearing successful and encouraging stories is exactly what I need right now... I have small moments of freak outs where I think maybe I am doing the wrong thing... So this really helps!

[Pixie Dust 526]

Thank you for posting this, I enjoyed reading it, even tho I'm doing local surgery. Funny how doctors all do things differently. I will be on a liquid diet 1 week prior to surgery which makes me wonder how I'll do on it?? I won't be sleeved yet, so I'm going to have some major hunger pains going! LOL!

I think it's wonderful you all kept in touch...you all went thru a life changing experience, so you all bonded! How is everyone else doing weight loss wise?

Thank you for sharing your experience. It's an invaluable read for someone who hasn't gone thru it yet.

[petra1124 33]

Great post! Thank you for all the info :-)

[Cindy Martin 77]

Thank you for taking the time to write this post. I know I am making the right decision in order to save my life. I have Diabetes type ll-insulin dependent, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, fibromyalgia.....

I am not looking for a swimsuit body, just wanting to tie my shoes without causing a muscle spasm and get healthy.

It really does encourage me to hear awesome success stories like you just told.

Thankl you

sleeve date 05.01.13

[rubyred900 3]

I agree with everyone else about sharing your awesome and inspiring experience with all of us. I'm thinking about having the surgery but doing research at this point. Reading your story has really inspired me in a positive way.

Thanks!!

[Molly3 495]

Thank you, THANK YOU! I so needed this today, I've been so stressed about which surgeon I should go to, If I'm doing the right thing and most importantly, leaving my little girl.

Thank you for sharing!

[Suzannesh 376]

Thank you I'm a week from surgery and hearing successful and encouraging stories is exactly what I need right now... I have small moments of freak outs where I think maybe I am doing the wrong thing... So this really helps!

Hi,

I am so glad that what I said helped you. I am always out here if you are having a hard or difficult time. You can always send me a private message to Suzannesh@aol.com. I read my E-mail everyday. Hugs, and I promise you, that this is going to be OK, and you are doing the right thing.

Suzanne

[Suzannesh 376]

Thank you for posting this, I enjoyed reading it, even tho I'm doing local surgery. Funny how doctors all do things differently. I will be on a liquid diet 1 week prior to surgery which makes me wonder how I'll do on it?? I won't be sleeved yet, so I'm going to have some major hunger pains going! LOL!

I think it's wonderful you all kept in touch...you all went thru a life changing experience, so you all bonded! How is everyone else doing weight loss wise?

Thank you for sharing your experience. It's an invaluable read for someone who hasn't gone thru it yet.

Hi,

We are all doing great and have maintained our weight loss. You will do will too. I am glad that you are making the choice to do something that will only bring you good things!

Hugs and take care,

Suzanne

[Suzannesh 376]

Great post! Thank you for all the info :-)

Hi,

You are very welcome. I had some great help along my journey and I want to be able to help others too.

Hugs,

Suzanne

[Suzannesh 376]

Thank you for taking the time to write this post. I know I am making the right decision in order to save my life. I have Diabetes type ll-insulin dependent, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, fibromyalgia.....

I am not looking for a swimsuit body, just wanting to tie my shoes without causing a muscle spasm and get healthy.

It really does encourage me to hear awesome success stories like you just told.

Thankl you

sleeve date 05.01.13

Hi,

I think you have a great attitude and are doing all the right things. You will be amazed at how much better you are going to feel in just 6 months. As the weight starts to come off you become more motivated. I am always right here if you need anything or have more questions.

Hugs,

Suzanne

[Suzannesh 376]

I agree with everyone else about sharing your awesome and inspiring experience with all of us. I'm thinking about having the surgery but doing research at this point. Reading your story has really inspired me in a positive way.

Thanks!!

Hi,

Yeah, then I have been successful if what I wrote inspired you. I have quite a few posting on here, check some of them out. They may motivate you a little more. I agree take your time and ask 100's of questions from everyone. Feel comfortable with your choice. It took me 6 months to make up my mind. So you are doing all the right things. I am always here if you have any questions for me. I will always be honest and tell you the truth! I wish you great success on your weight loss journey.

Hugs,

Suzanne

[Suzannesh 376]

Thank you, THANK YOU! I so needed this today, I've been so stressed about which surgeon I should go to, If I'm doing the right thing and most importantly, leaving my little girl.

Thank you for sharing!

Hi,

First of all this is ALL about YOU and no one else. You do not need anyone's approval to do this. You have earned the right to be healthy and happy. You have to do what is best for you. You will never regret doing this. Everyday you wait is a day that you are giving away that you will never get back. It is OK to take time and do your research. Ask 100's of questions, be comfortable with your choice. Be safe and know that I am always here to answer any of your questions if I can help.

Hugs,

Suzanne