WLS TIMELINE – Or Am I Normal? REPOST

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WLS TIMELINE – Or Am I Normal?

As you can guess not everything will apply to everyone, however, the

following are my observations for the last few years.

By 1 week preop:

Panic sets in – much like the panic before having a baby. What to

take to the hospital…pack and repack. Arrange everything you can

before going into surgery (cook meals, write letters, read the

memorial pages and then go to the message boards to get reassurance,

confirm baby sitting, postop help, time off work, travel

arrangements, etc.). Dive into whatever final foods you're just

SURE you'll never eat again. Ask the MB what foods you'll never eat

again. Insomnia! Mood swings. Preop testing, nasty bowel preps

(btw, there are NO easy ways to get this stuff down. Just do it!).

Wonder if you're weird because you ARE NOT scared. Wonder if you

making a mistake because you ARE scared.

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 plateau. 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.

You discover that you vomit or burp mucus, foam or fluid

occasionally. This is called frothing, the foamies, or just

mucus. It typically IS just mucus, caused by your healing pouch.

You discover your body has weird ways of telling you that you've

eaten enough/too much (i.e., sneezing, sniffles, runny nose,

hiccuping, etc)

You wonder if it's normal to poop once, twice, three times a week.

You discover one day the scale is evil (you're loosing too slow) and

the next day its your friend when it rewards you with 1, 2, 5 pounds

gone.

You wonder if you're losing too fast and how will you stop it when

you get to `goal'.

You wonder if you'll EVER get to `goal'.

You try numerous types of protein drinks/bars, etc and wonder if

protein is `for life'.

You swear you will never eat or drink….fill in the blank…as it is

evil or forbidden (pop, cookies, popcorn, gum, etc.).

You discover that many (not ALL) long-term postops have discovered

that very little is forbidden or evil to them in moderation and with

care.

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 plateau. 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 - be aware, I

continued to lose to goal for 20 to 22 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!

from bariatricbytes.com