So my surgery was scheduled for last Friday.

I panicked, freaked out, cried, and then bailed on the whole thing. I am now rescheduling for sometime next week (21st or 24th, TBD). I made the decision to have the surgery based on a lot of calm, logical thought and research, over almost two years, and I made the decision to run screaming from the hospital based on 5 minutes of totally irrational panic.

Anectdotally, it seems that freaking out before surgery isn't super uncommon (tho most ppl still go through with it).

My question to you is, did you freak out before you had your surgery? To what extent? Or were you cool as a cucumber ready to roll?

Thanks!

I was an emotional wreck for weeks. But I knew that I was going to go through with it, because I HAD to. And about two days before my surgery, this calm came over me, because I realized the decision was made, and I trusted myself for making the right decision for all the right reasons. That was June of 2013 and it was the best thing I have ever done in my life. Recovery was easier than I ever thought it would be, although it was no cake walk. Follow the rules, do your best, commit to your new lifestyle, and most importantly, forgive yourself for not being perfect 100% of the time. You will be successful; you can do this! Best of luck on your journey. Enjoy the ride.

Wow, thank you all! You can't imagine how important it is to me to know that others freaked out, too (even if you didn't run out of the hospital like a chicken). I wish I had known how normal it is beforehand. I probably would have done the surgery. I won't back out again! Rescheduling for next week.

I thought of surgery as almost a reward for all the stupid bullshit I spent 6 months fighting through leading up to it. Arguing with the insurance company, seeing a specialist for this, seeing a specialist for that, having 55 gallons of blood drawn, convincing people that I wasn't going to die, etc., etc. All I had to do for surgery was show up and get naked.

Edited October 14, 201411 yr by kd5wzr

I too began to freak a little but I knew whatever the outcome it was in God's hands I said a prayer before going in. My surgery was on 10/8 so far so good got a little dehydrated yesterday so watch your fluids

I didn't have a full freak out where I bailed on the surgery, but I cried and cried the whole way down to the pre-op room where they give you the IV etc. I couldn't stop crying until finally they gave me whatever they give you to calm your nerves and the rest is history. Maybe you could ask your doctor for something for your nerves that you could take that morning like a xanax or something (I take those to help with flight anxiety and they work wonders).... just a thought!

I didn't freak out at all. I was so f**k**g ready for the surgery and had been for so many months.

I was just excited that it was finally happening!

Amazingly, although I'm 68 years old, it was my first surgery and first time being admitted to a hospital.

I had tremendous confidence in my surgeon and his team.

Like someone else said above, I was very focused on the future benefits of the surgery. And I knew I couldn't have those until after the surgery.

I freaked out big time, I was scared about going under, the surgery itself not so much. I remember I kept talking about going to sleep and not waking up. Finally, my mother simply told me to shut up. Not the smoothest move on her part, but she said the more I talked about it the more antsy I got. So, I started singing 'Pretty Hurts,' by Beyonce. Don't ask me why, I wasn't questioning my reasons for getting the surgery, I think I was questioning my reasons for thinking I wasn't worthy of it, and to prove how unworthy I was the universe would do something like cause the Dr. to botch the anesthesia and I'd die. Morbid I know, but it was what I thought nevertheless.

I think it's human nature to freak out, for whatever reason, and there are many. My friend's surgery is the 22nd of this month and she is freaking out. I told her the hardest part is showing up, and trusting that you're making the right decision for your health. I'm glad you rescheduled, best of luck to you!

I was freaking out from the day before my surgery date, but lucky for me I was too embarrassed to show it. The morning of the Big Day, I arrived at the hospital with my best friend and got checked in. As we waited for the nurse to come and take me back, I so wanted to turn to my friend and say that I'd changed my mind and we should go home, but embarrassment kicked in again. How was I going to explain running out the door and blowing off the surgery when I'd spoken of nothing else for the last three months but getting that sleeve?

So I stayed and I did it, and I'm so glad. Aside from a respectable beginning weight loss (I still have a long way to go), there have been many NSVs. It has already proven to be not only worth it, but one of the best and smartest things I've ever done.

I'm glad you're rescheduling. Be brave and go for it!

No, I had peace beyond all understanding. Easy-breezy!

I didn't freak out at all. Although, throughout the entire process (for months) I was like, "well, I can quit anytime". But I kept fulfilling the requirements.

Also, I took public transit to the hospital (because I live in the city) all by myself. So I sat there on the train with my music on my headphones and my overnight bag. I was remarkably chill. They called my number at the hospital and got me prepped and I was still chill. Wheeled me in the room and that was it. The next thing I remember was waking up.

My intake nurse was awesome. She definitely helped to calm me down. I was actually doing OK until she came toward me with a needle to give the shot in the belly. I think she saw the look of panic in my face and my grabbing the covers about to bolt down the hallway, ass out!!! She brought me back to reality and talked softly and calmly. A few hours later I was sleeved and all is good!

I didn't freak out at all. I was so excited I was jittery but I never once considered backing out. I think my husband was the one freaking out and getting teary.

Wow, thank you all! You can't imagine how important it is to me to know that others freaked out, too (even if you didn't run out of the hospital like a chicken). I wish I had known how normal it is beforehand. I probably would have done the surgery. I won't back out again! Rescheduling for next week.

i had 4 surgeries prior to my sleeve and still freaked out! i remember being calm the night before, like incredibly calm. when i got to hospital in my gown is when it started. they had trouble getting my i.v. in and at one point i had 5 iv lines sticking out of my arms before the found a good vein. i was pacing around non stop. though i was scared i knew that this was worth it and that it had to be done. i cried when i got on the operating table. i wasnt scared about the anesthesia but of the actual surgery, but there was a wonderful male nurse with me and he held my hand and calmed me down and before i knew it was out. he was a blessing!

Thank you so much for starting this thread...my surgery is a week from today and I started freaking out yesterday morning - dry heaves and tears. Went to pre-op appointment with the PA and she put things in to perspective when she went over my blood work and sleep study in detail. I realized if I had heard these numbers about someone else and knew that they could change their health with surgery I would tell them to do it. So today as I freak out every few minutes, ,I try to remind myself that This is lifesaving and the right thing to do. Thanks to everyone sharing their stories it helps so much.

So my surgery was scheduled for last Friday.

I panicked, freaked out, cried, and then bailed on the whole thing. I am now rescheduling for sometime next week (21st or 24th, TBD). I made the decision to have the surgery based on a lot of calm, logical thought and research, over almost two years, and I made the decision to run screaming from the hospital based on 5 minutes of totally irrational panic.

Anectdotally, it seems that freaking out before surgery isn't super uncommon (tho most ppl still go through with it).

My question to you is, did you freak out before you had your surgery? To what extent? Or were you cool as a cucumber ready to roll?

Thanks!

YES! LOL. I got into an argument with the fellow that was assisting my doctor (but we talked afterwards and made up )

Then, I asked so many questions that the anesthesiologist chided me for taking up so much time (which I ignored).

Almost jumped off the operating table when they wheeled me into the surgery suite...scary equipment and bright lights everywhere. But I made myself stay and after they shot the medicine into my IV, I was out like a light and it was too late to run!

I don't regret it all and am very glad I stayed. Good luck to you!!