Hello everyone. I'm about 3 days away from surgery (Nov. 18th) and I'm really riding a roller coaster of emotions. THe over-riding thought is that everything will go fine and I won't have any regrets.

However, part of me is afraid of the anesthesia, the pain, the gas...and afraid that it won't work.

I know I'm not alone in these thoughts....I just wish I could wave my magic wand and be 4 weeks post-surgery and getting my first fill. Feeling good and dropping lbs.

A friend-of-a-friend, who is my size, suffered a stroke last week. She is just 38 years old. Hearing that today really made me focus on the health benefits this band will bring. We all want to be around for our kids and friends.

I know it's the right thing to do...I have proven time and time again that I can't lose weight on my own.

It kinda feels like childbirth...I'm excited but afraid of the unknown.

Thanks to everyone who has shared their story....it has brought me a lot of peace and I'm so happy for everyone's success.

Best of luck to all of you!

Surgery 11/18

Jacksonville, FL

Dr. Baptista

BMI 40

hi. i, too, was apprehensive / nervous... you can do it! for me, it was one of the best decisions i've made.

good luck

I too am scheduled for the 18th and I am right there with you. I have had a ton of surgeries but this is my first elective and boy are the emotions different. I will be so happy when I wake up in the recovery room I am sure to be smiling. Good luck to you! Can't wait to hear how you do. We will be on the other side soon!

KP

Thanks for your kind words, Losingjusforme. Sounds like you've had a lot of success. I think I'm driving my family and friends crazy by repeating over and over why I'm doing this. I think I'm trying to convince myself sometimes. It's such a mental game, but so is my food addiction.

KPSC--good luck to you, too, on the 18th! Do you wish this weekend would fly by, or do you want to savor your final band-free weekend? I'm on Clear liquids Saturday night, so can't have too much fun! Please check when you feel up to it after the surgery...I'd like to compare notes.

I feel the same way. I am to be banded on the 20th. Sometimes I am so excited and others I could sit in the corner and cry from fear. I am in the healthcare field and have a pretty good idea of how it is going to go. But that does not always relieve the anxiety. I found that seeing the success stories really helps me stay focused.

Dont worry guys :Dancing_sorry: It will ultimately be the best decision you have ever made for YOURSELF. I was banded in Feburary of 08, down only 46lbs but went from a size 22 to a 14 since then. I have had a few minor compications but would do it again in a minute. Good luck to all of you.

I think everyone has those nervous thoughts, i know I did and I was banded 7th Nov. 08. I feeling fantastic already, loss 8kgs. Im healing quickly I've been for a couple of 1hr walks because I now have energy that I was lacking before. The 2 week liquid diet getting easier, now that I've got my head around it all. I have anything from Up & Go protein drinks to yoghurt liquid drinks to normal soup that I whisk up with a hand held blender and life just keeps getting better

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. Right now I feel like I have a dozen butteflies in my stomach!!! Long deep sighs, 6 more days to go.