I'm getting so Scared......

[Itsmytime2011 0]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this site,be reading everyones story here for a while now and decided to join. My surgery date is Feb 10, 2011 with Dr. Tanaka at Pacific Bariatic in San Diego. Everyday since I got my date I think I changed my mind about this surgery at least a thousand times. I keep telling myself I can do this on my own, just give it one more shot. I was so excited about getting it, now that the date is getting near I'm getting so scared about having it. What if something goes wrong? What if the pain is unbearable? What if I can never eat again? These are some of the questions that keep popping up in my head. I can't really talk to my family or friends about it, because most of them think that I'm crazy for having it anyway. I'm just praying when Feb 10 2011 comes around I won't talk myself out of getting it done.

[sadie_mo 2]

Oh Lord that was me 2 years ago and now 2 years later I am inching to get it done. My date is February 21st but I am trying to move it to the 19th. It sounds weird but you need to sit down and have a heart to heart with yourself. I thought to myself I am going to decide once and for all no going back or second guessing. I made up my mind and now that's it and here I am ready to take the step.

Nobody on this forum can make this decision for you but think of where you truly see yourself in 2 or 3 years and no second guessing !!! I wish you luck and offer my support either way

[myrori 55]

First take a deep breath..............................

Now would you be overweight right now if you could do it AND keep it off on your own????????

Ok, no probably not,

So on to the What is the pain is unbearble??? Honey they have more shots then you have pain at the hospital and really what is couple days of real discomfort to a week of minor discomfort for a life time of healthy weight??

Will you ever be able to eat again, of course you, just in new healthy ways!

It will all be fine, deep breaths and keep your eye on the goal!

[Foxbins 625]

I am scheduled for surgery on Jan 13th and I have felt all the emotions you are going through. Finally, I said to myself, "If you have the surgery and it hurts, they will give you meds for pain. If you have nausea, they will give you meds for that. If you can't get your fluids in, there is always an IV in an ER." Really, everything that could go wrong can be addressed in some way, recovery would just be delayed. My biggest fear is that the surgery somehow, someway, won't "work" for me although I will follow all the post-op instructions. Even then I told myself that I am no worse off with a failed surgery than I am now.

HOWEVER--I have confidence in the procedure and my surgeon. I don't believe that my metabolism or pain threshold is very different from the many, many people who recover with little pain and no complications. I am determined to go into surgery in a positive, optimistic state of mind and if there are problems I will deal with them as they arise and not borrow trouble now.

I am hopeful that I will be able to post that my procedure was a breeze!

[Eloray 3]

I have the same thoughts as you are having too and more. I have a surgery date on Jan 29th. I havent made plane arrangements yet cuz that would defintely make it a reality. I really want to do this but is this thing the next big thing to do for loosing weight. Will i really become a healthy eater. I worked on being a healthy eater for 20 years it was a daily struggle. It takes alot of focus which when you have a family of 8 it is just not possible all the time. I dont want to always think about food what to eat or not to eat. I just want to eat healthy amount whether it be a cookie or broccoli. I so want this to be the tool to help me be successful. I think if i wasnt a self payer and insurance was picking up the bill I would so jump in head first. Hopefully things will become clearer as we ponder what best for each of us. Good luck.

[VSGirl 0]

I was a big worrier my biggest fear what if something went wrong. I went back over the pro and con list I made to once again remind myself why I need to lose my weight. I questioned why I was scared or what was the real reason I was scared/worried. I question one of my biggest worry, death. Why was I afraid I might die? For me I question the trust of my surgeon. I took a deep look at why I was worried about the surgery itself and looked at the reality of my worries. I looked at the fact my surgeon was a stranger, I looked at if he was experienced enough, I looked at the trust I had for my doctor and staff. I found that my fears were unfounded. Yes, there are concerns for anyone going under the knife, but when looking at the low complication rate and trusting your skilled surgeon is the key. For me, I couldn’t trust my surgeon. My head and my heart said I should rethink my surgery so that’s what I did. I researched the operation compared to others (I’m glad I did I was schedule 3 days later for Gastric bypass but I changed to a VSG, thank goodness I did the research), complication rate, hospital standards, and most importantly, the doctors background (success rate, complication, or malpractice). Once all my concerns where answered, I prepared for my surgery using positive talk and meditation by thinking of the weight I would lose and the health I will get back. To help me through the stressful period, I downloaded some free meditation audio files and listen to them.

