Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

1 More Week..... And I Am Freaking Out!



Recommended Posts

Holy crud... 1 week from today (5/15) is my surgery. I am totally freaking now. I am scared of the pain, scared of the actual surgery - people die in surgery! I have had surgery before but not something "elective" so to speak. I know I NEED to lose the weight and dieting doesn't work long term for me so the sleeve is a great option. I read peoples postings abut how they thought about this for years and had to do all this "pre" stuff..... Prior to 2/17/12 I was one of those people who thought bariatric surgeries were the easy way out!! Boy has the opinion changed!!!! Maybe the fact that 3 months after my seminar on the different procedures I am actually going to be having one is my issue. I am thankful that my insurance isn't stubborn on this and I don't have to go out of the country for surgery but its just gone sooooooo fast.

I was telling a friend I truly feel like I have the "devil and angel" on my shoulders... ones saying DO IT!!! Best thing EVER!! Its what you NEED to live!!..... the other says "BUT BUT BUT"

I am totally thankful that my nutritionist told me about this site!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm having mine next week too the 15th...I'm actually looking at the clock now thinking this time next week i'll be under and getting sliced up.

My nurse told me today that it's very normal and i have to believe her as she had it done also... I'm going to start packing my luggage this weekend, they are going to think i'm moving in! :) But i want to be compfy and have soothing things around me..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Shilo! I am getting sleeved on May 15th as well! :D I definitely have a "devil and angel" on my shoulder as well. lol I completely understand what you mean. From what i've read on here that is pretty normal. Many people have these kind of feelings so I know that in the end our Angel will win!!! We can do it!

I have never had any type of surgery and am extremely nervous BUT I know that this is what I need to do to get my weight issues straightened out! I finally feel like I'm taking control of my health and my life and I can't wait for next tuesday!!!

Keep on checking out this site! There is so much good information on here!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congratulations! Your fears are normal. I think we all probably went through that a bit. This is actually a pretty simple surgery. Blood loss is minimal. I think the hardest part for me was the shoulder pain from the gas. But for me, that was only on and off for a couple of days. Also, the gurgling sounds that came from my stomach when I would lay down at night.

I've lost almost 35 pounds now and I know I could have never done this with WW! I have no regrets! Keep checking in on the site. This is where you'll get the best encouragement and advice.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi everyone, your feelings are very normal. I was sleeved on 3/29 and I was terrified. I had so many doubts, and you are exactly right...you do have the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. I'm not trying to preach but the devil will do anything to get in the way of something good in your life. Don't believe his lies. Complications are rare. This surgery is a life saver. It's really not that bad. The pain is managable. Try to think positive. Just know that what your feeling is completely normal. Good luck and keep us posted.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been very fortunate in that my process has gone very smoothly. Surgery 8 days ago, I made sure I was up and walking that day and many many times! I even did some light stretches (arms up and side to side, kept moving to keep the gas moving) I did not have much of gas pains for long and it was not bad for me. The second day, I did have trouble even looking at anything sweet so I just asked them to only bring me Water, and chicken broth for that day as I was throwing up at the sight of sweets. Had to make myself walk that afternoon. 3rd day was fine, kept walking and was sent home. By day 5 I was out of the house for short errands then day 6 and 7 I've been up and about with no problems at all.

Move all your body will let you on that first day (with the IV I was up every hour or so anyway so I just took care of business then walked the halls each time)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgery is on Monday (14th) and I completely understand your misgivings! I'm in the same boat, rowing with you!

I KNOW I need this surgery. I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I am 42 and with a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes and breast cancer, my good health is going to explode into multiple co-morbidities in the next 10 years if I don't do something NOW!

I'm not worried about the pain from the surgery (it will be temporary).

I'm more worried about the small yet very real chance that something will go wrong and I'll die either on the table or within a few days of the surgery. As I'm going out of country (Mexico) and alone (my husband can't get away to come with me, as much as he wants to!), I don't want to leave my husband with a mess to take care of if I'm suddenly gone!

I know it's irrational, since the odds of anything going wrong are so very small. My health is very good right now, and I've chosen a top-notch surgeon. But it's still keeping me up at night! Sigh.

I'll probably look back on this in a year and laugh. I'm going through with it..........I just have to get there and on the O.R. table (wish time would move faster!) so I can stop worrying!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do what you can to make sure things will run smoothly in your absence. Remember why you chose VSG and the surgeon you're going to have do the surgery. Have faith that things will go well. 99% of the time, it's all over in a couple of hours, plus a couple of weeks of restricted diet pre and post op. After that, it's real life ramped up on energy and weight loss!

I was convinced I'd die, but decided I'd rather die trying to control what I could than die because I couldn't control my eating. I have an aunt who has had over 20 surgeries related to her obesity. I decided I'd rather have ONE surgery than 20.

Good luck to you all! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgery is this Thursday! Im excited!!! I know i'm worth this! Doing it for me, it will all take care of its self! Just keep in mind how fantabulous you will feel in 6 months!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×