Are you content, satisfied, at peace?

[JustMe]

The more I work on my checklist, the closer I get to being approved and getting a surgery date, the more questions I think of and the more anxiety I feel.

So...for those of you who are years post-op,

1. Are you content with your post-op diets?
2. Are you satisfied with the results of your surgeries?
3. Are you at peace with life after bariatric surgery and thankful that you went through with it?

Unless I'm in here reading your posts or writing to you all, I still feel very alone on my health journey. When I'm teaching all day, I'm busy and focused on work. When I'm with my grandchildren, I'm focused on that time together. But, all of the other times, my mind races, my worries flutter around in my head, and I'm still questioning myself about what's best for me

I'm not afraid of the surgery at all! My goodness, I have had many surgeries in my life, unfortunately.
I'm not worried about it not working. From watching Fat Doctor, taking my Zepbound since February, talking to my medical team members, and learning from you all, I feel confident about losing the weight, sticking to a strict diet, and taking my vitamins and supplements daily.

I guess what I'm struggling with are these things...

God gave me that stomach as it is right now. What's really going to happen, short- and long-term, when most of it is cut away?

When I had my gallbladder, appendix, and other parts of my body removed over the years, it's because they were sick. My stomach isn't sick. I just love food and eat too much of it.

Also, will I truly be able to stay hydrated? I drink 120+ ounces of water a day because I guzzle down 8 ounces each time and drink whenever I want. How will my body adjust to having less water every day? Will it ruin my organs, especially my kidneys? It's a real concern I have.

Finally, I am a vegetarian, practically a vegan. I'll eat specific eggs, but I don't like to. I'll eat a little Tillamook cheese, but I don't like to. In spite of my lack of appetite on Zepbound, I'm still eating my rainbow of healthy foods each day. Will I stay healthy enough on a post bariatric surgery diet as a vegetarian? I'm worried.

Now, I've already shared that I have anxiety. That's just part of who I am. These worries above are specific to getting the sleeve bariatric surgery.

I certainly cannot afford to pay for Zepbound for the rest of my life. I know it's temporary as I wait to get my surgery which Premera will most likely cover in full. If I get too scared and don't have the surgery, eventually, I'll just gain all of the weight back, and maybe more, because I won't have the glp-1 help long-term. So, I really want to be brave and see this through.

I guess I'm just feeling very vulnerable and hope that you can share more with me, please, to ease my fears. Thank you.

I'm wondering whether to push the post button or not. I am not good at opening up to others, letting myself be vulnerable, and asking for help. If I've overstepped or offended anyone by sharing this post, please tell me. I'll delete it! Thank you.

BTW, you can call me Renee.

 

[dianeseattle]

So...for those of you who are years post-op,

1. Are you content with your post-op diets?

Absolutely, but I started cooking when I was a teen. In a family of 10 with a mom who worked, we all had to take turns cooking dinner. So it was easy--in fact, it was a relief--when I got to apply those skills to healthy food.

2. Are you satisfied with the results of your surgeries?

SO happy. I joined the Y, I learned to swim, I started hiking in the North Cascades, I finally fit into a pair of Levi's 501s, not to mention the dozens of cute outfits I was able to buy or sew. HINT: Thrift shops are your best friends.... I can't run because I have shin splints, but I can walk, and Seattle is a great walking city. I've also walked all over New York, Los Angeles and Boston.

3. Are you at peace with life after bariatric surgery and thankful that you went through with it?

Yes, yes, yes. I even quit snoring. I have mixed feelings about my family (they don't know about the surgery). They plan all their gatherings around eating. After my parents died and we sold the house, those gatherings pretty much stopped. But my jealous sisters wouldn't have invited me anyway, and I moved 150 miles away from them more than 20 years ago, so that really gave me peace in my life.

God gave me that stomach as it is right now. What's really going to happen, short- and long-term, when most of it is cut away?

God gave people multiple sclerosis, too, if you want to look at it that way. God gave someone the ability to create wheelchairs, and medicines, and physical therapy, and brilliant doctors and nurses and scientists. You can make a list about other things like leprosy and war and stoning people and shunning, too. But I think you have to draw the line somewhere, and that might be that God gave people free will. I'm gonna stop there because I was raised Christian Reformed, went to church 3 times a week, went to Christian school, Bible School, Catechism and all sorts of other studies and have at least 20 missionaries in my family. But I took my beautiful body and stuffed it with food to the point of obesity and now I'm using my free will to reclaim my health. I have a beautiful son and I want to spend the next 20 years or so being his mom. Oh, and losing 2/3 of my huge stomach hasn't hurt me at all. Every day I'm so grateful I made that decision.

Also, will I truly be able to stay hydrated? I drink 120+ ounces of water a day because I guzzle down 8 ounces each time and drink whenever I want. How will my body adjust to having less water every day? Will it ruin my organs, especially my kidneys? It's a real concern I have.

You don't have to drink less water. If you love it, keep drinking it. As to guzzling, that might be a habit you want to break. You should talk to a nutritionist about that. I remember when I started eating solid foods, I made a point of using a place-mat, a cloth napkin, a proper set of flatware, dishes, cups and glasses. I made it an event. And as I said in an earlier post, I drank refrigerated water from a glass using a spoon. It helped me learn mindfulness. Sip, don't guzzle.

Finally, I am a vegetarian, practically a vegan. I'll eat specific eggs, but I don't like to. I'll eat a little Tillamook cheese, but I don't like to. In spite of my lack of appetite on Zepbound, I'm still eating my rainbow of healthy foods each day. Will I stay healthy enough on a post bariatric surgery diet as a vegetarian? I'm worried.

