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I am close to getting a date for surgery. Is it normal to be scared to death and constantly doubting my decision to have surgery?

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Yes, very normal. It is the fear of the unknown. You will be fine!

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Oh yes....very normal! I postponed my surgery once, wrote a will several times, cleaned my house in case I never returned, and said goodbye to my husband about 100 times that last two months...

The worry was SO MUCH harder than the actual surgery...I had never had surgery before so I was terrified...

The surgery was quick, successful, and mostly painless. I has some aches and pains at first, but nothing too bad. I am down 40+ at 9 weeks, maybe not the fastest loser, but I am very happy. I feel better, am off diabetes meds, and have so much more energy than before. love the sleeve...only regret is that I didn't do it sooner!!!

All the best to you :)

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What you're experiencing is totally normal. Believe me when I started the journey, I was gung-ho about getting this done and how much I was looking forward to feeling better...until the night before my surgery. I could not sleep, I was a total wreck...and that morning I even had an anxiety attack that I couldn't go through with the surgery...Luckily my husband sat me down and reminded me of all the effort I had put in to starting this new life. I realized he was right and wiped away those silly tears and had my surgery. BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE FOR MYSELF! I have no regrets. You won't either. Just follow your surgeons advice and take care of yourself, follow their program and you will be just fine! Go for it!

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Thank you zelmo! It really helps to hear that this is normal. I have felt like was losing my mind going back and forth. I just have to remember that if I could "just lose the weight" I would have done it by now.

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Yep, totally normal. I would be surprised if people weren't worried. There is a calculated risk. And then there's the fear of giving up the food we love. Lots to deal with.

My surgery and recovery has been textbook - no issues at all.

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I have one more appt and then I'm also getting my date. I was just over-thinking everything last night after everyone went to bed and all was quiet. I just keep telling myself it's normal and in fact I would probably not be a good candidate if I wasn't nervous and anxious about the process. I know I'll go thru with it, it's just that "What if..." that pops into my head now more then ever.

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I had what felt like a racing heart for two months before surgery, couldn't sleep and was miserable with fear. 6 months later I wish I had done it sooner! Fear is normal because you have never had this done. But I can say it should have been more fearful of keeling over from being overweight than from surgery.

Hang in there!

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SugarFreeMe, I am seeing the nutritionist on Monday and will be starting the preop diet. Looks like we will be having our surgeries close together. I think my problem for one thing is that it is always quiet around here. Everyone is grown and gone. This week, in particular, seems really quiet. I think it seems quiet because I am driving myself crazy with doubts! I am sure this is going to be the smartest thing we ever did for ourselves. So, here's to us! Good Luck!

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Thanks Laura9643! Looks like you have been doing fantastic with your sleeve! Way to go! And, you are right...I should be more afraid of keeling over from the weight related issues I already have!

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ChristmasJanet, My last appt is the psych test/eval on Tuesday next week. I had my pulmonary on Monday and the stress test today, all of which went very well according to the techs. I was told that I have "above normal" lung capacity, I'm convinced that's because I talk so much and my family totally agreed with me LOL I'm so hoping to have the surgery on or just before the 17th of March. My youngest who is a senior has that week off and it would be nice to have a gofer or chauffeur around with me.

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SugarFreeMe. :lol: I have been reminded by my family from time to time that I have the "gift for gab." I hope you can have your surgery while your senior is off. That would be great. One of my daughters is flying in to stay with me and/or my sister-in-law.

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I have my last preop next Friday. Then it's all downhill and I'm thinking surgery will be in April. I am scared to death!!!! The closer I get the more scared I get! I have a husband of 13 years, a 4 and an 11 year old. What if I die? What if I have complications like infection or leak? What if I am a weenie about the pain and have a rough time? What if I never see my kids again? What will their life be without me? How will my husband and family manage? What if my backup at work can't do my tasks right? I'm scared!!!!!! I hear it's normal, I know it's normal but why am I freaking out so bad? I'm contemplating taking some of my dad's ashes into surgery with me cause he was always my biggest protector...

How to I chill out? I've had anxiety all week... I feel ya!! I really do empathize.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • 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.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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