Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
Hey everyone!
I'm turning to the wonderful people here on DS in order to deal with my feelings of panic, so thanks for being here (or there) ;)
I've been working for about 2 years waiting for the planets to line up with getting approved etc. for gastric sleeve surgery. Now all of a sudden I have a surgery date for July 25, 2013. It seemed like I always had one more hoop to jump. It was daunting at times and I felt discouraged but I kept plugging along and now here I am - straight up scared!
I researched surgery, right foods and ways to approach the life change that can come with gastric surgery a while ago and it was very helpful to read the posts from all of you here. I felt uplifted, encouraged, sad and a whole range of other emotions including a few good belly laughs. I will be using the eggface website for sure. I know in my head that I'm most likely in grief cycles. I can't seem to talk myself down out of the trees so to speak (think -kitten that climbed a tall tree) AAAK!
For about 4 months now I have been practicing eating slower, not drinking with meals (harder than I gave it credit) sipping water all day (still struggle) I stopped eating fast foods and most all junk foods. I even broke my sugar carb spiral and got off chocolate (2-4 candy bars a day) with the help of dried figs and other more healthy food choices. I have been drinking fresh brewed tea instead of soda. I love the celestial season's bengal spice brewed cold with stivia -it's divine (8 bags in about a gallon of water) I have lost 25 pounds without even trying which is freaking me out too. I'm at 251 lbs now.
My mind is playing aweful bad nasty cruel no good dirty rotten tricks on me. Weight has been seriously problematic for me for at least 20 years now and I find myself wanting to back out. I'm afraid of loosing the foods that I have had a long love affair with. I'm afraid of not being able to turn to food for comfort even though I have been in 2 years of counseling and I understand the process. I guess I haven't discovered what I can do when I need that kind of comfort. I am single, my children are grown and wonderful, I'm even expecting to become a grandmother in December this year which is one of the many reasons I am having gastric surgery (my parents both died too young). I have 3 dogs that fill my life with so much love and we exercize together which works great because they have 4 inch legs and I can keep up with them most of the time! I also have multiple sclerosis -I'm "disabled" so I'm not able to work at my "normal" career job and I still miss this a lot.
Well, to get to it, I'm just still scared even though I have come a long way and I can rationalize a lot of the challenges, fears and other stuff. I have started sabotaging myself, I went to McDonald's twice now, I'm looking longingly at the cookie aisle in the grocery store and my head tells me "it's okay, you are going to have the surgery- get all the goodies now while you can". I bought a 2litre of pepsi next which is deadly to a recovering pepsi junkie like myself. I haven't gotten my nose back in the chocolate bag though, thankfully.
I have been feeling so much better after eating more sensibly and being able to move around. The panic and depressed feelings started ramping up shortly after I had a date set for the surgery. It still feels right and I believe I am making the best and most sound decission to go ahead with surgery. I've been on and done many of the same diet-weight gain roller coaster as so many people here. I am absolutely sure I will have challenges with eating in some way or another.
I'm stopping the crazy food train right now and I know that I don't think as well when i'm eating junk food. I'm still scared though....meow. ?
I'm turning to the wonderful people here on DS in order to deal with my feelings of panic, so thanks for being here (or there) ;)
I've been working for about 2 years waiting for the planets to line up with getting approved etc. for gastric sleeve surgery. Now all of a sudden I have a surgery date for July 25, 2013. It seemed like I always had one more hoop to jump. It was daunting at times and I felt discouraged but I kept plugging along and now here I am - straight up scared!
I researched surgery, right foods and ways to approach the life change that can come with gastric surgery a while ago and it was very helpful to read the posts from all of you here. I felt uplifted, encouraged, sad and a whole range of other emotions including a few good belly laughs. I will be using the eggface website for sure. I know in my head that I'm most likely in grief cycles. I can't seem to talk myself down out of the trees so to speak (think -kitten that climbed a tall tree) AAAK!
For about 4 months now I have been practicing eating slower, not drinking with meals (harder than I gave it credit) sipping water all day (still struggle) I stopped eating fast foods and most all junk foods. I even broke my sugar carb spiral and got off chocolate (2-4 candy bars a day) with the help of dried figs and other more healthy food choices. I have been drinking fresh brewed tea instead of soda. I love the celestial season's bengal spice brewed cold with stivia -it's divine (8 bags in about a gallon of water) I have lost 25 pounds without even trying which is freaking me out too. I'm at 251 lbs now.