Are you also seeing a therapist? Sorry, that's personal. But there are tons of vegetarian cookbooks. One I love is Laurel's Kitchen. But you can find plenty of vegetarian recipes in a web search, and these days, even more vegan recipes. I was a vegetarian for 4 years, including the time I was pregnant and lactating--I lived on soybeans and recipes I developed from them. My son weighed 8 pounds and 9 ounces and was 22 1/2" long at birth and so beautiful. He's been healthy all his life (I'm going to attach a hiking photo) and people describe him as "sunny."

I'm skipping to the end here. You know you have anxiety. Who doesn't? It's so scary to think of this little surgery and not know what life will be like without it. But let me suggest that those thoughts are coming from your "fat brain," which has ruled your life for years. Check out that book I suggested, "How to Survive the Loss of a Love." It's not about grieving a dead person. It's about grieving a great loss, like giving up all those goodies you're eating now. Oh man, I was absolutely obsessed with listing "I can't eat _________ or __________ or ____________...." I didn't think I could do it. But I did. And once in a while, I eat it today. I didn't give up every food. I just didn't crave it anymore like I used to. Maybe xx will always be a trigger food for you and you won't ever be able to eat it without getting into trouble.

But I hear what you're saying. You wouldn't have resorted to Zepbound if you weren't headed for a solution. But the real solution is education, improved self-esteem, healthy control and maybe even a shopping trip for a size 10 dress and a new bathing suit.

I hoped I satisfactorily answered your questions, Renee. I hope you get that book.

 

[JustMe]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

[JustMe]

Thank you, Diane, for responding to my questions and provided many details. I appreciate it!

Are there others in this support group that feel comfortable responding, too? Does anyone regret having their bariatric surgery and, if so, why?

I am still only at about 90% for being sure that I want and should have the sleeve bariatric surgery this summer. I'm not afraid of the pre-op prep or the actual surgery. I guess because I've had so many, many health issues for most of my adult life, including GERD and IBS, I'm concerned about causing harm to my body, specifically my digestive system, and creating new problems.

Maybe I'm just scared. Even though I'm constantly exhausted and my knees hurt so much, I keep reading others' stories in here about the pain and indigestion they have post-op. I just want to make the best decision, ya know?!?

 

[StephT]

My only regret is that I waited so long to have the surgery! Although I didn't really "wait", I just never considered it. Then post divorce and during Covid it just hit me - is this how I am going to spend the rest of my life? Uncomfortable in my body, constantly in pain, unable to walk for any distance, uncontrollably sweating at the smallest exertion, short of breath, always hot, uncomfortable in any sleeping position . . . the list was endless. So I did research, picked up the phone and made an appointment with the surgeon, and followed his plan 6 months during the pre surgery approval process and the rest is history!

 

[Wicked Witch]

WLS was the best decision I ever made. 3 years post op down and maintaining -145 pounds. Had skin removal surgery on tummy, abs, boob lift, both arms, next are the legs! Smoken hot body at 72 years old and feeling great! SMM cancer holding and not progressing. Was told in 2021 I’d be dead in 3 years if I kept living like I was. So happy I have taken this journey. No regrets! My husband dumped me because I gained weight when we were married. That’s not love BUT it sure gave me a new lease on a happy life, to live for me and be happy! He’s old , fat, washed up and alone! Guess I won big time!!!

 

[dianeseattle]

SMM cancer holding and not progressing. Was told in 2021 I’d be dead in 3 years if I kept living like I was.

whats SMM?

 

[Wicked Witch]

whats SMM?

Smoldering multiple myeloma bone - blood cancer! No cure. But I have lost a lot of weight and my blood work is holding. Iam still alive 3 years after being told I’d be dead if I didn’t loose weight! RNY in 2023. Skin removals in January and May.2026. Legs will be done in the fall! New body , looking and feeling fabulous! Well worth the pain and effort I put into this journey.

 

[thenami]

1) No. If I don't strictly stick to my diet (posted on another thread), I gain weight. My cheats are things like an occasional cup of rice and beans, a serving of mac and cheese, sweet potato, a spoon of ice cream, or a bite of cake. Im human, but dieting can feel inhumane.
2) Yes and no. It depends on the day, how Im feeling, and what activities I have planned.
3) Yes, but the cons currently outweigh the pros.

Some Of My Challenges-

I have but sag and dont really one left. Clothes that fit right are very hard to find. Loose wrinkled skin makes me feel older, like on my arms.
Old friends rarely invite me to gatherings involving food, or alcohol because my sober "five" bites make them uncomfortable.
When I cook for family gatherings, I have to throw away 90% of leftovers because I cant have them.
Eating out is increasingly difficult, as I cant maintain weight loss eating high carb and fat foods.
My body cannot tolerate protein shakes, so my energy levels fluctuate greatly when I dont get enough.
My stomach always hurts eating anything. One doc wants to remove my gallbladder because of this.
Another doc says no because I wont be able to process high protein foods. My insurance also says no.

Would I have the surgery if I knew all of this beforehand? With ankylosing spondylitis my pain levels have improved enough to say yes.
Ive lost enough weight to have back surgery when I eventually will have to have it.

 

[Ramona]

My name is Ramona Morgan I had the total gastric bypass surgery in 2001. When I had the surgery it was in it's first stages. Not Laparoscopic I had 37 staples from breast bone to pelvic region. It took me approximately 3 months to recover from this. Would I do it again? Well Yeah!! My highest weight was 356 and now 109 most days sometimes when I don't feel like eating or when I am sick goes down to 95. I watch my weight pretty close because I know how I feel and how my body reacts to all of this. I am happy. I have several medical challenges. Yes, mostly due to the surgery. I am 59 and it is time for me to slow down a little anyway.

 

[Ramona]

I do recommend therapy for before and definitely after. I would say it helped me to stay on soft foods for a while. Do everything the physician tells you to do. Make your self walk as soon as you can.