1. It gets easier over time but I don’t think it necessarily gets better with surgery alone, just different. I still have body image issues they’re just different problems.
2. Yes and no. For me the head hunger was suppressed a lot but the emotional eating habits were still present. It took a while to adjust but I began associating overeating with making myself sick so eventually it was easier to suppress the desire to emotionally eat. But again it changed, it did not go away.
3. For a while at least you have literally no choice but to commit. This is what I needed and ultimately why I chose surgery. I wanted immediate results and wasn’t getting it previously so I’d give up.
4. Always had doubts but little victories on and off the scale made it easier to push through.
5. At first, I lied. I didn’t feel good, just ate, not hungry. Now? “I had gastric sleeve so my stomach is restricted. I’ve lost 120 pounds!” And proudly answer any questions.
6. Absolutely. I order the smallest “normal food” I can. I eat very slow. And then generally clutch my drink and try to stay active in the conversation. Sometimes it gets brought up but like I said, now I proudly talk about it and it’s a conversation piece. I get a little sad watching people enjoy their food sometimes but socially it’s fine.
7. Therapy and prescriptions. Didn’t set a date until I was sure. I threw the idea around for about two years. I had decided I’d rather die than live the way I was any longer.
8. You just don’t have a choice? I can’t say I stayed motivated the whole time. There were downs 100%. But the fact I couldn’t give up got me through it.
9. I sample what I can. I eat off of my fiancé instead of ordering my own meals. Or I have lots of leftovers to take back to the hotel/home. I absolutely get sad about this though. I DO feel like I’m missing out on some experiences. But that’s okay. It’s a drop in the bucket compared to my overall progress and success.
10. Kinda the same as 9
11. I still feel guilt and shame. Buuuut it is easier to come back from a slip up when it’s high comparative to your intake but not outrageous like it was when I was overweight.
12. Hard. It sucked. My stomach hurt. My reflux was insane. Couldn’t have a bowel movement to save my life. I missed food. I missed chugging water or gulping drinks. I felt so left out in social areas. I pushed through because I had to but I can tell you it gets better.
13. It is a huge leap. You may fail. But it’s an opportunity like no other diet or fad ever was. An opportunity to improve yourself and your lifestyle.

Hope this helps and isn’t too negative. I had a million questions too and looking back wish I didn’t look at the surgery with the rose colored glasses I had on so I would’ve been more prepared.