Wondering if I can really do this??

OK I went to the pre op class last week, surgery set for the 26th. They went over alot of info at the class and at times she talked so fast it seemed overwhelming. Now that I have some more quiet time to reflect and think I am wondering if I can handle all the post op "rules" to follow to be successful.  I really do want to be healthy, feel good, look good and so on but I must just be having pre op jitters. Did anyone else wondering before hand if they were really gonna be successful? Was is hard to follow the "rules"? AND did you ever feel hungry? I guess I am trying to visualize all this but still have the bigger appetite right now. Please assure me things aren't as hard as I am thinking they will be!!

Also new to this and completely understand where you are coming from! But when i think of the alternative of being overweight and having health risks, I think about my 3 kids and how I want to be able to be healthy and to be around for them and see them grow up, get married, and play with my grandkids, if I continue as I am now (which is overweight and un-motivated to get up and move much) what life am I giving my kids, I am already teaching them how to eat unhealthy due to how I grew up, do I want them to become overweight, and feel this way....I am hoping with WLS I can offer them better food choices and a healthier more active mother! Heres to WLS!!! YOU and I CAN DO IT....

It does seem very overwhelming and it is not easy but it was easier than I thought it would be.  There are a lot of rules but as you go through the experience you learn them, practice them and they eventually become second nature.  I rarely feel hungry.  If I am hungry between meals I drink one of the three glasses of milk I am supposed to drink each day w/ a packet of Carnation Instant Breakfast in it and that satisfies my hunger.  I think the times that I just want to munch out of boredom are the most challenging.  For now I have been able to distract myself w/ a walk when it is warm enough or with things like crossworkd puzzles, a great book, being online, etc.  If the urge to munch remains overwhelming a sugar free popcicle usually does the trick and counts toward my daily liquid intake requirement.  I still struggle to wrap my head around the small portions that I have been instructed to eat but if I concentrate on how I physically feel after eating the small amount I realize I am satisfied.  I have only lost 32-33 lbs. since my ten day pre-op liquid diet but I am feeling so much better and believe I made the right decision.  You can do this!

Being at the same pre-op class, I couldn't agree with you more.  There was so much information.  But I'm relying on them telling me more as each stage comes along with the appointments for follow up.  I'm trying to think one step at a time and looking outward only to the final goal.  The rest seems overwhelming now so I'm trying to simplify.  The one thing I'm not looking forward to is the head hunger.  That has gotten me in trouble in the past and it will be a battle even after.  But, you can do this.  You had a reason for starting this journey.  Make sure that part is firmly in your soul as you push through the upcoming obstacles.  I'm cheering for you 100%!

Was it hard to follow the rules? Yep! But it's worth it. I still get hungry - but a lot of people don't. No way for you to know in which group you'll be. This whole experience was a lot harder than I expected, but I wouldn't give it up for anything.

EVERYONE has pre-op jitters. You're totally normal!

It's so great to see all of the upcoming surgeries in March and April through Fairview.  I think Angelalue has the same surgery date as you, but w/ Dr Pierce.  It will be nice that so many of you will be close together as far as the eating stages so you can share info and learn together.  The first few weeks are alittle hard as far as feeling deprived. Once you get on to the pureed stage where you can add things like refried beans or thinned mashed potatos (those 2 things were my faves in that stage) you feel alittle more human. 

The hardest part for me was remembering to REALLY chew well. Practice that alot now. They tell you that, but I never really did. Still had my fat head, shoving  things in quickly to get that sort of feeling of relief food would give me.  I am rarely hungry now, maybe that will return.  I used to have to eat soon after waking or I'd almost feel nautious. Some days it's 11 before I realized I didn't eat anything and I am just not hungry, but decide it's time to eat.  I never would have believed that before surgery.  Those days don't happen often, just sometimes if I have an odd schedule for the day. Otherwise I do eat breakfast, usually protein shake or bar of some sort.  

You'll get used to your new lifestyle quickly I think, but understand you're unsure of how things will be after surgery.  That was my biggest concern, how things would be after, and there wasn't really a way for me to calm that uncertainty.  OH is a great place for asking questions, getting food ideas, etc. 

I agree with Kristy its great to see so many upcoming surgeries and with Fairview!! 

I think that its so common to be nervous, have jitters, and wonder if you can do this!!  That is very much a normal process of this journey. I won't lie and say this is easy its not. It takes a huge commitment and a change in your mind set with your relationship with foods. However, saying all of that I think its important to reflect on why you want this surgery to begin with.
My reasons were to be healthy and for my family to ensure I was able to spend more time with them and be active in their lives not just a sideline mom or wife. I have had my challenges and successes with this journey. The successes far out way my challenges. Its the best thing I did for me and my family. With all of the challenges I have endured on my journey I would again in a heart beat do this surgery over and over.

So I guess all in all if you are willing to make the changes in your life and commit to it then yes you will succeed. Will you stumble from time to time sure you will your human. But, remember why you are doing I think helps keep you on track along with the support of this board, coffees, and clinic support groups.

Best wishes to you on your journey.

i can just about smell my 2 year surgiversary from here, and I can honestly say I NEVER feel hungry!  Some do, I feel fortunate that I don't.  Which isn't to say I don't suffer from HEAD hunger, that's a nastier beast to deal with!  But if you TRULY want this, if you are sincerely ready and dedicated to make it work, it will. 

The rules?  Some ARE hard to follow.  Some will enforce themselves.  It's up to you to follow them as closely as you can for as LONG as you can - because once you test the waters, THAT'S when a lot of people REALLY struggle! 

I would do this again - and again, and again.  Annually, if that's what it took to remain successful!  (THANK GOD IT ISN'T, THO!!!)

Linda - My date is also the 26th, so we are surgery sisters!

The good thing is that you only have to do one stage at a time and there are lots of places/people to turn to for support and guidance.

We can do it!

Amelia

O I am so glad that you responded! Are you getting nervous? I am getting to the point where I just want the 26th to hurry up and get here so I can get on this ride everyone is talking about!! Where are you having surgery?