by RAM

Created on: February 07, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

Gastric bypass surgery was the scariest, most painful, and life-altering thing I have been through, and it was also the best thing I have ever done for myself. Insurance companies, rightfully and thankfully, put up several roadblocks to approving the surgery including-at least in my case-one full year of physician supervised diet and excersize and consultations with a dietician and psychologist. The psychologist evaluates the candidate to ensure that he or she knows what is going to happen, the possibility of dying in surgery, and the differences that lie ahead. My psychologist commented that most candidates he evaluates are 100 lbs heavier and 10 years older than I (and I was 27). My response "Well, I could return in 10 years and I'll be 100 lbs heavier, or I could just get it done now." That is not pessimism, that is reality.

Reality post-surgery for people who are used to eating what they want, when they want, and however much they want, life post-surgery is difficult to get accustomed to. People who have had the surgery quickly realize that, apart from their smaller stomach and their stitches, nothing else in their world has changed. There are still fast food joints on every other corner, there are still aisles of cookies, chips, and sodas in the grocery store, and there are still big spreads laid out at every family gathering or holiday party. The world does not hold back the tempting foods just because you cannot (or at least should not) eat them anymore. It is frustrating, it can be depressing, but then all you have to do is look in the mirror and smile. Gone are the days where you would feel compelled to spit at the image glaring back at you, and very welcomed are the days where you actually compliment yourself. I don't know that I ever thought I looked good before my surgery. Now, I'm happy. I am glad to forego all the Big Macs, beer, pizzas in the world to have this feeling. Besides, I ate and drank enough of that before the surgery to last a lifetime...hence the surgery.

As with anything, go in educated, go in with questions, go in with your eyes wide open. It is not easy, but it can be very rewarding.

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