I’m somewhere around 70 pounds down from my highest weight (my scale was being wonky today so I’m not exactly sure where, but I think I’m slightly beyond 70.)
I’m still a relative newbie on this side of the surgery, being about 22 days post-op. It’s kind of crazy to think where I was just a few weeks ago vs. now! Sometime around the end of September I started making some tweaks to my normal diet. I replaced my usual drive-through breakfast with a protein shake and/or bar. I cut back on some stuff, and a few other things. Over that time I lost about 18 pounds (which isn’t too hard for someone at my starting weight.)
Then the pre-op diet hit. Those two weeks were some of the hardest, maybe THE hardest, weeks of this entire process. I was hungry ALL THE TIME. About mid-way through week two, I was about ready to chuck it all (or at least just have a cheat meal) …but I didn’t…I stuck to the plan. I lost around 18 pounds in those two weeks as well.
I was so nervous about the surgery. It’s a major surgery, which other than a gall blader removal, I’d never had. I’d read all kinds of stories about the surgery online, both good and bad. People who breezed through the process and people who had complications, all kinds of pain and misery, etc. But one thing was interesting. Even for most of those that had a hard time, they said they’d do it again.
My surgery turned out to be a breeze. Zero complications. Absolute minimal pain.
Now that I’m on the other side I’m starting to learn some things, so I thought I’d share. Granted, I’m still a baby in this process, so take it all with that in mind.
- I’m so tired of protein shakes – I did start them a few weeks before my diet and now I need one every day to get my needed protein in. But I am so tired of them. I’ve tried so many different brands and flavors and some are better than others…but they all have “that protein taste” to them and I’m so tired it it. Hopefully I can find ways to get extra protein in so I don’t have to have them all the time.
- Don’t try to do it all at once – If you are looking at this surgery, start well ahead of time on some changes. At the 2-week pre-op diet point I not only had a major drop in food intake but I also cut out sweets, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and a few other things, all at the same time. I do not recommend this. Phase some of that stuff out beforehand!
- There is so much mental game involved – I know it won’t always be like this, but it’s a total trip to never be hungry…especially given the small amount of food I eat a day. However, there are still “old urges” there that are totally in your head. When we recently went to the Mexican restaurant and the brought out the chips and salsa, my brain immediately went into “lust” mode. I wanted those chips and salsa even though I know I absolutely cannot have chips at this stage (for fear of damaging my surgery areas). Then someone ordered sweet tea. That was always my go to. I suddenly felt like I *NEEDED* those chips and salsa and that sweet tea. It’s crazy what you mind does to you. I know this mental game is going to be a long term thing I will have to fight with, especially as some of my hunger comes back.
- I am learning this is definitely a tool and not a crutch – I put even the thought of this surgery off for many years because I thought I could do this without that kind of crutch. Years went by, my weight and my misery went up, and I still denied the idea of surgery. Thinking about where I could COULD be now and what damage to my body I could have avoided, I regret putting it off so much…but at least I’m there now. I realize this isn’t a cure all. It isn’t a crutch or a shortcut. It’s a tool. Right now I’m developing habits that I can carry into the future. That’s a good…no a GREAT…thing!
- It’s okay to be proud of yourself – I find sometimes I need to take a moment and step back and see how far I’ve come. I made some changes before everything started. I stuck to the grueling 2-week pre-op diet. I went through with the surgery. I’m sticking to my post-op plan. And I’m seeing results! I’m seeing pounds come off, but I’m also seeing those NSVs like my joints feel better, clothes fit better, etc. So it’s okay to take a moment a pat yourself on the back before you continue on in this daily journey!