Hello looking for support group

[tonewbeginnings]

Just found this online support sight and hoping it is current.
I am days away from having my gastric sleeve surgery and feelings scared, apprehensive and alone. I know I am doing this for all the right reasons and have been considering it for years but was scared. I guess i waited until my medical problems got bad enough that made the risk/benefit ration seem better. Still nervous about what I am getting myself into.

[MikeMo]

Welcome to our world. Yep, we're all active and here. This site has a nice mix of folks, from relative surgery newbies like me up through others that have gone 3 or more years since their surgeries. So bring your questions and concerns, will pretty much guarantee that someone has had the same experience as you are going through!

As for your immediate situation going into surgery -- being scared and apprehensive drops you into a group that around 99% of us belonged to prior to our operations. It's pretty intense knowing you're going in for an operation, more so for a procedure that seems "discretionary" and some might say a sign of "failure" to diet successfully. What gets left out of that statement is that the overwhelming majority of folks who go down the diet road flounder at some point, most typically within a year or two of their major loss. And those folks go on to gain more weight. There is a whole bundle of biological and neurological factors that go into that failure rate, and bottom line, willpower is seriously oversold for folks who are severely overweight.

The procedure is a life changer, and know that the first few weeks can be pretty intense. What you can eat, and particularly how much, changes dramatically. That can be scary, particularly the few weeks when you're healing up. Over time, you acclimate to your new dietary reality, and it gets much easier. I've found in my case that fatty foods really don't do it for me any longer, not only do I not crave them but they make me ill when I eat much of it. Best part, I don't feel hunger even though I'm eating far less than ever before, and consistently losing weight.

I'm sure others will chime in, but in the meantime, don't hesitate to ask questions or share with the group. So much of this process is wrapping your head around a new relationship with food. Sharing with others in the same path really helps out. Best wishes, and hang in there!

[KiwiGal]

Welcome! There are loads of wonderful people on this forum who are only too willing to share their experiences with you.
Apprehension is normal but I'm sure that like all of us here you have not entered into the surgery option easily.
Personally it is the single best thing that I have ever done for myself.
Ask lots of questions, use the search function.
Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

[tonewbeginnings]

Thanks MikeMo, appreciate the response. Sounds like you are off to a great start. I am indeed afraid of those first couple of weeks. Also giving up my food is super scary for me. It's where I get all my endorphins from. It's like telling an alcoholic that they are going to have a new relationship with alcohol, but they don't want to give up their alcholhol.
Thanks again, Sounds like you are doing well.

[tonewbeginnings]

Thank you so much.

[Christie13]

It is normal to be a little scared. You'll be fine. The first week is the hardest. But it will get a little better and easier each day. Welcome! Be active and get the most out of this site. Reach out when you need help.