We made sure to share with all our friends and family, even workplaces, when we started travelling the journey of weight loss and settling down for a gastric sleeve. That was very important for us, to let everybody know what we were doing and, first and foremost, why we were doing it.
We’ve spoken to others who have had gastric sleeves who wanted to keep it quiet at first. They’ve said it proved to be increasingly difficult to keep under wraps, especially once the weight started dropping off. Family members were beginning to get concerned, saying things like “You’re losing all this weight, you must have cancer or some other health problem.” In the end, they had to explain what they’d done and why; sometimes, this was even more stressful than just being up-front from the start.
For us, being open from the outset meant we were able to build up a really good support network, and this really did make all the difference. We found so many people and professionals rallying right behind us. Being able to work from home more often facilitated a kind of leave extension and flexibility that was very helpful on a liver reduction diet and after surgery. That kind of support meant a lot.
My family came through big time, too. They dropped by with meals, like homemade broth, so that we wouldn’t have to worry about cooking right after surgery. A small thing, but those days right after were very long and taxing; help with that took pressure off and really did make the whole process smooth.
The ongoing support has been just as important. Our family messages to see how we’re doing on a regular basis and often comes by to see if we need anything from the shops. We live up 34 stairs, and for the first few weeks, getting down them was nearly impossible. Having friends and family pop by to drop off some groceries was a real lifesaver.
Beyond family and friends, we also found incredible support online. We joined a few Facebook groups and a WhatsApp group with other people that had surgery similar to our timeline, and this kind of online support has really been a game changer. I mean, to be able to share experiences, advice, and just know that people understand what you’re going through really helps when it counts. It was also reassuring to hear from others who had literally just gone through it before our surgery. It really helped to take the edge off. And, to this day, we are in touch every single day. The group is that active, and everyone is there for one another.
Why It’s Extremely Important to Have a Support Network
Having a support network is not an amenity; it is literally a requirement – especially during any other large life change, including gastric sleeve surgery. Here’s why:
1. Emotional Support:
Weight loss surgery is not a walk in the park, but rather a journey filled with steep ups and downs. There are moments when one is riddled with doubt, frustration, and even fear. Therefore, a strong support network will offer an individual emotional facility for when difficulties start knocking. Whether it be the reassurance of a loved one for one to know that one’s path is right, or an opinion shared from the experience of a friend who has undergone this process, people to talk to may make the difference in staying positive and motivated.
2. Practical Help:
Recovery from surgery is not easy, and even simple tasks appear enormous. It can make all the difference when there is family and friends taking care of meals, errands, or simply being there. Not only for physical support, but it is good to know you do not need to do everything yourself.
3. Accountability:
When you have other people around you who are concerned about your success, this attribute will come as second nature. They serve to egg you on, to keep on the post-surgery program: maintaining a new way of eating, attending follow-up appointments, or keeping active. Sometimes just knowing others care for you and are making a long-standing effort is what you need to continue building towards your success.
4. Sharing the Journey:
Doing this with others – friends, family members, or an online community – can make you feel less lonely. To be able to share in victories and setbacks, and all that lies in between, with people who understand what you are going through, adds a layer of connection that is very meaningful. You know you’re not alone and that other people are walking beside you.
5. Stress Reduction:
Surgery and subsequent lifestyle changes can be stressful. The presence of a strong support network can lessen this stress by offering practical advice, emotional reassurance, and sometimes even just a needed distraction. Keeping stress levels under control is important in recovery, and this can be done by having people to lean on for support.
6. Long-Term Success:
Weight loss surgery isn’t about losing the weight; it’s about keeping the weight off and living a new life. Having a support network keeps you with your feet on the ground, focused on the end goal. They can remind you of how far you have come and, likewise, help in overcoming many obstacles that come long after the recovery phase.
Setting up a good support system prior to the surgery was important. It is not only someone to turn to, but it was like building a network that could give us emotional and practical support and shared experiences throughout the journey. Whether that support comes from family, friends, or online, that can make a big difference, and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking to have this surgery.