[Knightron]

I am still about 3 months away from my WLS which gives me plenty of time to think things over, read all of what is available here from you fine folks. I find that I am not concerned about the actual surgery. My anxiety is being drawn toward the complete change in eating habits that are required. This is all I am thinking about.......does everyone go through this? I do realize that it will physically impossible for me to eat to much at first. I also realize that this is all mentally controlled. I am thinking that after I have the WLS and see the weight go away that will make the transition alot easier.

[wannabethin]

Hi Knightron, I'm in the same boat with you. Except the actual surgery makes me a little nervous. Okay, a lot nervous. My surgeon wants his patient's circulation as good as possible, so you have to walk into the operating room. Isn't that scary? Wonder if they've ever had to chase anybody down! As you said, we will have a complete change in eating habits in order to be successful. My husband and I go out to eat a couple times a week, so learning what I can eat at a restaurant is going to be a definite learning experience. My guess is that everyone has to deal with the "head" issues involved in this new tool.

[JLR12679]

I am actually not scared at all. I know everything will be fine. I found out tonight that the Hospital that I will have the procedure at is great for one and has a small % of death. (0.02%) I actually just went to my first meeting tonight and didnt learn alot that I didnt already know! I made my first appointment which they said would be 4 hours long, Its for Aug 30th. It really seems far away! I dont know how Im going to deal with the 3 months after that. I have also really changed my diet history. I figure if I change something small every week and stick to it by the time my surgery is here I should be good to go and have no withdrawals. I have always really eaten pretty good so that wont be too much of a shock! Well time for me to go to bed, it will be a long weekend ahead!

[Kat]

Hey Wannabe,
LMAO at your comment about chasing patients down. That was me 150%
I think it's normal all the thoughts your having Knightron. I'm only 6 weeks post and I'm still scared to death about the eating. I keep waiting for it to all come back as it has a 1,000 time before.
It's like everyone says...WLS is not a magical cure. It's a tool. It's something I'm going to keep working at for the rest of my life. At least now I feel like I have a good chance for a "rest of my life".
I wish you the best.
Kat

[DocSanae]

Unless you have medical issues such as metabolic and endocrinological illness that is at the root of your obesity, it is your eating pattern that has given you weight issues. Which means, you will have to change your relationship with food -- eat to live, not live to eat-- to achieve success with the surgery. It is not the immediate weight loss that takes place after the surgery, but in the maintenance phase once you have achieved goal, that you have to make sure you do not go back to your old patterns, and as the days progress post op, and you are able to eat more, is when you have to consciously deal with how and what to eat.
Personally, reading/hearing what all the post ops say, I get the feeling that the waiting you have to patiently endure helps in putting you in the mindset to deal with the necessary changes. If eveything went through in the wink of an eye, would you be as mentally prepared for the changes that you have to endure, and the changes you need to make?

[wannabethin]

Doc, you are a very wise woman.