Scared/second thoughts

[shanshan 175]

Hi everyone, so last year August I spoke with my primary care doctor about getting weight loss surgery. We both agree its the best choice for me.I did all my classes with my nutritionist & got approved for gastric bypass surgery. My surgery date is April 19 but for some reason I'm scared. I read a few entries about people regretting doing surgery & some horror stories. I read stories about people gaining back weight & others in n out of hospitals for various things.I'm scared. I'm terrified and honestly don't know if I should continue this journey. I'm 5'7 273lbs. I try so much different weight loss pills/diets and none work. I want to get the surgery so bad to save my life but at the same time I'm scared it's going to make it worse. I'm having mix feelings about this, anyone ever felt this was before surgery? Please help!!!!

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[BlueIGT 84]

I know I felt like you on and off for a a couple weeks before surgery. I was scared and tempted to back out, even at the hospital I was ready to run for the hills. But I didn't and I didn't have any complications with the surgery. I followed my pre op diet to the letter to ensure my best possible condition before surgery.

You've obviously researched the gastric bypass surgery, you've taken the courses and you've made the decision to proceed with the surgery. I stopped researching and reading threads about complications when I started to worry, because I knew they would scare me. Also people don't tend to start threads when everything is going well and they have no complications. I think we all go into it with that fear in the back of our minds that we will be one of the ones with complications, not just for WLS but for any surgery and that's natural.

In the end it's only a decision you can make for yourself.

[elcee 3,343]

Being scared is perfectly normal. The complications threads can be terrifying but I think reading some is good as it helps to be well informed. Presumably your surgeon would also have given you information that outlines possible complications.

You need to go into this believing that you won’t have any complications or if you do they won’t be as bad as the almost guaranteed complications from being obese.

As someone already said happy people don’t post that often because happy news is boring! It doesn’t fill the tv news or the newspapers or wls sites!

[GradyCat 3,697]

It's perfectly normal to be a little scared and think twice before surgery. After all, it's a big deal with risks and unknowns. But if you read the threads here, the majority of us have had success and no complications, so maybe that'll set your mind at ease somewhat.

[Jobber 321]

Honestly, the biggest fear that I have is long term success and my ability to stick to a healthy lifestyle.

I truly believe that even with a smaller stomach, if you're not filling it with vegetables, lean Protein and nuts, etc, nobody will be successful. My fear is never being able to have pizza, subs, chips, etc ever again because even a small amount will sabotage me.

Not sure where you biggest fears are, be it the surgery itself or being able to lose the weight during the "honeymoon" phase, but mine is completely wrapped up in what I will be able to do after that. I plan to adopt an exercise routine and healthy diet for the rest of my life, so when I do get to the phase when hunger and cravings come back, I'm prepared.

It's so easy to say that now, but I'm sure much harder to actually do it when people get to that phase.

Good luck to you in your decision and path forward.

Edited March 22, 2019 by Jobber

[Healthy_life2 8,330]

13 hours ago, shanshan said:

I read a few entries about people regretting doing surgery & some horror stories

Being scared and nervous can make you question your decision. Normal pre surgery jitters. I’m sure your surgeon gave you the statistics and risk/complication facts. Your team is going to take good care of you and manage your pain with medication. The pain is temporary, your results will be amazing.

As for all the horror stories, I think its human nature to gravitate toward the negative posts. It will fuel your pre surgery aniety. Try to balance things out by reading the positives.

Surgery before and after’s

https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/297668-i-want-to-see-before-after-pics-contd/

Success stories

https://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1298-weight-loss-surgery-success-stories/

NSV's

https://www.bariatricpal.com/search/?q=NSV

I think many of usthat have bounced back from surgery quickly and had no complications don’t get represented. People that are maintaining no longer need support leave the site. Most people posting are in weight loss mode, a few with complications and people that have gained weight.

[shanshan 175]

I know I felt like you on and off for a a couple weeks before surgery. I was scared and tempted to back out, even at the hospital I was ready to run for the hills. But I didn't and I didn't have any complications with the surgery. I followed my pre op diet to the letter to ensure my best possible condition before surgery.
You've obviously researched the gastric bypass surgery, you've taken the courses and you've made the decision to proceed with the surgery. I stopped researching and reading threads about complications when I started to worry, because I knew they would scare me. Also people don't tend to start threads when everything is going well and they have no complications. I think we all go into it with that fear in the back of our minds that we will be one of the ones with complications, not just for WLS but for any surgery and that's natural.

In the end it's only a decision you can make for yourself.

