Anyone else scared?

[Sayj513 5]

I am 2 weeks pre op, and I am torn. I have worked for a year to get here and now I’m worried I’m going to be full of regrets for doing something to my body I can never undo. I am having the VSG and worried if I will be able to maintain the Vitamins and diet (obviously if I had self control I wouldn’t be this size) and that if I do maintain and lose the weight that I will have excess lose skin and just be trading one body issue for another. Am I crazy? Did anyone else struggle with this? Does anyone have regrets or wish they hadn’t done the surgery? I just want (need) some real talk. Can I do this? What results might I expect? How do people deal with the body changes? Will I definitely lose my hair? I’m feeling overwhelmed and don’t want to make the wrong choice or wait before it’s too late to change my mind. Anyone else?

[catwoman7 10,873]

I think most people freak out before surgery - ANY surgery! So you're in good company!

I'm RNY, not VSG, but the feelings are the same.

Loose skin - yes, you will probably have it. Most people worry about this - I worried about it incessantly when I was pre-op. But from where I am now (almost four years out), and from most other vets I know, at some point you will realize that you wasted a lot of brain cells worrying about this. The weight loss is SO much more important than the loose skin. I've since had mine removed (within the last year, actually), but I would take the loose skin any day over weighing 373 lbs again. ANY DAY!! It's a total no-brainer.

Hair loss - no, it's not a definite thing. Many people do lose hair, but for most, they're really the only ones who notice it. I didn't lose any. Some people don't. This is another thing I worried about incessantly, and it never happened.

Regrets - there are probably a small minority of people who regret it, but for the vast majority, our only regret is that we didn't do this years earlier.

[AZhiker 2,251]

I worked to get my RNY surgery for almost a year. As the date approached, I got more and more nervous. It is a big deal - choosing an elective major surgery. As I was lying on the pre-op bed, I started crying and thinking maybe I should get up and leave. My surgeon came in and assured me that it would be OK and that none of his patients had ever come back regretting the procedure. My PCP previously had told me that if I had been able to do it on my own, I would have by now, Both doctors were right.

This is about the best thing I have ever done for myself. Yes, I had a complication of a blood clot and am still on a blood thinner, but after 70+ pounds gone I feel like a new person. I am doing things I have not done for decades. I wish I had done it sooner in a way, but I really did need to come to a place in my life where I was willing to make the needed lifestyle changes first, and for the right reasons - health. And my commitment needed to be total. My life slogan now is "I AM NEVER GOING BACK!" If that means no more sugar, wheat, soda, coffee, alcohol, or processed foods, then so be it. My health is worth more than any of those things.

Yup, my skin is getting saggy - but I am 63 years old, and the collagen just aint what it used to be. But so what? I am happier and healthier and saggy skin is just a badge of the journey. Haven't lost any hair yet, but again, if I do, so what? It will grow back. (have been taking Biotin 10,000 mcg since week 2 and nails are super strong so I hope it will also prevent hair loss). I have so much energy and stamina, my mental health is better, my sleep apnea is nearly gone, asthma improved, no GERD, my back and joints don't hurt anymore, I am not embarrassed in public, and I actually feel cold instead of sweating all the time. What's not to love?

Being scared is normal for a lot of people. It just means you realize the risks. But you will never realize the benefits until you get to the other side. And this is the chance you have to take. If you could have done it on your own, you would have, It is still going to be a lot of work. This is not easy, but WLS is a tool that can give you the jump start you need for health and happiness for the rest of your life.

[Frustr8 7,886]

And AZHiker mine is " I AM MAKING THE REST OF MY LIFE THE BEST OF MY LIFE! A struggle, most things that are important are, but with the support I get on here and by God's Grace I am going to make it!

[AZhiker 2,251]

AMEN!!!!

[Brooklyn53521 16]

I like this topic. Surgery approaching June 12th. I know I am making the right decision but still having a lot of anxiety. As someone else said it would be irrational NOT to have anxiety before surgery.

