Hi everyone,
I have never posted here but have looked through the forums now and then. Hopefully I'll be able to get some advice from your experiences! Today I finally set the date of my surgery. It's been a long process, going through the insurance and all, actually since February! It seems all too real now that it's suddenly happening very fast. I was hoping others who went through this could give me a little insight.

I've been soo emotional today, and I don't know if I'm sad because I'm terrified of having surgery (I've never had anything before except stitches in my little toe when I was 7) or because it's the wrong thing to do, or because I know what a huge drastic change this is going to be and I'm afraid of change, or mourning my life as I know it, since it will be so different afterwards. It could also be because I went through the class today and met with the surgeon, and they gave me a huge overwhelming binder full of information that just makes it all seem SOOO scary and so... overwhelming. Did anyone else feel this way?

Throughout the past few months I've been excited for it, anxious about it, worried my insurance wouldn't approve it, grateful to have the opportunity, terrified, sad, etc. I really want to make sure I am doing this for the right reasons and will not regret it. I'm wondering if the emotions I'm feeling are normal, or if I'm just anxious, or if I'm trying to tell myself it's the wrong thing to do. But the thing is, if I DON'T do it, I know I'll just keep sinking into this big hole of being overweight and miserable and unhealthy. I can not conceive of any other option for me at this point, since I have already tried SOOO many things and ended up worse off in the end.

In fact, I'm having this surgery because my doctor recommended it. It started with a menstrual problem I was having, and it took me almost 2 months to find a doctor who could/would see me! It turned out to be a Nurse Practioner, and I didn't even want to go to her because for some reason I thought a regular "DR" would be better, but it turned out she was the best doctor I have ever been too. So understanding and kind and genuinely caring. I felt like I was led to her spiritually, and so to the surgery. But right now I am so scared/sad.

Am I just overwhelmed because of the day? Will I be okay? Is this a good thing for me to worry because it shows I am taking the surgery seriously, and know that this is not an east way out? I would appreciate any feedback you might have!! THANKS

PS Sorry this is so long, I can't shut up when I'm nervous

BES,

Congratulations !!!! Its natural for you to feel so many different feelings all at the same time,you must feel relieved as well. Your correct in saying this is NOT an easy way out, but with the support of folks like the ones here, it will make your experience gentler.

The Ladies on this board are the Cream of the Crop!!

Hugs and kisses and best wishes on your New Journey.

Hello Blue Eyes (sounds like a come on in a bar, doesn't it?)

Welcome to this forum! I think if you weren't scared, nervous, happy, sad, jumpy, excited and every other emotion you're feeling right now about your upcoming surgery, you wouldn't be normal. The day I got my date, I cried and jumped for joy in the span of a few minutes.

I have a couple of questions for you. First, what kind of surgery are you having - Bypass, Lapband or DS? Second, when's the big day? Third, have you done lots and lots of research? I think the more you read, the better off you are.

As for taking the easy way out - we both know there's nothing easy about this. You've worked hard to get to this point and you'll work hard to get the weight off. The surgery is a tool that will help you get healthy. It just burns my toast when uninformed people assume that WLS is easy. I don't think anyone goes into this without having tried every other thing under the sun first. And, even if it does make it "easy" for you to lose weight, what's wrong with that? Not a darn thing, that's what!

Having Lapband surgery was one of the best decisions I have made in a long time. I finally feel hopeful that I will be healthy and at a normal weight for the first time in many, many years. That feeling of relief and hope alone make the surgery worth it for me.

Come back and post often. There's lots of great people here with a wealth of experience who will understand where you're coming from.

Later,
Chickadee

Congrats BES! What a tremendous step to take!

Chickadee, you too! I admire you two. Tremendously.

G'day Leens!! Hope it went well~~

Thanks everyone for your encouraging words, I am feeling a lot better today.

