NEWBIES/PRE-OPs - This is NOT EASY!

I think "easy" is relative. I think its more of getting used to it and adopting the change and yes the end result is that it is easier I suppose.

Yes!  I think that many people do not really understand that this is more about changing your life than about changing your lifestyle.  Everything needs to change.  In addition, the changes you make need to be permanent and you need to monitor them forever or until you want to gain your weight back. 

Yep!

Totally agree with all of it except the protein shake part.  

I finally dialed in my "reese's cup" shake and if I had to I could live on it (not really, but it is pretty good)  2 scoops of isopure low carb dutch chocolate and two teaspoons of chocolate PB2 in 12 oz ice cold water and shaken in a small cup with a shaker ball.  breakfast every day after the workout and I totally dig it.  

I have my go to shakes and I used to have one just like that and I got burned out on it. I tried to make one the other day because its been about year and I almost vomited, never say never. Variety is also important to stave off burn out, so keep that in mind too. I am out of my favorite flavor right now and in the middle of a move into a much much smaller place so I am holding off on buying anything right now but I am suffering through what I have hanging around.

Good points, all, but I do have to disagree in the "HARD" section.

To me, this was the single EASIEST thing I've ever done! Why? Because I had no choice. I might have a different value on what is hard. To me, hard is cancer, blind, paralyzed, take your pick. HARD is what you make it. When someone else dictates the way you need to be (in this case, the surgeon), then if you don't follow orders it might become hard! But "hard"? As in "difficult?" Don't you really thing stuffing ourselves on whatever damn thing we wanted to eat was easy??? Switch it around. Take this as it is meant to be: a TOOL. A tool you use all day, every day. Isn't the reason we finally all opted for this surgery is for someone else to call the shots?? Because we knew already that we could not??? This is stomach surgery NOT brain surgery. The brain is a tough one. The stomach is easy.

That's how I feel about it. You can make this HARD or you can comply and get along with it. If you're expecting not to have to make some changes, lifelong changes, then perhaps surgery isn't for you. I'm being straight. You cannot have this surgery and then lay there waiting for it all to miraculously melt away. Even if all you do is WALK, it's exercise. Most of the heavyweights (sorry) aren't getting any exercise. They are exhausted hauling their bulk around. Do this next time you're in Walmart or Target....carry two large bags (14-22 lbs each) of dog or cat food around with you the entire time you're in the store. Get tired????? Clumsy? Losing strength??? Think how easy it will be with 28-44 lbs gone? GONE! Of course you're going to be able to move better.

One day, before you know it, you're going to not have to get into a sweat putting on shoes. You won't have to search for a table that you can hide behind, because you CAN fit into the booth. Your mind won't believe it, nor will your eyes. Our fat selves continue to react as the former person. You get used to how you have to be in strategic seating in a restaurant and when you can and will fit into a 'normal' place, you'll be shocked. We still see ourselves as fat.

Frankly, I think it's the surgeons NOT getting the word out, not making a life plan for the candidates. Not enforcing psychological evaluations, not providing nutritionists other than a preprinted grocery list, not teaching alternative ways to exercise until you can do it like anyone else. I think there are a huge amount of surgeons just happy to take the $$ and not provide any pre or after care services. And for all those $$, the recipients are not doing themselves a favor by not preparing in all the ways you need to prepare: THIS IS LIFE ALTERING!

If you don't have a support group, be here on OH all the time. Ask the questions. Yes we've all heard the ridiculous and the obvious and the monotonous. But someone will answer. The only question that is stupid is the one not asked.

Because the bulk of us change so dramatically, we tend to disappear here without warning or a goodbye. I am back because I needed to get realigned with my lifestyle. I needed to be responsible publicly for my choices. It helps me refrain from bad choices. We have tons of encouragement, tons of stories, tons of help, tons of support here.

I am not going to disagree with you but you also seem very dialed in. You accepted you didn't have a choice so everything is easy after that. My experience was much the same as yours. I did not find it difficult but I did take my licks on the way down too.

Great post Keith! I agree, my brother & some of my friends haven't gotten the memo that this is my life now & I won't be changing back to those unhealthy habits. The only items on your list that didn't effect me was the inability to poop (that's always been normal) and hunger ( been gone since day 1). 

I am envious. I only experience "hunger" when I don't get enough sleep (its a very physical hunger, body telling me something type of thing) or when I am stressed (total head hunger looking for comfort). As for pooping I have learned to make fiber a regular thing but there is nothing regular about the results.

Thank you Keith for being so honest. I've been reading the posts for 3 weeks now. If I am going to do this surgery I don't want it sugarcoated. I want to know exactly what is going to be happening with my body and how I'm going to feel. I want to know that It's going to be work but so worth it in the end! I dont think the physical will get to me as much as the Mental side of it will. It's the mental that worries me, makes me think what if i fail? So your post reminds me that this choice is not an easy way out but something to help me live my life to the fullest before its time to check out! Be well and keep posting the truth!  ~Suna