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I think this is why it's super important to go through the mental preparation for a long period of time, before surgery. I had about a year to think about it, due to classes, supervised diet, tests, and just finding a good time to get the surgery done. I went to support groups and listened to the peoples' stories...including the cautionary tales of people who had failed, and had to do it all over again, with the right mindset.

It's a challenge mentally, I mean the surgery is really the easy part. It's the mental part that we have to really get under control, because that's what will keep you healthy long-term. It's hard to give up your old lifestyle, there is a comfort in it and when you remove that, it's like you're naked, in a way...there is no protection anymore. You can't use food for any of the purposes you've been using it, to this point. It becomes fuel. It can taste good and you can enjoy it (what little of it you can eat) but in the end, if your mind is right, you will start to see it more as fuel than as anything else.

It's important to find other coping mechanisms - healthy ones. Exercise has been good for me as an outlet for stress and feeling good physically. Otherwise, try to stay busy with other things and start identifying and consciously thinking about all of the reasons your mind is trying to tell you to eat. Start to see how messed up your "programming" has been. It becomes super easy to see, now that you don't feel hunger and you aren't able to eat much of anything.

It's not an easy process, but embrace the change and set about the process of taking back control over your mind. You just had a procedure that will enable you to do that, and now you have the tools you need to reprogram yourself. You can do it, just take it one day at a time and each one will build on the previous one. The first week or two is the worst.

Edited by PorkChopExpress

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I think this is why it's super important to go through the mental preparation for a long period of time, before surgery. I had about a year to think about it, due to classes, supervised diet, tests, and just finding a good time to get the surgery done. I went to support groups and listened to the peoples' stories...including the cautionary tales of people who had failed, and had to do it all over again, with the right mindset.

It's a challenge mentally, I mean the surgery is really the easy part. It's the mental part that we have to really get under control, because that's what will keep you healthy long-term. It's hard to give up your old lifestyle, there is a comfort in it and when you remove that, it's like you're naked, in a way...there is no protection anymore. You can't use food for any of the purposes you've been using it, to this point. It becomes fuel. It can taste good and you can enjoy it (what little of it you can eat) but in the end, if your mind is right, you will start to see it more as fuel than as anything else.

It's important to find other coping mechanisms - healthy ones. Exercise has been good for me as an outlet for stress and feeling good physically. Otherwise, try to stay busy with other things and start identifying and consciously thinking about all of the reasons your mind is trying to tell you to eat. Start to see how messed up your "programming" has been. It becomes super easy to see, now that you don't feel hunger and you aren't able to eat much of anything.

It's not an easy process, but embrace the change and set about the process of taking back control over your mind. You just had a procedure that will enable you to do that, and now you have the tools you need to reprogram yourself. You can do it, just take it one day at a time and each one will build on the previous one. The first week or two is the worst.

THANK YOU!! This helped me a lot! I never really thought of it like that. This is a though process and I know the outcome will be a beautiful one.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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I think this is all part of the process honestly. I am 11 days out and just 2 or 3 days ago I stopped wishing I hadn't done it. The first week especially is TOUGH. 4 days out some friends stopped by and I literally burst into tears at the dinner table in front of everyone. About 3 days ago I had another absolute meltdown.

I think once I can get off the stupid all liquid diet on Tuesday I will feel even better about it. You have a lot going on right now and you're not getting proper nutrition yet. You're also still recovering from a major surgery and you had some bad symptoms afterwards. It makes sense that you're miserable.

It will get easier every day. I almost backed out the day before and then had complete regret for over a week, I think it's really common!

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@@busybeebug I really love your message, it made me smile just by reading it, I'm nervous, my sleeve date is November 28th and I've been praying on it and trying my hardest to just leave it in God's hands, thanks for sharing your wisdom.

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If God lead you to it, God will get you through it! I prayed leading up to this and always had a deep peace about it even when I was freaking out with the surface emotions.

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My surgery was Tues 18th, I was released Fri the 21st. Bloating was the reason they kept me the extra time.

I have also wondered if I made a mistake, will my life ever feel normal again??? Normally I would have rewarded myself with food for all of this trauma my body has been thru.

I don't know if I'm still in pain, hungry, full or exactly how I feel. I'm afraid to voice these feelings to my family because I've failed so many diets my entire life.

I'm drinking Water ok, drinking my Protein drinks and shakes and Soup. But I'm afraid to drink too much, I don't know if it's too little. Ugh I don't even know if I have felt hunger yet.

I'm thankful for no nausea, I assumed that would be my biggest battle. The gas and pain from it shooting around inside me has been my biggest issue.

I had 10 months to make this decision. Tests, therapy, 2 sleep studies, supervised diet, etc., etc. I didn't know that I would feel deprived after the trauma of surgery because I couldn't reward myself with food of my choosing.

My family has been so great, and extremely supportive but I still feel alone and scared. I know I will lose weight, I just don't want to gain it back. I want this to work. I feel like I've done so much prep work I'm shocked I feel this way. So I want to make sure I get all I can from my hour money and recovery.

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I think its normal to feel regret. Im 3 days postop also and also feeling the same.. lets hang in there. I really feel like once the nausea and pain is gone and the liquid phase is.over, its going to be better.. i also have to keep.reminding myself that the hunger.is all.in my mind..

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I find it interesting to see this topic come up so frequently. I will normally pass these by, but your concern seems genuine and not a run of the mill cry for attention.

