It's sleeve countdown, and the pressure is mounting

[SharonGore]

with just a month to go, I thought it might be a good idea to start recording my journey.

So I'm Sharon, and I'm 36 yrs old. I've got two kiddos and I live in London. I weigh 227 pounds (which is the most I've ever weighed. Ever) and am 5' 2" (so BMI is 42-ish)- and as I said up for surgery next month- which I am petrified of.

I find myself lying awake at nights, thinking- what if I am that person who gets the surgery done but doesn't lose weight? what if all of this road, which has been hard and harsh and difficult, was for nothing? will I ever be able to get on a plane without feeling embarrassed? or go in a shop to buy clothes? or go to parent meetings with the other mums in school?

I'll get my instructions in a couple of weeks, and then two weeks of diet- and then off I fly. on my own. will I make it? will I be OK? will someone nick all of my stuff when I'm under general anesthesia? will my kiddies be ok without me for a whole week?

and what if I do succeed? will I be able to maintain it? how will I cope with being thin and visible?

sorry it's so long winded. I just feel so good seeing everyone's posts and to know I'm not the only person experiencing these difficulties.

If you've read it through- I really am grateful.
and if you have any words of wisdom to impart- I'll be even more grateful.

:character0053:

 

[Jacwat]

with just a month to go, I thought it might be a good idea to start recording my journey.

So I'm Sharon, and I'm 36 yrs old. I've got two kiddos and I live in London. I weigh 227 pounds (which is the most I've ever weighed. Ever) and am 5' 2" (so BMI is 42-ish)- and as I said up for surgery next month- which I am petrified of.

I find myself lying awake at nights, thinking- what if I am that person who gets the surgery done but doesn't lose weight? what if all of this road, which has been hard and harsh and difficult, was for nothing? will I ever be able to get on a plane without feeling embarrassed? or go in a shop to buy clothes? or go to parent meetings with the other mums in school?

I'll get my instructions in a couple of weeks, and then two weeks of diet- and then off I fly. on my own. will I make it? will I be OK? will someone nick all of my stuff when I'm under general anesthesia? will my kiddies be ok without me for a whole week?

and what if I do succeed? will I be able to maintain it? how will I cope with being thin and visible?

sorry it's so long winded. I just feel so good seeing everyone's posts and to know I'm not the only person experiencing these difficulties.

If you've read it through- I really am grateful.
and if you have any words of wisdom to impart- I'll be even more grateful.

:character0053:

Hi
I think its natural to have all these thoughts, I am still a long way off but have had most of the thoughts you have had even at this stage. My only advice would be to read through the posts on here and hopefully all your questions will be amswered. Good luck! x

 

[Bear]

Hi Sharon, just wanted to wish you luck and let you know that your feelings are completely normal.

I think everything you mentioned I feared too. Especially when I met with my surgeon and before all the good things that can happen he detailed all the bad things. !!!!!

Let's not pretend, there are occasions when this doesn't work, sometimes things can go wrong. BUT that can happen when you walk out the door every day. Ultimately, like me, I'm sure you're making this choice to have surgery to improve your future, to be there for your kids and to start enjoying life again.
I'm one month post op, and I'm starting to get all that now.

Try not to let these worris overtake you. Maybe write a list of all the positive things you'll gain. X

 

[SharonGore]

thanks trying to keep positive!!

 

[SharonGore]

Pre-op diet help please?

Hi everyone
So, I have my date scheduled and all, and now have to start with my pre-op diet.
the surgeon said two weeks of low-fat diet (no creams/sugary things, no alcohol or fizzy drinks) and no junk food, but it feels a bit general to me.

I'm having the surgery abroad if it matters.

anyone has a good weekly plan for pre-sleeve diet? would appreciate people's thoughts and experience...

thanks!

 

[los in it]

Hi sharongore
I had my bypass 5 weeks ago and I did the 1000 low cal food diet for my LSD
if you go to the homerton hospital website type in downloads and you will come across a pdf with different types of LSD menus it should give you something to at least give you a start
it helped me to figure out the best diet for me to follow
good luck

 

[Sephem]

I have found the Homerton Bariatric website a wealth of information. There is a lot of info in the Patient information download section.

 

[jlb5686]

hiya ive just started my pre op diet today. for a band but I think the diet aplies to all the surgeries with the idea to shrink the liver. have they not given u a diet plan?
heres what ive been told. bmi <35 no diet needed. bmi up to 50 2 weeks needed and bmi of over 50 may need longer.
my diet means 1000cal or less a day with no more than 100g of carbs a day.
if u want the diet plan with portion sizes ive been given ill send it to u. u need to weigh everything amd its quite restrictive.but day one has been ok.
hope this helps x

 

[Starduck]

Woo not long now! Its natural to be scared. Stay positive - you're making the biggest change ever and you'll feel so much better for it xxx

 

[SharonGore]

hiya ive just started my pre op diet today. for a band but I think the diet aplies to all the surgeries with the idea to shrink the liver. have they not given u a diet plan?
heres what ive been told. bmi <35 no diet needed. bmi up to 50 2 weeks needed and bmi of over 50 may need longer.
my diet means 1000cal or less a day with no more than 100g of carbs a day.
if u want the diet plan with portion sizes ive been given ill send it to u. u need to weigh everything amd its quite restrictive.but day one has been ok.
hope this helps x

yes please if you don't mind!

 

[jlb5686]

no probs ill sort it in the morn for u x

 

[jlb5686]

sharon. here u go .....

 

[jlb5686]

if u enlarge it u shud be able to read it. defo works ive lost 5 3/4lbs in 2 days. good luck x

 

[lovelyzobo]

Mine is the same as on the Bospa site. Really easy to follow. Happy to forward to you if you want to look at a few? Xxx

 

[Carron]

sharon. here u go .....

thank you

 

[gaby]

I'm in the same boat as you and have had all of those thoughts! I have my surgery in under 2 weeks and fly abroad too. What I found really helps with the anxiety is making a cognitive behaviour list. You write your thoughts and the emotions they are triggering. So for example:

Situation: At work thinking about surgery
Thoughts and belief rating: It wont work for me 80%
Emotions: Anxiety (70); Worried (90)
Alternative views and belief rating: The surgery is successful for most patients (80); Many people lose a lot of weight (90); I have wanted to do this for a long time (80); Statistically it should work for me too (80)

Then you re-rate your original thoughts. I find this has been really helpful in the past few months