PREOP...NERVOUS...ANY SUGGESTIONS

[susanmm50 21]

Okay.I am really nervous..things are moving fast...Heres the story..I started in Nov of 2013, with the prep for surgery. I did all the visits and finish up in Feb. The insurance change the requirements at the beginning of the year, so it was unknown weather I would have to do more nutritionist visits or if the insurance company would "grandfather" me in under the old requirement. I wait for several months to find out. During the "waiting" period my mother fell, went to the hospital and we found out that she had stage 4 cancer...I was her primary care giver. In May the doctors office called, saying they finally got approval for the surgery...my mother was still in hospital at this time and we had no idea when she was coming home. I explained to them what was going on and they said I had till Aug. to do the surgery. My mother passed a way middle of June. I had her estate to settle and final arrangements to take care of. Now that things are settled I am ready...I think and hope. I talked to the doctors office to find out what needs to be done....if i need to restart the process, I knew I wasn't going to make the Aug deadline for surgery. Imagine my surprise when they told me that I had until Aug 23 for surgery...I can get my gi done in the next week and tentitive scheduled the 21st of Aug...I am nervous about getting this all done, and excited too..but its moving fast...It may be a good thing, it won't give me time to back out...is there any suggestions from anyone that might help keep things moving smoothly? What should I do next? I will be living by myself, any thing i should know there? Anything will help..I'm moving too fast to know what I should be doing next, but I have dreamed of this for so long, I even lost my boyfriend during all of this because he was a non believer in the surgery...

[NolansNana 210]

First of all let me say I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom. That had to have been devastating. I know things are moving fast but it must be meant to be! Right? I'm so excited that you are starting a journey for you! If bf doesn't understand its his loss. I pray that everything goes smoothly with your appointments as well as your surgery.

[NolansNana 210]

I started buying things in advance. Protein Shakes, Vitamins, heating pad, ice pack, Water etc. Preparing for my needs before surgery helped a lot.

[BandedBrunette481 310]

My suggestion is to do as much research in the next few weeks as you can to prepare yourself! This site is a good place to browse to find answers to specific questions you have, all you have to do is type a few keywords in the search bar. But I caution you to take what you read of people's experiences with a grain of salt. You'll see a lot of the bad experience stories on here along with the good ones. Do not let that scare you!! If you follow your surgeon's guidelines, your chance of complications is minimal.

I also encourage you to read blogs on this site or on the web in general. There are a lot out there devoted to LapBand success stories and when I first started my journey I found it comforting to read. I felt more prepared reading what others did to be successful. I have a blog, the link is below if you want to check it out. I have a lot of info about my journey from insurance approval to now. Other good blogs to try are LapBand Gal and BandedWendy (video blog). You'll find links to other blogs in these places as well.

Best of luck to you!!! You'll do great

[pink dahlia 2,513]

First off, im sorry for the loss of your mom, I know this is hard for you. ( I lost both my parents to cancer in the summer of 2012, I had been banded Dec, 2011. ) I believe my parents are watching out for me, maybe your mom is watching out for you too. Maybe thats why it seems to be happening a little fast ? Just a thought. If you make a checklist of things to do and buy beforehand I think you 'll feel less overwhelmed.. Also, you will need someone to take to to and from the hosp day of surgery, and stay with you for the next 3 days or so. Its hard to get off the couch or move much for the 1st several days.. I went back to work on day 8, felt fine, never had any problems.. Hope all goes well for you , goid luck !

[The Icy One 518]

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom to breast cancer last November, ten days before my surgery date. I was gutted but determined to go forward and I knew that she didn't want me to stop my life so I went for it.

Now that you know that everything is a go, do your best to be fully prepared. Buy the liquids, full liquids, supplies for incision care, sugar free Popcicles, sugar free Jello and so on that you will need. Make sure that you fill your scripts ahead of time so that you don't have to worry about going out for the first few days.

It isn't really a good idea to be completely alone, right after surgery. If you have a friend or co worker who can spend a day with you, or pop in or at least cal you on a regular basis to check in on you, that would be good. I had my surgery outpatient and was getting around just fine by the time I got home but it was reassuring to have my husband here in case I had needed him and he was handy to run little errands for me and bring me stuff to drink. I would have been fine on my own, as it turns out but still... It is a good idea to have someone, if you can, just in case.

Good luck and your surgery date and surgery will be here, before you know it.

[Bandista 7,466]

Condolences and best wishes for this new chapter of your life. You sound well-prepared for this transition -- you have the desire and willingness. That positive attitude is a great thing. I found a sense of humor also really helped at the hospital. It is like another planet, so surreal. I had never been an overnight patient before and I was nervous and excited. It was all much better than I thought it would be.

This is a great time to start listening to your body, to be really present and aware. If you're jittery, feel what that feels like. Thirst, fatigue, hunger, etc. Later you'll be listening to your band and the more in touch you are the better. You'll want to be able to separate out head hunger from true hunger and know what is coming from a place of old habits, etc. Don't pressure yourself but just notice what's going on and acknowledge it.

One thing that cannot be overstated is the importance of walking. I was really glad I upped my exercise pre-surgery. I didn't want to but I did it anyway and that gave me something to step right into after surgery. Anytime I got up (to pee or whatever) I walked, a little further each time until I was tired. Napped then got up to pee, walked, walked, etc. This kicks the body into healing mode and releases any trapped gas. Things have been moved around inside and the walking "rights" the body.

I had flip flops at the hospital -- was glad for those. I took a robe but used the one they had. Didn't use other things I brought, like my journal, book to read, etc. You'll want clothes that are easy to put on for going home and a pillow to hold on your tummy in the car.

Good luck with the rest of the pre-op -- you've gone through a lot of hoops and it's all going to be worth it. Be patient with yourself those first couple of months as it can take a little while to get into the swing. Keep all your appointments and know that it's all working.

[KarenElaine 44]

@@susanmm50

My condolences, and prayers of strength and peace in your time of grief for losing your mom.

I'm certain based on your story, as unexplainable as our lives can be, there always seems to be a good reason for why certain things happen in the way they do. Before your mom became ill, you were ready. Now you are simply picking up where you left off.

You sound like a really strong person and I'm looking forward to seeing successful and positive posts from you.

God Bless you.