My mind is playing aweful bad nasty cruel no good dirty rotten tricks on me. Weight has been seriously problematic for me for at least 20 years now and I find myself wanting to back out. I'm afraid of loosing the foods that I have had a long love affair with. I'm afraid of not being able to turn to food for comfort even though I have been in 2 years of counseling and I understand the process. I guess I haven't discovered what I can do when I need that kind of comfort. I am single, my children are grown and wonderful, I'm even expecting to become a grandmother in December this year which is one of the many reasons I am having gastric surgery (my parents both died too young). I have 3 dogs that fill my life with so much love and we exercize together which works great because they have 4 inch legs and I can keep up with them most of the time! I also have multiple sclerosis -I'm "disabled" so I'm not able to work at my "normal" career job and I still miss this a lot.
Well, to get to it, I'm just still scared even though I have come a long way and I can rationalize a lot of the challenges, fears and other stuff. I have started sabotaging myself, I went to McDonald's twice now, I'm looking longingly at the cookie aisle in the grocery store and my head tells me "it's okay, you are going to have the surgery- get all the goodies now while you can". I bought a 2litre of pepsi next which is deadly to a recovering pepsi junkie like myself. I haven't gotten my nose back in the chocolate bag though, thankfully.
I have been feeling so much better after eating more sensibly and being able to move around. The panic and depressed feelings started ramping up shortly after I had a date set for the surgery. It still feels right and I believe I am making the best and most sound decission to go ahead with surgery. I've been on and done many of the same diet-weight gain roller coaster as so many people here. I am absolutely sure I will have challenges with eating in some way or another.
I'm stopping the crazy food train right now and I know that I don't think as well when i'm eating junk food. I'm still scared though....meow. ?
Samona, my surgery is scheduled the day before yours. I see you are in Bremerton, I am in Spokane ... we will have to stay in touch and encourage each other!
One of the biggest things my neurologist used to tell me was that I had to change my eating habits.... Well, before WLS I was never able to do that... I was a 24oz 6pack a day diet pepsi junkie, who loved chips, choc chip cookies, and anything that resembled cake... Fried foods were my favorite....
I have been on disability for about 12 years as well... I have also had 7 spine surgeries, and a total knee replacement....Because of all my physical ailments I justified my eating habits and would tell myself I had nothing else and I would always be unhealthy, so why not do what I enjoy... EAT
Well, my replaced knee started giving out on a regular basis... I had reached 252 pounds and my knee was built to hold 200 pounds... My husband very lovingly told me it was time to consider the surgery....
I had brought it up 6 months prior, and he didn't agree at the time, but when he came to me, I knew it was time to do something.. I had NO energy, could barely get up our stairs, and did very little except go from the bed to the couch...
I decided on RNY surgery... And it was the best decision I ever made... I have lost 85 pounds (my surgery was 2/13/2013).. I lost 20 of that prior to surgery.... I have 17 pounds to reach my personal goal... I have gone from a size 22/24 to a size 8/10 or a medium in normal size clothes... And most importantly: My MS is in what I call remission... My neurologist can not believe how well I am doing.... I am climbing the stairs again, riding my motorcycle, my cholesterol is normal, my blood pressure is back to being its normal low, and I am quilting, and have even gone back to work part-time....
I was scared to death.... But at almost 29 years old, I feel like I have my life back again.... I have enjoyed swimming again this summer, and am doing things I never thought I would...
I have tried diet pepsi (with my nuts blessing), and honestly could care less about it.... I prefer my tea, or life water now.... I am loving veggies, and eating berry fruits... I have even learned to like my protein shakes.... I like having energy.... I love going to work ( I am just a cashier at a local drug store) but it feels good to be doing things again....
I truly don't miss my "old friends" : chocolate chip cookies, chips, fried foods... I ate one onion ring yesterday and wanted to spit it out it tasted so bad... And the guilt I felt all day was so not worth it....
Please trust me when I say, life after WLS is amazing.... You will change, and I hope like me, you see all the positive changes that I believe will come to you life....
My mother says all I talk about is this surgery, and my husbands response was: " I love listening to her and all the positive she talks about now. She isn't complaining about her back hurting, or falling into walls, or her knee giving out. And I love the smile I see when she looks in the mirror at the new her!" Gave my mother a new way to look at things...
Best of luck.... If you ever want to chat, please private message me.. I think we have a lot in common....