So, I've completed about 6 months of prep work including attending an in-person support group, 2 meetings with my primary care doc, 3 meetings with the nutritionist, 1 fitness class, 2 surgical consults, an upper endoscopy (I have acid reflux), an MRI (I get migraines), reading through a large informational binder, and watching a couple of hours worth of informational videos ... Now, finally, I've had my last consult, scheduled my final blood test (they're very thorough around here), and will soon schedule the surgery and I'm freaking out a little.

I don't know anyone who has done this.

I'm afraid of losing a lot of weight really fast and I'm afraid of NOT losing a lot of weight really fast. I'm afraid to tell people because I don't want their judgment, but I'm afraid to not tell people and have them assume I'm sick or something when I start dropping weight.

So, how does this work for real people? Don't sugarcoat it, and not just because we're not supposed to have sugar anymore (ha-ha). Does life go on? Every time I google "weight loss surgery real stories" I get some pretty scary articles. If you respond to this, I can only assume you didn't die of starvation or lose interest in all aspects of life due to post-surgery crippling depression. Please help me understand what this is really like for real folks (not the smiling faces in the brochures). Please and thank you!

The unknown can always be scary. At your stage, I would recommend three things.

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.
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.

I am 4 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. I wrote a short article that describes my experience. http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

I am day 5 post op and everything seems to be going well. The only issue I am having is that none of my appoved liquids appeal to me. I have mainly been drinking water and Gatorade. As far as physical pain its more just soreness at this point, I only take the meds when I am ready for bed.

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Thank you both for replying. It's helpful to get some information from people who are/ have gone through the same thing.

I really relate to the piece about not "seeing" our obesity. Sometimes, someone takes a photo with me in it and I'm shocked at how much space I take up.

1) get used to always being asked if you've lost weight/how you did it/ what did you have surgery for/etc. I recommend finding an answer and sticking to it. The only people that know the finer details about what i had surgery for are my husband and my surgeon. Everyone else just knows I had health issues that i decided to take Care of. It's amazing how many people respect that answer

2) expect to hate food. After time it begins to taste better, but it's neither fun to eat nor comforting to feel full. If you're like me, you'll be excited for this part before it happens and then go through a full blown ptsd/mourning cycle because of it.

3) expect to have random pain after the initial pains go away. I've done something to my left side twice now. It feels like a pulled muscle or some sure of other issue. A visit to the Dr is most likely needed

4) expect to be dead tired but fill of energy at the same time. I spring cleaned my house and made quite an impressive payday just from selling stuff I didnt need or want.

5) expect the weight to come off in waves. Easier to control. You'll plateau in between waves to give your body a much needed break.

6) expect to gain weight from surgery . ThIs is from air, swelling and your body Trying to protect itself. I gained 20 lbs and it took me a week and a half to lose it before i saw real weight dropping.

HW: 328 (02/21/17)
SW: 271 (05/24/17)
CW: 248 (06/24/17)

I tell people when they ask where I've disappeared to I've stayed off social media before surgery kinda don't know if I want to document it to the world but if anyone asks I definitely let them know. You never know whose life you're saving or enlightening!

It's been absolutely amazing for me! I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I have had no issues at all. I'm never hungry. I had surgery on may 2nd and I am down 46lbs. The weight loss has slowed big time but I'm still dropping every week. I get full really fast, And when I say full I mean I'm not longer hungry at all. It was worth it to me 110%. All my health issues are gone, I feel alive again. I was scared beyond belief before surgery and then I just said to myself, it's going to be great and I'm going to be just fine. I wish I could tell everyone how great this surgery really is! Good luck to you!!!

I'm almost 9 weeks post op. The experience is nice. I was losing a pound a day last month now it's a pound or two every few days til I stall. There will be stalls. The only thing I hate is the constipation (TMI), the nausea upon waking up and the weakness. I have been getting bouts of energy lately. The best part is getting full fast. You get full off of protein and water fast. At least that's how it works for me.

Try to watch what you eat. Your pouch/sleeve can be fussy with what you put in it. You'll have your good days and your bad days. Hopefully more good than bad.

Hope this helped at least a little bit. Good luck with your surgery! [emoji846]


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HW- 273
Pre-op Wt- 230
SW- 226
CW- 190
GW- 130
Ht- 5'2.5"
DOS- April 26th, 2017

"Only those who try will become." ~FFX