So...its 5 days before my surgery. And today I am getting VERY nervous. Starting to think about all the dangers of being under anesthesia and start to wonder if this is really going to be safe? Who else has gone through this? I guess I just need to hear that all these fears are totally normal! Any words of encouragement would be so great. Right now I am wondering if this is a bad idea and I don't want to let me fear stop me!!

Thanks!!!

Yeah, I did. And I almost didn't have the surgery. But my friend went ahead and had hers. Now she is at goal, and I'm not. I had mine nearly 6 mos later. All because I chickened out. And yes, I regret that.

And I was nervous the week before.

When surgery day came, nurses from out if the wood work came to me, and said they have no regrets. I felt so much better!!

I too, have no regrets!

Good luck to the new you!!

I had been through 3 other surgeries over the years, so the anesthetic/surgery part of this did not worry me. I also had a friend who was really worried about the surgery, but loved our surgeon, so I was very comfortable with the idea of the actual procedure. What I freaked out about was the possibility of failure after going through this whole thing...I was so out of my mind, I had to ask for Valium for the last couple of days before the surgery, just so I could sleep!

Does your surgeon have a support group through his office? If so, ask if you can talk to some of his people about your panic. It will help to understand how they feel about your surgeon and the procedure itself. My surgeon actually has 3 or 4 patients who work for him, so I could call and talk to them when I needed to.

You'll do great!

I think its pretty normal to be nervous. My lapband surgery was my first "elective" anesthesia, and I got REALLY nervous. In pre-op, I discussed this with the Dr's and they gave me a nice sedative in my IV and all was well. I will have to say, my recovery was VERY easy compared to what I was expecting. I didn't have the shoulder pain associated with gas bubbles some folks do. I was up walking around in the hospital halls a couple hours after surgery, and went home the next day. Yes, there was some soreness, and yes, I took my pain meds prescribed by my Dr, but I'm serious when I say it wasn't bad at all. The first few days, I had no desire to eat....at all. I was on clear liquids for a week preop and a week postop, then full liquids, then mushies, then progressed to solids. I've been banded for a little over three years and would definately do it again tomorrow, knowing what I know now. Best of luck to you in your journey!!

It's so totally normal! You will be fine, you will be so happy with your decision. Write down a list of all the things that will improve with some weight loss, and know it's totally worth it! The risks of the surgery are so minimal compared to what the risks of being obese are...

So...its 5 days before my surgery. And today I am getting VERY nervous. Starting to think about all the dangers of being under anesthesia and start to wonder if this is really going to be safe? Who else has gone through this? I guess I just need to hear that all these fears are totally normal! Any words of encouragement would be so great. Right now I am wondering if this is a bad idea and I don't want to let me fear stop me!!

Thanks!!!

Jennygirl,

It is very normal to feel nervous, if you weren't I would worry.. You will be surprised how quickly the surgery is done, I mean super fast! My surgery was not even an hour! If you have never had anesthesia before, discuss this with the anthesiologist, they can presecribe you something to calm your nerves and talk to you.

You will be so glad you did this, I know I am

BTW, I had a total hip replaced many years ago and was put under for over 4 hours, this was a piece of cake!!

Oh gosh yes, I was TOTALLY freaking out! I've had other surgeries and been put under general anesthetic before too but I still kinda losing it. I was scared to death and kept letting my imagination get away with me with everything that could go wrong.

I think for me (in retrospect) it's the fact I was doing this to myself. It was my choice and not a necessity. My other surgeries were all not optional, they were emergency in nature and had to be done. But the Lap Band was 100% my choice, so I kept thinking "oh my gosh what if I kill myself doing this?" I was a wreck!

That was a little over a year ago. I'm happy to report I didn't let my irrational fears get the best of me and I've never been happier because of it. Getting banded was by far the best decision I've ever made for myself.

Just remember, fear is normal, but also remember you are stronger than fear and you can totally do this.

Best wishes.

I'm one of those people that doesn't/can't react to things until they are actually happening. I had no worries/nervousness until....I was literally on the gurney, talking to my surgeon, about to get wheeled into the OR. And yes, I freaked out and almost got up and left. But then I stopped, took a deep breath, and got a grip. It wasn't the lap band that bugged me out, it was more the surgery itself (anesthesia, blood clots, etc.). But it was over very quick, I had no side effects from the anesthesia and I stood up as soon as I came too. And everything has been just fine since then. Like the others said, if you weren't a bit nervous you would be a rare breed! I think you're just fine!

i must be from another planet, because i did not freak out

i went through alot to get this surgery and i was like bring it on...

i saw as a rebirth and a new me and me getting a chance to walk again...

congrats on your upcoming surgery

I was actually excited! However, I had 2 children and many other surgeries so the atmosphere was familiar. However, I was kind of nervous at the unexpected! Not knowing how this was going to work for me. Nerves are normal especially if you have never had surgery! It's not a bad idea! Don't let your fears stop you! It will be the best decision you have ever made! Friday will be here and gone and we will be talking about how it was so much easier than you thought! Good luck and keep us posted!

TOTALLY normal.

I was thinking of walking out of hospital while waiting for my surgery but didn't.

3 yrs later best decision

Good luck

Wendy

i must be from another planet, because i did not freak out

i went through alot to get this surgery and i was like bring it on...

i saw as a rebirth and a new me and me getting a chance to walk again...

congrats on your upcoming surgery

me too...I was trying to run into the OR. I was so ready for my journey. But everyone is different thankfully or this world would be pretty boring.

You will be just fine Jenny....best wishes