Ok, so I am new on here. I am scheduled to have my surgery on August 12th. I am a whole lot of emotions wrapped up in a big bundle. I am excited and nervous mostly. I guess I am asking for any advice or expectations I can look forward too. I want to make this an easy transition. I will take anything. Most recently the people (a few anyway) that I thought were supportive, have been to say the least, negative(ish). I am doing this to be the best ME I can be, and It sucks to have negative nelly's surrounding you. I guess I am reaching out for positivity and advice, and guidance. Thanks all in advance.

Brandy V.

Welcome! You've come to the right place! Congratulations on your choice to make a change to make

yourself healthier. There are always going to be people that are negative, for whatever reason.

It doesn't really matter why. Most people on this site have had difficulty with weight issues, and I've found, are incredibly supportive! Good luck on your journey!

The biggest misconception with Bariatric surgery for people who are against it or never had it. Or don't struggle with their weight is they think you are taking the easy way out. I have to beg to differ. It's not easy AT ALL! rewarding, yes. You still have to make good decisions when it comes to food, you have to change old eating habits. Those choices are not easy either way when you love food. I will say the surgery has given more control over it than I have ever had. It's a true blessing and am beyond happy that I did it! I had the lap band first back in 09 and that did nothing for me like what the sleeve has done. Good luck to you and remember to be patient with your body and new stomach when you are healing. Just when you think you will never feel normal again all of a sudden you turn a corner and the pain and fatigue are a distant memory :-)

I am not sure I would call this transition an easy one, at least initially. Even though I was prepared for EVERYTHING, it was still a shock that I felt like I had the flu and couldn't believe I had done this to myself. That lasts a few days. Then the fatigue is sort of shocking--it takes most people a few weeks at least to overcome it. Then it gets progressively better every day--the more nutrients you get to eat, the better you feel. And as the weight starts to fall off, you will remember why you made this decision.

My biggest word of advice is to throw your scale away. Stay off it. Many people obsess about a number and obsess about weighing themselves. There will be times when your weight will plateau, by no fault of your own, and if you stick to your bariatric team's plan, you will continue to lose eventually. That's how weight loss works, it won't always be a continuous downward loss. I weigh no more often than once every 2 weeks at my bariatric center. Their scale is properly calibrated, and I always see a loss. If you weigh every day (or several times a day as some people do) you will not see a dramatic dip.

Good luck.