I have just started my journey into the VGS surgery. I have to wait 6 months per insurance. I have scheduled all of my required tests.. all this month. Trouble is... I am on the diet given to me by my bariatric nutritionist... she has me on 1700 calories with only 5 oz of protein each day which seems very low btw.... anyways, I am having a hard time starting the meal plan...Ive been cheating alot..probably because I know I have 6 months until I have to get the surgery. I am hoping to get back on track tomorrow. My husband is supportive of the surgery, but has issues with the fact that I will never be able to eat normally again and that its permanent. many friends and family are concerned for these same reasons and keep saying "what about holidays, what about summer cookouts, can you drink beer? " trying to put the doubt in my mind that I will regret having the surgery.... its starting to scare me, and I am afraid that because I havent been able to start my meal plan, that maybe I am not ready for the surgery. i keep telling them and myself that this surgery will curb hunger, appetite and cravings. Can someone please let me know if this is a reasonable expectation, and if there is anyone with these type of regrets? I think this is why I havent been able to stay on track food wise, because deep down, I may not go thru with the surgery.. and now i am getting angry with people who are being so negative instead of being positive and supportive. Please!!! any help would be greatly appreciated.. thX!!!

The fact is most healthy people only eat 1200-1500 cal a day. I used to handle that in one meal sometimes having up to 7000 cals a day. Snacks really add up plus a double meat whatever burger with cheese and bacon a large fry and a large coke. Pushing 2000cals at lunch. It all adds up. My taste buds have changed in the four days that I have been sleeved. I think its because my body needs nutrients. Im craving shrimp right now. This surgery gives you the ability to stop at 1200cals a day rather than over indulging. It might just be me but when everyone else was full I was on seconds or thirds. In my opinion this gives me the help I need to eat "normal".

I'm gonna be a bit of a "Tough Love Tammy" here' date=' if I may. It's my way of being supportive.

What you give up for this surgery is not so bad when you really step back and think about the alternative: continuing to overeat and gain weight, which most likely will eventually lead to chronic, debilitating and deadly illness. To be frank, dying of heart disease, diabetes, or another obesity related disease is far more miserable than not being able to pig out at the occasional barbecue anymore, for you and your family. If I were you I'd repeat that, verbatim, to your husband.

Consider this also: do you measure your food now? Are you eating the correct portions sizes in your usual diet? Most people (even thin people) overeat - consciously or subconsciously. If you were determined to lose weight without the surgery and keep it off you wouldn't be able to overeat anymore anyway.

I can tell you that since my surgery I no longer get that "low blood sugar" hypoglycemia feeling, which I used to get every day. I get hungry sometimes, sure, but much prefer to drink fluids on these hot summer days. I can tell you also that, for me, the pre-op diet was much more difficult than post-op. My stomach was still the same size and still pumped out the same excess of hormones - of course it's hard! I didn't do very well on my 3 month supervised diet, so I worked out like crazy to make up for it.

When I got to the 2 week pre-op liquid diet I was dead set on doing everything right because I believe my life is worth taking back from the grips of obesity, and the perilous future ahead of me if I stayed the course. I didn't have food funerals because I didn't want to look back at what I could no longer have or do, I was determined instead to embrace what I could do with my new life. So far it has been smooth sailing for me. Will there be bumps or roadblocks down the path? Sure. But I trust that I now have the tools (physical and mental) to push forward until I achieve my goals.

Make the right choice for your health and your life. All the best to you.[/quote']

So positive thanks!