ChristmasJanet

Yep, totally normal. I would be surprised if people weren't worried. There is a calculated risk. And then there's the fear of giving up the food we love. Lots to deal with.
My surgery and recovery has been textbook - no issues at all.

What you're experiencing is totally normal. Believe me when I started the journey, I was gung-ho about getting this done and how much I was looking forward to feeling better...until the night before my surgery. I could not sleep, I was a total wreck...and that morning I even had an anxiety attack that I couldn't go through with the surgery...Luckily my husband sat me down and reminded me of all the effort I had put in to starting this new life. I realized he was right and wiped away those silly tears and had my surgery. BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE FOR MYSELF! I have no regrets. You won't either. Just follow your surgeons advice and take care of yourself, follow their program and you will be just fine! Go for it!

Oh yes....very normal! I postponed my surgery once, wrote a will several times, cleaned my house in case I never returned, and said goodbye to my husband about 100 times that last two months...
The worry was SO MUCH harder than the actual surgery...I had never had surgery before so I was terrified...
The surgery was quick, successful, and mostly painless. I has some aches and pains at first, but nothing too bad. I am down 40+ at 9 weeks, maybe not the fastest loser, but I am very happy. I feel better, am off diabetes meds, and have so much more energy than before. love the sleeve...only regret is that I didn't do it sooner!!!
All the best to you

Yes, very normal. It is the fear of the unknown. You will be fine!

Thank You Linda.

Ear Plugs. They saved my sanity. The hospital was so loud and noisy as well as my room mate her family.
I sent my husband out for the gas ex strips, nose spray and tweezers( something about surgery sent my few annoying facial hairs to grow overtime)
I did need my robe, but stayed in the hospital gowns and used the slipper socks they put on me before surgery.
They gave me a cough bear that they put a tshirt on with the hospital logo and the name Bari Bear on it. (not sure if I like that bariatic term on it) and it was huge in helping walking and getting up and coughing.

Pencil and pad for taking notes or jotting things down.
List of any last minute questions.

Wow these are all excellent ideas! Keep them coming. I will get that list prepared soon. I ended up not having a lot of time this weekend. It just makes sense to wait until more ideas are brought up first anyhow.

Awesome, you all rock!!

Things I took that I needed and used:

- Chap Stick, #1 by far
- SF Ricola lozenges... sooooo dry with the oxygen
- Gas X strips
- Listerine strips
- Book (barely used, hard to stay awake to read long), glasses
- Cell phone
- Deodorant and baby wipes to clean up some before going home next day


Things I took and did NOT need or use:

- Robe and slippers
- Makeup (pah--right, as if lol)
- iPod (can't sleep with music anyway, so I'm gonna stare at the walls while I listen?)


Wear what you plan on wearing home, you'll only be in it a couple of hours anyway. Also, even though I turned on the TV for maybe an hour, I got a bill for it from some external company (not the hospital) -- only $5, but it's the principle of the thing. Had no idea I'd have to pay for the damn thing, so clarify that before you decide you want it on.

Ive seen lip balm and gas-X on other lists...

I am a nightgown girl. I think nightgowns are easier, because I didn't want anything with a waistband (had an incision right at that place where a waistband would be) plus I just love my nightgowns!! I brought 3 with me, just in case! They were comfy, and I looked stylish doing my laps around the hall! lol...
My bariatric coordinator gives everyone a small firm pillow with a picture of the procedure on it. I used it to press against my stomach when I needed to get in and out of bed, also when I needed to give a nice strong cough to clear my lungs after surgery, and I continued using it to help me at home. If you aren't given one of these (ask ahead) make sure you bring a small firm pillow with you for this purpose.
Great idea Diva!

QUESTION:
"I'm having surgery soon, what will I need for my hospital stay or for shortly after???"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, ladies and gentlemen, this question comes up here so much - I felt it would be a great idea to start up an official thread. My plan is once I think the list is great enough, I'm going to create a checklist for all the folks out there that will be sleeved shortly and have the above question. Then if you are around long enough and as much as I am, and someone has that question you can just lead them to this thread. Fair enough?
Sometimes it's just nice to have everything all in the same place, kinda following the Walmart rule of thumb. They are very successful, aren't they?
Anyway, please start with your suggestions and I'll get my MSWord fired up. I'll also start with the first suggestion:
Comfy Pajamas, underclothes, and slippers or warm cozy socks...
Hospital Stay Checklist.doc