(cross-posted to the general "Introductions" Forum)

Hi all

Been reading through these forums and found lots of very useful/helpful information.

I first saw my Consultant - Shaw Somers - June 2007, where he said I would be a good candidate for WLS. It has taken a further 6 months for me to decide that I want to go ahead.

I phoned the unit in Chichester on Monday and yesterday they told me I could have the op on 31st Jan - 3 weeks away. They initially said I could have 17th if I wanted, but there is too much for me to sort out for that deadline - plus it seemed too rushed.

Anyway, I have lots of reservations, still, about all this but think it is the right choice when I weigh everything up.

Today, after the initial excitement yesterday, I feel depressed that it has come to this. That I am a failure and rather pathetic that I can't use will power and just stop stuffing my face! I am disgusted that I am electing to have surgery when I am healthy, because I choose to overeat. I see sick and dying people in my job who would give anything to be in my position. Yet here I am, choosing to go through a surgical procedure to "be normal".

Sorry to be such a misery, but I thought I might as well be completely honest from the start.

All comments, negative and positive, are very welcome. Did anyone else feel this way?

First of all, good luck with your operation. That represents the start of an exciting weight loss journey that will transform the quality of your life.

It's natural to have doubts/reservations about WLS. Everyone asks questions before they decide to have the surgery. I certainly did. Then I realised that unless I had the surgery, my life was going downhill fast with no hope of happiness in sight. You are not alone in having these feeling prior to surgery.

As for will power, you will need plenty of it after your operation. The band, by itself, will not lose the weight for you. It requires work and effort on your part to succeed. As it's so often said, the band is a tool. It still requires will power to make the necessary lifestyle changes that you will need to make in order to lose the weight. Portion control, exercise, not cheating... these are tests of your will power. If you believe that your weight loss is of such great focus in this part of your life, then you'll do it.

Support is vital. Family, friends, this forum, there's always someone to support you. Give yourself a reasonable length of time to lose the weight. I gave myself a year. You will have ups and downs, but overall more victories than defeats. Make your weight loss journey something to Celebrate and be proud of and don't beat yourself up.

So prepare yourself for the new you. Be confident in yourself to lose weight and enjoy the journey.

Thanks Steve, that is very comforting.

And you, Sir, are looking amazing! :cursing:

That very kind of you to say. Thank you very much.

Take care and don't forget there's always support for you on these forums.

hi julie

found you after a lot of looking and reregistering, you will be fine your story is like so many of us, what your going through is what we all went through, am l doing the right thing l had doubts walking down to theatre, and when laying there, but today its been the best thing l ever did

take care

wendy

x:thumbup:

hi julie

found you after a lot of looking and reregistering, you will be fine your story is like so many of us, what your going through is what we all went through, am l doing the right thing l had doubts walking down to theatre, and when laying there, but today its been the best thing l ever did

take care

wendy

x:thumbup:

Wendy! Good to see you here, considering it was you that first put my mind at rest after talking to me on the phone

Anyway, this is the thread I mentioned that has been very interesting to me:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/ive-got-ask-85076/

I'll call you after your fill on Tues.

Well, I'm done and now on my third day. Still very sore at the port site but ... I think ... starting to feel a leetle bit better there.

Slept most of yesterday off and on - just kept nodding off with no warning.

Gas still a problem, despite regular walking - though this has been slightly thwarted by the heavy snowfall we are experiencing. I don't want to risk slipping up outside, so my sojourns have to take place indoors, wearing away the carpet and totally confusing my poor dog

Am experiencing tightness when eating sloppy foods like yoghurt or Soup, which are both on the diet sheet issued by my dieticians and Shaw Somers. Funny how everyone's instructions differ so greatly. I am relieved I don't have to stick to liquids only for 4 weeks, like some I have seen here.

Have a feeling of calm which is not like me ... could be the remains of the anaesthesia I suppose

Well, I'm done and now on my third day. Still very sore at the port site but ... I think ... starting to feel a leetle bit better there.

Slept most of yesterday off and on - just kept nodding off with no warning.

Gas still a problem, despite regular walking - though this has been slightly thwarted by the heavy snowfall we are experiencing. I don't want to risk slipping up outside, so my sojourns have to take place indoors, wearing away the carpet and totally confusing my poor dog

Am experiencing tightness when eating sloppy foods like yoghurt or soup, which are both on the diet sheet issued by my dieticians and Shaw Somers. Funny how everyone's instructions differ so greatly. I am relieved I don't have to stick to liquids only for 4 weeks, like some I have seen here.

Have a feeling of calm which is not like me ... could be the remains of the anaesthesia I suppose

Well done for your operation. You've started a wonderful and exciting journey. Just follow the rules, be positive and enjoy the new you.

I had liquids for four weeks, which wasn't a problem for me. A variety of foods help, not just eating the same day in, day out.

You will be sore, but it does go away. You're doing the right thing by walking around, better to go for short walks when the weather improves.

So, good luck to you with your weight loss.

Hi Marmite Crumpet

Glad your op went well and don't worry, you will soon feel better.

I was done by Shaw's partner Guy Slater at St Richards back in November and am loving my band. I have lost 53lbs since starting the pre op diet and am feeling really well. I am just awaiting a date for my second fill as I couldn't make the appointment I got sent and they are so booked up that they haven't given me another date yet. Luckily I am still losing although my appetite has grown in the last few days.

Sue

Glad to hear you are feeling better. Well done and thanks for posting as I am soon to be banded and am reading everything I can.

Gas :cursing: Is that due to the op when they inflate you or a just a side-effect.........

It is all worth it in the end.

Keep smiling and walking - indeed, the snow isn't helping much!

take care

Lisa

Hi Marmite Crumpet

Glad your op went well and don't worry, you will soon feel better.

I was done by Shaw's partner Guy Slater at St Richards back in November and am loving my band. I have lost 53lbs since starting the pre op diet and am feeling really well. I am just awaiting a date for my second fill as I couldn't make the appointment I got sent and they are so booked up that they haven't given me another date yet. Luckily I am still losing although my appetite has grown in the last few days.

Sue

Wow, well done on that weight loss! I know they are very busy, which is why they are operating on weekends now too.

@Lisa-R: Yes, they pump the spaces between the organs full of gas. It separates them and makes it easier to work on the target organ, with less risk of damaging the surrounding structures.

congrats on getting your band!

im scheduled for tuesday @ ashford hospital in middlesex my surgeon is mr horner

i am still a little nervous but have met someone on facebook that was banded by the same surgeon 2 weeks ago and she has been helping me with my nerves a great deal as well as reading everyones experience on here, im no longer looking backwards im gonna look forwards with a big smile and know im gonna be around a while longer :bananalama:

Well done for your operation. You've started a wonderful and exciting journey. Just follow the rules, be positive and enjoy the new you.

I had liquids for four weeks, which wasn't a problem for me. A variety of foods help, not just eating the same day in, day out.

You will be sore, but it does go away. You're doing the right thing by walking around, better to go for short walks when the weather improves.

So, good luck to you with your weight loss. :cursing:

Wow! I am bored of liquids after only a week! And I am allowed full Soups and liquidised stuff, so shouldn't complain really! Just miss those textures so much.

Thanks for your continuing support Maincat

hi julie

glad to see yor doing well, lots of good support on here.

take it easy work next week!!!!

wendy

hi julie

glad to see yor doing well, lots of good support on here.

take it easy work next week!!!!

wendy

Wendy!

Feeling back to normal now really. Missing textured food and sick of blended soups, so ate some mash and cheese yesterday.

Anyway, check out my scar pictures 7 days post-op. Must be nuts showing off my swollen belly, but can only get better from now on :smile:

Hi I am Interested if Saw Summers works from a private hospital could anybody let me now which one it is or his he only NHS