[Akeem 36]

I’m going in Thursday. I have been worried too but if you stay the way you are you know what that road leads to. With surgery you will have an amazing tool to change your fate if you stay obese. Let go and let the process happen. That’s what I’m telling myself.

[Krestel 329]

I literally just got home from my surgery and I can say that if you aren't the least bit afraid then you have been thinking about it wrong all along. It's healthy to be scared of something this life-changing. Any surgery should be somewhat scary. BUT that said, there are lots of people out there that have shared their stories and give recommendations. Go wild with those. Sit and binge watch "600lb life" and see which people do things a lot like you do (but they are wayyyy more exaggerated). Listen to them, learn from their mistakes. There is also a really good British tv show called "Supersize vs superskinny". Binge watch that one as well. Feed your mind and search for the answers to all your scary questions.

[jasmineinmymind 204]

On 5/18/2019 at 3:31 PM, Sayj513 said:

I am 2 weeks pre op, and I am torn. I have worked for a year to get here and now I’m worried I’m going to be full of regrets for doing something to my body I can never undo. I am having the VSG and worried if I will be able to maintain the Vitamins and diet (obviously if I had self control I wouldn’t be this size) and that if I do maintain and lose the weight that I will have excess lose skin and just be trading one body issue for another. Am I crazy? Did anyone else struggle with this? Does anyone have regrets or wish they hadn’t done the surgery? I just want (need) some real talk. Can I do this? What results might I expect? How do people deal with the body changes? Will I definitely lose my hair? I’m feeling overwhelmed and don’t want to make the wrong choice or wait before it’s too late to change my mind. Anyone else?

Obviously everyone is scared before surgery but you have it done and then you realize it's really not that big of a deal. I've had no complications, no vomit or foamies, no food stuck. No regrets. No Hair loss. No gas. No dehydration. None of the scary things people talk about.

[jennifer47 5]

I am so nervous to have this done too I love to eat and I'm afraid I will fail I'm afraid of the nausea and vomiting as well.. Can I still drink my yummy coffee? !

[Aholifield002 3]

My surgery is on June 13th, I start my pre op diet tomorrow. So it’s like WHOA it’s getting real and my anxiety is kicking into full gear. I’m afraid of the complications. I’m afraid of not being able to enjoy food like I do now. But at the same time I am ready to make this lifestyle change. I want to be a healthier wife and mother.

With all of that being said, I’m still nervous lol I will probably cry in the pre op room.

[jennifer47 5]

Bless your heart! Congratulations and you got this!

[Frankie07 2]

Hello, I have an appointment on June 6th to start my journey. I am already scared, but praying with God's guidance I will succeed, my whole Medical team will have spiritual guidance to steer me to a healthier ME.

I have research, planned meals already, started making changes NOW. My family is getting involved to eat healthier. Attitude is everything for me!

All the post are so POSITIVE! All of you are beautiful people.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

[djgirl19 276]

On 06/03/2019 at 14:11, Frankie07 said:

Hello, I have an appointment on June 6th to start my journey. I am already scared, but praying with God's guidance I will succeed, my whole Medical team will have spiritual guidance to steer me to a healthier ME.

I have research, planned meals already, started making changes NOW. My family is getting involved to eat healthier. Attitude is everything for me!

All the post are so POSITIVE! All of you are beautiful people.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

Good luck! My surgery is today and it’s already been a very long journey, but what sticks out most to me is how many people say they wish they had done this sooner.

[Frustr8 7,886]

I sure do, after years and years of obesity my skin is too stretched to bounce back, but better floppy flabby skin and ready to break into Onederland than 365+ piybds, hardly able to move, do my ADLs , crying a lot with pain and just waiting for the Death Angel to show up and claim me as His Own. I am chugging down the path to Victory like a brave little Jalopy, dings,crust, a fender missing, hoping my tires are not too bald, yeah I may not look like a flashy Sports Car, but I am reliable, hard-working, solid made, no plastic or Fiberglass on this chassis, & no matter what I AM ON MY WAY! Beep Beep Baby, Beep Beep, if you're not on this journey, please pull over and let the winning entry through!🚘