If we could sit down with the versions of ourselves that were sitting in that first consultation, nervous and uncertain and quietly hoping this would be the thing that finally worked — here’s what we’d say.
It’s Going to Work. Trust That.
The doubt in those early weeks — am I doing the right thing, what if I’m one of the people it doesn’t work for, what if I go through all of this and nothing changes — is normal, and it’s wrong. It works. Not in a magic, effortless way. But it works, and the life on the other side of it is genuinely different and genuinely better.
The Hard Parts Are Harder Than You Expect
The recovery is more physically demanding than the information leaflets convey. The emotional adjustment takes longer than you’d think. The constipation will become a whole thing (get ahead of it). The hair loss is real and it’s alarming and it passes. Prepare for these things rather than hoping you’ll be the exception.
Food Will Change Forever — and That’s Okay
You will grieve the old relationship with food. That’s allowed. But the new relationship — smaller, more intentional, more about nourishment than comfort — has its own satisfactions that you can’t quite imagine yet.
The Mental Work Is Just as Important as the Physical
Surgery changes your stomach. It doesn’t automatically change the thoughts, habits, and patterns that got you to surgery in the first place. Do the mental work alongside the physical. Don’t wait until you’re struggling to start it.
Be Kinder to Yourself
You’re doing something hard, for the right reasons, with courage. The days when the scale doesn’t move, when you eat something that doesn’t agree with you, when you feel like everyone else is doing this better — those days aren’t the truth of the journey. They’re just days. Tomorrow is another one.
You’ll be okay. Better than okay.
Disclaimer: This post is based on our personal experience and is intended for general information only. It should not be taken as medical advice. Every journey is different, and it’s important to speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your own circumstances before making any medical decisions.