So what’s next? Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery

Posted on by

Oh goodness, my little Double Chin Diary. I think about you often, how I want to write, how I want to hang out and tweak your logos and colors and design, but then, a baby cries or a toddler whines or a cat pukes on the carpet — and suddenly the reality of the real world thrusts a bunch of other stuff onto my to-do list. Speaking of that to-do list, I’ve been “doing” for the past several months, having attended a class each month in preparation for my upcoming weight loss surgery! Woohoo! My insurance requires six months of “medically supervised nutrition courses”, so once a month, I go to the hospital where I will be poked open, and hear about what my life will entail pre-op, post-op and then some. I’ve actually really enjoyed the program because I’m surrounded by lots of like-minded people, and my nerdy planner-loving self gets to know what I can expect once my tummy is reduced in size.

The exciting news is that May is my last class! On June 1, I meet with the RD for a final appointment, and then, I will be submitted for final insurance approval, and assuming all is well, I’ll hopefully have a surgery date within the month of June. I was thinking about the adjustments I’ll need to make in life, and then pondering how many of us live our lives through a certain lens. For example, even if I lost all my excess weight, I think I’ll always live life through the lens of a heavy person. It’s going to be bizarre and wonderful to finally see efforts pay off; I’m so excited to think that for the first time in my life a “diet” will actually work for me. I’m oddly very excited to begin this process and get back to feeling like me, the me without the fat suit. I decided I’d answer a couple of the same questions that keep coming up, as I know I’ll want to refer to my thoughts on the surgery a few months after I’m actually post-op.

  1. Are you nervous?
    Of course, but maybe not as much as I should be? I think any surgery is risky, but the procedure itself is laproscopic, and a pretty simple procedure overall. I’ve been told I’ll be up and walking within an hour of awakening to help work out the gas used in the surgery, so I’m hoping recovery isn’t too intense. I have a pretty good pain tolerance and birthed two babies, so the actual procedure itself doesn’t worry me, it’s more just the thought of drastically changing the way I eat. (Which in itself is a good thing, and a learning opportunity I need to have.)
  2. How long will you stay in the hospital?
    Assuming I have no complications, it will be overnight. (Since I’m a new parent, I think it’s funny and sad at the same time that I’m looking forward to a night of sleep with no wakeups from baby or toddler!)
  3. What will your diet be like after?
    Small, and for the first several weeks, liquids and soft foods while my tummy heals. At the beginning, I’m told to expect to be able to eat only about two ounces at a time.
  4. How much weight do you have to lose?
    My surgeon and I have agreed 100 pounds will be great, 120 would be awesome, and 150 would be bananas.
  5. Will you have to exercise?
    Yes. The sleeve surgery isn’t magic, but it’s a super helpful tool. I actually like exercise once I get into the groove, so I’m hoping I can get back to feeling good and get back to boxing and yoga and of course, training for the 3-Day. 
  6. What are you most nervous about?
    I think my fear is that I’ll regret having it. My worst case scenario in my mind is that it causes some irreversible health problem and I’m left regretting that I didn’t just stay fat. Hopefully this does not happen!
  7. Do you have any rewards set for hitting certain goals?
    Yes! Horseback riding, going to Costa Rica and ziplining, going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, etc. I want to do some things that I maybe was too heavy for in the past.
  8. Are you sure you want to do something so drastic? Yup. “But, my cousin tried this new diet called…” NOPE.
    I think one great thing about modern medicine is we usually get to choose how we treat ourselves and our ailments. I’ve spent a long time thinking about this and have researched the hell out of it, so I’m extremely confident in my decision to move forward. I need the help of a tool to help me get out of my weight loss hole – and there’s no shame in my game. Rock on 🙂
  9. Why can’t you just be happy with yourself the way you are?
    I think that some people are 100% able to live their best lives at the size they are. I’ve been fortunate to live a life I’ve loved, whether it be at 180 pounds or 280 pounds. Has it always been easy? No. But I’ve traveled, I’ve had kids, I’ve worked an awesome career, and very seldom did size get in my way. But, sometimes, it did. And I want to feel like my best self and my best me, and I can’t live my best life with the sobering reality of the health risks of obesity lingering over me. So onwards, and upwards, and loving myself through it, and hoping you love yourself, too. (And if you don’t? Get on it. Life is too damn short for that crap.)
  10. What will you do when things get hard?
    The same things I always do. Seek help, talk to knowledgeable friends who won’t judge me, go to therapy if I need to, work closely with doctors, be grateful, be persistent. I’m lucky to have several friends who have had the sleeve, and they’re graciously an open book to me and my million questions.

