Today I was given my pre-op screening date of 5/17/07. Needless to say, I am getting scared :omg: . I have read so many post, maybe too many. They have all been candid and helpful, but suddenly the reality of surgery is setting in. 90% of the post are positive, but of course the closer I get, that 10% is looming large. I am afraid of the incisions, the healing, the scarring. However, I am mostly afraid of the chewing as I am a gulper. I think I chew twice and then down the chute. :hungry:

I started practicing and found my jaw hurt after chewing more than five times. Also I have RA and the pain meds are fairly large, oh heck :faint: I am stressing. Seems so drastic, someone shake me :help: I am taking myself on an anxiety ride. Hope I am not the only neurotic on this site, I hate to be alone:second: .

Please don't make yourself crazy! The incisions are nothing I have four insicionsthat are the width of my pinky nail and one near my bellybutton for the port that is about 1.5 inches. They don't hurt at all a little iching but that means they are healing. I had surgery on 4/5 and believe me there is nothing to get anxious about! At first there is no chewing, as all you get are liquids but you start to feel how small your stomic is I haven't eaten yet but I imagine I will have no problem slowing down for fear of blockage. I am a former gulper and I think this issue has been resolved with no help from me. Take it easy.

thank you...I looked at the animated surgery and that scared me. It seemed that the incisions would be bigger and I was afraid of that. Thanks again.....working this through post by post

You'll be fine. I can take all my meds no problem. Just relax and enjoy the journey. Its worth it. Julie

thanks, hope all of you are right, just opened my bills and discovered that the two sleep studies I had were not covered by my insurance company as the sleep studies assured me they were. My insurance company states that they are not participating providers with BCBS. here we go...what don't kill makes you stronger>>>>I am going to be the hulk!

Keep practicing on the chewing. The jaw muscles need to be worked out, just like any other. It will hurt less over time.

Good Luck!!!