Surgery is scheduled for 1 week from today in TJ, and I'm scared to DEATH!! I'm not scared of the surgery per se, it seems relatively simple. I'm scared that it will be harder to recover than I thought (only a small number of people know that I'm doing this and keeping it a secret will be difficult if I have complications or a hard recovery), I'm scared that I it won't "work" for me, I'm scared that I'll need 20 fills before I feel restriction, I'm scared that my husband will hold the cost of the surgery over my head in the future, etc, etc. Did I mention that I'm scared, LOL???

On the other hand, I'm excited to start my new life with a new outlook towards food. I'm looking forward to not being the fatest one in the room. I'm wondering what it will feel like to meet a new person and NOT wonder if they are thinking I'm a total pig. I can't wait to get back into the gym and not feel self-conscious about it.

Anyone else feeling conflicted?? Glad I have somewhere to get this off my chest - everytime I bring up my reservations to my husband, he always says, "Well, you can still change your mind....." Someone tell me that I CAN do this....

Hi, Laura. I'm getting my surgery next Friday too.

You're not the only one. I'm conficted as well. I'm worried that this will be another attempt at weight loss that won't work. I've tried everything else, this being the most expensive and invasive obviously! My husband and family think I can though. I notice you don't have much weight to lose (compared to other bandsters), and I don't have that much to lose either - maybe 70 or so pounds. I'm worried that the band won't work for me because of that reason. I'm worried that I'm going to be very depressed over not being able to eat what I want - I still haven't got my head around that. But this is my last hope. I've GOT to lose weight. So you're not the only one with worries! I keep looking at the before and after pics of everyone and that always encourages me.

On the other hand, I am going to be one sexy woman when this weight comes off. I'm so sick of living like a fat person. I just want to live a normal life again. It's been too long. So I live in eternal hope of that happening!

Well, sorry to be so depressing!

Linda

Hi Laura:

I am being banded one week after you. I am also getting nervous and having second thoughts. I think it is natural to be a little frightened of the unknown. And on here we hear so many stories of problems people have that it can be scary.

Be careful about reading all of those right before surgery. Read the positive ones. They will help keep your outlook up. We all know the risks we have been drilled with those.

We all know the possible side effects after surgery as well. WE need the support of each other. That we can get through this together. That whatever comes we will deal with. Because we have waited so long 4 this tool that WORKS!!

Hugz, and hang in there.........:car:

I'm having mine done Nov 1 and I haven't told but a few people. I don't want everyone at work asking me a bunch of questions, watching how and what I eat, etc. I just took a week vacation off and hope I'm okay enough to go back to work when I said I would.

Laura, I have the same fear of my DH and the money thing too. He has been acting weird, not saying much but a couple of times he made little remarks about the money. If it works well for me he will be thrilled but if I have problems or don't loose very much it will come up when he's in one of his moods. I don't really care right now I just need to do this. He'll have to get over it.

Good luck and I bet we all will do just fine since we have each other.

Bobbi

I am having my surgery on Nov. 2 as well and I completely understand the conflicting feelings. While I'm not nervous about the surgery at all for some reason, I am more worried about the band not working for me. Logic tells me that the band WILL work as long as I use it properly and work hard. I set high standards for myself when I lose weight, so if I don't lose weight or even GAIN weight during the "bandster hell" phase, I don't know how that will affect my motivation. Also, as was mentioned above, I am worried that it will take a huge number of fills before I reach restriction, which again will affect my motivation. Basically my biggest obstacle is this is going to be me being hard on myself for not losing fast enough, etc. I have only told my close family and 3 friends but down the road when I've lost a fair amount of weight, if someone asks I most likely will tell them. I think it's harder to tell people before you've recovered from the surgery and are proving that it works by losing weight. My parents are quite unsure about the whole thing but they are starting to come around, slowly but surely.

Anyways good luck to you all. I'm sure we will all be fine as long as we follow the rules and stay positive.

I'm feel so much better knowing others feel the same way I do. My surgery is Nov. 7. Now that I'm on the liquid pre-op diet, I am nervous and sometimes feel like this is just surreal. Am I really doing a surgery to lose weight? I know I am doing the right thing, but I still find myself having doubts. What we are doing is HUGE! We are going to do great. Nerves are ok.

I have been so nervous and excited about this surgery, but I think more nervous than anything. It's so nice to read that others are feeling the same way. It makes me feel not quite so alone. I know no one who has gone through this surgery, and no one in my family is overweight like I am. My whole family is super supportive, but I'm so sensitive about my weight and inability to lose it.

