Panic Attack!

[NuStartInTx 31]

I am two weeks away from my surgery date (Jul 16), and I've just woken up at 2am in full panic mode....what if I die, what if I'm sick for the rest of my life, what if I don't lose the weight....then I think what if I don't go through with it - and I die or I'm sick for the rest of my life and I don't lose the weight....all week I've been excited, and now I feel trapped and scared, I feel like a crazy person right now! How did everyone out there deal with per-surgery anxiety, any tips? Right now I'm sitting with the tv on trying to avoid the kitchen where my old anti anxiety meds are (aka FOOD).

[NuStartInTx 31]

Also...my date got moved up, was Aug 13 now Jul 16 so that's taken away 4 weeks of "mental prep."

[~*~ Melissa ~*~ 31]

I completely understand where you are coming from. I am 18 days away from my procedure and have good moments and some not so good moments. At one point, I was getting ready to call and cancel or move my date; however, I need this tool to help me achieve my goal of becoming a happier and healthier person. If I pass this opportunity up, who knows how many more years of my life will be taken away. Knowing the surgery is coming up, I have cut back on portions in prepartion for the liquid diet and am down over 20 pounds. The surgery has changed my outlook on life-- what I can eat and can't eat, what is good for me and what is even better, etc.

Yes, there is always the chance of complications and death for ANY procedure done on the human body; however, if I don't get this done, my life will continue to be shortened.

If you ever need to talk, send me a message. I'm in the same boat

[Toni Day 18]

Everyone goes through the what ifs. I was nervous a few days before surgery but wrote down the pros and cons and clearly seen the pros out weighed the cons. I am 18 days post-op and feel amazing. I am down 22 lbs and one size smaller then I was a month ago. You owe it to your self to be healthy. We are all here taking this journey together so lean on us. Your surgery being moved up is great less time to anticipate it. Good luck!!

[NuStartInTx 31]

Thanks Ladies! I needed the pep talk tonight...I think I'm just hyper focused right now and so scared of messing up the pre op diet that the surgery is on my mind 24/7....I'm glad y'all are here!

[NuStartInTx 31]

Everyone goes through the what ifs. I was nervous a few days before surgery but wrote down the pros and cons and clearly seen the pros out weighed the cons. I am 18 days post-op and feel amazing. I am down 22 lbs and one size smaller then I was a month ago. You owe it to your self to be healthy. We are all here taking this journey together so lean on us. Your surgery being moved up is great less time to anticipate it. Good luck!!

Congratulations on coming through and where you're at - inspirational :-)

[SweetTee 448]

NuStartInTx i think i have those same fears and anxiety as you. I guess you always ponder the what if's, I personally know that's why it has taken me so long to decide on doing it. My surgery won't be until November so the good thing about that is I get to have some motivation from others before me while I wait. I agree with Toni Day though, we do owe it to ourselves to be healthy and happy. I don't think anyone would say that they don't mind having difficulty with simply tasks such as lacing their shoes or picking up something from the floor. I will keep you in prayer. Think positive thoughts and imagine a more healthier and vibriant life.

[GivingItMyAll 168]

Your thoughts and fears and nervousness are very normal. I am 3 days out and was nervous up until I went under the anesthesia. I lost 19 pounds pre-op (some even before my official pre-op diet started). I've always known that I can lose weight on my own. But I could never keep it off. This surgery is the tool that will help me be successful in keeping the weight off. That's the realization that helped me go through with the surgery.

I'm 3 days out and feeling great! You can do this. Keep leaning on the members of this board for support. This was my lifeline leading up to surgery, as many people in my day to day life just didn't get it.

Best of luck to you along your life changing journey.

[CajugirlBecky 63]

I went through varying stages of that. The night before my surgery I told myself that I wouldn't know what would happen unless I took the chance. I put it in God's and the surgeon's hands. I wrote "just in case" letters to my parents and children and worked it all out. You'll find the strength and courage where you need it. Something brought you to this point. You can bring yourself the rest of the way.

