Hello :)

Hi,

My name is Jessica and I am 24 years old. I am currently looking into having a VSG within the next year. My highest weight was 440 lbs. I'm writing here because I have researched so much, and watched so many videos on YouTube, but they don't seem to have what I'm looking for. I know all about the pre-requisites, I know to contact my doctor next as well as my insurance, I've heard what life will be like for 2 weeks before and how my diet would change after surgery. I've also looked up possible behaviors for family and friends and even talked to my own and know that I have their support. The only thing I don't see is how people are coping with the changes. Of course, everyone is THRILLED at the numbers on the scale, but how do you really feel? I know that there are things like wearing a seatbelt, "fearing no chair", and being more active that will be major milestones, but mostly all people are mentioning is that is was tough, but it was the best decision they've ever made. God made me a very sensitive and "deep" person, so am I looking too far? lol. Hope you all have a wonderful day!

-Jessica

My recovery has been awesome. I have made the transition easily. I love my new normal. It is worth everything I have had to do to make it successful.

I was in a dark place prior to surgery and had pretty much given up on managing my weight, and this was negatively impacting everything else.  Yes, all of the physical victories that you mention occur with a plethora of others as well.  I feel fantastic.  Forget about the fitting into a restaurant booth, or wearing normal (except for being super tall) sizes and what have you, I just plain feel good all of the time.  I used to feel physically crappy from such a poor diet and sugar issues, so much so that I didn't even realize how incredibly crappy I felt because it had become my new normal.  Socially I am far more confident, my marriage is stronger, etc, etc.  All around improvement both physically and emotionally in the quality of life.  Absolutely no regrets.

Thank you for your response! I'm moving into a much better place than I have ever been in my life and have already started to tackle the "emotional" part of this journey. I am excited about this journey.

Hey Jessica,

I'm not sure I understand your question, are you looking too far?  I think that most people who are or have been overweight are too sensitive and deep, I know I feel that way and relied on those emotions in my personality because that's all people ever saw in me.  If your asking how I really feel, honestly it was the hardest and best thing I ever did for myself.  I wake up every day wanting to eat more and I can't, I'm glad for this and also a little sad. I still constantly think about food and my warm chocolate chip cookie cravings lately have been insane.  I haven't given into them and it's a struggle, I don't think any of this is easy, but I don't know that weighing 325 pounds was really all that easy either.  It was easier to ignore being that weight and indulge any type of food whim I had.  It was easy to keep eating and not be an active participant in my own life. But when I finally came out of my sugar induced coma, I realized that it isn't all that easy being a high risk for stroke, diabetes and countless other medical issues, it isn't easy being called names and never having dates.  Life isn't easy, either way.  Losing weight though has helped me to worry less and has given me the confidence to look that great looking, delicious cookie in his deep chocolaty brown eyes and say no.  I am much happier then I was and I am so glad I had the surgery and would do it again if I had to.  I am still relatively new and some days are better then others.  I still get foamies, I throw up sometimes, I struggle to get all my water in, everyday is not rainbows and sunshine, but I have hope that with time these things will get better and hope I can deal with them better.  I never expected any of this to be easy though, so I'm not disappointed.  Mostly, I am grateful that my life is getting better because of the surgery.  I hope I answered your question......best wishes to you on your journey....

Smiles:),

Lisa

Thank you so much for your response Lisa! I'm not sure I even understand some of my question. I think I just wanted to know that it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. I've been watching a lot of videos on YouTube and researching as much as possible, but that was the main thing that was not mentioned. It's going to be an exciting, eye-opening, life changing journey and I am so glad to be on this path now! Have a blessed day!

Hi Jessica!  In my opinion, no research is too much, but you need to remember that we don't live in your skin.  Everyone's journey is individual.  Is it hard work?  Yes, but what in life isn't?  The more valuable something is, the more worthwhile fighting for it is.  

How am I coping with the changes?  Some areas better than others!  Losing weight got me off the couch and outside all summer - I learned to love walking, hiking, and *gasp* even started to run.  I've participated in four 5Ks since my surgery in May, and have 3 more already signed up for in 2014.  I no longer fear trying new things, like exercises at the gym for fear of looking stupid (part of that has come with age too).  

I'm a self sabotager, and although I'm aware of it, I still struggle with it.  I'm uncomfortable with success a lot of times, and find myself reaching for junk food the day after a loss on the scale.  

Meals are easy for me now - the mantra protein first, veggies second, starch last works.  Getting my daily water intake is also easy; I have a 24 oz. Tervis tumbler that I constantly refill throughout the day.  Vitamins and supplements have become a way of life.

Physically, I have more energy.  Mentally, I feel more alert.  I sleep better now that I no longer have sleep apnea.  I can easily cross my legs.  

My only regret is that I didn't take care of my health when I was your age.

Good luck to you!

Thank you for your response! All of this info helps a lot!!

I just started this journey on October 31, 2013.  I am new to this, but I have read lots of posts from veterans who say that having WLS is the best decision they ever made. 

I struggled with my weight for almost 20 years.  I started out being a little over-weight to outright obesity in the last 10 years. I can say without a doubt that I wish I had started this journey sooner.

I, myself, know that I need to work on adjusting my relationship with food.  My husband (normal weight) is an EATER.  He eats huge quantities of food in the evening - especially those high in fat and carbs like cheeseburgers, nachos, fries, sausage, top ramen, rice, etc.  He also eats double portions at mealtimes.  I get to watch the food parade by me.  Since I CAN'T eat those foods right now, or those quantities, it doesn't affect me - NOW.  I know that in a few months, I will be capable  of eating anything I want, so I need to repeat my mantra that no food, however yummy, is worth trading my opportunity to be a normal weight and healthy.  If your read posts from the veterans, you will see that the changes you make post-op are changes you need to embrace for life.  VSG will make those changes easier, but it's up to you to make them permanent.