How Did You...

Mentally Prepare yourself to WLS? Hello Fellow Amosers, I just have so many questions!! And since there's this board for people that have had high BMI's I feel very comfortable asking questions here...so thank you! So one of my questions for now is how did you mentally and emotionally prepare yourself? *smoochies* ~NEVER SURRENDER~ ~T~

i quite literally believed that if i did not have the surgery i would not live. that's all the mental prep i needed. still loving that signature. NEVER SURRENDER. take it easy dorthe

Welcome!! You will find a wide variety of things! For me personally- research, research, and more research.. I totally consumed myself on these boards reading all the posts from the main board and my local board.. I read peoples profiles.. both success stories and the not so successful ones.. I spent some time going through the memorial page so that I knew and faced the fact that the surgery is drastic, dangerous to some degree and can result in death.. Granted the risk is quite low, its still there.. I asked questions when I didnt understand what someone was talking about.. I also went the extra step and cut out all sugar and soda 3 months before my approval, I started drinking protein drinks and counting my protein.. I started using fitday.com for my food log so that after surgery it was second nature to do it.. As far as actually preparing emotionally and mentally for surgery.. I say do all you can to adjust yourself before surgery because you go through so many changes after surgery that you really dont need to be fighting sugar and soda withdrawls.. No matter how much you think you are totally prepared you will still find things that you didnt prepare for.. But for me, as a fresh post-op, it was all totally worth it.. I went into surgery knowing the facts and confident that this was a lifestyle that I could happily live with.. Good luc****ep posting and let us know how things are going! Amber M*

Hi T~T, I am not sure if I am mentally prepared......!!!!!! When I first heard about this surgery, it was on the news about Carnie Wilson, and then a few years ago, I saw an old friend and she told me that she had surgery. It was then that I thought about doing it. BUT, then I heard about the countless deaths after this surgery, so I backed off. A year ago, I decided to go ahead with it, and at the informational seminar, I was again reminded about the death rate, made an excuse and I stopped my research. 1 year and 50lbs later, here I am, on the battlefield again. I am done with the first phase of my journey, I am waiting on my date, and I am to DEATH. At one point, I could not wait for those 3 words, we all want to hear so badly,"YOU ARE APPROVED". I could not eat, sleep, or think. My every waking moment was spent on this surgery, researching it, praying that I get approved and jumping through every loop they wanted me too. Now, that I have my approval for WLS, I am feeling like I want to back out. I am 337lbs and I know that I need this surgery to save my life. I have countless co-morbidities and I feel like . I even had a date for 8/24 for WLS, and I rescheduled my date to 12/19, making school my excuse. Yeah, I know that it is an excuse, because I could have started school in Jan 06. I am confused about something that I need (WLS) vs. something that I want (Nursing School). So I am glad that you asked this question, because I am such a chicken when it comes to asking question or asking for help and I am sorry for venting. So to make a long story short, NO, I may NOT BE MENTALLY PREPARED for WLS, and I am not sure how to mentally prepare myself. I thought I was so ready to have WLS, until I saw this post and I did not have a real answer. I am at myself, because I have come this far and I feel like turning around. I know that you are asking this question T~T, but for those who are reading this post, I am asking also, HOW DO I MENTALLY PREPARE MYSELF FOR WLS? Again, I thank you for letting me vent, but you will be amazed how someone else's question can give you an answer. Any suggestions for T~T and myself. I am looking forward to your responses and T~T I am sorry for the ....HIJACK.... of your post, but a sister needs help too. Your WLS Partner, Nissah 360/337/???/180 2 many days 2 count....

I feel the same way Nissah. Huggs, Ruth

You can only prepare yourself so much.... there are always surprises!!! I was so scared that I kept myself so obsessively busy before surgery that I literally didn't have time to scratch my behind.... that was my sick way of dealing... but whatever works!! I had spent much time investigating... but also knew that my life was spirally down out of control and that it was a matter of time before I would be disabled or dead... so I had reached the point of no return. After surgery I was surprised by a few things... I had read enough to expect the obvious 1. Some of us have been self-medicating with food in order to alleviate depression... I figure for me about 30 years worth.... when I could no longer eat and do that.... I spun into a full blown depressive episode... advice: find someone now who is experienced with WLS patients if possible to help you deal with this if it should surface. 2. I did not expect to be out of work as long as I was..... I went out.. came back to work... and had to go out again.... I am still not totally on my feet and having to get iron infusions every couple of months... not to mention frequent drs appointments with a number of specialists... make sure finances and insurances are in good shape. 3. I did not expect some of the vindictiveness I encountered from people I did not expect... it was almost as if they did not take me seriously when I was very, very fat... but as I lost weight, I became threatening to them in a big way and claws came out .... especially in the work environment! 4. I did not realize how invisible I was being fat.... people really do ignore you... you just don't notice .... and it was uncomfortable and a little annoying to start getting attention for the same things I had been doing for years.... it was as if I had not existed! Good Luck B