So happy to now be Post-Op!

[Daydra 345]

Daydra, Ah, a voice of reason and sanity! I'm making myself insane! Huddling under the covers today. Feel trapped in a fat body yet feel trapped by fear as well. I keep praying for the "light bulb moment" when it all becomes clear. I do not think I can stay on the pre-op diet of 1200 for another 4 months successfully. I wonder if that means I won't be successful after surgery when the nerves in my stomach are cut and I won't be hungry? Or, is pre-op hunger different from post-op hunger? I've been working at this since March 2012 and still have doubts.

Today I had the idea of looking at my finances, making some phone calls to clients to see if I can book them next week, check my savings account and my expenses through September. Then set the intention for the clients to find me. I am a mess today LOL

Post Script: I spoke to my sister-in-law at length, answered her questions and concerns about the surgery, and was moved to hear would would try to arrange a trip up from LA to see me after surgery. The pieces are coming together and I am feeling more centered!!!

Good work! It's all about preparation, that's for sure!

My experience was that post op hunger didn't even exist. I fortunately only had a 1 week pre-op diet of 870 cal, but I found that extremely difficult, particularly for the first 3 days. After surgery, I have "wanted" to eat, but I wasn't hungry. If I can't smell food, I'm not really even thinking about it. I don't believe for a second that difficulty pre-op on a 1200 cal diet has any bearing on following the post op diet. I have to admit that the fear of doing damage to myself is a big part of sticking to the post-op diet. Not wanting to create a leak for not following doctors orders is a really strong motivator. The vets say that it gets more difficult the further from surgery you get, but we've got about 6 months to rebuild healthy eating habits to depend on the further out we get. And even if we're not perfect (because let's face it, we're not going to be), as long as we aren't eating constantly, or eating ridiculously high calorie foods, or 800 calorie drinks or smoothies every day, we would have to work hard at getting in a similar number of calories that caused us to gain weight (assuming there aren't medical issues creating the excess weight). Research tidbits I've read show that even at 6 years out, average excess weight loss is within about 5% of average weight loss after 1 year, so though I know it will take effort to be successful for life, it will likely not be the epically difficult experience we have had to date. I know that we can get it done, if we can just get out of our own way! :-)

I have to admit to having some tough days before coming to the decision to have the surgery, and I have spent many a day hiding under the covers myself, but setting some forward momentum on resolving some of the issues that were bothering me and giving myself goals to work toward did wonders for picking myself back up and putting one foot in front of the other!

Best of luck to you. I know there is a way for you to structure the things that you need to take care of whenever you decide to be your final schedule.

[K33 87]

Again, I appreciate your calm approach! I've told 2 more people and both were very happy for me. The unspoken thought, "Yes, you are fat and I worry about you."

I'm going to have someone clean my house this week so I will be ready for some R&R. A friend I love and trust will take me and another friend I love and trust is checking into her availability to pick me up. Breathing much better the more goals I scratch off my list.

[Daydra 345]

Great work! One step at a time! I'm sure this will be a start to a healthier, happier life for you!

[K33 87]

Surgery and recovery going well. One week out, eating liquids. When I re-read my nervous post, I couldn't believe it was me! Everything turned out much better than I anticipated.

[stacechase 251]

Congrats, Daydra! So great that you're having a good recovery. My surgery is on Monday, hope I have a similar story! Thank you for sharing your story.

[Daydra 345]

Surgery and recovery going well. One week out, eating liquids. When I re-read my nervous post, I couldn't believe it was me! Everything turned out much better than I anticipated.

That is so great!!! I'm so happy for you! Welcome to the other side! I hope everything continues to go well! Sometimes we make ourselves crazy with worry! It's only an indication that it's important to you!

[Daydra 345]

Congrats, Daydra! So great that you're having a good recovery. My surgery is on Monday, hope I have a similar story! Thank you for sharing your story.

Thank you! It's very nice to report that everything is going as it should! Best of luck to you, I's sure that you will do great!