New to bariatric surgery: Advice to mentally & physically prepare?

Posted by alsims463 @alsims463, Jun 3 8:39am

Good morning. I am new to this group and am have a bit of difficulty understanding what I need to do or where I can participate. Any suggestions to get started would be appreciated.

I am considering Bariatric Surgery as a strategy to get my weight under control. I have had the initial meetings and switched locations because it was closer to where I live. I meet with a surgeon on Thursday to discuss what needs to/can be done and what I need to do.

I am nearly 70 years old and am active with some limitations such as a bad knee. But I am slowing down, on blood pressure meds, my A1C and blood glucose in the pre-diabetic range, and my knees are not the best. I am looking to add quality to my life to my remaining years and hopefully reduce, it not eliminate most of the meds I am currently taking. If I get 10 good years of healthy active life I will be happy. If I get 15 I will be ecstatic. If I get 20 years, I will be over the moon. But first things first.

I have watched several videos of people who have had the surgery, some videos through Mayo and some generally on Youtube. As I mentally and physically prepare for possible surgery, I could use some more direct first hand advise from those of you who are going through it or have gone through it? While I am not really looking forward to the transition and adaption process, I am excited about the possible outcome. To be able to move more freely, to fit clothes better, to get on an airplane and know I can fit in the seat and not have to worry if I will need to ask for a seat belt extension, to go to somebodies house and fit in their chairs knowing I will not break them, to more easily ride my motorcycle or get into a fishing boat, to feel better and maybe go to Europe to see the sites and try some of those wonderful foods (not volumes) and not have the people look at me like I am another one of those fat Americans. The latter is the only place I really care what people think. Most importantly, I can actually get on a plane and get their with reasonable comfort. But mainly to simply improve the quality of my life and enjoy my family as long as I can.

Any suggestions to get started and continue to keep moving forward as I begin this journey will be appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss Support Group.

dlc1953 | @dlc1953 | Jul 19 10:29am

In reply to @usernameimpossible "Hi, I just recently joined this group too, but I had my surgery done in June..." + (show)

@usernameimpossible

Hi, I just recently joined this group too, but I had my surgery done in June 2023. I would suggest writing down any questions you have because when we are stressed or the doctor starts talking about something else, you may forget some important questions. Check them off your list as you go along and briefly write down answers because the amount of info is overwhelming.
Different surgeries have different side effects and different outcomes in regards to weight loss. If you haven't already, read about them online at reputable sites to give you an idea of what you might prefer. I got the gastric sleeve because I was less nervous about the side effects. The gastric bypass is more likely to have effects like dumping syndrome, but it is ight more effective in helping to lose. According to the info I got, about 10% more weight of the excess you have to lose will be lost, so if you have 100 to lose, you would lose 10 more pounds than with the sleeve. It's a personal choice.
I lost weight rapidly in the beginning but in January I had some exceptionally stressful events and I didn't follow the plan like I should. I ate the right amounts at meals but ate a bit of junk sometimes in evenings when I was stressed. Since I am past menopause and already had a hard time losing weight because of PCOS, it didn't take much to stop the weight loss. It
wasn't a good way to deal with stress, but it's the truth so it's no use lying about it. My only son got severely ill and my only sister died. After having lost my mom 2 years ago, it was too much. So, of course my weight loss has stopped, but that is my fault. I am at the one year post surgery mark very soon, so that also has an effect as most lose their weight in the first year post surgery. My advice would be to follow the diet as carefully as possible, to slowly increase exercise but at a level you can tolerate without causing pain so you can keep it up, and to join groups for people undergoing bariatric surgery which will help you emotionally. Getting a therapist is a good idea, too. I had one during the entire time but it just wasn't enough to keep me from resorting to comfort eating. It did help though. I have stopped the 2 main food culprits in my weight loss stagnation (hazelnut chocolate and plain Lays potato chips) and am hoping to lose more. Oddly, prior to surgery, I rarely ate chips. But for some reason I did after. It was odd.
I wish the best of luck and much success in your journey.

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It looked like you have had trying times. Time to take care of yourself. As far as dumping syndrome goes, for me it’s a constant reminder not to choose the wrong foods or I’ll get sick. Once you experience it, you never want to experience it again. I think that’s one of the reasons that I kept the weight off. It was a learning tool. I have 2 friends who had the sleeve and they regained the weight back. I believe it was because they don’t experience dumping syndrome. I think that we all have good intentions after we lose weight, that we learned and wouldn’t let it happen again. Unfortunately it usually doesn’t work that way. Believe me I know from continuously losing and regaining. That’s my take on it. Good luck with your choices.

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