Weight loss surgery is a very unique surgical procedure. With most surgeries, there is a problem, it is corrected by surgery, and once the recovery period ends, the problem is either fixed or improved. This cannot be said of weight loss surgery, because once the surgery is over, the real work begins, both physically and emotionally.
There is more to losing weight than finding a surgeon, being approved for surgery, and, finally, having the procedure. You will need to develop new coping skills, learn an entirely new way of eating, and make exercise a regular part of your life. For many, developing positive habits and breaking away from destructive old habits can be very challenging. You will need to cope with stress and daily struggles without reaching for food, but making these changes does get easier over time.
If you've never exercised before, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that you enjoy the activity and the stress relief that comes along with it. Taking an hour a day out of your busy life to exercise may provide multiple benefits. If you've been trying to find a way to make some “me time” in your life, this may be just what you have been looking for.
It isn't enough to limit the number of calories you take in on a daily basis. Many aspects of your life will need to change: the way you think about food, the way you cook, even the way you dress will change during the weight loss process.
Finding support, from friends, family, and even fellow weight loss surgery patients will be instrumental in your success. Finding someone who is willing to listen or someone who understands what you are going through is an invaluable part of the process. Your support system will help you get through the challenges you face, help you cope when you can no longer turn to food for comfort, and help you as you face an amazing number of changes.
It is safe to say that your life will be dramatically different after your surgery, mostly in very positive ways. As your body shrinks, you will find that you feel better, look better, have more energy, and can be a much healthier person than you ever imagined. If you have any doubt about how much better you will feel after your weight loss, pick up a sack of potatoes at the grocery store the next time you are shopping and see how long it takes before your arms get tired. You will be losing many times that weight, and no longer carrying those extra pounds with every step will feel fantastic.
None of these changes will happen without a great deal of hard work, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Fitting into smaller sizes, improving your self-confidence, and being able to go up a flight of stairs or out for a walk without being exhausted will be just a few of the rewards of your weight loss. While weight loss surgery isn't going to make all of your troubles go away, it may make health problems such as high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes disappear.
Things that you may have avoided in the past will become far easier as you lose weight. Imagine going to a movie and fitting comfortably into the movie seat, or taking a vacation to a sunny beach and wearing a bathing suit without feeling self-conscious. As you work toward your weight loss goal, you will be meeting other goals as well, such as being able to run and play with your children, or being able to walk from one end of the mall to the other without a second thought.
Plan on working hard to make your weight loss goals a reality, but know that your hard work will be rewarded in many ways, some expected, but many more that are unexpected and pleasant surprises.