Hi Sarah, Welcome to the group. I'm somewhat new here also, and all the emotions you're feeling is normal..

My surgery was 6/18/12. I feel great and would do it again in a heartbeat. I'll be honest and tell you that for me the first 5 days sucked, but once I got past that it was smooth sailing.

I didn't have to do a pre-op diet, so I can't comment on that but I hope it goes well for you!

Shelley

Thanks Shelley! I'm pouring through the discussions now and absorbing.

Yea, I'm expecting the first few days to kind of suck. I'm a nursing assistant going through nursing school, and I work on the floor that gets the bariatric patients at the local hospital, so I've been witness to the first few days of post-op. I just have to keep telling myself that it WILL get better.

I was really hoping that I wouldn't have to do one, especially since I'm down almost 30 pounds from my initial consultation, however Dr. Bruce (or Dr. Big Daddy as we lovingly refer to him on the floor) decided to have me do a week of it. Luckily, I've been drinking protein shakes for months now, and have come to kind of like and crave them, oddly enough.

Welcome Sarah!

New as well...surgery was 6/27.Theres some fantastic people here with experience to help you through a lot of your issues/questions. I'm going through the school of hard knocks and unlike Shelley,currently having buyers remorse. Dont let that disway you though for most here are doing absolutely wonderfully.

You'll do great!

Bonnie

Thank you Bonnie!

Why are you having buyer's remorse if you don't mind me asking? I like to know the good, the bad and the ugly when I'm going into things.

Thanks! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I have smooth sailing!

Welcome Sarah! I am new here too! My surgery is 9/21.

Thank you! Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! :D

Sarah, I'm dealing with trying to find foods that "LIKE" me. A bit tired of feeling YUKKY. I am a go getter and I just don't have the desire to do anything right now. Just feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all. I have control issues. If I don't like something, fix it and move on. I don't like being a debbie downer, loathe whinning and yet thats what I feel like. I hate wasting food as well and I have done a lot of that lately! I am sure it will pass.

The girls here have given me a lot of sound advice and I'm sure I'll pull through this in a bit. Made a new grocery list for tomorrow...trying new things and I'm sure my disposition will change.

You have great folks around you at work and on here.You'll do fine and feel better too. Go Get 'er done !!

Welcome!! My advice? ...stick with this group of people...they have been a wonderful source of help for me!

JJ

JJ is a sweety, she'll help lot Sarah!!

Well I am eleven months post op. I have to say that the first three months are an adjustment. For me, not really because of being hungry, because believe it or not, I was not hungry, but because food may not totally agree with you and it is hard to get used to the new smaller way of eating. It really seems to take a good three months to feel like you have a handle on the eating and mind games that you might play with yourself regarding food. I felt like I would never be able to really eat again, but sure enough, after three months I slowly could eat more normally. Food did not sit heavy in my tummy anymore and my energy came back. It is hard to really comprehend how food changes for you after surgery, but for me at least, my craving were no longer there. I am no longer a slave to food. I no longer obsess over what my next meal will be because it is simple (protein) and I am not starving and hungry feeling all the time like I used to be. I am so happy with the surgery. I realized going into this that I would need to work more on my emotional hunger since the physical one will really be controlled. I still have to work on not pushing food limits and being kind to myself with good, healthy foods. It is easy to slip back into eating comfort foods if you do not really work at it once you are about a year out, but you relearn how to eat along the way. Also the weight loss and being able to fit into clothes is a real positive thing that keeps me motivated. Make sure to follow the doctors plan after surgery because it will help you heal and the healing takes time even though for me I thought I was healed after a few weeks post op. Wrong... my insides were not healed. The dr. does a lot of stuff in there and even though the outside heals pretty fast, the inside takes time. You do not want to rush foods and cause an issue. Another thing I found was that I had trouble drinking plain water. It sat heavy and made me feel kind of bad. I had to add crystal light to it and then it was fine. Early on you will only be able to take little sips of liquid which seems strange, but just keep sipping through out the day. You do not want to get dehydrated. It can sneak up on you early on after surgery. It happened to me, but the dr. took care of it and I was fine after a short stay in the hospital. Make sure you get plenty of rest and take the pain meds if needed. It can help. Also, get some papaya enzymes from the drug store which will help take care of some of that full feeling you may get. Gas x strips are also super helpful with air pockets and gas. You bathroom habits may change and you may have to talk to your dr about taking something for regularity. Make sure to ask questions and call your dr with them as needed. Do not be shy and always advocate for your needs. Watch out for spicy foods early post op because you do not want to upset your tummy. Oh and one last thing, after surgery your hormones may be a little out of wack for a short time. You may get a bit emotional. Pretty normal. Try to deal with any emotional trauma you may have had which contributed to the weight gain in the first place. As you lose weight, these issues may need to be addressed since food will not stuff it down anymore if you know what I mean. I could keep going, but I am sure there are specific questions you have, so I will just say, best of luck with all. You will do great.

Welcome Sarah! I just had surgery on the 2nd and have had an easy recovery. This is my first week on "soft" foods and so far so good :) This is a great group so ask away...

I am 5 months post op, and really relied on this site to help through the 1st few weeks. My physical recovery was a breeze, but watching everyone eating around me did make the emotional recovery a little more rough. Once I stepped on the scale 2 weeks after surgery EVERY one of those feelings of resentment faded, and I have been been more then fine ever since!! Its the best decision I have ever made for myself.

My GB was last 9/12/2011 and the very best thing I have done for myself. Even though it took 5 years of reseach. Down 105 pounds and 20 more to goal. Good luck on your journey.

Hi, Sarah! I'm having my surgery on the 30th, too! We will have the same surgiversary! I'm pretty nervous, too, but it's just pre-surgery jitters. I can't wait to get to the other side! Welcome to the group!

Kim

Welcome to the group Sarah! Glad you were able to find us. This is a group of informative, supportive and friendly folk. You are about to embark on an amazing journey to a new life. Best to you. d