Pre-Op Doubts: Help!!

[MissE44 27]

I am getting banded August 31, 2012 and I have been super excited up until now-11 days to go and I am having doubts.

I have no support from people around me. My boyfriend is a fitness fanatic thinks I am taking the easy way out and have not tried hard enough. I do have a problem with follow through on some things. I am self- paying so it is a lot of money and what if this doesn’t work? What if I can’t do it or don’t like the fact that I can’t eat as much and I eat all the wrong foods because I do like food, good comfort food.< /span>

To me I am doing this more for the keeping it off part. I have lost before but it always comes back…that is what my boyfriend sees me giving up…what if that happens with the band? I know it is up to me but I haven’t been successful in the past what will make the difference now?

Anyone else freaking out and I need encouragement that I am doing the right thing cause right now I am not so sure.

[Nanu 60]

I'm sorry your bf feels that way. Perhaps he's threatened by your possible success or his lack of control. You might want to lose some real weight fast and get rid of him. Lol. Just kidding. Have u tried before and it didn't work? Time after time did the weight come back? Me, too. We are to be banded the same day. Good luck with your decision, no matter what it may be.

[spark 10]

I'm totally freaking out too... (surgery this friday).

Will I get nerve damage? Will I permanently ingure my stomach? Will I have a bump on my stomach where the port is? Am I never going to be able to eat some foods again? Or drink a glass of Water in one sitting? Or have a Fresca? Is everyone going to know?

I feel bad that your boyfriend is not being more supportive.

Spark

[lrhodes46 55]

I was banded on August 13th. I too had all the same doubts before surgery. It is normal. The recovery from lap band surgery is really not bad. I only took 2 pain pills after surgery then went directly to liquid Tylenol. The band is a tool to help you achieve your goal. I have one regret about having lap band surgery: that I didn't do it sooner. My problem has never been losing it but keeping it off. I have lost 8 lbs in just this last week. If you can't get the support from your boyfriend then this forum is full of great listeners with great advice. We are here for you if you need us.

[MissE44 27]

^{I'm totally freaking out too... (surgery this friday).}

^{Will I get nerve damage? Will I permanently ingure my stomach? Will I have a bump on my stomach where the port is? Am I never going to be able to eat some foods again? Or drink a glass of Water in one sitting? Or have a Fresca? Is everyone going to know?}

^{I feel bad that your boyfriend is not being more supportive.}

^Spark

^{I feel the same way what if I want to eat like everyone else? what if i want a beer? is this going to be diet hell that i have been faced with so many times and never succeeded? i just think for me it doesn't help that people I love are just thinking the same thing.}

[JJ&E 11]

yup...

im freaking out a bit over here as well. Afraid to let myself down yet again, but this time under the watchful eye of my semi-supportive famly. Hopefully all these fears are normal and can be overcome once we are banded.

[Kime-lou 648]

Every one has doubts - cold feet moments. The bottom line with surgery is- are you ready to make a life style change. This isn't a diet, this is a new way of life. That may sound scary, but it's not. You still enjoy food, you just get full faster and you learn over eating is not pleasant.

Anyone who thinks this is the easy way out hasn't gotten a clue. I hope once he sees you going through the motions of change he will come to realize that this isn't a way out, it's a tool. Surgery is never the easy way.

If you are ready to confront the bad habits and make new ones and show those around you what you are made of- do it go for it. But if you really are having issues with the thought of giving up large quantities of food at one time you may not be ready for this, no shame in that, just a process. You may want to speak to a counselor or pychologist to help you with the food addition, many of us have.

Remember this is for you, you are worth it, worth the change, worth the new you. If you go through with it I doubt you will regret it.

[jen_1381 446]

Okay slow down everyone!

It's totally normal to have doubts and fears. I would be worried if you weren't considering EVERYthing.

Getting the Lap Band is life changing. Yes, I can no longer drink pop. I can no longer dive into a gooey cheeseburger and fries without probably feeling miserable afterwards (I haven't tried yet). I don't get that after-Thanksgiving FULL feeling. I have had to change my meal plans durastically. But it's because I now put my body and my health as a priority. I don't want the empty calories that I used to depend on when I was bored.

The way I've done some things hasn't changed at all - - I can still drink Water normally. I drink a lot more now than I ever did before surgery. I still have my cup of coffee in the morning. If I'm feeling like a treat, I'll walk to Starbucks and get myself a light frappe once a week or so.

The risk of injury during the procedure is minimal. As for the port being noticable - I can feel it. When I turn a certain way I can see a little bump. But, it's because I've lost over 50 lbs. Honestly, I'm PROUD that my port shows! It was buried in fat the day of surgery. That fat is gone, and thanks to my newly-learned self-control, it's not coming back.

Living the bandster lifestyle is not bad. It's just new. And different. But I honestly love it. It's rewarding to do good to your body and see that reflected on the scale. I feel so much better now - more energy, less tired, no achey feet and back. I feel like my journey has just begun and I'm down 54 lbs. so far.

I wish all new bandsters the very best. It's a lifestyle change I hope you embrace. Having doubt or fears before a change like this is totally normal. Just list out your pro's and con's, and remember, take everything you read on the internet with a grain of salt. Your experience is all up to you.

[mike10954 2]

I have made a few posts here. I'm now 7 days post op still have thoughts of what have I done but know its a tool to help live a better life. My only problem is sever mid sternal/upper abdominal pain and sob with only walking a few feet. No relief with pain med or gas x. Doc thinks it gas. I feel like I can feel the band and it's sticking up in my chest. This is scaring me and it's not a pain I can live with.

[MissE44 27]

I was also just reading the Forum General Lap Band Surgery Discussion , Greving food Already" that gave some pretty good insight into some of what I might be freaking out about.

I just hope to god this works I am sick of weight being an issue.

[dizzi 1]

I am due to be banded on sep 11th, when I decided to do it I was so excited I could hardly contain myself but as time is passing I'm having doubts (I keep reading the negative things about the band) I'm scared of not being able to have a wild night out with the girls, I'm scared that it won't work, I'm scared that I am going to waste a hell of a lot of money when will power is free!!!!!!!!

[MissE44 27]

I am due to be banded on sep 11th, when I decided to do it I was so excited I could hardly contain myself but as time is passing I'm having doubts (I keep reading the negative things about the band) I'm scared of not being able to have a wild night out with the girls, I'm scared that it won't work, I'm scared that I am going to waste a hell of a lot of money when will power is free!!!!!!!!

Exactly.

[spark 10]

Nope, STILL FREAKING OUT!!!!! I have to get on the plane tomorrow. I still havent booked a flight home as part of me thinks i'll back out. I know it's not logical, i'm just scared..... for every reason everyone listed above.

[smmrsue 56]

Calm down, take a deep breath. Book your flight. I almost backed out of surgery, and I was balling the day before. I haven't had the perfect road, and I'm not as fast a loser as some people. I'm changing though, I am losing weight. 55 lbs gone in 4 months. Not too shabby. I've had some complications, but they are being delt with and I would still have the surgery over again. The band is a tool, it's there for you when you need it. You can have it placed and never have it filled if you wanted, which I do not recommend. The point is, you change gradually. You want to change because it works. Support groups help, and I recommend going to one. Good luck!

BTW- no you shouldn't drink beer. Maybe a sip, if that, but there are alternatives you can have.

[MTWXGIRL 0]

I'm where you were at a few months ago, but unsure for different reasons, but surgery s scheduled for late Nov. How are you doing now? Did you end up going through the surgery? :-) Looking for words of advice myself.