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Starting To Really Freak Out.



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I start my preop diet Sunday, surgery on 12/10, and I'm really starting to freak.

I was so certain this was the best decision for me. Now I'm second guessing myself. I had my preop testing this morning and I think that is what set this off.

I'm so worried about complications, leaks, clots, etc. I'm sure what I'm feeling is normal but I'm really freaking.

How is everyone else doing?

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I'm sorry to say, ShrinkyDink, that I'm starting to feel much more concerned too as my date looms closer. My surgery is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 3, and I start the Protein drink-thing this weekend. Yep -- I'm concerned about leaks and hernias and ulcers and all of that stuff. I've read that these complications only occur in a small percent of people who have the sleeve, but it DOES happen. I guess all we can do is do everything the doctors, surgeons, nurses, and nutritionists tell us to do and hope for the best. Good luck to you!

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Im scheduled for dec 13th and i am very worried about that too. Hopefully after we had our surgeries we will look back and read these post and say, i was worried for nothing and im so glad i did it.

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My surgery was in February, and I have not had one moment of trouble with anything at all. Just wanted to chime in with that because when people DO speak up, it beCAUSE they've had a complication, or complaint, discomfort, etc. You don't hear anyone randomly start a thread that says "I feel great and have the whole time, and it's only getting better!" Well....that's me!! I was super super nervous before surgery too. Now it's a distant memory. But it's a decision you have to come to on your own terms.

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My surgery was in February' date=' and I have not had one moment of trouble with anything at all. Just wanted to chime in with that because when people DO speak up, it beCAUSE they've had a complication, or complaint, discomfort, etc. You don't hear anyone randomly start a thread that says "I feel great and have the whole time, and it's only getting better!" Well....that's me!! I was super super nervous before surgery too. Now it's a distant memory. But it's a decision you have to come to on your own terms.[/quote']

Thanks, I like to hear both the good and bad. But neither makes me feel any better lol. I'm hoping I've done enough preop stuff that all will be great.

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My surgery was in February' date=' and I have not had one moment of trouble with anything at all. Just wanted to chime in with that because when people DO speak up, it beCAUSE they've had a complication, or complaint, discomfort, etc. You don't hear anyone randomly start a thread that says "I feel great and have the whole time, and it's only getting better!" Well....that's me!! I was super super nervous before surgery too. Now it's a distant memory. But it's a decision you have to come to on your own terms.[/quote']

We should start a thread called that, because I'd bet there are a lot of us who have had the same experience as you. I'm one of them!

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when people DO speak up, it beCAUSE they've had a complication, or complaint, discomfort, etc.

ShrinkyDinkMeToo22

ahhhhh, the wise words of Dooter!!! :)

many people come on the board commenting how wonderful their WLS was - no problems, great recovery, etc.

but................. stories you hear from people that had unfortunate side effects/problems during surgery, leaks, right after surgery, hard recovery et al :(small % of sleevers

those are the stories that stick out in your mind - yes there is a small % of sleevers that have had problems, and its good to hear their stories, to a point :mellow:

it is good to know the whole story behind "possible" problems with WLS

ANY and ALL surgeries have their possible problems

try not to let those issues over ride your happiness/excitement - initial wise decision to have the WLS :)

i'm one one of the many many happy recipients of the sleeve - i didn't have problems pre-op or post op - and 11 1/2 months post op i'm one happy camper

good luck to all soon to be sleevers

speedy recoveries

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I had my surgery on Nov. 14 and had to go through the 6 month medical portion to meet insurance requirements. I was nervous as well...but must say I have been doing very well. No complications except the normal soreness and being tired. I am diabetic and have heart disease. My sugar levels have been awesome. It's a journey...not always easy, it's almost like I mourned food. But I believe well worth it to have a healthier life. Hang in there during your pre op diet. It's very important. Best wishes to you.

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I was sleeved on Oct 15th. The surgery and recupe was uneventful, I think you have to trust your Dr., do the research and ask all the questions. I am now 5 weeks out and am having trouble getting used to the feeling on having such a small stomach. It is odd to eat one oz and that's it. When I ate to much I had a dumping syndrome like experience and that was very scary. The risks for this surgery are low but if you are feeling more than normal surgical apprehension then wait or talk to the shrink. I was tested for every possible medical condition before hand and I can assure you I would not have been cleared if anything was amiss. I hope it goes well for you.

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I feel the exact same way. I don't know if it's different for me because I actually do surgery for a living or because I am used to be in control in the operating room. Last week my therapist asked I she had told me about her complication- she had a RNY- and then proceeded to tell me this horror story. I really could have done without that.

I just think that people like to relate on whatever level. They think they are helping I am sure. I just need to remember that everyone has their own experience.

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I'm sure she had her reasons but that is a really powerful comment coming from a therapist. I think she overstepped her boundaries. As an EMT who sees cause and effect every day eg: you jump off the roof you break your legs etc, I am also having to check my natural instinct to tell everyone my horror stories (and I have a big bag of 'em)..."war stories" are too scary to share, if we listened to them all we would never leave the house...

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Thanks all. I definitely think its nothing more than worried about having surgery. With my c section I had no time to think and I was still awake. I've never been knocked out before. Thanks for all your advice and words.

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It would be strange to NOT be nervous! Voluntarily removing most of an organ is a big deal. I was nervous, it was all I thought about for months before. It consumed me.

Then I drove myself to the hospital and found I was strangely calm. I was completely at ease with my decision. Recovery sucked, but a couple of shitty days is a drop in the ocean for a healthier 50 or so years. It took one week for me to feel a bit more normal, and each day gets better! I'm dropping weight, in the next few days I'll start exercising. I sleep better and wake refreshed - and that's only 2 weeks out.

VSG is a big deal - but so far it's paying off :) I feel so much better. Hang in there :)

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I too was pretty nervous before surgery. I am 11 weeks out and did not have one complication. Best thing I have ever done for myself!!

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

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        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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