Happy or...huh?

[danelle235 79]

Please be kind....Sometimes I'm really confused about how to feel about this journey. I looked into WLS options for a long time and initially was approved for Lapband, but now, a year later I'm scheduled for VSG in May instead. At first I was excited that with this 'tool' I will have an opportunity to learn to reframe my relationship with food, but now...I just feel worried. I know I have to do a lot of the mental/ emotional stuff that goes along with this...but how should I be feeling? Is it weird that maybe I'm kinda scared of losing my long-time binge/purge cycle as well as food for comfort? Am I supposed to feel happy before...or after surgery?? Hoping the happiness will kick in soon... Thanks for letting me share this with you.

[No game 14,436]

Surgery in itself will not make you happy...

As a matter of fact surgery will not change your psychological issues with food.

I hope that you have discussed these issues with your surgeon and it is also helpful to go to a support person to talk about these issues.

Good luck to you,

Laura

And I should say I do know what you are talking about, it's a hard road giving up your comfort, your friend, your way if life.

[danelle235 79]

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. You're absolutely right. The surgery won't make me happy in itself. I have to believe that feeling less self conscious about my weight definitely will help. I havent ever spoke to my surgeon, (and probably won't until the day of) but I did write everything down in my medical forms... so here's hoping. I know from and emotional perspective, (like all those that are travelling this road of WLS) I've got my work cut out for me!

[No game 14,436]

I'm glad you are doing this thinking. It's best to go into this surgery with eyes wide open.

This is a life saving procedure for lot of us but it does not come without work.

I am fighting my head issues with food daily still.

A sad but honest truth...

[mokee 588]

Please see a psychologist and work on your issues before you have this surgery. The new way of life after surgery is a challenge by it self without all your negative behaviors resurfacing.

Best of luck.

[Lyrakl 15]

Really make sure you are ready mentally to make the changes with food. I was not ready, and I'm more unhappy now post op than I was before surgery. Everyday I feel like I'm fighting with my sleeve. Surgery does not fix your food issues. I wish I had done intense therapy before getting this surgery.

[NtvTxn 1,262]

Please be kind....Sometimes I'm really confused about how to feel about this journey. I looked into WLS options for a long time and initially was approved for Lapband, but now, a year later I'm scheduled for VSG in May instead. At first I was excited that with this 'tool' I will have an opportunity to learn to reframe my relationship with food, but now...I just feel worried. I know I have to do a lot of the mental/ emotional stuff that goes along with this...but how should I be feeling? Is it weird that maybe I'm kinda scared of losing my long-time binge/purge cycle as well as food for comfort? Am I supposed to feel happy before...or after surgery?? Hoping the happiness will kick in soon... Thanks for letting me share this with you.

I woke up once in the middle of the night, prior to surgery. I've never had a panic attack, but I think this felt like a 'Mini' panic attack. I had second thoughts, 'should I wait a year and save money' etc I got over it, went back to sleep and was fine after that. I just posted somewhere else, I was so excited, I was like a kid going on vacation. An adventure, a journey! When I woke up in recovery I was thinking "Ok, let the fun begin" I've never regretted it, I've never missed anything about the amount of food I could eat before. I've never missed buying fat clothes or being uncomfortable in an airline seat!!!!! It's been one new thing after another, and it's all good....from sex to buying size 4 jeans!!!! 50+ has never felt so good! You'll be fine - good luck!!!!!

[NtvTxn 1,262]

Surgery in itself will not make you happy...

As a matter of fact surgery will not change your psychological issues with food.

I hope that you have discussed these issues with your surgeon and it is also helpful to go to a support person to talk about these issues.

Good luck to you,

Laura

And I should say I do know what you are talking about, it's a hard road giving up your comfort, your friend, your way if life.

In person support groups, I'm glad you mentioned that. They are wonderful. You can share so much with others and you can LEARN so much from others. I have three that I attend on a monthly basis and two more that are in my area. I love them!!!! I started attending PRIOR to surgery, I learned a lot.

[sharonintx 1,275]

The ladies are right again. Behavioral issues don't go away because you wake up to find your stomach is mostly gone. I wish I had gone to a support group or something before this surgery. Adjusting to your new way of life isn't a lot of fun and you need to be totally prepared and ready. i left myself no choice but to wing it and try to deal with the changes as they come. Having said that, I am glad I took this step towards a whole new me. It may not be easy or fun at first but it gets better and I'm looking forward to seeing where the scale will eventually land.

[jmiller2013 6]

Danelle235

Please meet with your surgeon before your surgery. It will help a lot. Go to support groups, too. I think everyone gets nervous. The trick is be prepared with everything you need post-op; food, supplements, Protein shakes, etc. I'm a week out (April 9) and feeling great. No regrets. But I did go in with the mind set that this will be the first day of the rest of my life, and it has to be different.

[danelle235 79]

I woke up once in the middle of the night' date=' prior to surgery. I've never had a panic attack, but I think this felt like a 'Mini' panic attack. I had second thoughts, 'should I wait a year and save money' etc I got over it, went back to sleep and was fine after that. I just posted somewhere else, I was so excited, I was like a kid going on vacation. An adventure, a journey! When I woke up in recovery I was thinking "Ok, let the fun begin" I've never regretted it, I've never missed anything about the amount of food I could eat before. I've never missed buying fat clothes or being uncomfortable in an airline seat!!!!! It's been one new thing after another, and it's all good....from sex to buying size 4 jeans!!!! 50+ has never felt so good! You'll be fine - good luck!!!!![/quote']

Thank you for sharing this! Now I'm feeling pretty excited to be in size 4's one day soon!!!

[NtvTxn 1,262]

Thank you for sharing this! Now I'm feeling pretty excited to be in size 4's one day soon!!!

You're so welcome!!! I'm certain you'll be in size 4's one day soon. Never, EVER in my wildest dreams did I think this was possible. Hang in there and go buy a disposable camera (someone on this forum suggested this). It has to be a disposable one.....have someone take your picture the day before surgery and then EVERY month on the same date, have your picture taken. After your 1 year anniversary photo, take the camera and have it developed. Pictures speak a thousand words. The transformation laying right there in front of you, month after month. It is jaw dropping!!! This was a FUN thing to do!!!!!