I posted this in the thread I stared back in Nov. about the surgeon I was looking into but I wanted to repost it here to get other responses.

I finally called today and signed up to go to a group meeting this week. I'm terrified. I have high anxiety already and this decision is really weighing on me (no pun intended LOL!) I just dont know if I am brave enough to pull the trigger on something like this...it's such a huge, huge life changing decision. I'm scared about complications and I'm scared that I'll have this massive regret after it's been done...months later...and wonder why the hell I did it.

I think I am kind of in shock that I am even considering this...or that I have reached a point where this might be my best option. I'm just scared, guys....really. I have a little boy and what scares me the most is that I might not come out of this surgery and be there for him.

Am I being irrationally scared?

I have severe generalized anxiety disorder. This surgery scared the daylights out of me. You're not being irrational, it's a big choice. Oddly enough, the morning of I was fine. I expected to have a panic attack. I was all smiles, joking with the nurses, calm as could be.

Anxiety is normal with a decision like this.

I hear you. I'm wide awake and breathing through a panic attack right now. It's a nightly occurrence since I decided to go ahead with this, and I'm out of Ativan. 10 more days to go... I'm scared outta my MIND!!! I read the complications, and there doesn't seem to be ANY consistent information online. My surgeon has good stats, I'm just begging the heavens that I am one of the lucky ones! Not really sure what else to do.....

I was like you doubting and like you I have a son that I wanted to make sure I would be around for a long time for at the rate I was going I didn't see that happening if I didn't do something about it. You have to have faith in god and your doctor. There's a reason why god has brought you to this point in life. These doctors do this all the time. You will be fine! It's not that bad the hardest part is not being able to eat all that bad stuff that brought us to where we are now. I've learned to appreciate food now and when the day comes that I can eat normal again I'm going to savor every bite just enough to satisfy my craving and not over indulge.

Oh wow I'm just like you, I'm starting to have second thoughts myself after reading about the leaks, blood clots, gallstones removal all of that. The hardest thing is I really want the surgery however NO ONE in my family or friends want me to get it, I know I'm a grown ass woman however if something happens to me on the table or complications my mother would just die!! I. 41 years old 5'3 and at 260 pounds, I have been heavy ALL of my life. I have tried every diet, every accountability boot camps and diet programs with little to no success. I feel like at this point in my life I just want to be healthy and happy with a new body and a new outlook on life. I'm the kind of person to where if I get something new of value I will do all I can to take care of it, that's how I feel about having a new smaller stomach, I wouldn't abuse it by overeating especially since I won't be able to. I'm having a hard time deciding between Mexico self pay or just have the surgery done here in the states, the thing that gets me with the Mexico self pay is the hard time getting follow up care in the US.

Oh wow I'm just like you' date=' I'm starting to have second thoughts myself after reading about the leaks, blood clots, gallstones removal all of that. The hardest thing is I really want the surgery however NO ONE in my family or friends want me to get it, I know I'm a grown ass woman however if something happens to me on the table or complications my mother would just die!! I. 41 years old 5'3 and at 260 pounds, I have been heavy ALL of my life. I have tried every diet, every accountability boot camps and diet programs with little to no success. I feel like at this point in my life I just want to be healthy and happy with a new body and a new outlook on life. I'm the kind of person to where if I get something new of value I will do all I can to take care of it, that's how I feel about having a new smaller stomach, I wouldn't abuse it by overeating especially since I won't be able to. I'm having a hard time deciding between Mexico self pay or just have the surgery done here in the states, the thing that gets me with the Mexico self pay is the hard time getting follow up care in the US.[/quote']

Eh, if you have surgery in Mexico (as I did), your doctor in the US will help you. They might lecture you, but you can still receive follow-up advice. I didn't go to my US doctor until 4 months post-op, and she wrote me a script for a PPI (after lecturing me).

Being afraid of complications and wondering if you are going to a be a statistic is a normal process for anyone undergoing surgery. Heaven knows I went through that with each of the several major operations I have had in the last 6 years. However here I am almost three months after being sleeved and writing on this forum.

The complications for the sleeve are no scarier than any other surgeries I had where a organ or body part was removed. Every time the doctor went through possible issues, I took a deep breath. Do you research watch the surgery and relax. The surgery goes by quickly and so does the two week post-op diet.

Good luck to you all on your respective surgeries and journeys.

Thanks guys...

I went to the group meeting to meet the Dr. and after listening to what he had to say and watching some educational videos online about the surgery, I am feeling somewhat better. I am waiting to hear back from the dr's office concerning my insurance coverage. I'll go from there.

I'm still in the pre-approval phase.....and there were days I flip flopped about the VSG........and days where I was feeling quite anxious about it.........but after meeting with the surgeon and mental health professional, I'm feeling better about it.....

The LSW strongly suggested attending support groups for WLS patients.........before you have the surgery......I may do that.