So that’s that! I can’t wait to update y’all in a little bit with some official “before” surgery photos. I hope you’re doing wonderful out there, and wish me luck in these next few weeks as I tackle my two-week liquid diet before surgery, and do all the blood work, etc. I always appreciate you cheering me on!

 

101 thoughts on “So what’s next? Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery”

  1. Pingback: So what's subsequent? Making ready for Weight Loss Surgical procedure - All Personal Health

  2. Oh my friend, they do not let you sleep the night away post-surgery. Vitals, vitals, vitals. But it was still a nice rest here and there. 😉

    More to come.

    Reply

  3. Pingback: So what’s next? Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery – Diet Advice Online

  4. I know it’s been quite a journey toward this so I’m happy you’re doing well. I know how dedicated you’ve been so I’m sure you’ll be able to manage whatever comes your way, even though I know it won’t be easy. Liquid diet though…we’ll enjoy this weekend 🙂 also, why can’t you enjoy the wizarding world now? Genuinely curious (I haven’t been there yet!).

    Reply

    • Great article! I love it. Can you use this product i will link down below. This will bring Vitality back into your life so that you can be strong, active, & energetic for yourself and loved ones.

      http://bit.ly/2RPXNI1

      Reply

  5. Good on you Alyssa, this is my first visit to your blog, so I don’t know a great deal about your journey. Will have to read some more posts 🙂 All the best for your surgery. I’m not sure I could do what you’re about to do though.

    Reply

  9. Hi there, It might be too late for what I’m about to share that helps a lot of you who wanted to be healthy and fit without leaving your regular meals and diet. Maybe it makes a big help for all of you what I recently discovered about loosing weight, for more detailed information you may visit http://bit.ly/2wWdvbu… I hope this will help a lot.

    Reply

  11. Thank u for sharing such excellent information please keep sharing
    needs hair studio is a leading hair treatment and hair replacement centre in Hyderabad which provides the best solutions to hair problems. We have rich experience in treating hair loss problems for years.
    Our Clinic has unique treatments for hair loss and hair replacement. In our clinic we understand the causes that lead to hair loss. We employ non-surgical methods to revitalize your hair. There is lot of options with us, so you just pay a visit and take your pick. We have confidential rooms to keep your hair loss problems personal. Why are you waiting still? Book your free session right now. Experience the best hair replacement service in Hyderabad.
    We always promise you that our hair replacement and restoration treatments will certainly boost the lost confidence in you. Our customized therapies and techniques are free from side effects. So they are the best suitable to Men Women and Kids.

    Reply

  15. Hey! Great content. I have this product that might help other people. Thank you bit.ly/2GYsE17bit.ly/2GYsE17

    Reply

  22. Great article, love reading about your journey. I am too am on my journey to losing weight and I have already 10Ib in 3 weeks using Flat Belly Fixsystem you get more detail about that here https://bit.ly/2Iiwwee love read your update , as they keep me motivated . I a m looking to lose as total of 20lb .

    Reply

  23. Great Article! Amazing!http://bit.ly/2MQsYnA this product could really help you a big to achieve your journey for weight loss. And after using the product, due to product effectiveness you will create more amazing articles and motivate others too.

    Reply

  35. Pingback: So what’s next? Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery – Health And Wellness

  38. Great article love reading about your journey, I too am om my journey to losing weight and I have already lost 10lb in 3 weeks using the Cinderella Solution you can get more details about that here http://bit.ly/2OhVmzZ. love reading your updates, as they keep me motivated. I am looking to lose a total of 30lb.

