Having Second Thoughts

[calliegirl]

My surgery is scheduled for May 8 and I am really asking myself if I really want to do this. Getting really nervous about having something done that is irreversible. On the one hand I know that being 100 pounds overweight has impacted other health issue (Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea, Cholestrol, RA) and losing the weight will help. On the other hand, I have gained most of this weight since my thyroid went haywire about 8 years ago...until then I ate like crazy just to not fall below 125 lbs. I was up to 240 but have now dropped down to 224 since starting six month diet and now I'm on the pre surgery fluids. I am just not sure I have the willpower to make these changes. The idea of not having real food for a while is really disturbing. Does this mean no more chocolate, tiramisu, pasta or fresh baked breads forever? I'm really struggling with whether this is right decision for me. Is this normal?

[ShellBell33081]

It is normal to feel this way, but it will be worth it. You can have those foods again, but it will take a while and it will be in lesser amounts. You have to ask yourself if your health is worth destroying just to enjoy a bite of food? I did this to be healthy. It is difficult, but I've already lost 14lbs! The sacrifice of food is worth it to me Only you can make this decision. Good luck!

[Nadori]

I know the feeling im going through the second guessing too. but im just trying to keep myself buisy so i dont think about it much. Its a normal process for anyone having any type of surgery.

[Eshkeemo]

Well I'm not going to pressure you to continue with your surgery but you are right in your thoughts. I cannot speak from experience (yet) but this is a huge decision and it's kind of... well, life altering. You should make a list of things the surgery can help you accomplish and then look at everything you currently have now. In my opinion, it is a good choice to follow through with the surgery. It is your body and only you can make the decision. And it's not a now or never thing. I'm sure you've got plenty of time to decide. (:

Just my thoughts.

[cowgirljane]

I don't want to be discouraging because I am quite happy with my results, and want to share the joy, but I do think you are wise to listen to your second thoughts.

This is a big change, it isn't always easy, it isn't always fun. Are you ready to stop recreational eating? Sure, you can still have the occasional treat, and there are people who have the surgery and still eat crap and don't do that great as far as weight loss... so kinda defeats the purpose I don't know exactly how to convey this message - but your whole relationship with food and eating must change. Your priorities about what is important need to change - health and weight management have to be more important then your favorite foods, more important then your social events that center around food... you get the idea where I am going here.

I had been overweight most of my life - starting about age 4/5. I had periods of time when I was normal weight, or sorta close to normal weight (spent many years 25-50 pounds overweight). I had a lapband 10 years ago... and I was very very very hesitant to have this surgery. Partly because i had an idea of what I was in for. What convinced me is when i had my failed band removed and I was so hungry 24/7. It was miserable and I just feel that my obesity had so screwed up my system that i was no longer to lose/maintain weight without this procedure. If I could do it any other way, i would have.

I am probably in the minority here, but my advice is dont do it unless you are 100% sure. We all focus on the fear of the surgery, the liquid diet, recovering from surgery etc, but that is all temporary - it is the lifelong journey that people need to think about and really ask themselves if they are ready to face those challenges.

[Msvetrn]

COWGIRLJANE wrote, "I am probably in the minority here, but my advice is dont do it unless you are 100% sure. We all focus on the fear of the surgery, the liquid diet, recovering from surgery etc, but that is all temporary - it is the lifelong journey that people need to think about and really ask themselves if they are ready to face those challenges. "

I agree ONE HUNDRED PERCENT.

[Kelly Jo]

There is really no food that you can never have again. Its all in very restrictive amounts. You will be wise to avoid breads and pasta, but you can still have them occasionally. The post op liquid diet is hard, but for most surgeons its only for two weeks. Good luck to you.

[DollHouseKiera]

If you are having pre-surgery jitters, it's completely normal. If you are having serious doubts, please call your doctor's office and perhaps set up an appointment to talk out your doubts and fears. Discussing your major concerns with your doctor will let you conclude (at least 99%) if the surgery is right for you at this time.

Everyone is at least a little scared going into surgery, but you do want to make sure that you are sure of your decision.

[SHAWANNE]

Being over weight is NO joke Pray on it you will be fine !!!!!

[Shugaplum]

I had some of the same reservations. Will I ever be able to eat some foods again? This is not reversable, will I be ok? In the end, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Bear in mind...this DOES change your relationship with food, and you must be willing to accept that fact. The sleeve is only a tool, and you must use it to your advantage or it won't work for you!

[calliegirl]

Thanks to all of you who have responded. I have been doing some additional reading and I am going to attend a Sleeve Support Group tomorrow evening. I am starting to feel better about the surgery because deep down I really do want to lose the weight and feel more like myself again. I have six grandkids (3 in California and 3 in Texas) and I want to be the "fun" grandma again without having to limit my activities with them because I am so overweight that I tire too easily! My daughter in CA (a Fitness Director of all things) put it in simple terms for me. She reminded me that it has now been 20 years since her Dad passed after a heart attack and he was in good shape --she doesn't want to lose me too just because my weight has brought on so many health problems. I realize that the thyroid and the RA can't be fixed with the surgery but most of the other issues are weight related so I'm starting to see the light! Thanks again.

[pack89]

I think everyone goes through a period of "mourning" so to speak. We are losing a "friend" we sought out for comfort. We have been "set in our ways" for so long that it's hard to see past it sometimes. Instead of thinking about everything you will miss (ie food) think about everything you will gain. For me, it's date night with my hubby. Where do we go? Out to eat, of course! I'll still be able to do that, I just will have enough food for 4 meals instead of one.

Right now I don't have a ton of co-morbidities, but I know they are coming. I look at my parents, and can see where I'm heading. I think of all of the things I have missed out on with my older two kids, that I want to be able to do things with my 8yo. I'm tired of having to sit on the sidelines because I'm too fat or too tired to do the fun things. I have thought about various different weight-loss surgeries for many, many years, but I am sooooo glad that I waited until the sleeve became available. It seems like the perfect fit!

Do some thinking, do some praying, make a list of the pros and cons. Weigh (no pun intended) things out, read on here, ask more questions, you'll find your answers.

[Sleeve4ever]

Don't get discouraged. It is better to be healthier than eating the most delicious foods in the world all the time! You will be able to eat small amounts of the healthy foods, so by then you will not have the same urge or stomach size to crave that many more foods you used to have! Greasy foods and deserts are not the best answer for anyone's healthy, happy life! Don't worry that much and be READY for change. Get READY and GO for CHANGE! You are in the right track to even get rid of important medical problems besides obesity! We are all here to motivate you, but you will have to do certainly the main part in the WLS journey with changing your behavior towards food and exercise. The sleeve is a wonderful tool, but not the final answer to obesity. So, be ready for BIG changes and enjoy the ride. It will be the best ride you will ever take into health, fitness, and happiness with yourself!
God bless

[Slimgin]

Hello. Having the surgery if life changing for the better. I too wondered about all the foods I love and its the same foods that kept me over weight. You have your grandchildren to help you stay inspired. I say go to the support groups listen to other ppls experiences and journeys, read information. Hopefully you will get comfort from the information. If you chose not to have the surgery will you regret that choice in the future-when you decide make sure you do not regrets. Remember this surgery helps improve your health.