dealing with emotions pre-op

jacole1820 · October 21, 2007

How do you (or did you) deal with the excitement, impatience, fear, and anxiety before your surgery? It seems like this is all i think about! i just want it done! :whoo: For anyone who has any advice for me that would be great.......

Sades · October 21, 2007

Well since I started this process about 2 months ago, I ave gained around 3 kilos because I was so anxious I couldn't stop eating. Now that I have a date, I seem to have calmed down foodwise and lost 1 kilo again. My anxiety now is more about coming through the op with no hiccups. Good luck with your journey!

Iluvharleys · October 21, 2007

I read all the old as well as the new threads on here. I learned a lot from people who had been banded for a long time. When I went in for surgery, I knew everything they told me just by the great people on here sharing their stories.

Good Luck!

TulipStar · October 21, 2007

I just did a ton of research, read these threads and talked about it ALOT with my hubby. For some reason the day of surgery I was not that nervous. I have had surgery one other time and I keep it together for my family. If they think I am nervous, they will be even more nervous, so I just play it cool and the comedian in me comes out.

My surgery wasn't scheduled until 2pm, so in the morning I went to the spa for a mani/pedi. It was a nice way to start off the day and relax!

kacee · October 21, 2007

I started my journal in mid-April and started reading everything on this forum I could, doing all kinds of web research, talking to people who had WLS and getting their experiences. I was a self-pay so it was pretty quick. I was banded 5-23. I never had ANY misgivings or hesitation from day one...it was pure adrenalin and excitement and it still is after 5 months. I went into surgery with an incredible amount of information and I had ZERO surprises afterwards.

Redheadgem · October 21, 2007

I did all the research, made my decision, got the surgery financed, set the date and then stopped thinking about it. I kept myself as busy as possible and just focused on the Dr. ordered diet. I tried to diet as though I wasn't getting the band and lost 40 lbs.

From what I've read on this and other sites, it seems like some people really dwell on it and it doesn't seem to be very helpful. Educate yourself, make your decision, set up the arrangements with Dr/insurance/financing and then don't obsess!

I had a smooth surgery, no anxiety and quick, painless recovery. Just like our overeating, I think that all aspects of this process are greatly effected by our emotional and mental state.

Good Luck!

fourshadow · October 21, 2007

I did a ton of research, got really super prepared as far as stocking the house with post-op food, got the house squeaky clean, caught up on all laundry and ironing, set up my friend help (I live alone) and then came on these boards to chat and get support. I had a six month wait, so I had lots of time to be nervous. And I was nervous - and everything that goes with it - but I knew it was the right thing for me and I knew I wasn't going to back out. My best advice is to spend your time researching and preparing - it'll be here before you know it! Keep coming back here - it helps!

lainee · October 22, 2007

BECAUSE I WAS A SELF PAY PATIENT I DIDN,T HAVE LONG TO WAIT, BETWEEN MY FIRST PHONE CALL TO SURGERY WAS TWO WEEKS AND THAT WAS LONG ENOUGH TO STRESS ME OUT BIG TIME. I THOUGHT I HAD DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND EVEN GOT MY SERVICE PROVIDER TO PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH SOMEONE WHO HAD BEEN BANDED A FEW MONTHS EARLIER, I DIDN,T KNOW THIS SITE EXISITED UNTIL AFTER I WAS BANDED AND SPOKE WITH A LADY AT A SUPPORT GROUP MEETING, I HAVE LEARNED MORE FROM HERE THAN ALL MY OWN EFFORTS PUT TOGETHER.:whoo:

SOMETIMES I LEARN THINGS THAT SCARE ME BUT I WANT TO KNOW THE GOOD AND THE BAD SO I,M PREPARED.

Northern Lady · October 22, 2007

"SOMETIMES I LEARN THINGS THAT SCARE ME BUT I WANT TO KNOW THE GOOD AND THE BAD SO I,M PREPARED" You've totally hit the nail on the head with this. Sometimes I get a scared feeling when I read some of these things, but then I have to tell myself, it's better to see it coming than to have it happen without warning and then how scared would I be?

andielmt · October 22, 2007

i can understand the emotional part preop surgery. ever since i got my date ive been all over the place. recently i even said that i cant go through with it ( part of the reason is we are buying a house in one week and will be moving right before the surgery). ive been second guessing myself and feel lost. i wish i could be as confident in it as i was for one year but lately ive been having doubts. i havent even been on this site for almost a month now.

andrea