I just received my March surgery date and now I am freaking out. I guess after all these months of waiting and praying and hoping and thinking it would never happen. It has happened, and now I am scared!!

1. Scared of making the right decision

2. Scared of never eating (delicious crap food again)

3. Scared for pain

4. Scared of not getting enough Protein

5. Scared that my hair will fall out.

6. Scared of saggy skin

7. Sacred that I will not be the same person that I am today!!!!

Is this normal of what I am feeling?

Kim

Kim: that is very normal. It's basically nerves and now that you have your date, it's reality. You'll be fine. My date is set for March 4 and I have started getting excited. I'm sure as it gets closer, nerves will start kicking in. Just think positive and to the future.

Mine was confirmed for 1 March and I've become very nervous.

I was passing by a bakery the other day, and started to feel sad that I'll never be able to stuff my face with delicious cake anymore. But when I step back, I realise that it is because I think like that that I need the surgery in the first place. What comes naturally to lots of people - eating nice things in moderation, not letting it dominate their life - is something I simply can't do.

So when I get to panicking about all the things I'll miss out on - I just ask myself if being able to stuff my face with cake is worth feeling like I'm fifty even though I'm only 29 - and whether it is worth always wondering when I'm going to push myself over the cliff with a heart attack.

But I am also nervous about the surgery itself. I've never had surgery and have issues with being out of control, so I think I have some fears about being under anaesthetic and completely under the control of doctors.

I'm also terrified of needing a urinary catheter

Hi Kim! So glad I saw your post, as I am having a lot of the same fears. I am so terrified something will happen during surgery, even though I'm pretty healthy to begin with. My surgery is March 3. There is a part of me that is scared but there is also excitement that in a year or so I'll be able to take part in many activities that I can't right now.

Thank You girls for making me feel not so alone in this journey.

I'm having the same feelings, Kim. I'm scheduled 3/16.

Have you ladies started your liquid diet yet? Or purchase your Protein shakes? Wondering what is the best "whey" (sorry had to throw that in) to go. And, the hopefully filling too! Are any of you coffee drinkers? I am already scared that I will miss this the most!

Also, what about co-workers trying to talk you out of the surgery, what do you say to them?

Have you ladies started your liquid diet yet? Or purchase your Protein shakes? Wondering what is the best "whey" (sorry had to throw that in) to go. And, the hopefully filling too! Are any of you coffee drinkers? I am already scared that I will miss this the most!

Also, what about co-workers trying to talk you out of the surgery, what do you say to them?

I just got the shakes that I will be using on my post-op liquid diet and they are from powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury and I just got a starter pack to make sure that I liked them (I have read from others on here that this is a good brand). I tried a vanilla one yesterday and thought it tasted good!

As for coffee I do not drink that much now and have switched to decaf. Although I have been preparing for my surgery since September and my surgery is scheduled for March 9. I start my liquid diet next week. I think the sooner you start weaning yourself off the coffee, the easier it will be.

As for telling my co-workers about my surgery, nope! Only my supervisor knows (because I chose to tell her and because she is supportive) the only thing my co-workers know is that I am going to be out for surgery on my hiatal hernia.

Have you ladies started your liquid diet yet? Or purchase your Protein shakes? Wondering what is the best "whey" (sorry had to throw that in) to go. And, the hopefully filling too! Are any of you coffee drinkers? I am already scared that I will miss this the most!

Also, what about co-workers trying to talk you out of the surgery, what do you say to them?

Not a lady but a March sleever nonetheless.

My surgeon seems unusual in not requiring a pre-op diet. I presume I'll need to fast the night before surgery for the anaesthetic, but no liquid diet for me. I think it may be because my surgeon is also a liver specialist, so he is more comfortable working his way around a liver without requiring the liquid diet.

I'm not sure about shakes - I've never liked Protein Shakes or anything like slim fast. One of the things I want to discuss and research more is more 'natural' ways of getting protein in - like yoghurt, Soup with Protein powder if necessary etc - but I haven't entirely figured this out yet.

I just received my March surgery date and now I am freaking out. I guess after all these months of waiting and praying and hoping and thinking it would never happen. It has happened, and now I am scared!!

1. Scared of making the right decision

2. Scared of never eating (delicious crap food again)

3. Scared for pain

4. Scared of not getting enough Protein

5. Scared that my hair will fall out.

6. Scared of saggy skin

7. Sacred that I will not be the same person that I am today!!!!

Is this normal of what I am feeling?

Kim

Kim,

Not glad for your fears, but glad to see someone voicing some of my same concerns that I have wrestled with during my pre-op months. To answer your big question...I think it's a big YES, it's completely normal. This is a major life change. I will comment on each of your fears as you listed them. I hope it will help to give you some peace of mind or at least something to think about.

1. the right decision? -I personally feel confident in my decision because I know that it is the change that will enable me to regain the health (#1), energy, and self-confidence that will make the rest of my life so much better. I f you are at this point in the process, I suspect that you made your decision for similar reasons and I think it's something we have to keep in the front of our mind everyday, to give us strength and motivation. Keep your eye on the prize, so to speak.

2. scared of foods that you will miss out on certain foods....I have to say I still wonder, myself, how I will feel when faced with certain old favorites. I have spoken to people in my local support group who have said that they no longer crave the same foods at all. I'm hoping that this is the case. maybe we can muddle through this one together. ??

3. scared for pain - Not worried about this one. This is my 3rd surgery in 2 years (gallbladder and incisional hernia were my others). The pain is temporary and easily managed with meds. I don't know what your experience with surgery is, but don't let this one worry you too much.

