NEWBIES/PRE-OPs - This is NOT EASY!

I have been on this board for a while not, roughly 2 years solid and probably a couple before that just lurking. I have been very actively involved in this forum particularly since my surgery and I was once the Newbie with tons of questions and I got schooled like a puppy more than a few times. It used to be that the people who had serious problems would post about how hard things were and they really did have it hard. I remember a few that I thought if I had a similar experience I don't think I would have made it. But it seems to me that there are a lot more than normal "when does this get easier?" or "when will I be able to ..." posts.

I just want to say and this is meant with all of the concern that I have for those of you who need to be mentored and need some guidance that THIS IS NOT EASY. IT IS NEVER EASY. I WONT BECOME EASIER. You just get used to it...and that takes time. So give it its due time. Don't ru**** it will be over before you know it.

I don't know if surgeons are changing their marketing tactics or what but I think some of you have been sold a raw deal. This is a major surgery removing most of one of the most important organs in your body. This surgery forces you into a lifestyle that you were never able to adopt on your own. There is not turning back and there is no undoing this one. Once you are under you are committed to everything that comes with it. You can expect:

- Pain (mine wasn't that bad but everyone is different)

- Hunger (especially right after surgery, so don't be shocked, it takes a while for that to go away)

- Inability to eat/drink (especially right after surgery, everything is swollen and feels different and its rather uncomfortable, but you will learn what it all means)

- Inability to poop (get used to pooping a lot less than ever before and it is not likely it will ever return to "normal")

- To have to work hard (just eating less does not get you all the way there, you have to work at eating the right foods and exercising)

- Playing through the pain (yes you have knee/hip/ankle pain, but you have to walk anyway and yes it will hurt but it will be worth it...short of bone on bone, you aren't going to do more damage so take some anti-inflammatories and get out there and move)

- Protein Powder/Bars mostly taste like ass - but you need them (powder more than bars) to hit your protein goals, especially early out, so try a bunch and find a flavor you can live with and early out expect that to change every couple of weeks as your tastes will change)

- To make a bunch of mistakes (you can't learn without making a few mistakes)

- Stalling (yes it will happen and yes it will come to an end and yes at 3/6/9... weeks)

- Losing weight fast/slow (everyone loses at a different rate so don't try to compare to everyone else and next time I hear someone complain about only losing 2 lbs a week as slow I might lose my mind that is 7000 calories!!!!!)

I am sure there are many more. I just want new people to have a level expectation and I don't think surgeons are getting the job done or at the very least it is not sinking in. 

Please if any of you have question, please feel free to reach out to me or any of the people on here who have had surgery. I don't think I have met anyone on here yet that isn't willing to help...well maybe a few of my haters but hey you can't win them all, right?

Thanks for this

Great post, it is a lifestyle change!  I have noticed with some of the posts dealing with depression and the posts seeking advise, frankly the Doc should have experts in office to address depression and/or talked about the possibility before hand.   My experience, I was well informed, knew the obstacles and feel great doing exactly what I am suppose to do, exercise is the most important thing for mental health and coping!  I believe the exercise component is under estimated especially by those who have never done it, it's hard but once you see change so rewarding!  Thanks Keith!

When I first started looking into bariatric surgery the protocol was very different and I think some programs are certainly better than others. But when I first started you had to go through 6 months of psychological counseling with a weight loss/food addiction specialist. During your 6 month supervised diet you had to attend regular classes on fitness and nutrition. You had to sit with a nutritionist once a month. All kinds of stuff. Now it has become a business. Hell medicine has become much less about saving lives and helping people than it is about surviving and/or making money.

Great post!  It made my bookmark list of posts to keep 

I agree with everything you said, Keith. And I agree that this is not easy.

But I could also make a list of reasons why being obese is not easy. I will take the sleeved life over that any day :)

Oh for sure I wouldn't trade this for anything and I wish I had done it much much sooner. I have not complaints at all. I just have noticed an increase in "hey I am post-op day 3 and I don't look like brad pitt yet, what gives?" types of posts lately. Or hey I am one week out and I just ate a cheeseburger and I could only eat 2 bites, when will I be able to eat a whole one again?

I will caveat this with the fact that I am still very early out.

It's totally not easy, but it is SO WORTH IT!!!!

ABSOLUTELY!

Everything you said is true.  And it's also true that most worthwhile things in life have to be worked for, and fought for.  And, with practice, it does become easier over time to do the right thing.  But you do have to practice.