I have been researching/debating this for what seems like forever I am scheduled for surgery 8/26 (got in pretty quickly as I am self pay). I know some nervousness should be expected but jeeez! I feel like I have multiple personalities I hop from excitement to fear in a second. I know with all of my heart this is the best thing for me. I wont succeed without this help. I am excited at just the thought of what life can be like in this next phase of my life.

Then my brain says -what in the He!! are you doing?! I have a family I am IN LOVE with (the people who will also benefit from a happy/healthy me). What if I die.

Am I normal? Did you all have a thought right before surgery that maybe you could do it yourself- even though the last million attempts failed? Were you all as terrified as I am?

I did the same thing! A week before my surgery date, I almost decided to not do it. I had already lost about 20 pounds and started thinking I could just do it myself without going through this major change. Of course, that's ridiculous; I've certainly said that before! Luckily my banded friend told me how crazy I was. Long story short - I did it last Friday. It's done before you know it. I would say that right now focus on preparing yourself mentally for your life after the band and review what you must do to make it work as a weight loss tool for you. It will be great!

yes thats normal, I had surgery last friday the 30th and Im selfpay as well (which killed me write those checks) and I did the same thing. I actually wrote in my blog about being scared about dieing but all went well. I think a few days before I just go the point because I was freakin out that I just accepted that Im doing this and there was no turning back and I will deal with whatever comes from this...and I am..one day at a time....I remember during the who prep before surgery fighting back tears and thinking OMG its really here Im about to have this foreign thing in my body for the rest of my life and thinking maybe I should bolt out the door in my hospital gown..but I just kept my mind off of it as best as i could....I had a really rough week after surgery with pain and discomfort but never once did I say I wish I wouldnt of done it..and finally today I feel better ....good luck girl!!!

Relax, it's a piece of cake. The surgery is just part of an extended process and nothing happens so quickly as to shock you.

If you're expecting surgery to be a life changing experience; you're going to be very disappointed.

A week or 2 after surgery, you'll be your old self and you'll have to look at the scars to prove you even had surgery.

Yes - surgery was probably the LEAST eventful part of this process so far for me. What I am going through now psychologically (it is positive) is far more impressive.

Statistically, the chance of dying is extremely low and focusing on that is really self-defeating. You are taking a step toward creating a BETTER life - focus on that instead.

The day of my surgery my hubby came to the hospital with me and waited in the pre surgery hospital room with me for hours. I was such a basket case that the nurse brought me my pre surgery meds early (a mix of meds to relax you).

Then as they were about to take me back I began to cry as if I were saying goodbye to my hubby for the last time. I was thinking about my beautiful son and had a horrible feeling. This was made worse by the fact that I chose to do this, unlike previous surgeries. I truley felt like they were rolling me off to the morgue.

Honestly, that was the worst part of the whole thing. I, obveously, made it through the surgery fine. Ever since then it has been a breeze. If I hadnt put myself through all that pre surgery crap, the whole experience would have been a positive one.

Try to understand that this is minor surgery, as far as surgeries go. You WILL be fine!! Good luck!!!

I was nervous too, but do not have children or hubby, so the fear is different. I was so busy preparing my work and lesson plans that that kept me very occupied. (Have a nazi principal).

I was more anxious than scared. Go through with it. It will be OK. Share your fears with your husband and doctor. My pre-surgery education class helped A LOT!

Good Luck!

Thanks for all of your input. I am going through with it for sure. I just keep saying to myself- the extra weight doesn't seem all that bad compared to dead. All I know is I am going to be REALLY mad if I die:).

I have a feeling this will be the worst part for me..the fear of not waking up. No matter the bumps in the road I will face they wont compare to this fear.

Add in a sprinkle of anger at myself that I couldn't do this on my own and a dash of spending all this money as a self pay. I am just a basket case. But I imagine all of the anxiety I have had over the last 15 years.. fear of pictures, bathing suit shopping, being an embarrassment to my daughter, having none of my black knit elastic fit. All that fear was a burden as well. So I can do this.

Thank you again for your kind words!

Completely normal. My original surgery date was 7/13/10. I was so nervous that I was throwing up. My Dr. refused to do the surgery b/c of the vomiting. He said I had to reschedule and take a xanax staring a few days before the surgery. I did and things went a lot smoother on 7/26!

I remember yelling (screaming down the hall as everyone was laughing at me) at my husband before the drugs kicked in that if anything happened that I wanted him to move to my hometown where my parents are to let them help him raise Grace. LOL so, what you are feeling is completely normal.

Just think about all the fun that you will have on your new journey! Going shopping for new clothes when they drop off of you. (yes, tht DOES happen as my husband can attest to) having more energy, doing things you have not been able to do in forever because of weight.

Good luck!