When you were approved for surgery, did you have any comorbidities? I would wager you did not or if you did they were minor. I do not say that to downplay or belittle your situation! You may have had high blood sugar or blood pressure or something along the lines like that, but those are manageable things. I had them too! But I also had several other things going on as well. I could not lift my left leg up to walk normal. I was literally dragging it at times. My back was screaming in agony 24/7. I had a standing prescription for painkillers and muscle relaxers for the past 10 years. Can you imagine that? I didn't even have to go to my Dr's office for a renewal script of Percocet & Vicodin.

So when I had my surgery did I have those feelings of regret? Sure I did. But I also had it in my head that the trade off was going to be worth it. So in under 2 years, I went from unable to lift my own leg off the ground to doing a 230lbs deadlift. I am now able to do things that were impossible for me before. That's what I recommend you set your eyes on. Find a prize and go after it.

As a comparison example, my wife did not have any comorbidities. She was a wreck after her surgery. A seriously emotion mess. food is for her a emotional as well as cultural thing. Being Costa Rican and unable to eat carbs was enough to reduce her to a sopping wet wad of tears and over-sized clothes! Once she got past the first month and the hormones started getting under control, she has grabbed life by the horns and not looked back.

Best of luck to you.

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We all been there especially in the first few days weeks after surgery. We have to prepare mentally as well and keep moving forward and remember why we did the surgery. It's definitely a change of lifestyle. I'm 17 months postop

HW 340 CW 200. I passed my goal weight of 230. I'm starting the gym again to reach my new goal of 190 or 185. Be strong. It's worth the struggle in the beginning. I added some pics to maybe help. post-244766-14772275936879_thumb.jpg post-244766-14772276117954_thumb.jpg post-244766-1477227663886_thumb.jpg

post-244766-1477227709351_thumb.jpg

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Hello Everyone,

I had my surgery 5 days ago. And it's honestly been super tough. My surgery was Monday, and I stayed in the hospital until Thursday. ( no surgical complications, gas wouldn't pass, and throwing up the whole time). Now I am home, and it's tough. My mind still thinks that I am hungry and I know that I am not. It's really difficult trying to transition from eating all the time, to not being hungry at all. I feel that I am starting to become a tad bit depressed. My family doesn't seem to grasp the whole situation and fail to realize that I am alone on this journey. I feel like I've mad a complete mistake with this surgery, but I know it's just my mind overthinking. I'm very happy I've made this choice. Maybe it's me thinking that I'll never be the same again? Which I know that is true, but the same as being the same bubbly personality. It's really a though journey and I honestly didn't think it would be this TOUGH!!! I should've prepared myself mentally for this, I only focused on the physical parts and now I am struggling. I know the outcome will be worth it, but at the moment, I feel I've made a mistake- How do you cheer yourself up from feeling so down? When will it all get better?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had he same situation but it's all because of my mother and brother that I'm Able to be positive... I get upset everyday.. everyday there domes a point where I'm super depressed and upset but tbh there is no going back ... even if u regret it there is ntn u can do to change that and u HAVE to move forward... but the choice is urs whether to move forward crying or smiling... I choose smiling ... I know it's a tough thing to say but it's the truth and trust me I fall everyday... it's been 27 days since my surgery and I have already broken down twice so I feel ur pain... plus I'm a foodie and my house has 3 chefs one of them is me... so the kind of food I'm around.. u cannot imagine... that's why I get weak again n again but the fact is no matter how weak I get I cannot change anything so I just have to tough it out and reach my goal weight so I can be back to normal...

also I feel sometimes that I was always meant to be a fat person... I feel maybe I was fun being fat and I'll loose my personality if I loose all the weight... I feel I won't be the same funny person anymore but that's something I haven't figured out yet... that I'll figure out with time I guess... be strong darling.. u r not alone .. and I'm glad I'm not alone and I know someone who feels the same way as I do

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@@acm22_ Keep a list of all the things you want to do once you've lost weight and when you're having a tough time- review it and remember why you're doing this! I had surgery 10/18 - stayed in hospital for 4 days due to nausea. The first night and next day I was in regret mode. I've been home since Friday and doing fairly well. I'm looking forward and keeping my eyes on the prize! Be sure to take your PPI (acid reducer), drink plenty of fluids and keep your mind occupied(read, color, go for a walk, talk to a friend, add to your goal list, write in a journal, etc). Rest and take care of yourself both physically and mentally! Stay strong!

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Thank You Everyone, I really

Appreciate these words so much!!!! I guess this is just the biggest change that has happen to me in my 22 years of living.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

As you burn fat- your body is releasing all of the hormones stored in that fat - making you extremely emotional, depressed, etc. It's like PMS on super steroids! Get enough Water, Protein and take walks - you'll get past this! If it gets bad - talk to your Dr about it - you may need a short term antidepressant. You've got this!!!

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Thank You Everyone, I really

Appreciate these words so much!!!! I guess this is just the biggest change that has happen to me in my 22 years of living.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

As you burn fat- your body is releasing all of the hormones stored in that fat - making you extremely emotional, depressed, etc. It's like PMS on super steroids! Get enough Water, Protein and take walks - you'll get past this! If it gets bad - talk to your Dr about it - you may need a short term antidepressant. You've got this!!!
Thank you, I will do that: once I return to college I will take a few walks, we have many walking trails so I will definitely do that

-Ariannuhh❤️

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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