1 week to surgery and I'm freaking out

[k_nephew 3]

I have researched and researched, prayed and prayed, and I have been given a surgery date for 1 week away. This has happened significantly fast than I imagined (2 months from the time I visited doc and insurance gave approval). I go for my pre-op appointments tomorrow and reality is setting in that my life will be changing drastically, for the 2nd time in less than a year, as I have a baby now too.

Most people would be like yayyyy, but I am a ball of different emotions right now. I am excited, terrified (though I am trying to tell myself fear is not of God and if God is for me who can be against me), nervousness, anxiousness, knots in my stomach, nauseous, joy, gratefulness. Of course thoughts of "what if I fail" creep in.

Any advice on how to deal with the emotions, the healing after the surgery and overall life after the gastric sleeve?

Thanks in advance!!

[beauty1973 2]

Hi,

I had gastric bypass in 2006 if the sleeve was available I would have chosen that one. I am scheduled July 31for a revision and I am very nervous as well considering this is my second time around. It is expected to be nervous but you will be fine. I had some complications after my surgery but I survived. You will be very happy with your new weight loss. Looking at your picture you don't look like your really overweight.

[k_nephew 3]

I have researched and researched, prayed and prayed, and I have been given a surgery date for 1 week away. This has happened significantly fast than I imagined (2 months from the time I visited doc and insurance gave approval). I go for my pre-op appointments tomorrow and reality is setting in that my life will be changing drastically, for the 2nd time in less than a year, as I have a baby now too.
Most people would be like yayyyy, but I am a ball of different emotions right now. I am excited, terrified (though I am trying to tell myself fear is not of God and if God is for me who can be against me), nervousness, anxiousness, knots in my stomach, nauseous, joy, gratefulness. Of course thoughts of "what if I fail" creep in.
Any advice on how to deal with the emotions, the healing after the surgery and overall life after the gastric sleeve?
Thanks in advance!!

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

[k_nephew 3]

I am wishing you well and lots of success on your upcoming revision!

That pic was good angle and great lighting lol. I have about 175lbs to lose, but doc says I will only lose about 130lbs and I want to prove him wrong lol.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I will pray for the success of your upcoming surgery. At your stage I would recommend three things:

1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.

2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.

3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery.

[GreenTealael 24,919]

29 minutes ago, James Marusek said:

I will pray for the success of your upcoming surgery. At your stage I would recommend three things:

I would recommend three things.

1. Take a good before photograph of yourself, so that you have something to compare to after surgery. Many times we are blind to our obesity. We do not see ourselves. Therefore when the weight begins to drop off rather dramatically, we question if this is really happening. Photographs are a good visualization of our success. Many people carry a before and after photo with them, just to remind themselves of their success.

2. Walk 30 minutes each day, every day until surgery (or equivalent exercise). Walking helps the recovery process go smoothly and minimized the pain levels from surgery.

3. Wean yourself from caffeine and carbonated beverages now. After I gave up my 6 diet coke a day habit, I suffered from a week of severe withdrawal syndrome consisting of severe headaches and body aches. I was miserable. You don't want to combine the effects of caffeine withdrawal with the effects of surgery.

Amazing advice

[Matt Z 4,139]

2 hours ago, k_nephew said:

I have researched and researched, prayed and prayed, and I have been given a surgery date for 1 week away. This has happened significantly fast than I imagined (2 months from the time I visited doc and insurance gave approval). I go for my pre-op appointments tomorrow and reality is setting in that my life will be changing drastically, for the 2nd time in less than a year, as I have a baby now too.

Most people would be like yayyyy, but I am a ball of different emotions right now. I am excited, terrified (though I am trying to tell myself fear is not of God and if God is for me who can be against me), nervousness, anxiousness, knots in my stomach, nauseous, joy, gratefulness. Of course thoughts of "what if I fail" creep in.

Any advice on how to deal with the emotions, the healing after the surgery and overall life after the gastric sleeve?

Thanks in advance!!

Welcome to being 100% normal!
How to deal with emotions... be logical, rational and accepting.

Be logical, understand what is causing the emotion. Change is hard.
Be rational, are you really mad/angry/sad or just stressed due to change?
Be accepting, accept that this is hard, accept that it's not going to be easy, accept that it's not going to happen over night.

The good thing is, that once you've worked through the change, it will be the new normal.
Don't focus on the now, focus on the goal.
If you only paid attention to every step you took, you'd never see what's around you and you'd miss out on lots of amazing things.

Embrace the struggle and revel in conquering it.

You got this!

[uzkhalid2012 2]

I’m only 3 weeks and a bit post op so if you have any specific direct questions then feel free to PM me x as this will be you in my shoes in a few weeks time so the good and bad go for it!!

[mitchjoann132010 288]

You have completely got this!!! I worried and worried and researched everything under the sun for 10 months. By the time I got to surgery I didn't care I just wanted to go home after and have them stop poking me and waking me up. I feel like I am grateful for all the advice and shared experiences however be prepared for it to be different when you do it on your own. You will most likely have doubts and beat yourself up on small things. Trust in the process, you will do great!!!!!!!!

[k_nephew 3]

James that was amazing advice, thank you so much for sharing and I will start implementing this today (given that I only have a week to go)! Thanks again!!

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[k_nephew 3]

Matt, I am definitely using the following quotes: "Don't focus on the now, focus on the goal" and "Embrace the struggle and revel in conquering it." Thank youuu!!

Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

[Frustr8 7,886]

Ambivalence goes with PreSurgery. You've studied and studied and studied, but l8 me the voyagers and travelers of old, you are setting out into uncharted territory. You do have maps drawn by your predecessors on this trip, still you wonder, did they miss a bend in the road, a swamp or a bed of quicksand? What if my trip isn't like Susies, Bill, Sally or Bens? Will I still make it through? You have to have faith in what you have learned, your surgeon and most of all YOURSELF! I face this journey myself with the next m9nth or six weeks, and this brave old cowgirl will still have her qualms about whether the Bariatric Bronco is going to,pitch her off.Shoot I've only seen my surgeon Dr Needleman by picture, I'm still a little worried he won't want to,be my ringmaster in this rodeo. But as the line from my 60s song " I've never been this far before" so I gotta keep smiling to,keep from crying😛