I had a dream the other night that I was one week post-op. I still felt overweight, but I had lost 7 lbs and felt great (in the dream). The feeling of empowerment and excitement was overwhelming huge in this dream and when I remembered it the next morning, the feeling was still strong. So, I'm going to hold onto that feeling and try not to feel too nervous. lol Easier said than done though, I know.

I've been reading books by others who have gone through weight loss surgery, like BEFORE AND AFTER and FIGHTING WEIGHT. Both very good books, definitely recommended reads. One is for gastric bypass and the other lapband, but both chronicle overweight women going through WLS.

-Rhea (pronounced ray-ah)

I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one worrying about the future after surgery. Like you, Linda, I'm quite nervous that since I don't have a ton of weight to lose, that the band may not be as effective. I mean I read that you can lose 40% of weight you need to lose in the first year, that that only equates to about 25 lbs for me. Ok, so now I'm overanalyzing things again....

At any rate...I just started my pre-op diet (I didn't have much of one, since I am a lower BMI) and I'm hungry already, LOL.....

Thanks for being here for me...we'll all get through this together, right?

Rhea, which was the book on the lapband?

5 days to go!! eeek

Rhea, which was the book on the lapband?

5 days to go!! eeek

Fighting Weight. Here's more about it: ABC News: Excerpt: Khaliah Ali's 'Fighting Weight'

Laura, I tend not to believe things unless I see them. My sister-in-law has lost more than 50 percent of her weight with the lapband and looks like a movie star. That's the only reason I believe it can work, because I've actually seen it. I'm thinking if we eat properly (not just junk food) and exercise that it's got to come off. I'm hoping anyway! I know that she was eating pretty healthy with the odd bit of junk thrown in and still losing weight, but has since kicked it up a notch to get the last ten pounds off.

I really like this thread. Can I just say everyone else's fears are my fears as well! Thanks for the honesty!

Linda

Let me join the ranks of the apprehensive. My surgery is 11/6. I lost 10 pounds within four days and haven't lost any more. I started my pre-op diet nine days ago. Oh well. I have been walking alot and will continue to do so. I WILL loose the pounds.

I have my "pre-op" appointment this afternoon. Other than getting their $17,140., I'm not sure what will happen. I'm at 37.5 BMI with no health issues so Dr. Montgomery said I don't need a bunch of tests.

I've got my powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury which I like. I just received my Nature's Isopure Apple Melon, PineOrangBanana, and strawberry & Cream. That stuff is great! I doesn't take milk. It has 50 grams of Protein in two scoops...but also 210 calories. I just have one scoop in 6 ounces of Water. YUMMMMM!

I've had a hysterectomy so this should be a cinch as far as surgeries go...I hope :nervous.

Best wishes to all the November Bandies!!

Kandice - are you using the Isopure for after the surgery, or are you doing it now as part of your pre-op diet? I will be going out to GNC to get some of that, also thinking about investing in a Magic Bullet blender for the liquid and mushies phases.

Linda - While I have no aspirations to look like a movie star, just being able to shop at normal stores and not being embarassed about my appearance will be nice....

Ack I'm SO nervous....only 3 more days!!

Kandice - are you using the Isopure for after the surgery, or are you doing it now as part of your pre-op diet? I will be going out to GNC to get some of that, also thinking about investing in a Magic Bullet blender for the liquid and mushies phases.

Linda - While I have no aspirations to look like a movie star, just being able to shop at normal stores and not being embarassed about my appearance will be nice....

Ack I'm SO nervous....only 3 more days!!

I'm using it before a little and will really use it after for the clear Fluid diet. I am very pleased with the large Protein count and it helps that is tastes good. Getting it online was about half the price of the GNC stores. The freight was a little, but with no tax, it was still cheaper.

Laura: We're all ABSOLUTELY going to be here for you through this entire process. Who better to support you, understand what you're going through and provide an "ear" for venting when things get scary, frustrating, annoying, exciting, et al. Bring it on, baby!! We can take it!! GOOD LUCK LAURA!!!!!

Kandice: Hey!! A fellow Washingtonian!! I'm down in Des Moines, WA!!! I'll have the lovely sounds of SeaTac airport to lull me to sleep post-surgery. LOL! I'm having it next week - Friday the 9th. EEK!! Good luck to you!!

Thank you everyone!! I am leaving in a few hours to catch my flight to San Diego!! Good luck to all and I'll let you know how the surgery went when I return......