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Nervous before Surgery Normal?



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I'm having Gastric Sleeve on July 9th.. I start my Protein Shake diet tomorrow.. This is the first time through this whole procedure

that I have actually been nervous.. I've even said a few times to myself. "What am I thinking" Then I go right back to wanting it done. Is this normal?..

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Yes. I know I am nervous too. I start to say what are you gonna do? Then I remember I am gonna be sooooo much healthier and happier! Congrats on your new journey to a healthier and happier you! I'm excited for you and me both!

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It is totally normal - I worked myself into a full panic as I went into the hospital - and it all worked out great for me (I'm at six months). I couldn't be happier that I had this surgery and wish I had done it years ago. Of course, I wouldn't have said that one - two weeks after the surgery - but am loving the sleeved life now!

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I was sleeved a week ago today. And I went so far as to have trust/will made for my son the week before!! It's difficult to share with others and their response is "you're having elective surgery with a four year old?! Who would look after him if something happened?!!" It gave me some piece of mine but in retrospect I was 300x more nervous than I should've been. You'll be fine. Best of luck and speedy recovery to you. Let us know how you're doing!!

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The anxiety is normal. This is major, life-changing surgery...if you weren't nervous, then you should panic! :D


This part of the process was undoubtedly the most difficult for me. However, it is all a distant memory now!


I was sleeved May 8, 2013 and my wife July 8, 2013. While my surgery and recovery were textbook, hers was a bit more challenging. She had two hernias repaired and it took about 3-4 weeks for her to quit complaining...uh-hm, I mean start to feel better! :P


Now, that period of time is a distant memory! She can tolerate just about everything, albeit in moderation. I can eat almost everything, but for some weird reason, still have a tough time with canned tuna fish!? I can eat steak, chicken, fresh tuna steaks, roast, crawfish, ribs, etc., etc....but canned tuna just doesn't sit well w/me. No worries, I can live without it! :lol:


I am down 119 lbs. and hit my original goal around 6 months ago.


My wife is down 80 lbs. and hit her goal about 3 months ago (She looks fantastic, but she's on a mission to lose more...I told her not to get carried away, I don't want to feel like I'm hugging a sack of hammer handles!).


You are in for an awesome transformation! Just follow your doc's orders to the letter, allow your body time to heal, don't (DO NOT!) let the number on the scale dictate your feeling of success or failure (If you feel better and your pants are baggy, to hell with what the number is! LOL).


The first few months will be an emotional roller coaster...don't be afraid to use the folks on this site as a sounding board, I think you'll find this is pretty much a judge-free zone!


By the way, you're in for one heck of a journey and there's and incredible feeling you, waiting on the horizon!


Godspeed for a quick recovery! :)


Before and After

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My meltdown was one week before surgery, if you don't count that I considered the procedure 2 years before I actually went through with it. I was at my office prepping for my last pre-op visit and as I told my boss, it was really getting real. Anyway, I was fine and you will be too!!! I think it's right to be concerned and talk it through as you need too. I admire that you are doing this and will be a better Mom for your little one doing more active things and for a longer time.

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I was a raving lunatic he Saturday before the biggest b on earth to everyone and everything. All nerves and panic. I finally caved and took a Xanax. A little help not much. Still nervous and panicky on Sunday.

When Tuesday arrived I was surprising myself. I was calm and ready to just get it done

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You are so right on the healthier and happier.. I keep telling myself this is a tool to help me for the rest of my life..

Yes. I know I am nervous too. I start to say what are you gonna do? Then I remember I am gonna be sooooo much healthier and happier! Congrats on your new journey to a healthier and happier you! I'm excited for you and me both!

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Wow! Thanks to everyone for your responses.. I did throw my scale at home away.. From what I've read they say don't worry about the scale and knowing me I would.. That is so awesome on your weight losses.. I am looking so forward to the day I am below 200 pounds.. I'm 6ft tall and people tell me you don't look that heavy, but my bones and health which includes Diabetes and Blood Pressure, I sure can feel it.. I've never joined a support group before but I sure am glad I did..

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The only other thing I'm really worried about is, I'm taking a 9 day vacation to visit my son and his new wife in California.. He is stationed there. My husband and other 3 boys are coming along.. We are meeting her family for the first time as they are flying in from Germany.. My Dr. says I will be fine, I did ask about it on here.. A few responded and said just stay hydrated.. I been walking already trying to get ready. Any other advice?..

ps.. My Sons are 25,21,19,16, So I won't have to take care of them, I just want to be able to keep up!


Edited by NavyMom6

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Loved hearing your stories about you and your wife.. It gives me so much to look forward to.. Congrats on your health and happiness.. I hope my nerves settle down..

The anxiety is normal. This is major, life-changing surgery...if you weren't nervous, then you should panic! :D

This part of the process was undoubtedly the most difficult for me. However, it is all a distant memory now!

I was sleeved May 8, 2013 and my wife July 8, 2013. While my surgery and recovery were textbook, hers was a bit more challenging. She had two hernias repaired and it took about 3-4 weeks for her to quit complaining...uh-hm, I mean start to feel better! :P

Now, that period of time is a distant memory! She can tolerate just about everything, albeit in moderation. I can eat almost everything, but for some weird reason, still have a tough time with canned tuna fish!? I can eat steak, chicken, fresh tuna steaks, roast, crawfish, ribs, etc., etc....but canned tuna just doesn't sit well w/me. No worries, I can live without it! :lol:

I am down 119 lbs. and hit my original goal around 6 months ago.

My wife is down 80 lbs. and hit her goal about 3 months ago (She looks fantastic, but she's on a mission to lose more...I told her not to get carried away, I don't want to feel like I'm hugging a sack of hammer handles!).

You are in for an awesome transformation! Just follow your doc's orders to the letter, allow your body time to heal, don't (DO NOT!) let the number on the scale dictate your feeling of success or failure (If you feel better and your pants are baggy, to hell with what the number is! LOL).

The first few months will be an emotional roller coaster...don't be afraid to use the folks on this site as a sounding board, I think you'll find this is pretty much a judge-free zone!

By the way, you're in for one heck of a journey and there's and incredible feeling you, waiting on the horizon!

Godspeed for a quick recovery! :)

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Hey there. I'm July 9th too. And freaking out too. So much that I canceled my first surgery April 21st 3 days before the surgery!! So I'm in the same boat as you but this time I refuse to give in. We can do this and be just as successful as others on this site!! Wish you the best of recoveries!!!

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    • 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

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    • 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.

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