Desicion made

[mrsNilla 304]

Just a few thoughts... I'm new to the forum, I live in northern Europe, so the approach to WLS is different than in the US.

Here you have to show that you know how to diet (yo-yo for most of my life) by doing a VLCD under the watchful eye of a NUT. Did that successfully and the weight, once again, started creeping up... I know what I do wrong and to top it all up I have a mobility issue do to an illness (not weight related).

My NUT offered me the surgery and I was hesitant and wanted to think about it first, but yesterday I said yes and so the ball starts rolling. Mind you, I didn't go to the NUT with WLS as an option, I just wanted support for doing it the oldfashioned way.

I'm now waiting for my appointment to see my surgeon and hopefully on my way to the new and improved me just after new years. Apparently the wait time is not that long and I'm happy about that. Already looking forward to getting my surgery date. The NUT told me that they operate on people in much worse condition, so I should get the surgeons approval easily... We'll see.

I have a trip planned and am supposed to spend Thanksgiving with a good friend in FL. I hope to return for the next Thanksgiving as a smaller and healthier me.

I want to thank everyone who post with information, tips and success stories. I will be reading them all, while waiting for my turn.

So here I go, trying to shed some weight already before my pre-op diet and hoping not to have time to go back to bad eating habits.

Have a great fall and take care, my new virtual, no longer dysfunctional family!

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[James Marusek 5,244]

Here are three things to do while waiting for surgery.

1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.

2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery. Since you have a mobility issue, you might try another form of exercise to prepare for the surgery.

3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Agree with most of what James said above, but I would add, if you are a coffee or tea drinker, don't just give that up until your surgeon tells you he or she requires it. Not all US surgeons do, and I believe it is rare for European surgeons to require that. Good luck!

[Pescador 1,374]

My husband's health problems were pretty severe and he was afraid of surgery. I can say now he has been 100 lbs lighter, at 6'2", 210 lbs., since sleeving three years ago. I wish you the best, our lives changed drastically to the BEST ever with the sleeve. We only wish we had met our surgeon 10 years earlier!

[mrsNilla 304]

Thanks for the tips! The two things I'm dreading to give up are my carbonated Water and my huge cup of tea in the morning. Not even the tea that much.... I dislike regular Water.< /p>

I have been working hard with my physiotherapist and I'm happy to say that I'm in pretty good shape, if you take into account I had to learn how to walk again just over a year ago. So physically ok, but people talk about the mental rollercoaster after the surgery... But nobody really explains what and why it is hard? And not asking about the letting go of food like it was before. Can anyone give me a hint? Any way to prepare..?

The big no for getting the surgery here is smoking, absolutely not allowed. Also alcohol and certain medications are a problem, but I guess that is universal.

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[Bufflehead 6,358]

Okay, here are my thoughts on the "mental/emotional rollercoaster" aspect of things immediately after sleeve surgery. Not all of these will apply to everyone.

--Many people, especially obese people, may have been using food to comfort themselves or blunt their emotions, even without realizing it. When that security blanket is yanked away, it can be tough.

--You may (temporarily) lose physical hunger, but still have head hunger or cravings . . . with no way to indulge the cravings. That can be frustrating.

--Surgery is scary in and of itself. Then post-op, you feel weak, sore, and very tired. You may be used to taking care of yourself and taking care of others. All of a sudden you aren't quite up to certain tasks and may be relying on other people as well as relinquishing your role as caretaker. This can be stressful and disorienting.

--Hormones are stored in our fat cells. When we start flushing out our fat cells so quickly after surgery, we get a rush of hormones straight into the bloodstream. Hormonal overload can make people weepy, ragey, and everywhere in between.

--People are creatures of habit. You get used to the way you eat and the amount you eat. All of a sudden, that changes completely. What you eat, the texture of food you eat, how often you eat, why you eat, having to measure your portions and pay attention to eating slowly -- it stops so many habits cold, and that can be stressful.

So you add up some/all of these factors and it can be a big adjustment to make, without your usual comfort of your food and your normal habits and self-perception. It can be tough. But it's more of a general struggle than a specific issue that you can work on or prepare for.

That's just immediately post op . . . months after surgery, you can be dealing with different issues of self-perception, body image, changes to your relationships with friends and family.

[mrsNilla 304]

Bufflehead ❤

Thank you! The obvious change in food routines I had figured out, but hormones in fat cells?!? I read a lot, but didn't come accross that piece of information.

I also feel strongly about having a support person/group who knows what you are going thru. I do that for a different reason in my every day life. The knowledge in this group of people is so valuable to us all.

The surgery and following pain is a non-issue for me. This will just be one more to add to my list.

Still struggling with what to tell my Mom and when. She hates doctors and any medical procedures and is very vocal about it. She lives 300 miles away, so she doesn't see me that often. Maybe a suprise? ????

My dad will be fine with it and my hubby already knows what I decided to have done. But what to tell the other people in my life?

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