Swanton_Bomb

9am tomorrow. Really scared and I want to get it over with!

That surgeon should lose their license to practice medicine. That is positively sadistic and cruel. I know that there is a lot of legal pressure on doctors to not prescribe opioids but this is for surgery! I am having my surgery in the morning, and I am relieved that the instructions I was given specify that I will be sent home with Percoset.

No, absolutely not. I know doctors are afraid of prescribing opioids these days but he's just going to have to.

Thanks for you help! I had broth this morning and sugar free jello for lunch, and lots of water. I have an ungodly headache and I need a nap.

Thank you. Super scared but I'm trying to view this intellectually and not emotionally!

Yes. One pamplet says all clears, the other says only sugarfree clears.

I did not have to do the two week liver shrink diet, I just had to lose a certain amount of weight pre-surgery. I am now on the clear liquids and the info provided by the surgeons office is conflicting and confusing and my nutritionist is out on a family emergency. A clear liquid diet normally includes gatorade and apple juice and tea with sugar. Bariatric patients are always sugar free. I feel dizzy and lightheaded and I don't know if I can get through the day with only broth and sugar free liquid. Will watered down apple juice be a problem for the surgery?

Thank you everyone for your reassurance. The stress of this pushed me into a major panic attack, and I haven't had a panic attack in a long time, so it really scared me. I know intellectually that I need to do this, and that the risk of being obese is worse than the risk of surgery, but everything just suddenly got real. Thanks so much for being supportive. I don't feel like I can talk about this with most people, I want to keep the surgery private, so this forum has been so valuable for me.

I'm scheduled for November 8th. I'm also a teacher, and scared of the recovery because our jobs are so demanding. Guess I'll find out soon.

I got my surgery date two weeks ago, and yesterday the official confirmation that the insurance went through. I haven't been nervous about anything except the hair loss so far, but I think my body saved all the anxiety up because as of last night I feel absolutely terrified. I'm crying and feel like I'm going to throw up. I'm so scared. I'm scared that I might die. I'm scared that I'm basically choosing to give myself a permanent disability by cutting out most of my stomach. I'm scared that I'm going to look like a monster when my hair thins and my skin sags. I'm scared that I will get an infection. I'm scared that on limited calories I will be exhausted and won't be able do do my job well. I'm scared that I will be miserable for life because food is what I love more than pretty much anything. I'm so, so, scared of the pain and feeling like I've been hit by a truck. I'm scared of the anesthesia, which I've never had before. I'm scared that I can't take NSAIDs anymore and if I get a painful condition I may be really screwed. I'm so scared and I can't stop crying. Please tell me I'm doing the right thing.

Good luck. While that is scary at least you have something to go on now. After this is all over you need to write a letter to that team member of his that turned her back on you and walked away. She needs to know that she treated you like garbage and ignoring your condition could have caused something very bad to happen. I hope you have a complete and very speedy recovery.

You look so nice! The haircut suits you, and the lift is fantastic. You don't look different or pulled tight, you look younger and fresher, like you got a few nights of perfect sleep and just went on a spa vacation. Your surgeon is excellent. Great thing to treat yourself to after working hard to lose the weight.

Yes, I work for NYC too. Thanks for the info. I was so disappointed when I learned it was going to take twice as long! My doctor told me no exercising except walking for a month, I can't imagine doing that on day one. Your surgery is in just a few days, best wishes for a quick recovery!

See, this makes me feel SOOOO much better! You look terrific. First of all, when people say they cut their hair "short", this isn't what I think of, I think of chin length or shorter. I prefer my hair mid-back but I could carry off a cut like this. Thanks for posting.

I'm pre-op and I'm getting conflicting information about snacks. My nutritionist gave me suggestions for healthy snacks, and then she gave me a meal plan that said absolutely no snacks. Now by snacks, I'm not talking about mindless Cheetos in front of the tv. I'm talking about a planned, portioned, healthy snack such as string cheese, fruit, nuts, protein bar, etc. With previous weight loss plans, when I was on-plan and doing what I was supposed to do, I did best if I brought a snack to work. I work long days and it keeps me from gorging at dinner. Maybe I just won't be hungry enough for a snack after surgery, I don't know. So do you snack?

I'm getting closer and getting scared too, and getting cold feet (the hair loss scares me to death, in particular). I just keep telling myself: You have been trying to lose and keep off this weight for over twenty years. Clearly I'm not good at this and I need help. I know the statistics say that surgery is the best tool for success. I need to do it. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Thanks for all the responses. Very good advice, I'm learning a lot!

How long does it take to get used to not eating and drinking at the same time? That seems so strange to me.

You can set alarms on your phone (or better, your fitbit, the alarms are less intrusive) to remind you to drink water.

Would anyone who has experienced hair loss be willing to post a picture (face hidden if you are private about the surgery, of course). It would help to actually see what I'm in for.

I'm close to tears thinking about this aspect of the surgery and just how bad my loss will be. I am not a very attractive person, and my hair is literally the only thing somewhat decent looking about me, and it's pretty thin now. I'm really scared about this and the inevitability of it. I do NOT look good with short hair. I know extensions can be an option but they damage regrowth. I'm starting to wonder if this is a mistake. When I first started the pre op process I thought the hair loss would be minimal, but now I'm reading about people who have lost enough to need a wig and people who lost so much they felt they had to shave their heads. I feel sick to my stomach over this.

My nutritionist said regular sized pills (the size of a Motrin, but don't take those since they are NSAIDS) are fine, even immediately after surgery, but no horse pills like viitamin and calcium tablets.

I just read a thread about someone who lost so much hair she felt compelled to shave her head. While this woman looks adorable and is rocking it, I would look like King Kong Bundy. Of all the rough things ahead, this is what I fear the most. I feel sick to my stomach thinking about it. I don't look good with short hair at all.

That's a lot bigger than most drinks, that might be the only reason why it has so much protein.

I haven't had my surgery yet but I have only told my husband and mother and I'm not planning on telling anyone else. People are too judgemental about it, and I'm also afraid that it will set up unrealistic expectations for my weight loss. In reality, people lose 50-70% of their excess weight. Not everyone is a People magazine cover. I also don't want people acting like the food police and commenting on my food.