I am Pre-Op and working through all the mental challenges that are involved in making the decision to get this done. I am 5'9" and weigh about 290+/-. I have discussed this with a few people and most are supportive, except for two who have a minimal 10-20# overweight struggle. For some reason they are convinced that I only need to lose 40# and that the weight charts put out by the medical community are NOT accurate for today. I know I need to make this decision myself, but it is not an easy one to make.

I don't think I have any food addictions, I don't eat a lot of sweets, and I don't usually eat when angry/sad. Most of my issues are that I have poor eating habits. I don't eat 3 meals and overeat at night. I do well on a diet for about 2 months and then get tired of counting calories and get hungry... then when I get off the diet all my weight comes back.

What I want from this is to be healthy and to live a normal life WITHOUT overeating, but I still want to have cookouts at the house, hang out with friends, have a few drinks, and not look at food and think I am physically unable to eat. I want more energy, a longer life, and no stress when I go to an amusement park or Water park with my kids. I am afraid of doing this because it is not reversible and I keep thinking, "what if I am miserable for the remaining part of my life?" I feel defeated because I should be able to lose the weight and because I am weak I am considering WLS.

I know I am not the only one that who has had all these emotions. Any thoughts?

I am so jealous and happy for you. Hopefully next week will be different for me. Keep up the great work. It sounds like you're having a pretty great start with your sleeve, except for the damn cold. I fought off a cold the week before my surgery and was really worried about having bad chest congestion at surgery time since I also have asthma. There's some nasty flu bugs going around this year. A lot of people on my job are sick. it seems like we're all doomed to get something this year.

My quality of life has already improved. More energy. Not out of breath all the time. I can fit in airline seat..... And im only 3.5 weeks out. Happens that fast.... Im not missing food much these days. To eat out and have 6 bites and be pretty full to the point not feeling well. Some time just eat to take off the egde of amd hunger. Actually race my 6 year old grandson to the car..... Could not have do that 4 weeks ago. so quality of life? oh hell yes. Ill take this anyday

I get it. My family was my biggest motivation. Im down 32lbs in 9 Weeks. Post op was not a breeze for me as compared to other stories I read. But I also have a 3 and one year old. Now I feel good. I actually just had a party at my house, and a different night we went to my in laws house for dinner. I ate what everyone else ate. Just a smaller amount then the old me. being anxious is normal. It is a big surgery, trust your doctor, and maybe write down why you want the surgery so if you have doubts, you can look at the pros and cons. For me I was more nervous about the actual surgery. And now I still get nervous about not meeting my goal weight.

Im 29, started at 256, today 224. I can tell you, I feel good and more confident in myself. My husband and kids love me no matter what my weight. But I feel better in my skin. And I feel like I will live a healthier life and avoid all the aliments that I was destined for. On the post op side now, I can say, thus far, no regrets

18 days Post op...

Tonight we made a turkey breast. I ate 2oz of meat and 3 very small bites of mashed potato's.

Is that normal?

I can drink with no issue.

18 days Post op...

Tonight we made a turkey breast. I ate 2oz of meat and 3 very small bites of mashed potato's.

Is that normal?

I can drink with no issue.

Sounds perfect actually.

The fact that you're able to drink with no problem means your recovery will likely go very well. Take advantage of that fact.

Good luck.

How many calories should I be eating a day or should I only worry about Protein right now? Today I only had 390.

At 18 days out, I was around 300-400 calories, too. My doc's plan was 600 calories a day, once we could tolerate it. We were to get in 55-65 gm protein a day, at that point. Staying hydrated as you are healing will help.

If you're drinking your water, getting in your protein and not eating a bunch of junk, I wouldn't worry too much about the calories. But usually the average goal for a man is 600-800 initially.

dont worry.. I was at a cookout yesterday... almost 3 months out.. I ate' date=' I didnt eat as much as i used to.. but i ate.. Quality of life afterwards for me has been nothing but smooth... I dont have to worry about dropping dead everyday.. Im on ONE PILL... a high blood pressure med which i plan on being off real soon.. Down from 5 pills... No more diabetes, No more cholesterol meds... no more anxiety meds.. .. Your not weak,.. This process is not a "I give up". This process is a "I give in" I have actively chosen my life over what I used to live which was sad... What if, what if, what if, no.. So what, Now what? I made myself fat and I tried many things to help me not be fat and not be unhealthy, it didnt work.. SO WHAT, NOW WHAT? Now i had to decide if i was going to do what i needed to do to live.. I chose LIFE! and I want you to chose life also.. sorry if i come off passionate about it, but i am.. Life is amazing when you are taking life by the wheel and controlling it.. I wish you the best[/quote']

Very well said!!!!!

I wanted to update this, incase anyone looking at having this process reads it and is curious to know my outcome.

This was a scary decision for me, but I did it and I am still alive.

Soon I will be 5 months and my life is completely normal. I am happy, eating, drinking, and losing weight. I have lost about 80lbs since 10/18/2013, today is 3/3/2014 (4.5 months). WOW!!!! THAT IS CRAZY.

I am happy I did this and would not go back to my old life. I still want to make changes to my new life, but at least weight is not one of them.

Thank you Forum friends for coaching me through this.

Yay, thank you for the awesome update!

Yay!

Edited March 4, 201412 yr by jess9395