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It seems EVERY day I have a new fear. Is this normal?



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I will be a band to sleeve revision in the next few weeks. I am ready to lose the weight...AGAIN. But it seems I have a different fear every day or so.

At first I was worried about the pain (which I have sense learned isn't too bad). Next I was worried about leakage. Then I was/still am worried about regain. And over the last day or so I have become worried about acid reflux (which I currently don't have due to the lap band).

Is it normal to worry this much before sleeve surgery?

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Yes absolutely! I just had my sleeve done on Tuesday and the weeks before we're awful. I was soo scared that I would be in that low percentage of people with complications. I thought I would be out of it for weeks, scared of the head hunger and even dying on the operating table lol. But once I woke up and started drinking Clear Liquids I was extremely relieved and everything went away. And even though I am only 6 days out I can already tell this was the best decision I have made for myself.

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Yes absolutely! I just had my sleeve done on Tuesday and the weeks before we're awful. I was soo scared that I would be in that low percentage of people with complications. I thought I would be out of it for weeks, scared of the head hunger and even dying on the operating table lol. But once I woke up and started drinking Clear Liquids I was extremely relieved and everything went away. And even though I am only 6 days out I can already tell this was the best decision I have made for myself.

That is great news! Congrats and Good Luck to you on your journey!!!

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You're having a major organ removed! Of course you're going to worry, obsess, and overthink everything--there'd be something wrong with you if you strode into the hospital whistling without a care in the world ;) .

As far as reflux, the reviews are mixed. Mine was so bad prior to surgery that I'd wake up with vomit in my mouth. My esophagus and even my vocal cords suffered damage. Post-surgery, the problem is 100% gone. It was such a wonderful surprise. I was just hoping it wouldn't get worse, but I got this wonderful gift instead.

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You're having a major organ removed! Of course you're going to worry, obsess, and overthink everything--there'd be something wrong with you if you strode into the hospital whistling without a care in the world ;) .

As far as reflux, the reviews are mixed. Mine was so bad prior to surgery that I'd wake up with vomit in my mouth. My esophagus and even my vocal cords suffered damage. Post-surgery, the problem is 100% gone. It was such a wonderful surprise. I was just hoping it wouldn't get worse, but I got this wonderful gift instead.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad to hear it's normal.

Also happy to hear that your reflux got better!!!

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I find that get a bit a reflux, if I don't eat anything for a while, which I normally settle with a drink of Water. The journey you are about to undertake will be amazing, and I am only 23 days out of my surgery. The hard part is behind you, making that decision to go for the operation. now you will have to overcome the in the head issues like head hunger, and over eating, because believe me your body will let you know you have had enough very quickly once you move from liquids to semi solids.

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I also had a whole slew of fears before surgery and up to until about 2-3 months after surgery. Really the only thing that made me get passed the worry was that I didn't get sick and I didn't die and one day at a time I recovered and began to lose weight. I'm not super crazy about the phrase "have faith" but sometimes you just have to take a leap and hope that it works out ok. I think the absolute vast majority of people on here are pleased that they took that leap and statistically you too will be quite happy after surgery is over and recovery is finished and you begin to lead a very normal, boring life, with 20% of a stomach.

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I find that get a bit a reflux, if I don't eat anything for a while, which I normally settle with a drink of Water. The journey you are about to undertake will be amazing, and I am only 23 days out of my surgery. The hard part is behind you, making that decision to go for the operation. now you will have to overcome the in the head issues like head hunger, and over eating, because believe me your body will let you know you have had enough very quickly once you move from liquids to semi solids.

I also had a whole slew of fears before surgery and up to until about 2-3 months after surgery. Really the only thing that made me get passed the worry was that I didn't get sick and I didn't die and one day at a time I recovered and began to lose weight. I'm not super crazy about the phrase "have faith" but sometimes you just have to take a leap and hope that it works out ok. I think the absolute vast majority of people on here are pleased that they took that leap and statistically you too will be quite happy after surgery is over and recovery is finished and you begin to lead a very normal, boring life, with 20% of a stomach.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice. Much appreciated!!!

It is so great to be able to come here and not only talk about positive milestones, but also fears and disappointments (that usually ease through the support of others).

Edited by Fatty McFatster

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its an adventure, but at the end of the day, its also a tool to help you stave off late rummaging through the fridge, and once motivated, which in the end you certainly are. You chose to have 80 percent of your stomach removed, there is nothing you can't accomplish weight wise, and once ones confidence builds, you face challenges with a more positive approach. F McFatster, you'll do great.

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its an adventure, but at the end of the day, its also a tool to help you stave off late rummaging through the fridge, and once motivated, which in the end you certainly are. You chose to have 80 percent of your stomach removed, there is nothing you can't accomplish weight wise, and once ones confidence builds, you face challenges with a more positive approach. F McFatster, you'll do great.

Thanks man! I appreciate the vote of confidence!!!

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Today the fear is saggy skin, so I just bought a BowFlex Home Gym to help alleviate that fear.

Edited by Fatty McFatster

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I find that get a bit a reflux, if I don't eat anything for a while, which I normally settle with a drink of Water. The journey you are about to undertake will be amazing, and I am only 23 days out of my surgery. The hard part is behind you, making that decision to go for the operation. now you will have to overcome the in the head issues like head hunger, and over eating, because believe me your body will let you know you have had enough very quickly once you move from liquids to semi solids.

How does your body let u know ur full once u move to semi solids? What do u feel?

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Mr McFaster;

November is fast approaching, just wanted to share a few tips for when you go for your sleeve, before and after tips. Before the actual event, follow the directions provided for you in the pre-op diet, your going to be motivated, and find that you are going to lose weight prior to going. Get some exercise in, some walking 20 to 30 minutes each night really helps, as you are conditioning yourself, and you will find that walking is going to be a life saver for you, and you will work yourself into a pretty kicjk pace when the weight starts to come off. Your gonna be nervous the day of the event, but just relax, because before you it, your gonna be in recovery. Post Op - this is where it gets a bit tricky, because everyone is different. First follow the directions of your doctor and the staff, no matter what. they say eat this, you eat it, etc etc, drink when they tell you and walk. Gas pains are the biggest problem, some people use Gas X strips. I was less polite and just belched as often as possible. Do not try to rush the food intake, broths and Soups are a big must, take your time, because your gonna need it. Watch your incisions, I had a little trouble with one, but they are all good now, and healed nicely. Grab some scar fade which takes away the redness. Finally, relax, because when you start losing the weight, and it does come off, you going to be excited, and more confident. Aug 13 was my Operations, so about 6 weeks out, and I am down to 248, from Operation weight of 284. It feels good, and I know you will do great.

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I think having trepidation and concern is VERY normal and to be expected. Lord knows I have my own. The kid within wants to ran and eat a you name it, but the Adult within is trying to overwrite that logic with what we know must be done if we are to increase our changes of having a long productive life on Gods Green Earth. A tall order indeed, but so worth the gain. Hang in there, fellow November Sleever!

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Today the fear is saggy skin, so I just bought a BowFlex Home Gym to help alleviate that fear.

Skin elasticity is different for everyone, but staying very hydrated and using moisturizers will help the elasticity of your skin. Honestly, I look in the mirror and prefer the saggy skin over the extra weight, this too can be fixed. I'm 20 lbs from goal and have a scheduled Tummy Tuck in November. Don't worry, after you start losing the weight your skin will tighten up in some places. Concentrate on Dr.'s orders and you will be fine! ;)

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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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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