Thought we could start a new thread about both the physical and mental side of weightloss surgery. Before I had surgery I would here the men on this board talk about the mental side being harder...I'm going WHAT?? I'm going in for major surgery, losing a ton of weight and you say the mental side is harder!! For me it was one of those things that you don't know till you're in the middle of it. For me the mental side was harder. Surgery went OK...I had to go home with a catheter and bag for a week or so...Not good. Also went thought the "what have I done to myself" stage. As the pounds start to drop it became easier and easier to move. Yes, it was hard to get in all my protein and water (RNY). I would try and grab for energy early on and it just wasn't there...Those things were hard. But for me, wrapping myself around the whole idea of being a normal weight and how society treats me really threw me for a loop. I was standing taller, making eye contact. Beautiful women would come up to me and say "hello". I was getting treated better in business situations. I hear someone call someone else a "fatazz"...Then I tell them I had WLS...They backtrack really fast. You may not see weight discrimination until you're looking in from the outside. This stuff really threw me for a loop.
So what has been harder for you guys post op...The physical or mental side of WLS?? PS We do this thread every year or so...It is always good for the new men on the forum.

Speaking from four years out definitely the mental aspect.  The FART's can be an awesome highs.  But the lows - I would not wish those on my worst enemy. 

Looking back at the bull**** I put my ex-wife and mother through - they did not deserve any of it.  I've apoligized more than once and they have accepted them but I still feel crappy when I think back.

 For me, I had (have) a difficult time deciding if the emotional stuff I went through immediately post-surgery was due to the surgery or the massive amounts of personal BS I had to deal with at that time. Right now as I approach 3 months post-op I am on top of the world most of the time, high energy and I know this surgery was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. Physically I had no issues and the only lingering side effects are occasional constipation and dizziness. I did have my few minutes of "WTF have I done?"... It passed quickly.

 With being exactly one week out from surgery, I can tell you that it is a mix of both right now.   However, as each day I get physically stronger and have a bit more energy, I'm finding that the mental and emotional aspect is beginning to become more apparent. I find that I'm having to really push through the urges of what it used to be like to be able to eat whenever and whatever I wanted.  I was just talking to my wife last night and was telling her that I don't feel hungry but I miss eating food. I'm sure this will lessen a bit as I get to move towards solid foods over the next month or so, but it definitely is 180° turn for how I used to live my life... but I'm trying not to give these struggles more "weight" than they need to. I need to keep a long-term perspective on why I chose to have the surgery and the positive effects it can have on my life, time with my wife, and with our kids.

However, I will be a friend who talks to people who are considering the surgery with a more frank and open conversation because I feel that it's something I missed as I prepared for this process… It was always painted as a perfect, easy, best thing I could ever do situation… But, this is a life long change that is going to require a dramatic shift in how I used to live out my life. But I'm excited for it!!

In my two years since surgery, I've had both physical and mental issues. It would be hard to say which was worse for me. For the bulk of people, I'd agree it's the mental side. And even for those who have had physical issues, the mental aspect of beating up on yourself for having done this to yourself makes it tougher.

Anyone who thinks this is a walk in the park is flat out crazy. I'm not sure about anyone else, but everyday I worry about gaining weight back and failing yet again or worried that a day of feeling weak might mean another trip to the hospital with severe anemia. Yes, the highs are high, and the feeling of being normal is a real thrill, but the lows are there as well.

I love where I am today, but it does come at a price.

Well for me the first 2-3 weeks were hard physically, but after that it wasn't too bad. I did suffer from constipation until recently and gas is no fun.
But the realization you are married to a fat bigot for the last 35 years is a weird scenario.  I realize they are many aspects of being fat that are unhealthy and unattractive, but for better or worse, right?

I am trying really hard not to fall in to that train of though. The worst I have done is encouraged someone to have the surgery that was not interested in losing weight.

The hardest part for me is my sister who had the surgery 5 years ago and looked amazing. Now she has regained 2/3 of her weight back and is into denial about it.

Lord, don't let that happen to me.

The mental side for me has been the toughest part of it. This is coming from a guy who ended up having a leak and suffering for 6 months post-surgery.

There are significant adjustments. You feel like you own the world and, for me, I became out of control.

Alcohol became very dangerous for me ... I got pulled for a DUI ... that scared me straight.

Right now for me it is the mental situation. I am challenged by my new body that I can do a lot more and feel great - but my old ways stop me from being as active as I want or thinking that I want food rather than need it. Also, since I am nine months out I worry that every plateau I hit means that this is the end of the honeymoon and I could regain it all back. That sucks too. But I honestly have to keep believing that this will work if I allow it to and live the lifestyle that I am supposed to.