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Anyone get REALLY scared close to surgery?



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I am scheduled for June 14 for my sleeve. All along, I was VERY excited! Now, that its getting closer, I'm getting really scared. I keep thinking somethings gonna go wrong. Im afraid of complications. I DON'T want the fear to make me change my mind. I have never had "real" surgery before, just hand surgeries. Help!!!!

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Everybody feels this way at some point before their surgery. It is totally normal.

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Nope. I was pretty convinced I was going to die pre-op. I wasn't even concerned about dying because or during surgery because I knew that would be a lot faster than the route I was on.

There are some benefits to hitting rock bottom, you have nothing to lose.

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Everybody feels this way at some point before their surgery. It is totally normal.

I wish it would pass. I have an appt with the cardiologist and then pre-admission testing and my last appt with my dr. Maybe he can help ease my worries. I KNOW if I lose weight I would feel better and I KNOW I can't do it by myself. I HAVE to do this. I'm a worrier by nature. Thank you for letting me know it's not just me


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I was very very scared... until suddenly I wasn't. It was so weird! I spent MONTHS beforehand agonizing, terrified I was going to leave my kids without their mother... then on the day before, when I thought I'd be my absolute worst, I was at total peace. I slept super well the night before and woke up that morning surer than anything. Which is very unusual because I have SO MUCH ANXIETY ABOUT EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME.

It is normal to be afraid. Talk to your team about your fears. On the advice of someone else in a bariatric forum, I asked my surgeon straight up if he'd had someone die of complications. He said no. Not that it was impossible, but that no, it hadn't happened. And then he knocked on wood LOL. My psychologist also listened to my "life after surgery" fears and was very reassuring that my fears were normal and to her, healthy because they showed I understood how much of a life altering decision I was making. Talking to people will help. Surrounding yourself with loved ones will help.

And if surgery day comes and you're a nervous wreck, you can always ask for an ativan ;)

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I was scared of so many things. That's part of what makes us so strong to do this, it's actually terrifying for many of us on multiple levels. And yet we do it anyway. Because we are badasses.

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I was afraid in the holding room for surgery. The surgeon was a few minutes late. In my mind I said if she is not here in 20 minutes I'm asking to have this IV removed and I'm going home. She got there at about minute 15. In the operating room I was still afraid. I was literally begging the anesthesiologist to hurry and knock me out. I'm so glad that I didn't change my mind. I'm 8 weeks out.
Highest weight 330
Starting pre-op diet 306
Surgery weight 292
Current weight 249.6


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I was very very scared... until suddenly I wasn't. It was so weird! I spent MONTHS beforehand agonizing, terrified I was going to leave my kids without their mother... then on the day before, when I thought I'd be my absolute worst, I was at total peace. I slept super well the night before and woke up that morning surer than anything. Which is very unusual because I have SO MUCH ANXIETY ABOUT EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME.
It is normal to be afraid. Talk to your team about your fears. On the advice of someone else in a bariatric forum, I asked my surgeon straight up if he'd had someone die of complications. He said no. Not that it was impossible, but that no, it hadn't happened. And then he knocked on wood LOL. My psychologist also listened to my "life after surgery" fears and was very reassuring that my fears were normal and to her, healthy because they showed I understood how much of a life altering decision I was making. Talking to people will help. Surrounding yourself with loved ones will help.
And if surgery day comes and you're a nervous wreck, you can always ask for an ativan

Thank you sooo much. It sounds like we have some things in common, I am a worrier. Im hoping this passes for me, I will be talking to my dr in a few weeks. I'm really just afraid of the POSSIBILITY of complications.

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I was afraid in the holding room for surgery. The surgeon was a few minutes late. In my mind I said if she is not here in 20 minutes I'm asking to have this IV removed and I'm going home. She got there at about minute 15. In the operating room I was still afraid. I was literally begging the anesthesiologist to hurry and knock me out. I'm so glad that I didn't change my mind. I'm 8 weeks out.
Highest weight 330
Starting pre-op diet 306
Surgery weight 292
Current weight 249.6


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I'll be asking for that shot really early on!

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I've been mentally preparing for this for about a year and a half now so even though I'm anxious and nervous, I'm not scared. I know this is the tool I need to get to a healthy lifestyle and I know it will change my life forever. For the better. I say go for it and don't look back! You can do this! You got this! :)


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It's normal to be scared. But don't let the last minute fear get in the way of something you have been working toward for months (or years).

Medical technology is a wonderful thing. You will wake up and have no memory of the surgery. It's really a miracle. Think positively and you'll be fine. :)

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I've been mentally preparing for this for about a year and a half now so even though I'm anxious and nervous, I'm not scared. I know this is the tool I need to get to a healthy lifestyle and I know it will change my life forever. For the better. I say go for it and don't look back! You can do this! You got this! [emoji4]




I.started the process in December (taking my time since I knew all along that I wanted surgery in June because I'm off all Summer) I know I just need to get over it, suck it up and think more about the future. I hope after talkibg to my surgeon, I'll feel better. When are you having surgery?

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It's normal to be scared. But don't let the last minute fear get in the way of something you have been working toward for months (or years).

Medical technology is a wonderful thing. You will wake up and have no memory of the surgery. It's really a miracle. Think positively and you'll be fine. [emoji4]

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Have you had surgery yet? I am 99% sure I wouldn't back out, I just want to be "excited" again and less nervous.

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Have you had surgery yet? I am 99% sure I wouldn't back out, I just want to be "excited" again and less nervous.

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Yes. I am 3 months postop. It was my first surgery and I got last minute jitters like everyone. I just kept reminding myself that I didn't spend the least year preparing for the surgery to change my mind at the last second.

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Yes. I am 3 months postop. It was my first surgery and I got last minute jitters like everyone. I just kept reminding myself that I didn't spend the least year preparing for the surgery to change my mind at the last second.

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Did you have the sleeve? Have you had any problems? I'm sorry if i'm being too personal.

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