Here is a link to Kaiser Permeate Guided imagery programs that really helped me. Download the one for surgery and take it with you to listen on your mp3 player. Your probably don’t need it, but good luck on your surgery.

https://members.kaiserpermanente.org/redirects/listen/

I am scheduled for surgery on Jan 13th and I have felt all the emotions you are going through. Finally, I said to myself, "If you have the surgery and it hurts, they will give you meds for pain. If you have nausea, they will give you meds for that. If you can't get your fluids in, there is always an IV in an ER." Really, everything that could go wrong can be addressed in some way, recovery would just be delayed. My biggest fear is that the surgery somehow, someway, won't "work" for me although I will follow all the post-op instructions. Even then I told myself that I am no worse off with a failed surgery than I am now.

HOWEVER--I have confidence in the procedure and my surgeon. I don't believe that my metabolism or pain threshold is very different from the many, many people who recover with little pain and no complications. I am determined to go into surgery in a positive, optimistic state of mind and if there are problems I will deal with them as they arise and not borrow trouble now.

I am hopeful that I will be able to post that my procedure was a breeze!

[kbahnasi 0]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this site,be reading everyones story here for a while now and decided to join. My surgery date is Feb 10, 2011 with Dr. Tanaka at Pacific Bariatic in San Diego. Everyday since I got my date I think I changed my mind about this surgery at least a thousand times. I keep telling myself I can do this on my own, just give it one more shot. I was so excited about getting it, now that the date is getting near I'm getting so scared about having it. What if something goes wrong? What if the pain is unbearable? What if I can never eat again? These are some of the questions that keep popping up in my head. I can't really talk to my family or friends about it, because most of them think that I'm crazy for having it anyway. I'm just praying when Feb 10 2011 comes around I won't talk myself out of getting it done.

Scared is normal, as a mom with two toddlers and no family other than my husband, saying goodbye to them the morning I was wheeled into the OR was the hardest thing that I have ever done....one last pic taken with my husband's cell phone about 5 minutes before I was wheeled in...reminded me that I was making the right decision...you cannot begin to imagine how your life is going to change in so many wonderful ways! Physically and emotionally! Do not worry about not being able to eat, for the first time in my life the thought no longer consumes me! You will lose your appetite, and I mean that in a good way....the removal of the cells that would normally secrete ghrelin allow your brain to match the size of your new stomach! I have lost any craving for sweets. This is your personal journey, everybody is different, but I will tell you that for the first time in my adult life, I know that I can succeed at long term weight loss! I am not sorry for a second! Recovery was a little tough for the first few weeks, but everyone is different....take the pain meds! Get rest! The most difficult part for me were the dissolvable Vicryl sutures placed in the deep fascia at the site where they remove your stomach....DON'T LET THAT SCARE YOU! They dissolve in about 4 to 6 weeks, and any pain that you may feel , over the first few weeks of recovery, goes away in an instant! I was a little nauseated, that will subside ... I think the hardest part was staying hydrated...Again, being scared is normal, but once you have gone through it, and you have past the first few weeks of recovery, believe me, you will not be sorry about the decision that you have made! Do not think too much, give your mind a rest, take a deep breath! God bless you and your journey!

[BigDawgMark 1]

My day is tomorrow and I'm scared too, but also just want to get it done so I can start moving down the path to actually eating something.

Your feelings are normal, it's fear of the unknown and like everything else, I think we'll handle it just fine.

[Rootman 1,101]

Actually I'd be concerned if you WEREN'T scared. This is a BIG life changing event, you have every right to be a little frightened. Having come this far you must be assured by now - at least down deep - that you've made the right choice. Stick with it, buck up and you'll get through it fine.

[kgremmy 36]

I felt the same way as you did before I got my sleeve on 12/14/10. Here is what I did. I pushed it from my mind. Did not think about it. When I set my date in October, that was all I could think about. I decided that it was best for me to just not think about it until December came around. When December came around, I thought about it but not like I was before. I had made peace with my decision. This board helps out so much with your thoughts, feeling and just everything that you are going thru because we have all been there or fixing to be there. As far as the pain goes, I did not hurt. I was more worried about dying on the table than the actual procedure it self. My Dr. reassured me that all was going to be okay and you know what? It was!!!! When I woke up I was sore but not like I was expecting. I actually hurt more two weeks after the surgery than I did right after. You will know when you have had too much to eat. Trust me your body will let you know. You will have a different relationship with food. I use to love coke and would drink one everyday or two a day and you know I quit cold turkey, my relationship with sweets is over. The only thing that I can actually say that I wish that I could eat would be a Chick Fil La sandwich. And I know that one day I will be able to have a bite of it but not right now. You will be more concerned with what you are drinking than eating. You will be fine and lean on your support system here.

[Wildorchids 7]

You guys are killing me! This is a fact you will be skinnier within weeks today is my one month I just ate double Fiber brown sugar oatmeal so good it's been so easy because you can't cheat! I had one day of discomfort. Surgery was a peice of cake he he and life is grand! I hope this helps. Just do it my girlfriend that had it dine 3 years ago is a size 3.