    Reply

  40. Great article! I love it. Can you use this product i will link down below. This will bring Vitality back into your life so that you can be strong, active, & energetic for yourself and loved ones. It might be too late for what I’m about to share that helps a lot of you who wanted to be healthy and fit without leaving your regular meals and diet. http://bit.ly/2T6SWTe

    Reply

  43. wow that’s an ineradicable story and thanks for the blog on your journey what really worked for me and i was able to lose almost 40 pounds in two months was ketogenic supplement here’s a link to learn more about what helped me so much https://bit.ly/2T9BMo0

    Reply

  53. Your article is wonderful , keep it up so that we can get more about losing weight. I found out a product that may help others it is great hope it will help anyone who want to lose waight. Check it here http://bit.ly/2lweiwY it is great to help each other.

    Reply

  58. doublechindiary.com is literally the BEST weight loss community, i read it everyday, thank you so much for sharing. if you’re a woman, over the age of 40 like me who wants to reclaim her life inside the body she DESERVES while living her very own Cinderella story like myself and the other women you’ll meet today, read this http://bit.ly/2AHtKum , it only take less then 10 mins of your time. The breakthrough I discovered at the END of my weight loss failures… Is guaranteed to be the first step in YOUR SUCCESS.

    Reply

  64. I’m so proud of your weight loss process it reminds me of my weight loss and I how struggled for a while until I found http://bit.ly/2Nxavd3LosewFAST it really changed my life I lost 70lb. Just wanted to share my experience and say I’m very proud of you and keep up the good work

    Reply

  65. DOUBLE CHIN DIARY is literally the BEST weight loss community anywhere. I read it everyday and I’m also so grateful I found https://bit.ly/36AhqL7. It helped me not only lose weight but keep it off. Hope it helps some others!

    Reply

  71. double chin is great to read and gives great motivation to get back in shape! i too am on my journey to losing weight and i have already lost 10lbs in 3 weeks using the 2 step process! want to learn more just click on the link to read more about it! http://bit.ly/37refpl. love reading your story as they keep me motivated. i am looking to lose a total of 20lbs!

    Reply

  72. I tried a Ketodiet and I’m really pleased with the results I’ve had so far, and as well as the initial weight loss, I’ve noticed the appearance of my cellulite has improved, and my back fat (an area I struggle with), as well as my arms, has also slimmed down. I’m naturally curvy, and I love my figure, but these are just little areas that I wanted to improve, and I’m really happy with the results. My sister, Mona, started the diet a week before me, and while she lost 8 pounds in the first two weeks, five weeks later, she’s measured a loss of 9cm off her stomach, which is insane! Here is the one i tried. Check it out! http://bit.ly/34rKfb2

    Reply

  77. The Double Chin Diary is literally the best weight loss blog out there, been reading it constantly, and im also grateful I found https://bit.ly/2VnpKsX , it helped me not only get my optimum weight but also eliminated cravings and overall are more disciplined. I hope it can help others

    Reply

  79. Such an inspirational blog. Love reading your updates and the progress that you have made. Goodluck with your surgery but it could be worthwhile checking out other things that could help you lose weight. To help you and any others looking to lose weight https://bit.ly/2WQ8tuh is amazing as it helped me to get to the size that I had always been dreaming of for years! Do try it out as I am certain that it could achieve your goals!

    Reply

  80. Hey Double Chin Diary, I really enjoyed this post, especially what you shared about weight loss tips! I recently also read this https://bit.ly/30z8TpI, is it true that this product can help me create lead magnets really quickly? I would really appreciate your opinion on this. Thanks!”

    Reply

  84. Hi Alyssa, You are simply great and your story gonna be inspiring to thousands of people including me.I was also suffering with weight loss and its been 9 months now that i am away from all that you call junk food, well i don’t know whether its a great idea to follow this link https://bit.ly/2Smx3jz which i am following it now to loose weight in an organised manner.

    Reply

  89. The doublechindiary is literally the BEST Wight loss blog . i read also grateful i found link :
    http://covalea nicu.Custom Keto Diet.hop.clickbank.net , it help me a lot to lose weight.hope this method to help others to .

    Reply

  90. Great article. The doublechindiary is the best blog i’ve ever read. If you need help with a diet, I will be happy to help you. I am a professional trainer who has helped many people. If you are constantly struggling with losing weight, write to me. I will arrange a diet for you and you will finally lose weight. you do not believe? write to me at john.kamsky@interia.pl. It guarantees success

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *