[fr1endly2]

Postop Day 1 through Week 2:
“What the hell did I just DO to myself???”
“Why am I/am I not hungry?”
“I’ll NEVER be able to get in all the fluid/protein/food they want me to.”
“I can eat TOO much – did I break something?”
“I can’t eat enough…will I die of starvation?”
“I can’t believe how badly this hurt! ~OR~ I can’t believe I even had surgery, because there’s so little pain!”
“Why do I have no energy?”
“When can I eat….fill in the blank?”
“Will I ever be able to gulp water again?”
“Why did I GAIN 10 pounds???”
“Wow, I’ve lost 10 pounds!”
You think you've hit your first plateau. Nope. Odds are VERY good you haven't

Postop weeks 2 through 12:
Post op remorse usually fades during this time period. What a relief that is!
You TRY hard to stick to your doctors diet regimen/protocol and wonder if you’re evil when you slip off the wagon by eating….fill in the blank.
You think you've hit your first, 2nd or 3rd plataue Nope. Odds are VERY good you haven't) Nearly everyone experiences a stall during the first 3 months.
You accidentally gulp water and freak that you’ve broken your pouch.
You accidentally forget to chew something to death and fear you’ve plugged your stoma.
You FEAR strictures, fistulas and leaks every time you burp, get nauseated, have diarrhea, feel a muscle cramp, etc. This fear is not abnormal and you ‘could’ have one of these since this is the prime time for it – however fear is no way to live. There are common symptoms attributed to these. Hopefully you’ve researched them postop and can shelve the fear and keep a reasonable eye out for them.
Post op remorse usually fades during this time period. What a relief that is!
You TRY hard to stick to your doctors diet regimen/protocol and wonder if you’re evil when you slip off the wagon by eating….fill in the blank.




Months 3 through 18:
You worry you are a slow loser and have days you doubt the tool will work, or wonder if it’s broke. I am NOT mocking. Some people’s tools DO break during this period of time, but it is in the minority, not the majority.
You wonder if you’ll ever get to goal.
You made goal and worry you’ll not stop losing.
You worry because you can eat TOO much.
You worry because you still eat too little.
You worry about getting in enough protein.
You worry you’re getting in too much protein.
You ponder whether carbs are evil or not.
You question again whether diet pills are evil. (They ARE!)
You compare your losses against everyone else’s.
You discover that you had an exercise guru hidden within you and are now an exercise maniac.
You discover that you HATE exercise and try and force yourself to get moving.
You may have hit your first plateau don't panic! - Have you noticed a reoccurring theme?

Months 19 and beyond:
You may hit a plataue don't panic!
You reach goal and worry you'll regain.
You wonder if you'll stop losing!
You wonder if you'll EVER make goal (you've likely heard about the dreaded window and fear it closed at 18 months -
You may find yourself sliding; eating the wrong foods; slacking on exercise; and freak when you regain 10 pounds. Time to get back on track!

I am sure many can or will relate to these things! I know i can!

[DocSanae]

Great post, Lisa, and great insight.
Let's stick this, so everyone can read it, every time something happens, and you go thinking, "Waaaaah, have I done something wrong, what have I done wrong???"

[ChuppyGirl]

Lisa,
I have them all and I am still on my 8th week!
God help me to go through this year. I am in my deepest Blue today. not sure why?!

[fr1endly2]

((HUGS))) CHUPPYGIRL!!!
the blues are from the hormones and weight loss
i battled them alot thru the year...!!!!
YOUR NORMAL!
hope everyone can relate as i did to this stuff.
AUTHOR was unknown but i think good information!

[FemmeMode]

Lisa....
THIS IS SOOO FANTASTIC!!
Wtg....thanks for alll this...
I've thought some of it already....and I think everyone wonders if this will REALLY work...it seems unreal...

Thanks again,

[fr1endly2]

YES and i hope my post lets people know that they are normal when they go thru these things so i had to share this .....
I know i have experienced alot of these issues along my way!!!

hugzzzzzzzzzzz

[Pillows]

Okay Lisa I am so glad that you posted this, cuz I was about to post something along the same lines letting pre-ops or new ops know that they shouldn't be so hard on themselves. Recently I have been trying to stop feeling guilt over every little thing in my life and it is pretty nice for a change to stop taking responsibility for the whole world and realize that I am allowed to mess up. I think that before when I was overweight it somehow constituted as my big mess up in life so I wasn't allowed any other mistakes along the way in other areas. Does that make sense? Well now as Michelle can vouch for I am enjoying my newfound attitude that every once in awhile the world does in fact revolve around me and that I am allowed to feel good about who I am inspite of my varied shortcomings. I have felt or thought each and every one of those thoughts and hope that many newbies or on the fence worriers will read your post and feel better about being human and normal. Kudos to you kid.
Janae

[Robbin]

lISA,

What a great list. I can relate to so many in the past 6 weeks.
Thanks for adding it to the post.
I want this surgery to work so much.....it just has to.

ROBBIN

[Kat]

Hey Lisa,
Great post. I'm right on track with all the little hamsters running around in my head.
I'm with you, Deborah, it doesn't seem real all though I keep telling myself it is. Of course I'm 4 weeks behind you & Chuppy so still haven't crossed all the bridges that you have.
It makes me feel better to see my thoughts written down by someone else though. Thanks.
Kat

[fr1endly2]

GLAD everyone can relate i know i can!!!
hugzzzzzzzzz