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With surgery approaching am I really ready?



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I've been on this journey for 8 months, moaning and complaining how long everything took, reading and studying every detail of this surgery, digesting the possible complications... Now, in about 3 weeks, it's go time.

Ummm... Yikes.

Why am I suddenly so worried that I'm not ready? What is my deal?? I am not this person. Normally I am meticulously confident, but suddenly I am scared.

Is it normal? Should I listen to this second thoughts monster on my shoulder?

I am not jumping into this. I've done extensive research. I am not happy with my body. I don't want my joints to hurt anymore. I absolutely WANT to be healthy. Why suddenly the uncertainty?

Edited by HopeandAgony

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It's just nerves. You've got this!

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Very normal for anxiety to kick in close to surgery. Not only are there the, albeit minute, risks of surgery, but you are committing to a lifelong change! It's a huge deal. And that really starts to sink in once all the paperwork and hoop jumping are over.

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Totally and completely normal. You're changing your life dramatically in a single day. No matter how much preparation you put into it, you're smart enough to know that anticipation is not the same as reality. You're well-prepared and you will be fine. You'll have your bumps in the road, everyone does. Good luck!

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Completely normal! I even questioned it AFTER the surgery for a while. Like everyone else said though, it is the best decision I ever made. You just have to get through the first few weeks and then you will see. If you aren't seeing a therapist already, consider doing so - at least once before surgery (though I recommend seeing them continually after surgery). They can help you work through these feelings. PS Make sure it is someone that works with bariatric patients. The last thing you need is talking to someone who isn't a fan of WLS confusing you!

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Yep, like the others have said its normal. I am a research nut and have been thinking about and researching WLS for literally years. I was still having second thoughts as I was being wheeled into the operating room. After going for a check up today and learning I have lost 20 lbs of fat, 26 total lbs, and 5 inches off my waist in the last few weeks I am glad I went through with it.

Edited by reree6898

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Thanks everyone. This uncertainty is such a foreign feeling. Normally when I make a decision that is that...no second thoughts. I wondered if it was normal, so you've all reassured me. I am sitting here this morning waiting for my final blood work. Next week is my nutritional class. Things are moving quickly but yet time is standing still.

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Completely understandable.

It's hurry up and wait most of the time and then all the sudden it gets real.

Stay calm by staying active and working your diet plan. Stay focused on the goal.....to lose weight. Doesn't matter if it's before surgery or after.....just work the plan and keep losing.

You'll do great.

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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
      1. This update has no replies.
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