Brighteyes

I am lucky that I have a great hospital to get this surgery out. The team there is amazing. The ONLY reason that I didn't have my monthly physician appointments done through the hospital was because of the commute (I live an hour away). Everything else i am having done through the hospital. I thought I had a decent internal medicine doctor that I see for all my routine stuff, but I do not. It's best I found this out now. It's obvious that weight loss is not a topic he is comfortable with, even if I am the one bringing it up. So it's best I find a more suitable primary physician now who can be comfortable in approaching my health from all angles.

I am in Clarksville, TN. The reason I wasn't seeing physician at the hospital I am having surgery at (Baptist Hospital in Nashville) was because of the distance it takes to travel down there. But if its what I have to do then I will. It is helpful to know now that this internal medicine doctor won't be my primary physician anymore. I will have to find another doctor for all my routine stuff.

So I am new to this group. My doctor actually recommended that I join. I knew which hospital I wanted to do my surgery through, just wasn't sure which surgery. My doctor has suggested the sleeve, and from all the research I have done I think I am making the right decision. Is anyone anxious over this whole process? I still have a lot to do (nutritionalist, psychologist, etc) so I don't anticipate having surgery till October. But I do find myself worrying about life after surgery. I have ever confidence that the weight will come off. I am more worried about how different my life will be. What going out socially will be like, attention from others, the questions that will come from the weight loss. Does anyone else feel this way? If so, what has helped you through the process?

Make sure they put a motion sickness patch on you and if you start to feel anxious they can give you some meds in your IV to mellow you out. I have had to have surgery before a couple times. I general ask for something to help my anxiety and am asleep before they even get me into the surgical room. When you wake up the nurses will want you to cough. That is always the first thing I remember coming out of surgery.

Did anyone make a point of working out prior to their surgery? I have three months between now and when I anticipate having surgery. I wanted to challenge myself to incorporate working out into my daily life prior to surgery so it's one less life change to adjust to after surgery. Has anyone else done this and been successful?

Thanks everyone for the kind words and insights. I seem to be on a bit of an emotional roller-coaster the last couple days. It's a good thing I have three months worth of appointments to work through all this. Parts of me feel so guilty that I have put on the weight I have and am using this surgery as a way to take it off.

I am in Clarksville but will have my surgery at Baptist Hospital in Nashville. Very happy with my decision on hospital and surgeon.