Overwhelmed with the major life change

[kj806852 7]

I'm scheduled for surgery in about two weeks with Dr. Garcia. I'm just feeling really overwhelmed right now. Apprehensive about the procedure and it's risks, worried about having low energy during the transition phase, worried I wont lose the weight I need to lose etc. I had a lap band in from 2008-2010 and had a lot of problems with it and had to have it taken out. It was a really difficult time for me and I'm sure that it's that experience that is contributing to my current feelings. I've also been trying to lose 20 pounds before surgery so I started the preop diet 4 weeks out and then two days ago (I've lost 15 pounds so far) decided to eat a few normal things before I start the mandatory preop diet in a few days. Part of why I stopped was this overwhelming feel plus dizziness and low energy. Obviously once you have surgery you can never take a break from it. I also have a lot going on professionally but it will always be like this ( probably just get worse) which is why I've decided to just go ahead with the surgery now. A major concern I have is that the surgery will negatively impact my career life as I adjust the first few months post operative.

I'm just wondering if anyone else is having these feelings and if so how do you deal with it? Or for those of you who've already had surgery is there anything you know now that you wish you'd know then that would have not only silenced these fears but made you excited for the procedure and the first 3-6 months following it when you are learning to live with the sleeve?

[simplejaxgirl 135]

Hi KJ,

Congrats on making the decision to change your life and choose to get healthy. I think that it is perfectly normal to have these fears and to feel extremely overwhelmed before surgery. I was a mess before surgery with all the fears, and anxiety. Do you take anything for that?

I also think its very normal to have a 'food funeral' and many people on here do eat many of their favorite things before their surgery, I myself did! I would like to offer a personal perspective on this...I had this mindset before surgery that everything would go wrong, nothing would work (thoughts after many years of failed dieting etc), surgery complications etc. I think for me at least that this surgery means that once I am able I will choose things in moderation. I find that if I am craving something, I have a bite or two, and am completely satisfied with that. I do struggle with head hunger, and I also think thats fairly normal. I had no complications, I am down 50 lbs, and CAN basically eat anything at 3.5 months out, with that being said, most of the time (90%) I choose to eat the healthy things.

As far as career, I think that once you get through the initial few weeks you will be just fine.

Good luck in your journey! Wishing you much success in the future! I know its hard, but try not to worry so much! (This coming from an extreme worrier!)

-Cassie

[notime 340]

I had concerns before surgery, too. What I know now is that there have been only three changes to my daily schedule: what and how much I eat, the pills I take and the exercise I get. The result is weight loss and improvements to my health and quality of life. My adjustment period was about one month.

[prettynpink 110]

I'm scheduled for surgery in about two weeks with Dr. Garcia. I'm just feeling really overwhelmed right now. Apprehensive about the procedure and it's risks' date=' worried about having low energy during the transition phase, worried I wont lose the weight I need to lose etc. I had a lap band in from 2008-2010 and had a lot of problems with it and had to have it taken out. It was a really difficult time for me and I'm sure that it's that experience that is contributing to my current feelings. I've also been trying to lose 20 pounds before surgery so I started the preop diet 4 weeks out and then two days ago (I've lost 15 pounds so far) decided to eat a few normal things before I start the mandatory preop diet in a few days. Part of why I stopped was this overwhelming feel plus dizziness and low energy. Obviously once you have surgery you can never take a break from it. I also have a lot going on professionally but it will always be like this ( probably just get worse) which is why I've decided to just go ahead with the surgery now. A major concern I have is that the surgery will negatively impact my career life as I adjust the first few months post operative.

I'm just wondering if anyone else is having these feelings and if so how do you deal with it? Or for those of you who've already had surgery is there anything you know now that you wish you'd know then that would have not only silenced these fears but made you excited for the procedure and the first 3-6 months following it when you are learning to live with the sleeve?[/quote']

I totally understand, I run my own business and am a stay at home mom and I worry I will not bounce back quick enough. When I start to doubt myself, I think of how awful I would feel a year from now if I back out. I have prayed, I have a great support system. I am headed to TJ in the morning. No turning back now :-)

[zoekids 120]

I have a very demanding carrer too. I fly every week to my client site and live out of a hotel from M-F. I have dinner events I had to attend while on the full liquid stage. I managed. You can too. I know if I hadn't done this surgery I would have gained 10 lbs instead of losing 20.

Mary

[kj806852 7]

Thanks for your comments! You are all right about us having so much to gain from the surgery. Hopefully I to can adapt in a months time! It is hard to be positive at times about an area of your life you've struggled with for so long. I've been overweight since childhood. But maybe a big part of the mental emotional side of things is envisioning your skinny self and believing in your innate ability to achieve a "normal" weight.