Thank you so much for sharing, I appreciate it more than you know. Glad to know I'm not the only one feeling or felt this way[emoji173][emoji173][emoji173]

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[shanshan 175]

Being scared is perfectly normal. The complications threads can be terrifying but I think reading some is good as it helps to be well informed. Presumably your surgeon would also have given you information that outlines possible complications.
You need to go into this believing that you won’t have any complications or if you do they won’t be as bad as the almost guaranteed complications from being obese.
As someone already said happy people don’t post that often because happy news is boring! It doesn’t fill the tv news or the newspapers or wls sites!

I agree with you and thank you so much for your feedback[emoji173]

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[shanshan 175]

It's perfectly normal to be a little scared and think twice before surgery. After all, it's a big deal with risks and unknowns. But if you read the threads here, the majority of us have had success and no complications, so maybe that'll set your mind at ease somewhat.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post& thank you so much for your feedback it means alot to me

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[shanshan 175]

Honestly, the biggest fear that I have is long term success and my ability to stick to a healthy lifestyle.
I truly believe that even with a smaller stomach, if you're not filling it with vegetables, lean Protein and nuts, etc, nobody will be successful. My fear is never being able to have pizza, subs, chips, etc ever again because even a small amount will sabotage me.
Not sure where you biggest fears are, be it the surgery itself or being able to lose the weight during the "honeymoon" phase, but mine is completely wrapped up in what I will be able to do after that. I plan to adopt an exercise routine and healthy diet for the rest of my life, so when I do get to the phase when hunger and cravings come back, I'm prepared.
It's so easy to say that now, but I'm sure much harder to actually do it when people get to that phase.
Good luck to you in your decision and path forward.

Thank you so much for replying, My biggest fears are complications after surgery. I see alot of people posting they can't go to work becauee they keep fainting, vomiting, dumping syndrome & etc

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[shanshan 175]

Being scared and nervous can make you question your decision. Normal pre surgery jitters. I’m sure your surgeon gave you the statistics and risk/complication facts. Your team is going to take good care of you and manage your pain with medication. The pain is temporary, your results will be amazing.
As for all the horror stories, I think its human nature to gravitate toward the negative posts. It will fuel your pre surgery aniety. Try to balance things out by reading the positives.
Surgery before and after’s
https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/297668-i-want-to-see-before-after-pics-contd/
Success stories
https://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1298-weight-loss-surgery-success-stories/
NSV's
https://www.bariatricpal.com/search/?q=NSV
I think many of us have bounced back from surgery quickly and had no complications don’t get represented. People that are maintaining no longer need support leave the site. Most people posting are in weight loss mode, a few with complications and people that have gained weight.

I hope to be like you guys that bounce back and without any complications. My biggest fear is the surgery itself, having complications. But I'm glad to know it's normal to feel like this and im not the only one who had these thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing I appreciate it more than you know

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[Healthy_life2 8,330]

56 minutes ago, Jobber said:

Honestly, the biggest fear that I have is long term success and my ability to stick to a healthy lifestyle.

I truly believe that even with a smaller stomach, if you're not filling it with vegetables, lean Protein and nuts, etc, nobody will be successful. My fear is never being able to have pizza, subs, chips, etc ever again because even a small amount will sabotage me.

Not sure where you biggest fears are, be it the surgery itself or being able to lose the weight during the "honeymoon" phase, but mine is completely wrapped up in what I will be able to do after that. I plan to adopt an exercise routine and healthy diet for the rest of my life, so when I do get to the phase when hunger and cravings come back, I'm prepared.

It's so easy to say that now, but I'm sure much harder to actually do it when people get to that phase.

Good luck to you in your decision and path forward.

I apologise to the original posters. I'm not trying to hijack your post.

Healthy eating/nutrition is still flavorful. Not feeling deprived will help you long term. Many healthy recipes for pizza. I have had Quest Protein chips (barbeque or cheddar flavor) Some do parmesan chips. (make sure they fit your plan) Log food, stay within your weight loss calories and macros.

https://www.bariatriceating.com/2015/08/more-bariatric-chicken-crust-pizza/

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/parmesan-crisps-recipe-3381387

https://www.questnutrition.com/collections/quest-chips

https://www.amazon.com/ParmCrisps-Parmesan-Cheese-Friendly-Variety/dp/B07MBR42YL/ref=asc_df_B07MBR42YL/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241869531501&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13414644629212902088&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1016202&hvtargid=pla-665127834375&psc=1

My dietican website for food ideas

https://karenmangum.com/category/bariatric-friendly-main-dishes/

https://karenmangum.com/category/bariatric-friendly-salads/

https://karenmangum.com/category/bariatric-friendly-desserts/

https://karenmangum.com/category/bariatric-friendly-appetizers/