Question for all the "post op's"

[GingerSlim 128]

Was everything easier or harder than you anticipated?

I am 22 days away from surgery & have so many fears. I'm sure you did too. Just want to know what was better or worse than you thought it would be.

Congrats & best wishes to all on your new journey!

[LumpySpacePrincess 594]

So much easier than I imagined! The weight has just melted off with very little effort aside from just keeping my portions and calories in check. I eat very, very little, a lot less than most (average 650 calories per day since surgery 7 months ago), so that might be why I've not stalled out and my losses are much faster than others.

The hardest part for most people is keeping the psychological urges to eat at bay. I'm in therapy which makes an enormous difference, and its something I recommend to everyone. Just follow your plan and you will be amazed how quickly things happen!

[Chelenka 827]

The 2 week pre-op diet was the hardest part. The first week post-op was hard too cuz I felt exhausted and sometimes hungry but I stuck with my plan and really had no serious issues. Over ate and slimed a few times. Had to learn the hard way, LOL!

[Nicey2u 228]

Nothing has been worse for me... The first day after surgery was the hardest only because I didnt walk enough after surgery but once I got a shot of the good stuff Which the doc said was a one time deal I walked walked walked and the gas pain got much much better!! I was sleeved on 4-23 and everything after that point went pretty smooth. I haven't gotten sick or nauseous once! Each new stage of food was Om nom nom nom hahAHAH I did hit a three week stall after the third week but even though I didn't lose pounds I lost inches. I call it my condensing time! Hahh I measure everything!! I got some two ounce plastic cups at first then when I could eat more I got some four ounce containers from tupperware. If it doesn't fit I don't eat it! Hah only because I am a a fast eater! I never got in and still don't get much Water as they want in but I do my best! I downloaded my fitness pal and try and make sure I get enough protein! I eat Protein first then veggies most times!! I have had a slice if pizza a few times... Small piece no crust! I was setting my calories at 600 because that's about all I could get in. But I hit another stall.. I'm on it now so I upped it to 800 and found some Protein Bars called pure protein and eat half and them half later as snacks!! They are chocolate and a disciples treat! That's about it for now but I haven't had any problems (knock on wood) that others have had! I hope you have as good a luck as me! I lost 20 pounds pre op and I lost 38 pounds so far post op total 58! I have 13 more to hit wonderland!!! Yeah!!

[GingerSlim 128]

Thank you ladies! I need all the encouragement I can get, and it sounds like you are all doing great & have wonderful success with your new tool.

The worries I have about this remind me a little of the worries I had about giving birth for the first time. It's the unknown.

I was sick with worry about all the worst case scenarios that when it was "game time", it was all so much easier than I expected. (Still painful...but easier.)

[Kindle 8,667]

Everything surgery and weight loss related has been super easy. 56 days of pre and post op diets restrictions were very doable and only temporary. I was uncomfortable adding new foods a few times, but never had any pain at any point. Never any "psychological" issues. I got an unrelated Clostridial infection 6 weeks postop which turned into two months of diarrhea and nausea and three rounds of IV fluids for dehydration. But again, everything to do with surgery has been much easier than I thought.

[mi75 1,235]

honestly i am 5 days postop and it pretty much has ALL been what i expected it to be.

i expected the pre-op diet to be fairly difficult and it was, and i had a couple of cheats. nothing significant enough to derail my surgery.

i expected some pain post op and i had none until the day after when anesthesia wore off, then they gave me IV narcotics

i expected there to be doubting thomases among my friends, there were. i think they are still all surprised that i actually went through with it and could stop eating.

i guess i feel like even though this was a huge step, it was totally worth it. between my 2 wk preop and 5 days post op i am already down 20 lbs.

i resolved early on to do EXACTLY as the bariatric team told me and other than the couple pre-op cheats, i have. i figure that this is a proven program and as long as i do as i'm told, it will work!

[cherylmonz 12]

Was everything easier or harder than you anticipated?

I am 22 days away from surgery & have so many fears. I'm sure you did too. Just want to know what was better or worse than you thought it would be.

Congrats & best wishes to all on your new journey!

