Regrets Anyone??

Hi all!  My surgery is scheduled for the Spring.  ANYONE have regrets having the surgery and  never eating "normal" again, or does the weight loss outweigh that??  Thanks so much.  I'm a little nervous about being able to keep track of proteins, etc.

I am thrilled with the results of my surgery.  I'm almost two years post op, and I still can only eat about 6 ounces per meal.  And there are days when I wish I could eat more, but for the most part, I enjoy what I can eat, and I certainly enjoy the better health and energy.  I started the process at 385 pounds and a BMI over 60.  I am now 157 pounds with a BMI of 24.  I can fit into normal sized clothing.  I have no more co-morbidities. No more pain in my back or knees. 

I'd like to emphasize that it wasn't easy.  The time when you have to get used to your new tummy is not fun - manageable, but not fun.  Its possible to defeat the surgery if you don't eat on plan, so you have to make a commitment.  But if you do, it is so worthwhile.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat if necessary... but its not. (smile)

Good luck with your weight loss journey.

Carol

I had my RNY in Oct of 2013 and I have zero regrets.  I've lost 150 lbs and I feel so much better physically and I feel a ton better about myself.  Sure I miss being able to chow down on a huge burger and fries, but that fleeting pleasure is far outweighed by being able to go anywhere and do anything.  

I have an eating routine and I front load my protein so I usually get my requirement in by lunchtime.  I use the Lose It! app to track my macros.  A lot of people use My Fitness Pal too.  

Make no mistake, it'll be a huge adjustment and you will mourn food.  There will be things you used to eat that won't sit well anymore that you will just have to wave goodbye to.  Me and sandwiches had to have a nasty breakup!  Once you start seeing results, it should get easier to disregard foods that don't benefit you.

Use this time pre-surgery to check out The World According to Eggface and Bariatric Foodie for post-surgery recipes and give them a try.  They also have great shopping lists.  Figure out what you like now rather than panicking and trying to figure it out when you're dealing with your new way of eating and healing and not feeling so spiffy!

Good luck!

Jen

I HAVE A REGRET

wish I did it 10 years ago

A BIG AMEN to that!!!!!!

Let's clear up this eating "normal" baloney, OK?   I didn't eat like a "normal" person before this surgery:  bags of chips, several cans of soda, entire pints of ice cream, rows of cookies, multiple slices of pizza.  There is not one thing "normal" about that.  

Immediately post-op your diet is definitely curtailed a bit.  But at almost two years out no one would see me as not eating normally.  People who don't know I've had surgery believe me to be very disciplined and "good" about what I choose to eat or not eat.  

As for keeping track of protein - it becomes a way of life.  You need to be tracking every mouthful of food, protein or not, for the first year and then well into maintenance.  I still do it every day.  Those handy online calculators (like My Fitness Pal) make it super easy.  

Closing in on 2 months post op and 30 pounds down, I dont have regrets, but it is ALOT harder than I thought it woukd be. Physically my recovery has been pretty easy, some nausea thsts being treated and the constipation that seems to plague most people, but I greatly underestimated how much of a role food took in my life, so coming to terms with the new "normal" is slow and sometimes frustrating, but the surgery is working and that's what I wanted in the end. Good luck!

I don't know.. I think I do eat normally.  It's normal for me.  I'm happy with how I eat.  I don't wish I was eating in some other manner.  

I'm with Gwen on this one. I feel like I do eat normally and I love this normal. My capacity pre-op is what seems abnormal.