Walk me through this please

[fishey 5]

Hi - I’m very new. I have my first weight loss management session tomorrow (need 3 months doctor assisted weight loss meetings for insurance purposes). I’ve researched so much online. Two of my family members have had the vsg and it changed their lives. So I feel like I have a good grasp on what to expect realistically.

I’m 4’9” and 190 lbs. Before I had my kids I was always 118-125 lbs. I’m not expecting to be that thin again and I’m ok with that. I’d actually prefer to loose slowly. What I’m scared of the excess skin. We won’t have the money to have it removed so I’m stuck with it, lol.

I’m also terrified of going under anesthesia. I’ve done it so many times and every time I have such horrible anxiety. I know they give a nice anti anxiety cocktail the day of but I’m scared I’ll chicken out. I’m really scared, if I’m being honest. But I know I have to do something and in the last decade I haven’t been able to do it on my own.

Can you tell me about your experience? Especially anyone my size? Even just typing this my anxiety is up.

[fishey 5]

I’m also worried about the Hair loss which seems to be different for everyone.

[catwoman7 10,867]

just wanted to say that I've been working with the pre-op classes at my clinic for the last four years, and the two biggest fears they seem to have is Hair loss and excess skin. I was the same way when I was pre-op and early post-op, but I think most of us "vets" on here would tell you that in hindsight, those are such minor things in the grand scheme that many of us wonder why we wasted even one brain cell worrying about them. I would take the temporary hair loss and loose skin any day over weighing 373 lbs again. ANY DAY!!

people who've been around for awhile are probably sick of me posting this picture, but I'm going to post it anyway. I HAVE had plastic surgery, but this was taken before I had it. See any loose skin? No - you don't - because for most of us, it's very easy to hide in clothes. Of course, *I* knew it was there, but I highly doubt anyone else did. I just tucked it into my jeans or leggings and wore somewhat loose, long-ish tops with 3/4 length (or longer) sleeves. Ta da! Gone! (oh - and by the way - I hardly lost any hair at all. Many people do, but for most, they're the only ones who notice it. And it grows back)

Edited September 1, 2020 by catwoman7

[fishey 5]

Thank you for sharing! If it’s ok, may I ask you about exercising post op? With the little caloric intake you have, do you have the energy to work out? Do you feel weak (like when you go too long without eating and you get the shakes)?

And water!! I live in a very hot and dry climate and drink so much Water. Do you just sip all day long to stay hydrated?

[catwoman7 10,867]

I'm five years out, so life is very different now than it was when I was newly post-op. I can maintain my weight now if I stay within 1500-1700 calories a day - and I exercise probably five days a week. I have tons of energy - and I haven't sipped Water in quite awhile - I can drink normally. The sipping all day thing is more common in the early weeks after surgery.

I'm not sure how many calories I was taking in the first few weeks after surgery - but not many. Maybe 300 or 400 (??). And yes - you do get very tired. It's the trauma from the surgery plus the limited calories that cause it, I think. I was very tired the first few weeks - and it was probably two months before I felt like my old self again.

I started walking as soon as I got home from the hospital. At four weeks out, I was cleared for all exercise except for weights. And at eight weeks out, I was cleared for weights. At that time, besides walking, I did mostly yoga and water aerobics.

after the first month or two, I ate 600-800 calories a day for most of that first year. After the year mark, it was more like 1000-1200. I finally stopped losing weight at about 20 months out. And as I said I earlier, I can maintain as long as I stay in the 1500-1700 range. But that varies among people - some people can eat more than that, and some less...