Hi. I am 3 days out and feel pretty good. I have some cramping and some pain but not too bad. I am from NJ but had my surgery in PA. I was a nervous wreck the week before my surgery. I was having panic attacks galore! Once I got to the hospital I felt calmer and was happy about that. Everyone is different and responds differently to things so don't get yourself nuts by reading all the negative posts. You should read the good and the bad but don't let it make you anxious! Good luck and keep me posted!

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Almost everything has been easier than expected. My post-surgery recovery, eating and drinking (I was hitting my Protein and fluid goals before I left the hospital, and haven't thrown up or experienced nausea since surgery), keeping on plan, having regular bathroom habits (TMI but this is an issue for a lot of people on that high protein, post-WLS diet!). I did take a little longer to get my energy back than I had expected. Also, about four days post-op, I had a tiny meltdown/pity party because I thought I didn't want to be OCD about planning my meals, weighing my food, and tracking everything for the rest of my life. I just wanted to be able to eat what I want, when I want, without having to document it five ways from Sunday and consider how it would help me reach my nutritional goals. That lasted about 10 minutes and I moved on.

Seriously, just about everything has been super-easy -- even the rough Patches, if that makes sense. It's nothing I can't deal with.

[ankinray 17]

So much easier than I imagined! The weight has just melted off with very little effort aside from just keeping my portions and calories in check. I eat very, very little, a lot less than most (average 650 calories per day since surgery 7 months ago), so that might be why I've not stalled out and my losses are much faster than others. The hardest part for most people is keeping the psychological urges to eat at bay. I'm in therapy which makes an enormous difference, and its something I recommend to everyone. Just follow your plan and you will be amazed how quickly things happen!

How does your therapist suggest you keep from giving into head hunger?

[Butterflyhigh 504]

I was so nervous, just like you. I actually canceled two surgery appointments over the past year because of lingering doubts and fears. Three weeks ago I had it done and it's been so much easier than I was anticipating! I live alone with two kids, no support from family, and recovery has been a breeze. I prepared as much as I could beforehand and had everything I needed. I slept for the first two days because of pain pills and have been pretty much back to normal since.

The three main challenges for me are:

1. How to handle stress now that my main coping skill has been taken away.

2. Eating slowly and consistently every three hours.

3. Hitting my daily Water goals.

This entire first month or two (and many more, really) is all about learning new ways of eating and regarding food, so there is a lot of work involved with adjusting to this mentally. I think I may have underestimated that.

I can tell you that there is this huge sense of relief at having had the surgery done. I feel like it was an act of love for myself...a gift to me. I do not regret this.

Edited June 29, 2014 by Butterflyhigh

[GingerSlim 128]

I was so nervous, just like you. I actually canceled two surgery appointments over the past year because of lingering doubts and fears. Three weeks ago I had it done and it's been so much easier than I was anticipating! I live alone with two kids, no support from family, and recovery has been a breeze. I prepared as much as I could beforehand and had everything I needed. I slept for the first two days because of pain pills and have been pretty much back to normal since. The three main challenges for me are: 1. How to handle stress now that my main coping skill has been taken away. 2. Eating slowly and consistently every three hours. 3. Hitting my daily Water goals. This entire first month or two (and many more, really) is all about learning new ways of eating and regarding food, so there is a lot of work involved with adjusting to this mentally. I think I may have underestimated that. I can tell you that there is this huge sense of relief at having had the surgery done. I feel like it was an act of love for myself...a gift to me. I do not regret this.

"An act of love for myself...a gift to me." I absolutely love that! Thank you for sharing!

[GingerSlim 128]

Hi. I am 3 days out and feel pretty good. I have some cramping and some pain but not too bad. I am from NJ but had my surgery in PA. I was a nervous wreck the week before my surgery. I was having panic attacks galore! Once I got to the hospital I felt calmer and was happy about that. Everyone is different and responds differently to things so don't get yourself nuts by reading all the negative posts. You should read the good and the bad but don't let it make you anxious! Good luck and keep me posted!

Small world! I am in PA. Lehigh Valley area. Where did you have your surgery done?

[crazzeescrapper 125]

Small world! I am in PA. Lehigh Valley area. Where did you have your surgery done?

PA here too, about 20 minutes south of Harrisburg where I'm having my surgery.