I had my first appointment to see the surgeon on 27th November and I have got my date for surgery ALREADY!! And it is in only 2 weeks (12th December) - PANIC STATIONS!!

I have been dreaming about doing this for several years, thinking seriously about it for over a year, as now I am in a position to be able to pay for it (full self-pay, no private cover :cry), and have been discussing it with my GP for the last few months as I gave alternative methods (eg drugs) one last ditch try. He gave me the referral to the surgeon 6 weeks ago, but the surgeon was booked out for a while and I work Fly In/Fly Out, so didn't get to see him until just this week. He said asked if I wanted it done before Xmas and I nearly fell off my chair!! I was expecting January to be the absolute earliest and more likely later!

Oh boy...now the reality hits. Am I really going to go through with this? What if I panic and run away from the hospital on the night before? ARGH!! Part of me says I need time to get used to the idea but most of me wants it done NOW NOW NOW and dreads the waiting time. I also thought about whether doing this before Xmas was such a good idea, but decided that if I couldn't face giving up the Xmas dinner pigout this year, what made me think I could face doing that forever?

*quakes in her boots*

I know, this is how I felt, the date makes it so real. For me, I prefer to get things over with, so I'm sure it is better this way.

So many things will happen so fast, but on the other side, you'll be so glad it was sooner

Good luck!

I had my first appointment to see the surgeon on 27th November and I have got my date for surgery ALREADY!! And it is in only 2 weeks (12th December) - PANIC STATIONS!!

Hey I had 6 weeks to wait and it seemed like forever. I think you are lucky to get it this quickly - less time to worry in. You need to remember that you have researched this and thought about it and if you have got this far then you must have been pretty certain this was the way to go. It is just nerves and believe me I know where you are coming from. I'm due at the hospital at 10 on Monday morning - when you get told the time to be at the hospital is when reality really kicks in.

Keep your chin up and remember the sexy and thin you that will be emerging after surgery. We are all butterflies emerging from our cocoons about to show the world how beautiful we are!!!

Danna:clap2:

Hi,

I made a snap decision to have mine done. I booked the appointment over the phone, had 3 weeks from day I made my mind up to day I had it done.

Saw the surgeon for my initial visit the day before I had it done.... and I am so glad. I didn't do any reading before hand. Just knew that I had to do something... and I am soooooooooooooo glad I did.

Just enjoy it... it is really really worth it.

Fanny - Last night I typed you the most amazing, motivating reply............and at the last word, when I was double checking if Fanny was your real name (I know, i can't believe I'm not a natural blonde!!) ..... i accidentally deleted my long, fantastic message........ i was so dissappointed, I turned off the computer, and went to bed.......... but I just wanted to let you know, that i know you have your date, and the emotional roller coaster between now and the surgery, is the hardest part of the journey.................... honey - you CAN do this, you NEED to do this, you are a strong woman is every other aspect of your life - now it's time for YOU!!! Time to take control of your life, and your weight - and find the person hiding underneath, that I'm sure you recognise, but no-one else does............... We will all be here, when you need to let off some emotional stuff, and we will lift you up, when you need it - but we can't physically be there to get you thru the hospital door............ you CAN do that by yourself - take control Fanny, I beleive in YOU!!! hugs K

Karen!! Hi!!! I've been wondering where you've been. I saw that you had your surgery and hadn't seen anything else from you in ages. Mind you, I ended up having to give up this board for a few weeks because I was becoming obsessive about it at work and felt really guilty. Of course, I'm doing it again now that I have my date, but I don't feel as guilty about it :confused:

Thanks for your words - you were the one who inspired me to make the decision, so they really mean a lot. I hope all is going well with you and life as a bandster is everything you were expecting. Tell us all - and don't pull any punches in fear of demotivating me, coz I'd rather hear the truth than only the good bits.

BTW, Fanny is not my real name - that is Sue - but I've gone by Fanny Adams online for so many years now that I even answer to it in real life! LOL! I'm comfortable with Fanny, if you don't mind :confused:

I don't mind luvie....mind you there were a few things I had to re-phrase...........as reaching deep down to find your inner fanny........didn't sound quite right, will fill you in on everything, as soon as I get another spare minute.... hugs K

Fanny, I also had only 2 weeks from consult to banding, it was a bit of a rollercoaster as far as emotions were concerned and I found it quite helpful to write my thoughts and feelings down - I did this also so I will have something to look back on (besides photo's).

I have to say I am glad I didn't have to wait any longer....I am finding this a really exciting journey, and I now think 'why did I wait this long'.

Good luck with the op - I'm sure you'll be fine, I'm looking forward to hearing how it all goes for you.

Amy.

I don't mind luvie....mind you there were a few things I had to re-phrase...........as reaching deep down to find your inner fanny........didn't sound quite right, will fill you in on everything, as soon as I get another spare minute.... hugs K

"reaching deep down to find your inner fanny" Ahahahah!! *falls off chair laughing* Now don't you DARE say that to me within a week of the op, coz you'll bust my stitches!!