4. scared of not getting enough protein - At my most recent appointment with my dietician, she outlined the post-op dietary progression, complete with examples and daily schedules. This helped clarify a lot of my concerns with how this will all play out. She made this document herself and it's an excellent guide. I would be glad to email it to you if you'd like. Also, do you currently use Myfitnesspal app to track your food? If not, I recommend it. It makes tracking so much easier.

5. me too! I know it won't all fall out. It just doesn't...it might thin out though. My cousin had this happen to her. I personally couldn't even "see" the difference in her hair. I could feel it, only because I cut her hair. She didn't love it because at the time she wondered what the extent would be. It was temporary though. Not sure how long....6-9 mod? I forget. She's back to thick, beautiful hair and I'll bet none ever noticed anything different. I hope to be as fortunate.

6. My number 1 fear!!!! My nutritionist and doctor both said that the elasticity of your skin is largely genetic. Age and amount of time overweight and how much does play a part as well. They told me that exercise and toning definitely helps, but no way to totally control it, as far as what I've learned. Let's just pray for the best.

7. That's a really personal one and I think it depends on the degree to which your weight shaped your personality.

Bottom line.... your fears are completely normal. Just keep in mind how much better off you will be and how worth it all the work is. For me, when I compare what life would be like going on the way I am, and what life could be life with the surgery....there's no contest. I'm ready!

Good luck to you!!

I was just about to write a similar post myself! I start my pre-op liquid diet tomorrow and am terrified of how horrendous it will be. My surgery date is 3/2/15 and I've been working toward having this surgery done sine 4/8/14.

I am not telling all my co-workers about what type of surgery I am having, just that I'm having surgery.

I know that this the right decision, but it's still nerve wracking. Just last night I asked a dear friend of mine why I should have it done and he gave me a very good list of reasons.

I'm just grateful that I have a very supportive group of family and friends, as well as a good therapist.

That is exactly the way I'm feeling. I'm starting to second guess myself.

Wow. These are my exact concerns. I'm so glad someone voiced them. No date for me yet. I've just started my journey with the sleeve and making sure it's the best option for me.

BarbHY Thank you so much for your comment. I am right there with you with your answers. I am also glad that your new and we can do this together.

Have you found a good Protein shake that you like?

Kim,

Not glad for your fears, but glad to see someone voicing some of my same concerns that I have wrestled with during my pre-op months. To answer your big question...I think it's a big YES, it's completely normal. This is a major life change. I will comment on each of your fears as you listed them. I hope it will help to give you some peace of mind or at least something to think about.

1. the right decision? -I personally feel confident in my decision because I know that it is the change that will enable me to regain the health (#1), energy, and self-confidence that will make the rest of my life so much better. I f you are at this point in the process, I suspect that you made your decision for similar reasons and I think it's something we have to keep in the front of our mind everyday, to give us strength and motivation. Keep your eye on the prize, so to speak.

2. scared of foods that you will miss out on certain foods....I have to say I still wonder, myself, how I will feel when faced with certain old favorites. I have spoken to people in my local support group who have said that they no longer crave the same foods at all. I'm hoping that this is the case. maybe we can muddle through this one together. ??

3. scared for pain - Not worried about this one. This is my 3rd surgery in 2 years (gallbladder and incisional hernia were my others). The pain is temporary and easily managed with meds. I don't know what your experience with surgery is, but don't let this one worry you too much.

4. scared of not getting enough Protein - At my most recent appointment with my dietician, she outlined the post-op dietary progression, complete with examples and daily schedules. This helped clarify a lot of my concerns with how this will all play out. She made this document herself and it's an excellent guide. I would be glad to email it to you if you'd like. Also, do you currently use Myfitnesspal app to track your food? If not, I recommend it. It makes tracking so much easier.

5. me too! I know it won't all fall out. It just doesn't...it might thin out though. My cousin had this happen to her. I personally couldn't even "see" the difference in her hair. I could feel it, only because I cut her hair. She didn't love it because at the time she wondered what the extent would be. It was temporary though. Not sure how long....6-9 mod? I forget. She's back to thick, beautiful hair and I'll bet none ever noticed anything different. I hope to be as fortunate.

6. My number 1 fear!!!! My nutritionist and doctor both said that the elasticity of your skin is largely genetic. Age and amount of time overweight and how much does play a part as well. They told me that exercise and toning definitely helps, but no way to totally control it, as far as what I've learned. Let's just pray for the best.

7. That's a really personal one and I think it depends on the degree to which your weight shaped your personality.

Bottom line.... your fears are completely normal. Just keep in mind how much better off you will be and how worth it all the work is. For me, when I compare what life would be like going on the way I am, and what life could be life with the surgery....there's no contest. I'm ready!

Good luck to you!!

Hey, still trying to learn how to work this chat board, so if I am repeating myself, Sorry. Thank you for your comments, I am so were you are in your answers. Have you found a good Protein shake you like.

I just ordered a sample pack of protein drinks from unjury because they seem to be a favorite by many. I just ran out if my coffee creamer and that's it. I quit. I only drink a cup a day anyway and it's more about the time spent with my husband, watching the morning news with our coffee than about the caffeine. I'm officially switching to herbal tea tomorrow morning. I drink that a lot anyway. As for my co-workers, I didn't tell any of them. I do not feel like telling my story over and over and I don't want to open myself up to negative opinions. Not going there with co-workers. My mom, my husband, my sons, and my best friend know. Period...the people who I know have my back.