Just starting...anyone else scared sh*tl*ss in the beginning?????

I met yesterday with the nutritionalist and she scared me to DEATH.  I was so sure I was ready for this.  Now, I'm in total panic.  How am I going to survive 2 weeks of liquids and then another several weeks of very little food?

Please tell me this panic is normal and I'm going to survive it and be OK.

 On the most part the first 2 weeks on liquid after the surgery isn't all that bad.  For the first week I was queezy and it was everything just to get my liquid for the day.  Once on mushies I didn't have an issue.  I like the mushy food I could eat and you have a TINY stomach.  You can't compare it to the way you would feel now.  it's just different.

It is different indeed.  That's why we get this done to have the tiny stomach.  You will be satisfied with the little bit of food you are eating.  It's the liquid diet before hand that is so challenging because you dont have the surgery to help you out.

Yeah. I'm horrified. Not about the eating really; that part looks do-able. I can follow directions.

I'm freaked about what my tummy is gonna do on its own. Vomit, gas, pain etc. As I lurk this forum I find myself getting "sympathetic symptoms" when sleevers share their experience.

I did okay though out all the appointments and steps. I was a little nervous but mostly excited.

When I was actually got to the hospital and into the prep area though I started to FREAK OUT! i have never been more scared in my life!! They kept asking me if I was sure that I wanted to do this. I kept telling them yes but that I was just scared. Finally they gave me some "happy juice" through my IV to calm me down during all the prep stuff and waiting. That helped A LOT! LOL!

I laugh now at how nervous I was because it was not as bad as I thought! I am SO happy that I went through with it because my life is SO much better now and it keeps getting better EACH DAY!

The two week liquid diet BEFORE the surgery will be WAY worse than the liquid stage after the surgery. After the surgery I was not hungry and did not really want to drink anything but forced myself to drink the protein drinks... those weeks will go by so fast it will seem like a blur!


I love my Sleeve!

We ALL in the LONG run are wonderful BUT your life IS about to change drastically and so does your relationship with food.  Are you ready for that change is entirely up to you.

Ms Shell

Hey don't fret :)  You would be abnormal if you were completely nonchalant through this phase. This is a big deal, it's major surgery, although once I left the hospital it all seemed like a cakewalk.

I worried that I would miss food, that I would not be able to stand weeks of eating less than a child. The truth is that you adjust as you go. The first few days after surgery I didnt really care about food or anything, I was just thirsty so I sipped sipped sipped. The broths and liquid phase wasnt so bad, plus I had no real craving. Your body just went through major surgery and though you may not feel awful, it is healing and your spirits are a little low, even your zest for food.

Afterwards, you will adjust to the mushie phase. You will never be more excited to try yogurt and eggs! You are going to look forward to those things you can have and be grateful for the little amounts you take in. It will sustain you.

You will be fine. We are wired to adjust to change, we really are ;)

Yup, it's normal to be totally freaked out at some point in the process (or all of it!)  If you weren't, I'd be more concerned.  It's a BIG DEAL, but quite worth all of it!

Good luck!

PS:  For many, the preop diet is by FAR worse than post-op, in terms of restraint and discipline because you still have normal anatomy and hunger.  But it is an integral part of the process.  Hang in there, many have made it through before you, and many more will come after!

One question that I wanted to ask the nutritionist I saw as the mandatory pre-op program is " Have you had this surgery"? No offense to the nutristionists of the world, but if you haven't run the race, how can you tell me that I will never have pizza, cake or alcohol ever again? That is what I was told. That would have been enough to make me change my mind about surgery, if I had not had friends that have had the surgery and lived it and told me differently from experience!!!
So, don't let that make you doubt your decision!
I had my surgery on March 7 and have not had a moment of regret that I did have "the sleeve"!!! Especially when I get on the scale and I am down 30 pounds in less then 2 months!
It is as much mental as physical! Hang in there and you will do great!
As my doc told me " this is a marathon, not a sprint"!
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

I have been asking myself the same thing for the last week.

My last nutritionalist appointment is this thursday. So She will be telling me about the liquid diet I will have to do as well.

I am freaked out! But I just keep thinking about the end result of having a healthier lifestyle and starting a family one day.  Just keep your eye on the prize, although we'll see how I will feel after my appointment, lol
 
Good Luck Sweetie!!