Freaking out

[kluciano 4]

I'm schedule for surgery on October 8th and as each day passes I'm getting more and more freaked out. I've never so much as gotten stitches before. I know this is the best decision for me I need to have this surgery. I'm so afraid ill have a break down the day of surgery. Has anyone else felt this way?

[Mrs.FullerRN 189]

I'm scheduled 10/14 and I'm scared to death. Some people tell me it means I'm not ready but most say its totally normal

[J.Diesel 220]

Very normal. All of us experience this as we are human. I stopped being nervous once I woke up from the anestsia.

Trust the research you've done in this procedure and selecting your surgeon.

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

I had exetreme anxiety - I am prone to that around medical procedures.

My questions in terms of readiness would be:

1. Have I honestly tried to lose/maintain weight without surgery?

2. Have I considered the risks and benefits of this surgery and still think the tradeoff is right for me?

3. Have i educated myself on what it will take to be successful?

4. Have i educated myself on what to expect post op so the peaks and valleys, stalls, and other known and normal events don't surprise me? This also means realistic expectations - losing weight won't make you a super model, won't solve all of life's problems and may in fact rock your boat a bit.

5. Am I ready to accept that I need to make some permanent changes, not just to lose weight but to maintain it... but that i need some help (ie the surgery) to get there.

I could honestly say yes to all of those things and I have had incredible success - I feel like having the surgery literally saved my life. And yet, i was terrified, petrified and obsessed in the weeks before surgery. It was fear, but i as ready.

[Justinh125 472]

It's normal to be scared. Medicine is the "family business" so to speak, and back when I worked in research science, I personally conducted a variety of surgeries. Still, I was nervous--I think it's part of the human experience.

Just remember that modern surgery is extremely safe, and complications are low, and healing is fast. Better to have the surgery now and hopefully avoid having to have some other surgery later in life due to weight-related complications.

[kluciano 4]

I've definitely done my research. I'm having my surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital. I've been battling obesity since childhood. I feel like now in my early twenties is the best time to take extreme measures so I don't end up with severe health problems. I'm so glad I'm not the only one. I have one friends who has had the sleeve and she claims she was perfectly fine before and after.

[inarakatra 51]

I believe it's normal to be scared. It's surgery, there are risk. I have two coworkers, one who had the surgery and she is doing wonderful. The other coworker is having hers in Dec, but her husband had his during the summer and he is doing wonderful. If you follow everything your dr said to do, you should be wonderful too!

[Melissa1234 69]

I'm oct 3rd and I'm nervous too. Nervous about being put to sleep, what I'll feel like when I wake up, afraid of pain/nausea. But worst of all I fear doing nothing. I need this surgery to get my quality of life back. So freaking out and all, I'll be there on the 3rd. Hopefully you will find some peace to keep you calm in this tough time, good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery.