From Confidently Ready to Anxious

[JohnT 12]

My surgery date is July 20. I'm male, 5'7" with a BMI of 40. I began my preop diet Monday and so far have lost almost 5 pounds. My diet is primarily a Protein Shake for Breakfast, one for lunch, and a lean Protein and vegetables at dinner. I also am drinking 64 ounces of Water (or the like) each day.

So I've said good-bye to espresso drinks, ice cream, Mexican food, Wings, Beer, etc. And now I'm starting question my decision to go forward with the sleeve because of the permanence of this procedure. The way I see it I will rarely if ever be able to enjoy these things again.

However, I know my health will improve. My Diabetes Type 2 will disappear quickly, my sleep apnea will become less of an issue if not go away all together, and my high blood pressure and cholesterol numbers should improve as well, not to mention getting into a normal weight range.

How did you deal with the buyer's remorse, and what would you have done differently if you had to do it over again?

Thanks!

[Nyelaah 77]

Hi! My surgery is July 17. I am on similar preop diet. I also started my diet on Monday. I feel anxious and even slightly questioning my decision. I was confident and just going though the motions for he past few months but I remind myself each day it's for the best.

[jane13 2,256]

@@JohnT and @@Nyelaah what you both are feeling I think happens to a lot of us. I had a couple of bites of Mexican food last night. I have skinless wings about 1-2x a month I can only eat 2 or 3 but I do eat them. I had a bite off my sons ice dream sandwich about 2 weeks ago (it was o.k. but I really didn't anymore). Point is I am still eating (tasting) some things that a lot of people say you will never have again. I just don't eat them in the qty or amount that I did pre-surgery. I have had a couple of sips of wine. I haven't had some things (carbonated drinks, beer, Fireball whiskey, Tequila etc). I also haven't missed them. I did get a couple of bites of pizza about 3 weeks out and thought to myself, "I really don't want it".

No regrets, I am slowly (in my 3rd stall) losing the weight. I am trying to get more Water in daily and I feel so much better.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

I never had any buyer's remorse. Yes, treats like ice cream and espresso drinks are very rare for me now. But I do not miss my old life at all. My entire life has improved dramatically, not just numbers on a lab report looking better. The permanence of the sleeve is what I needed to get here and I'm so glad I decided to do it. Good luck to you!

[FutureMrs.Bee 56]

The price paid for my surgery is pocket change when In comparison to how I look & feel. No buyers remorse here! Best decision of my life.

[hockeyfan7 249]

I was sleeved on June 1st. I have had Mexican food - just a small amount. I ordered this dish that had chicken, shrimp and steak with peppers, onions and some other veggies. I didn't eat the tortillas or the rice and just a small amount of the Beans.

I have had chicken wings - just not breaded and I ate them without a lot of sauce. And after 2 I was done.

I did try ice cream and it was awful. It was disgustingly sweet and icky. I find now that sugar free fudgesicles are so much better. I think you might find that some things you used to like taste not so good now. I've tried pizza and after a bite or two it was just meh.

Now give me a nice medium rare filet mignon or a ribeye and it's all over from there. I spend the money I used to spend on junk food on filet mignon now. So much better!

[nikiNRCMA 0]

My surgery is on 7/20 as well. I start my Protein diet on Friday. I am so sure that it's going to be worth it in the end. I remember the feelings I had 9 years ago when I lost 90 lbs before I got married by diet and exercise...it was all worth it. I want to be there again. That's what is making it easier for me. Not thinking of the things I'm losing....just all that I will be gaining!!!!

[SnOwCrAsHeD 56]

Same day as me.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

My surgery date is July 20. I'm male, 5'7" with a BMI of 40. I began my preop diet Monday and so far have lost almost 5 pounds. My diet is primarily a Protein shake for breakfast, one for lunch, and a lean Protein and vegetables at dinner. I also am drinking 64 ounces of Water (or the like) each day.

So I've said good-bye to espresso drinks, ice cream, Mexican food, Wings, Beer, etc. And now I'm starting question my decision to go forward with the sleeve because of the permanence of this procedure. The way I see it I will rarely if ever be able to enjoy these things again.

However, I know my health will improve. My Diabetes Type 2 will disappear quickly, my sleep apnea will become less of an issue if not go away all together, and my high blood pressure and cholesterol numbers should improve as well, not to mention getting into a normal weight range.

How did you deal with the buyer's remorse, and what would you have done differently if you had to do it over again?

Thanks!

For the record, I'm almost 11 months post-op, have reached my target and am now 5 pounds below. I've eaten (wisely) caffe lattes, pizza (thin crust), wine, scotch, chocolate, wings, BBQ'ed ribs, pulled pork, and even ice cream. But not a lot at a time (with one exception - ugh!), and I've counted every calorie and macronutrient on www.myfitnesspal.com.

You're not forbidden from most of those foods. But you can't eat it like you used to eat it. And you wouldn't want to, right?

There seems to be a terrible misperception that all luscious foods are off the table (so to speak) permanently for WLS patients. There's also a dramatic variance in what surgeons tell their patients they can eat post-op.

Yes, our prescribed diets for the first few / six / twelve months are a bit rigid. But eventually when you hit your target, you'll have to take responsibility for figuring out how YOU are going to stop the scale from falling and stop it from going up. Suddenly, you'll be in the same situation the skinny people are. Shocker!

[JohnT 12]

Thanks everyone! I know this is the right thing to do. Sometimes it is just reassuring to hear from others that are doing or have done the same thing.