What were your biggest fears before surgery ? Did any come true?

Ranging from fear of insurance company backing out, to overeating with the band?

I appreciate your input!

I had so many fears -- that I'd have complications, that the surgery wouldn't work for me, that I'd hate what it felt like to be banded, etc. But the surgery didn't turn out to be anything near as big a deal as I'd expected, I'm three years out -- and have been below goal for a year (maintaining at the same weight without much trouble, given my gym schedule and what I eat), and I love being banded.

It was so, so worth it. I have a comparison photo in my signature, but I just put a new one on my blog (link below) because I found a better "before" photo. I think the pictures really tell the story better than I can!!

Catherine

Wow, you look amazing!

OMG- Catherine, you look SO GOOD! I read your blog a bit and totally agree with you when you said you didn't exactly "feel" as fat as you looked in the pictures....(actually you don't even look bad in that pic either) because that is how I feel! When I look at myself in the mirror and make myself look nice, I look so much better than I do in a photo. I see the picture and I'm this huge round blob and can't even understand how that's me! Did you get any loose skin? My mom had gastric bypass and pretty much had the same success you did except I think she was a little bigger before, and she got a bit of loose skin that insurance won't cover, and she can't pay to get rid of, and it makes her self conscious. Its not terrible though...she looks a lot like you do in your after photos!

so many fears

1 I would not wake up from the surgery---- don’t know why to date I have had 11 surgeries (including the lapband) and have been anesthetized an additional 7 times for colonoscopies and have woken up from all of them with no complications

2. it would not work and it would be something else I could add to the failure pile----so far 18 ½ pounds since surgery on aug 22…slow but going in the right direction

3. I could only eat baby food and Protein drinks--- not true just finished ½ or so of a grilled cheese sandwich – I have a bad cold that makes everyone real hungry

4. everyone would know-----my family still does not know and will never know

I really feared somethign going wrong in the surgery and like Helen, I dont know why. I've had other elective ops and never felt a qualm and I've since had really really major surgery and wasnt scared. I think it was the feelign that I'd put myself there through overeating and shouldnt have to be taking the risk of surgery. I really feared never seeing my kids again.

I also feared what I'd do when I wanted to really pig out and couldnt. Truth is, I can. And sometimes do. My go to foods were never burgers, fries, heavy things like that but I could sit with a packet of shortbread dunking them in my coffee forever, and things like that are slider foods. I've done that on many occasions since being banded. I keep it under control now though, its not a daily occurrence like it used to be.