Surgery tomorrow! Still wondering if I could do this myself!

[grateful-1 30]

So, I waited a long time for this day to come. Tomorrow is surgery day. I was super excited for a while, now I'm still somewhat excited, but also bummed because I feel like there is still a chance I could do this myself. I am mourning food already. I know I will follow everything to a tee as I have these past two weeks on pre-op diet, but still nervous I won't lose the weight. I'm nervous about long term effects since this surgery is so new. I have tried so many times to do this myself like most others on here, and couldn't. So nervous that if I didn't go through with it, I would be miserable and regret not doing it. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and was just diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I think of my perfectly good stomach, and wonder if cutting it out is the right thing to do. Has anyone else felt this way?

[ajayb19 12]

I have been mixed with anxiety and excitement since my 1st visit with the surgeon. I understand where you are coming from. I had the same thoughts about the whole cutting part of your stomach out and the long term and effects.

I originally planned on having the Lapband done, mostly because you don't have that drastic measure of changing your body's anatomy. But after thorough research and testimony from ppl who have had either surgery done (Which I know you went through as well) I decided that this was the best option. I too have tried everything under the sun to lose weight on my own to no avail.

If you were able to get through the 2wk liquid diet then I have no doubt that you will make it through the rest of your life with out a hitch. Just know it's mind over matter. I have a tiny tattoo on my wrist of my highest weight. A small simple reminder of where I am right now and where I never want to be again.

Whenever you feel like you won't make it through, just remember the way you felt at your highest weight and keep pushing through!

Best of Luck, can't wait to see how well you do!

[tdutko75 6]

My surgery is tomorrow as well and I am freaking out! I have been completely fine and cool this whole time (started the process back in June) and now I am just freaking out. I keep telling myself to calm down everything will be fine but it is not working... I have no idea how I am ever going to get to sleep tonight.

[ajayb19 12]

My surgery is tomorrow as well and I am freaking out! I have been completely fine and cool this whole time (started the process back in June) and now I am just freaking out. I keep telling myself to calm down everything will be fine but it is not working... I have no idea how I am ever going to get to sleep tonight.

Good Luck to you too!

[thebean 12]

I was questioning my ability for a bit too but I'm about to go into the OR and I know now I 100% made the right choice for me. Good luck tomorrow!

[grateful-1 30]

Thank you so much everyone!! And tdutko75, I'm right there with you. I don't think I am that nervous about the actual surgery, I'm more nervous about long term complications they may not know about yet, and I'm nervous about being upset I can't eat that much (which I know is the problem to begin with). I have always had to work at keeping the weight off, but it really has been the last 5-7 years it is more of an issue. We lived in our new home for 5 years, far from everything. I used to love to go to the gym, but it is so far away, and I was never good at exercising at home. I just wonder if I lived somewhere else if I would be having this much of a weight problem

[belunos 93]

As far as going it doing it on your own, I'm afraid the statistics are not favorable. They're out there if you want to look it up, but it's depressing just how unlikely it is to lose a very large amount of weight and keep it off. That's not to knock anyone who has, it's un-freaking-believable and my hats off to them. It's also not to discourage you from trying.. but I'm a very numbers driven guy, and when I was weighing options and researching this just seemed like the best course of action

[Norseman's Rage 12]

I have absolutely nothing to base this upon, but my logical mind tells me that having a large portion of your stomach cut out is not as big a deal as say, the Roen Y gastric bypass surgery. With the sleeve, as far as I know, the only thing that's happening is making your stomach smaller, as it was at one time anyway. I can't see the long terms issues with that, as it will eventually, and naturally stretch out a bit over time. Perhaps I'm wrong, but it's what I'm thinking.

[grateful-1 30]

I agree Norseman's raid that it is definately less invasive than bypass. I guess I wonder about the staples, and possible malnourishment later on. Maybe I'm just being a worry wart:)

And belunos, thank you for saying that. I researched some of the statistics, and yes, pretty bad. It was an eye operner, so thank you:)

[Ginagirl 21]

Hi there!! I'm 5 Weeks out tommorw...it's got rough Patches this surgery..learning your body all over again and what to expect..but really first two Weeks are the hardest..im still learning..good luck!

[Olarance75 215]

I just got approved today....I'm waiting on surgical boarding to call me with my date. I understand your fear and anxiety but everything will be fine. That's what I l

Keep telling myself. The sleeve has excellent results and I know several people who have had this. Good luck

[grateful-1 30]

Thank you all! I have been excited and felt like it will be great all along, It's just been about the last week and a half I've been feeling this way. I so much appreciate all of you! I have been cleaning my house and doing laundry and putting expiration dates on yogurt so my kids know which ones they can eat and which ones they have to leave for my second week tee hee:) But I am feeling somewhat better now. Thinking of all the positives that made me want to do this in the first place, and you guys really help, so thank you! I am a new RN and I have been thinking about working 12 hour shifts and being better able to serve others after this surgery. Getting excited again

[Belize 32]

Thank you all! I have been excited and felt like it will be great all along' date=' It's just been about the last week and a half I've been feeling this way. I so much appreciate all of you! I have been cleaning my house and doing laundry and putting expiration dates on yogurt so my kids know which ones they can eat and which ones they have to leave for my second week tee hee:) But I am feeling somewhat better now. Thinking of all the positives that made me want to do this in the first place, and you guys really help, so thank you! I am a new RN and I have been thinking about working 12 hour shifts and being better able to serve others after this surgery. Getting excited again [/quote']

It is normal to have doubts. Somehow we kid ourselves into thinking that this doesn't need to happen now. We engage in an internal argument and often we arrive at a scary place. Would if I die? Would if there are serious complications? Surely these are good reasons to postpone this. Right? But I think if we are really honest standing in the middle of the truth of our addiction we wonder how we can live without the coping strategy that heals us in the sorrow of right now but will kill us tomorrow. we all know the list of what lies ahead -diabetes, joint replacements, strokes, heart attacks, and cancer. and still deep down we don't want to let go of the lifestyle that has walked with us for so long.

Our eating habits and food behaviors have helped us cope. The cake and ice cream, the muffins and donuts, the compulsion to keep eating when we know we should stop. Stuffing ourselves to push down emotions - we have so few tools with which to mange our interior landscape and we are removing one of the most used from our tool box.

My surgery is scheduled for 1week from today and I understand that fear. It is my fear too. Can I build a new life? I know some believe this is easy but I say this is bravery. To move through your fear and choose to live - to say goodbye to a life that has not served you well- now that is hard.

Bravo to you for choosing to live for yourself and those who love you.

God Speed

[miclev 6]

I feel exactly the same way. I teeter back and forth but still think surgery is a good choice. I don't have a surgery date yet but feel your concern.

[Bkind2u 48]

I will have surgery on the 11th and am really excited, but I still feel guilty about doing it because I "should" be able to do it myself. I also am going to have my teeth capped for mainly cosmetic reasons, and of course the two people I told said "you have pretty teeth, why would you do that?" I think that once the decision is made it is easier to just stick with it and move forward, this way karma will get behind you and give you a push. When I second guess myself there always seems to be people to step in and give their opinions in a negative direction. I am just keeping my "eye on the prize" am

Nd putting all my energy toward achieving the goals I have set!

Good luck to you. I know I made the right decision and am soooo excited about the future!