As for Chickadee's questions here goes: 1. I am having bypass surgery 2. It will be on June 30, so 3 weeks from today, eek! and 3. I have done lots of research, I just hope it's enough. Actually maybe I've done too much and that's why I'm scared jk

It's wierd because I actually worked for a printer and helped design the bypass manual several years ago when I was a lot thinner... little did I know the exact same book would be given to me for my own use! I helped design the newsletters too so I learned a lot that way... and was always amazed at the incredible transformations not only in people's appearances but in their whole lives. Maybe it was foreshadowing? That was my first education about bypass surgery, and I've known several people who have had it done with wonderful results.

Anyway, I have tried to get as educated as possible, I hope I know everything I should know, I think I do. I have looked up as many personal experiences on the internet as well as talked with people who've had it done, because it was important to me to know the actual real-life ramifications and what the experience would feel like as much as just the "text book" education. It's been encouraging to me to see a good friend who had it done in October really have a great experience. She couldn't be happier.

Anyway, I do have a tendency to worry about things anyway, and I think what really freaked me out was reading quite a few experiences about leaky staple lines and death and people in misery from the surgery. It really brings close to home the risks and scariness of altering your body so drastically. I don't want to die! I don't want to be in pain and suffering forever! You know what I mean? Right now that's what's on my mind and worrying me. Plus I've never had surgery so that brings a whole other set of anxieties.

But at the same time, I can't imagine how wonderful it will be to wake up and know I'm getting smaller instead of bigger, or how it will feel to be able to buy clothes and feel like they actually look good on me. Or how it will be to get a good night's sleep for once and be able to look forward to having kids. Thinking about that gets me excited and happy. But I just know there is going to be so much between where I am now and that happy point, I can't help but feel scared.

Anyway there I go rambling AGAIN, but thank you so much, it does help me a ton to get all this out. I'm so glad you guys understand, and that I'm not completely crazy.

ramble away. darlin... that's what we're here for.

it's natural to be worried. and concerned. and to weigh the risks and benefits. you've done the right research and taken all the right steps to make your decision. and you've picked a surgeon you trust, right???

and you know the incidence of complications that he has, right? and you're comfortable with the numbers, right??

soooo. relax. you've done the best you can. for the next three weeks, focus on getting yourself ready. don't go binging. get some exercise. make sure you're well rested. and remember - one of the most important things my surgeon told me was this: the first three months are not easy, but they DO pass, and things WILL get easier. just get through them doing what you have to do, but remember that this will not be the way you feel for the rest of your life.

and come here and vent away!!!!!!

Thanks for that, the thing about the three months does make me feel better. I'm getting more and more settled about the whole thing, hopefully I'll be completely prepared by the 30th.

I feel very good about the success rates of the place where I am having it done. They said that nationwide the statistic is 1 in 200 people die, but the numbers of this place are more like 1 in 800-1000. There are 3 surgeons and they do about 100 surgeries every month between them. Also, the surgeon I picked loves to do it laproscopically, he does almost always does it that way so I feel like if I can trust anyone, it will be him.

Anyway, thanks again for the reassurance. I'm sure if (when?) I have another panic attack I will be right back here

Congradulations Blue eyes! Oh my I think we were all scared , I remember the day I was approved for surgery, and date was set, within the same hour. I had 10 days notice.... My mind jumped from, fear, to happiness, to excitement, back to fear.
Surgery and recovery for some (like me) was fast and uneventful! I would not turn back the clock! Surgery was 7 months and 112 lbs ago! I feel great! Haven't been this healthy for years!
now to stock the house with soft foods, and SF jello, pudding ect!

Hi - I am Sarajane, I am new to this area of the site, I have posted on the Alternachicks site, but when I logged on , I realized that I have not visited in nearly a year!!! I am having surgery in 8 days and when I realized that it was only a week away - I guess I am a bit panicky! I have done 3 years of research and am very pleased with my surgeon, I have a good hospital and wonderful support group - I am just afraid I can not handle life after surgery! What if I wake up in 6 months and my boobies are touching my toes!!! or if I just go bonkers and down a diet coke and my stomach explodes (like some alien movie...)

My brother and his wife had the surgery so I know what they went thru (his was successful and she lost a lot but gained it all back and more!)

If there are any "tricks" that helped you guys get thru the first 3 months (as I am told that is a huge milestone) I would love to hear them!

All help is appreciated!