Prepping for Weight Loss Surgery and Anxious, Looking for a Little Encouragement :)

Quasita · May 2016

I won't go into my full story, but let's just say that after losing a little over 100lbs on my own, we've decided to incorporate surgery, due to a long-standing stagnation of progress despite variations in diet, medications, etc. Basically, I'm the healthy, young but exceptionally heavy candidate that is "perfect" for it, and I've finally decided to pursue the suggestion... I've been fighting it for a while, in defiance.

Right now, I have a really great local support system, a supportive partner, a sense of dedication, a desire to change... and a boatload of anxiety. I'm really hoping that other people who have made this very difficult choice might be able to give me some encouragement. I've watched people get surgery and fail, I've even had someone in my life die after doing this, but I know that those cases were because they didn't stick to it... so I guess the question becomes... Can this really work?

What were the things you found most helpful for you during the transition? What questions did you ask your surgeon that afforded you the most helpful amounts of information? Did you experience any complications?

The weirdest thing about it for me is thinking that the expectation from my Bariatrics team, based on my history, is that if I have a roux en y procedure, I will likely lose the majority of my excess weight within 6-12 months... a projection of at least 150lbs. I'm starting at my initial weigh in of 440lbs, and they set the final goal at 175lbs (which I find really low, tbh). The idea of losing over half my person that quickly is freaking me out! lol

BodyByBex · May 2016

It can really work but it takes dedication and effort just like any other type or weight loss. I haven't personally experienced weight loss surgery but I do know someone who has. He did experience a lot of loose skin from losing so much weight so quickly.
Listen to the instructions given by your physician, and don't listen when people say getting surgery is just a cop out. I used to think that until I watched my friend struggle through it, and he still does to an extent, everyday.

Remember, just like with diet adjustments and exercise, this is a LIFESTYLE CHANGE. You've come this far, losing 100 pounds is not easy, so you can do this. Just maintain the discipline it took to lose that first 100 pounds and follow your physician's directives and you should be quite successful.

LOOKlove · May 2016

Surgery is no light subject. Just keep thinking positive. Congrats on how far you came on your weight loss journey & GOD BLESS

wolfgirl78 · May 2016

I had weight loss surgery, 4 years ago in June. I did research an decided the gastric sleeve was for me. Have you and your surgeon spoke about the sleeve as opposed to gastric bypass? Anyway, for me, the most important thing is/was back then logging my food. I will have to log the food for the rest of my life. I lost 102 lbs. I gained back 30. I started gaining when I stopped logging my food. WLS is a great tool. You will still have to put the work and effort in to maintain your loss. The good thing is even though I fell off the wagon, my tool is still here for me to use

tulips_and_tea · May 2016

Don't waste energy right now worrying about the expectations of your medical team and the target weight number they gave you. Right now it's much more important to learn how to eat properly after the surgery so that you can recover and learn new eating habits.

Whatever happens after that will be dependent on a lot of things and while it's good to have a guideline and goals you can't predict the future so just take it day by day.

Good luck and I hope you have a quick recovery!

Quasita · May 2016

wolfgirl78 wrote: »

I had weight loss surgery, 4 years ago in June. I did research an decided the gastric sleeve was for me. Have you and your surgeon spoke about the sleeve as opposed to gastric bypass? Anyway, for me, the most important thing is/was back then logging my food. I will have to log the food for the rest of my life. I lost 102 lbs. I gained back 30. I started gaining when I stopped logging my food. WLS is a great tool. You will still have to put the work and effort in to maintain your loss. The good thing is even though I fell off the wagon, my tool is still here for me to use

Oh yeah, I walked in there and told them that I wanted to get a sleeve gastrectomy but they want me to seriously consider the roux en y because of the fact that they can reverse it if necessary. I've been studying and reviewing the pros and cons of all the types, and was going to do a duodenal switch with sleeve, but was advised against the switch due to my not being particularly ill. Since I need to lose nearly 300lbs still, there is some concern... and I also don't experience consistent hunger impulses. My attraction to the sleeve was the idea that it could potentially remove my ability to feel hungry entirely.... but the surgical team would rather me focus on the more aggressive resolution that would provide some of the malabsorption benefits of the switch without the aggressive shortening of the bowel, and also provide the ability to reverse the surgery if what malnutrition issues I've had in the past become severely compounded by surgery and I need to have the ability to eat more.

Ant488 · May 2016

Feel free to add me.

Marram53 · May 2016

Yes -- When it comes right down to it - the best procedure is the one you are going to follow.... It sounds like your surgical team is pretty realistic as to the right surgery for you. Don't worry about the end result numbers. Yes you can easily lose 150lbs in the first year --- but in the first 6 months, maybe not. That said - you take it one pound at a time - follow the plan and start walking. here to support you !!!! Meg ..... #BariatricAfterCareSolutions

Prepping for Weight Loss Surgery and Anxious, Looking for a Little Encouragement :)

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