[ma46 33]

I am preop as well. At the psych evaluatation I spoke

about feeling scared and that panic feeling - also ask him if that meant I wasn't ready or shouldn't go forward. The answer helped me - said it showed normal reaction and that those anxiety feelings help us weigh the risks/benefits of major decision. He would be concerned if I didn't have those feelings to a certain degree.

Reading this forum has really helped keep me focused on the future and keeps me moving thru all the preop evaluations. Thanks to all who share. It means so much to me.

[sweeteelme 37]

I am preop as well. The fear of having complications is so strong. I am mentally trying to prepare myself. I know that the way I feel now is not good and I'm definately not healthy. Being able to express my concerns and knowing that I'm not alone is so helpful.

[IlyssaDel 42]

I also felt the exact same things! I cried out of fear..while I was in the hospital ...cried to the point that the nurse had to come In and talk me off the ledge , I was so afraid of dying during the surgery or just messing mylife up because I ate my self to this position!!

Just know, its so Normal...you will be fine ...I came so close to backing out at the hospital that my hub and kids are laughing about it now..I'm 3 1/2 weeks out and feel great! It was an emotional start and had some difficulty dealing with the change at the beginning ...but it's all worth it! I'm down 22 pounds and want everyone I know to have this surgery! Who needs it ...Just breathe you didn't make this decision overnight ...I would change my mind everyday ...and you will too...have you been told to come off your meds for anxiety? Because I thought that it was ok....I didn't have to do a preop diet which made me happy and scared because alot of surgeons require it and I kept thinking what if I ate to much? and my liver is to big? ..or what if they start surgery and see I have stomach cancer lol ..it was so silly in retrospect..but that's the emotions that run through us! This is a life changing decision ..the surgery is actually the easy part

The day to day is the hardest...ok again, just breathe!! If I can help in anyway please reach out!!!!

[NuStartInTx 31]

Thanks everyone, these are all helpful....I thought it meant I wasn't ready but I feel much more normal now after hearing from everyone! Plus things always look better in the light of day, for whatever reason it's worse at night when I have nothing to do but lay there and think about it :-)

[NuStartInTx 31]

I also felt the exact same things! I cried out of fear..while I was in the hospital ...cried to the point that the nurse had to come In and talk me off the ledge ' date=' I was so afraid of dying during the surgery or just messing mylife up because I ate my self to this position!!

Just know, its so Normal...you will be fine ...I came so close to backing out at the hospital that my hub and kids are laughing about it now..I'm 3 1/2 weeks out and feel great! It was an emotional start and had some difficulty dealing with the change at the beginning ...but it's all worth it! I'm down 22 pounds and want everyone I know to have this surgery! Who needs it ...Just breathe you didn't make this decision overnight ...I would change my mind everyday ...and you will too...have you been told to come off your meds for anxiety? Because I thought that it was ok....I didn't have to do a preop diet which made me happy and scared because alot of surgeons require it and I kept thinking what if I ate to much? and my liver is to big? ..or what if they start surgery and see I have stomach cancer lol ..it was so silly in retrospect..but that's the emotions that run through us! This is a life changing decision ..the surgery is actually the easy part

The day to day is the hardest...ok again, just breathe!! If I can help in anyway please reach out!!!! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

ThAnks llysaday...I don't have a prescription for anxiety meds, I was just saying that my food had always been my prescription when something went wrong....(self medicating with food!)...it's funny what you said about almost running out of the hospital because I have imagined myself wanting to do that same exact thing!

[Lissa 2,631]

I went through the same fears pre-surgery. I did what I could to handle any issues that came up, then left the rest in the hands of God.

This morning, I realized that I'm THERE. I'm not at my goal, or at my surgeon's goal, but I'm alive again! I can do anything I want to do, from lifting heavy furniture, moving boxes, cleaning my house, etc. I CAN DO what I need/want to do. That's an amazing feeling and it's all because of the sleeve.

My point is, what do YOU want to be able to do that you can't do now? Figure that out and focus on it. In a few months, you'll be doing whatever that is!!!