Nervous & Struggling

[thicvik 50]

My surgery date is January 7th and I am struggling with the 2 week fast before the surgery :-( ..Nevertheless I am so super nervous about the surgery itself.. I have a very low tolerance for pain... ppl say if you can handle having a c - section then you can handle this surgery... im just scared to fail nevertheless to get sick behind the surgery itself. ..

[luckyme2g 35]

I think what you are feeling is normal. I am scheduled for the 8th, and my pre-op diet starts tomorrow. Now that more people know about my surgery I am more afraid of failing. All we can do is the best we can and leave the rest to God!

[planetheather 137]

I will say it. If you can handle a c-section, you can handle this surgery x2.

[yazzy 105]

You will be fine . Just walk around alot so you let all the gas out .. I hardly had any pain . I didnt even take any pain medication but you can if you need it. I also am the biggest chicken . I never slept the entire time since i woke up after surgery in the hospital .. I must have walked miles that nite. i just was soo nervous i couldnt stand still ,, I look back now and wish i would have slept cause all worked out well...lol.... Wishing much success on your journey for the new year!!!!! Oh as far as the pre- op diet ...............IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!! HAHA,,,BUT YOU WILL GET THRU IT!!!!!! its probably the worst part..

[southernsoul 773]

I haven't had a c-section, so I don't know about that comparison, but the pain from surgery wasn't that bad. I was uncomfortable for several days, but not in terrible pain. I didn't realize how much I use my ab muscles until it hurt to do so! :PGetting up from the sofa or the bed, bending down to pick something up....these caused a little "reminder" in my midsection, but it's not like it was excruciating. It probably won't be nearly as bad as what you might be imagining. Good luck!

[Fluffnomore 1,235]

This was the easiest surgery in terms of pain I have had. (I've had 4 or 5 surgeries altogether.)

I know that I may not be the norm, but I was expecting much worse.

[Seela 1,187]

I have an incredibly low tolerance for pain but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the recovery was. Just dont lay down flat for the first 4-5days!

[Nurse_B 270]

Feeling nervous and anxious is all a normal part of this. It is a big lifestyle change, and it really takes thought and commitment to get to the place you are now. The two week pre-op diet isn't exactly fun, but you can do it. Everyone who has to do it, doesn't exactly look forward to it, but you will get through it. Write down all of the reasons why you are doing this, and keep looking at it until surgery, and even after surgery.

As far as pain goes, everyone has a different experience. I didn't have much pain, but I also had surgery before and it was easier because I knew what to expect. Make sure you stay on top of the pain, and don't be afraid to ask for pain medication if you need it. The best thing you can do is walk, walk, walk. Don't hesitate to ask questions and lean on people here for support. You can do this!

[ribearty 544]

What I heard and what happened were completely different. I had no pain from CO2 gas. I didn't have any with my lapband nor with my gall bladder surgery. I had one time I felt nauseous in the hospital got a shot and it went away. I had my lapband removed and the sleeve performed on a Friday, came home on Sunday and was off pain meds after Monday.

The leak test which I had read horrible things about was not bad at all. I think what I imagined was much worse than the actual thing.

You will have some pain because it's surgery, but it isn't anything that pain meds can't treat. I have had several surgeries which some consider some of the the worst, and do not consider myself to have a high pain tolerance. It is very manageable.

Good luck to all with their upcoming surgeries.

[McButterpants 2,846]

I had a much easier recovery from VSG than I did from c-section. I took a total of 4 pain pills after surgery - mostly so I could sleep.

Walking was the best medicine for me - it helped with the gas pains and it helped keep me busy.

The 2 week pre-op diet does suck. But you can do this. January 7th is right around the corner. You are so close!

It's normal to be nervous - hang in there. You're going to be OK.

[sleevethefatbehind 95]

Just remember that you can get thru the preop diet & then you can have your surgery! It's worth it.

Yeah, there's minor pain... it's surgery. But I'm a wimp & did just fine. They give you happy juice to help Like PP said, your ab muscles will mostly be sore. It'll pass. I'm less than a week out & feel about 90% recovered. That's pretty amazing in my book!

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

The hardest part about VSG surgery was the recovery period since it is hard to get in adequate hydration. I started out sipping Water from a shotglass, with a goal to finish it every 15-20 minutes. It was work..LOL. If you do get dehydrated, get a Fluid IV. In my opinion, the pain was minimal, but adjusting to life post sleeve was some serious work.

[planetheather 137]

This was the easiest surgery in terms of pain I have had. (I've had 4 or 5 surgeries altogether.)

I know that I may not be the norm, but I was expecting much worse.

Fluff is right. I think I'm mentally tough but physically, I don't think I'm less susceptible to pain than anyone else. This was my 4th abdominal surgery and maybe my 10th altogether. By far this was the best abdominal surgery although it felt like the recovery was longer because of the long post op diet stages. Getting out of bed every 2 hours the first 48 hours was rough because I really wanted to sleep but every time I walked I felt better, so don't skip that part.

[spiritedcowgirl63 108]

C section was worst than the vsg. I found it sore but didn't really need pain meds but to sleep. I couldn't ride my horse until 3 weeks out.

[Amanda Nicole Hosaflook 65]

I am on day 4 of the pre-op diet. It is a lot easier than i thought it would be. Except that i have a terrible cold! I hope they dont cancel my surgery for a cold!