Newbie having second thoughts about surgery

Are you scared of the actual surgery (being put to sleep and cut on)?  Or how your life must change because of it?

If you are nervous about the actual procedure-well, that is normal.  It is a major, gut altering, life changing surgery-and there is no going back. 

If you are scared of how your life must change after it, then you may want to wait until you resolve the issues.  RNY is a tool-you really do have to do a complete 180 as far as how and what you eat and how you move your body-and those changes ARE FOR LIFE-not just while losing weight.

Once we have the surgery we must also be diligent about taking supplements-for life.  You have to follow new eating/drinking rules.......FOR LIFE.  You may or may not be able to eat certain foods.  You have to exercise.  Sorry, but it is a fact.  If you don't, you are almost certain to regain (not everyone does, but the likelihood of regain is much greater if you do not exercise).

If you are truly prepared for the changes required, then you should do fine.  I think just about everyone is a bit freaked about being put to sleep and being cut on-so that is normal.  Look at lots of before and after pics and really get excited about the changes you are about to experience!

Thanks for your reply.  I am afraid of being cut on and having to recover from that.  I hate pain and I know that there will be plenty of it in the beginning.  I am not so afraid of the new diet just ready to have this new tool that will aid me in a healthier life style.  I am having the RNY.  The biggest thing that i****ting home with me is how focused I need to be on maintaining the correct diet and getting the exercise I need.

Just want to let you know I just had surgery 3 weeks ago, and I'm doing great in most areas.  Unfortunately, I'm not losing weight as I'd expected, but I know that will come in time, as long as I stick with my plan and do what I need to do.

I was just like you before surgery:  worried, nervous, afraid not only of surgery, but what life will be like way down the road.  However, I did as much research as I could, and finally came to the conclusion that any risks either during or after surgery were so small compared to the risks of staying morbidly obese, that I would be pretty crazy NOT to have the surgery!  Even though I realized that, I still wasn't absolutely sure I'd go through with it, until they came to get me to wheel me down the hall to the operating room! 

Anyway, my surgery went well, though I had a slight complication, in that it turns out I have "soft tissues", and my surgeon had to sew on my intestine twice, because it tore the first time.  He said that happening was rare, but it wasn't a big issue.  I don't remember anything after leaving my surgical waiting room until I was in my room after surgery.  I had some pain, but it really wasn't bad, and it was easily handled with pain meds.  In fact, I had a morphine pump, but used it so little that they took it away after awhile.  I was in the hospital two days, which is pretty standard, I think, and even after a two hour drive home, my pain was easily handled.  I think I took only one or two doses of the pain meds they sent home with me, and then just didn't need it anymore.  I had 24 hours of nausea when I got home, handled with meds, then about 24 hours of diarrhea, handled with Imodium AD.  After that, everything started getting back to normal.
Learning how to eat, and figuring out how to get in enough water, protein, and all the vitamins have been challenging, but I'm getting there!    

For the record, going into surgery, I had a slightly greater risk of complications, simply because of the fact that I'm almost 61. In fact, I'll be 61 on Oct. 16, the date of your surgery! So I will definitely be saying a prayer for you that day!

Sorry to be so long, but I just wanted you to know that my experience has been very positive so far, and after only 3 weeks, I feel great.  Of course, like others have said, your experience may be different, but I think there are many, many more people who DON'T have problems, than those who do.  So far, I'm thrilled I went ahead with this, and am excited about my future, which was looking pretty grim before surgery.

Will be here cheering you on, and always available for support if you need it.  Feel free to friend me!

Beth

Thanks for your reply.  I am getting more and more excigted about surgery than fearful.  So, please tell me more about what you are doing and what foods you are able to tolerate.  How do you puree your foods?

Well, my plan called for one week of liquids (broth, SF drinks, jello, etc.), then soft foods the second week.  I could have soft cheese (light string cheese, LF or FF cottage cheese, yogurt), refried beans, puddings, mashed potatoes, and things like that.  Third week I could have melons, tuna with mayo, thin shaved deli meats, lettuce, beans and lentils, protein bars.  Chicken and turkey without skin is also allowed, but I haven't tried those yet, kind of afraid they might get stuck.  Also allowed nuts & seeds, dried fruit, couscous, Quinoa, pasta, brown rice, and whole wheat crackers. Oh, and protein bars.  I've stayed away from the pasta, rice, etc. I also have hot cereal (oatmeal and cream of wheat) sometimes.

So, no pureed foods for me, only soft foods at first.  These are all foods listed on my doctor's/NUT's plan.  Of course, I can only eat a very small amount, and when I do eat, I chew everything until it's mush, and I take a long time to eat, 20-30 minutes.  Usually, I don't finish what's on my plate, because I get full, and just don't need more.  A couple of times, I tried eating a little too fast, and food got stuck - feels like an air bubble somewhere between my esophagus and stomach - but it resolved very quickly.  Just made me realize I really need to take my time!

Don't know if I'm just lucky, or what, but I really haven't had any problems with any of the foods I've tried.  Hopefully, you won't have any problems, either.

Beth   

Thanks Beth that helps alot.

I am 5 weeks post op and I felt like you did before going in.  However, I keep reminding
my self this is a tool and the goal is to be healthy and fit.  I am looking at
knee replacement surgery on both knees but the dr. and I want to wait because I am only 47.

Well I followed the NUT and WW before surgery and got off double that what my dr. wanted me too before surgery.  Now I am down 23 pounds from surgery and my knees feel so much better!  I still will always need to hold on when going up or down stairs but just not having the pain everyday has helped my life so much.

I think you being nervous is a good sign as it shows you are taking this seriously. 
Also- the other person who commented that people who are doing well don't always post
that here is correct. 

Thanks for the feedback.  How often do you post?  I would love to hear more of your story.  The advice that I have gotten today has really put my mind at ease.

HI, I am just a little over two weeks after my RnY surgery. WOW. I had a lot of fears like you, I had good reason as I am an RN who worked with many bariatric patients, some had great outcomes, some not so good. I was lucky that I did not have many health issues, but I did have horrific joint pain and sleep apnea. Dragging myself into work when my knees hurt so bad I could hardly walk, and I felt like I had not slept in years was the thing that made me get this surgery. I am so glad I did. I have been lucky with no major setbacks at this point. I am doing everything my doctor tells me and following the nutritionist guidelines. I am eating healthier than I have in years and I have already lost weight. My knees hurt less already and I am sure that it won't be long before I can chuck that CPAP. I know the risks and I will take better care of my body from this point on, but this surgery gave me a second chance and a tool to help me gain control. I so look forward to the future and I am sure you will too. Having a chance to enjoy your children or grandchildren makes it all worth it. I hope by this time next year I can ride a bike and swim a long distance. Best of luck to you and if you have any questions after surgery do not hesitate to call your health care team. Thats what they are there for and make the big bucks

Thanks for the feedback.  I am looking forward to doing some things with my kids as well.  Glad to hear you are doing so well after two weeks.