And congrats on the loss so far!! Good going, hon!!

Hello-wow, you sound just like I did before my surgery! The waiting is bad bad bad...so, just go for it! You will be emotional, you will second guess yourself, etc...when in reality, you should try and think positive and think how this will change your life. I had never had surgery before...mine was 11/20. I was terrified of surgery...of something going wrong, of this not working, etc. I cried the morning of my surgery...I cried in the hospital, up to the minute they were ready to take me back..she said it was normal, nobody comes in not scared. She said "do you want something to relax you?" My Mother said "please give her something to relax her" and the next thing I knew, I was waking up in recovery! I have no regrets...sure it has only been a bit under 2 weeks, but I am so glad it is over and I can exhale. My only focus now if following the rules and making myself a new life! If you dont do this before Christmas...you can add another 10 pounds onto your body before January easily. I am not a pro just yet, but the before surgery thing...whew, it was a killer to me. I was also an emotional roller coaster ride. You just have to talk to yourself..seriously! Tell yourself you are doing the right thing...figure out how hot you will look a year from now! I was so bad before surgery emotionally, I almost got a therapist. Soooo...you are not feeling anything abnormal. Hang in there...and go for it! we are all in this together.

Fanny, I also had only 2 weeks from consult to banding, it was a bit of a rollercoaster as far as emotions were concerned and I found it quite helpful to write my thoughts and feelings down - I did this also so I will have something to look back on (besides photo's).

I have to say I am glad I didn't have to wait any longer....I am finding this a really exciting journey, and I now think 'why did I wait this long'.

Good luck with the op - I'm sure you'll be fine, I'm looking forward to hearing how it all goes for you.

Amy.

Me too Amy,

I really didn't have any time to think about it... and in a way I'm glad it was like that .... I am also glad that I didn't find this site till after... or I may have changed my mine... but in saying that I am finding that I won't read any of the threads about the negative side of banding because I don't want any of that to stick in my head as this is going to be a total success and I"m not going to have any problems.....

and I'm going to lose all my weight.

It's not the thought of the surgery that has me quaking in my boots - I've had quite a few operations in my life and some of them extremely painful. I know I can face that. What has me quivering like a jelly is the thought of "giving up eating" forever! I know that once I get through the liquids/mushies stage, we are supposed to be able to eat most things, just in much smaller quantities, but I'm scared to let go of the "big pigout". I'm especially scared about the reactions that some people have to certain foods, and not being able to eat them ever without having problems. What if I can never have lasagne again?? What if it turns out that my favourite savoury sausage casserole is one of those things that I just can't eat?

One of the things I liked about this procedure was my original perception that, once healed, I could eat all types of food but just couldn't gorge myself on them. Now that I've read and learned more, I'm worried about those things - or is it just last minute nerves and I'm being silly?

Rhonda - Your positive outlook is great, keep it up and you can't fail. On the other hand, I don't mind reading about other peoples negatives - I find I can learn from their experiences.

When did you get your band? I saw you joined in Oct. but got your band before joining.

Take care. Amy

What has me quivering like a jelly is the thought of "giving up eating" forever! I know that once I get through the liquids/mushies stage, we are supposed to be able to eat most things, just in much smaller quantities, but I'm scared to let go of the "big pigout". I'm especially scared about the reactions that some people have to certain foods, and not being able to eat them ever without having problems. What if I can never have lasagne again?? What if it turns out that my favourite savoury sausage casserole is one of those things that I just can't eat?

One of the things I liked about this procedure was my original perception that, once healed, I could eat all types of food but just couldn't gorge myself on them. Now that I've read and learned more, I'm worried about those things - or is it just last minute nerves and I'm being silly?

I also feared letting go of 'the big pigout', but to be honest after the surgery for me it hasn't been an issue. It doesn't bother me being around other people eating nice food - which suprises me... I'm still on soft foods. I think this is because I'm starting to see positive changes in my body and for me that is the aim of this game.

Fingers crossed that you will be one of the lucky ones, who can eat all different types of foods. And fingers crossed for me too... lol.

It's not the thought of the surgery that has me quaking in my boots - I've had quite a few operations in my life and some of them extremely painful. I know I can face that. What has me quivering like a jelly is the thought of "giving up eating" forever! I know that once I get through the liquids/mushies stage, we are supposed to be able to eat most things, just in much smaller quantities, but I'm scared to let go of the "big pigout". I'm especially scared about the reactions that some people have to certain foods, and not being able to eat them ever without having problems. What if I can never have lasagne again?? What if it turns out that my favourite savoury sausage casserole is one of those things that I just can't eat?

One of the things I liked about this procedure was my original perception that, once healed, I could eat all types of food but just couldn't gorge myself on them. Now that I've read and learned more, I'm worried about those things - or is it just last minute nerves and I'm being silly?

I absolutely love it that I can't eat like I used to....

I also thought that I would hate it... but I LOVE IT.