Pre Op Jitters

[Day Dreamer 23]

I am a bit of an extremist and a worry wart. I am worried that post op I will want to stay on Clear liquids or full liquids as long as I can. I keep having this vision/worries (?) that it will hurt very badly to eat – even Jell-O. I picture taking a very small spoonful of Jell-O (picture a sliver of the tip of your nail small) and letting it melt in my mouth, swooshing it around, before I swallow it. I am deathly afraid of a complication and have heard that staying on Clear Liquids will help prevent leaks. I am also seeing more people with complications, leaks and even extreme post op pain; and that scares me. I suppose it is just pre op jitters, but I am wondering if anyone else worried about these things. How can I calm my fears?

Thanks!!

[leeblewb 9]

They will get better. Reading others stories on here helps. We all had our own fears in this journey. As far as a leak, most leaks occur in the first 10 days and it is usually people who advance their diet before they are supposed to. Most doctors will keep you on a liquid diet for a couple of weeks. At the pre-op class at my hospital they said they have only had one leak with a VSG. She was only 1 week out and ate a piece of pizza. duh. I don't think you are going to do that. Information is the best way to arm yourself. The fears will go away the further you get into the process. Hang in there.

[Virginia S 13]

I am a bit of an extremist and a worry wart. I am worried that post op I will want to stay on clear liquids or full liquids as long as I can. I keep having this vision/worries (?) that it will hurt very badly to eat – even Jell-O. I picture taking a very small spoonful of Jell-O (picture a sliver of the tip of your nail small) and letting it melt in my mouth, swooshing it around, before I swallow it. I am deathly afraid of a complication and have heard that staying on clear liquids will help prevent leaks. I am also seeing more people with complications, leaks and even extreme post op pain; and that scares me. I suppose it is just pre op jitters, but I am wondering if anyone else worried about these things. How can I calm my fears?

Thanks!!

Your fears are perfectly normal. I had surgery Monday and was terrified. I'm still a little leak phobic, but am trying not to borrow trouble. If I don't have any serious non-incision related abdominal pain or high fever, I'm good.

The Jello went fine. broth was heavenly! My surgeon did say that progressing to solids slowly (I'm not due for a couple weeks anyway) was fine, but do try to move up to yogurt (eating some now) and Protein drinks as soon as you can comfortably stay hydrated. The Protein will help you recover. And full liquids, taken slowly, shouldn't put you at any higher risk for leaks.

Honestly, reading all the stuff you have on the boards will help - it normalizes things. At first, I had a lot of trouble drinking (doing OK now) but it didn't freak me out because I'd read so many other people having the same thing and coming out fine in the end.

You'll do great - you've educated yourself and you're ready for this.

Good luck.

[Day Dreamer 23]

Thank you!!

[ursieursie 1]

Iv'e been thinking exactly like u, but unlike u, I am feasting awayyyy, every day!!!! no good I know. Im a great worry ward too, and every one says to me....stayyyyyy awayyyyyy from these sites, cause they only put things in ur mind, but I feel, as one of ur other responders said, educate yourself, and read, read, read....in my opinion, the more u know....the better you'll feel, if god forbid u (not u in particular, but anyone) cant swallow the first few days or whatever, we'll know it's common, we will be prepared and say ohhhh yeah....I read that, it happened to sooo many ppl..... it's ok, it will get better.. That is how Im looking at it anyway. Im just so worried cause I have every co-morbility listed on the chart that I saw at the seminars, plus 4 additional hernia repairs that have to be fixed, so my hair is literally standing up, but at this point, the surgeons r saying.....I have no choice. My intestines r completely out of line,, hanging down below my pelvis, so they have to open me up anyway. I gave birth at 475 lbs, and after 12 yrsss lol, im only down 100 lbs, so Im freaking out!!!! but u will be fine, think positive, and read, read, read!!! now if I can only take my own advice lollll, i'll be ok too! Kidding....YOU WILL BE FINE, AND U WILL MAKE IT, LIKE EVERY ELSE!!!! KEEP IN TOUCH MY NAME IS URSULA

Thank you!!