PLEASE tell me this is normal!!!!

[cyndilou29 0]

Hi everyone,

Okay, I just got my surgical time (6am tomorrow morning) and now I'm totally freaking out. It just got real to me, I guess. Now I have all these questions and I'm obsessing. Will the surgery go okay? Will I be in a lot of pain? Will I get any restriction before my fill? Will my first fill hurt? What if this stupid thing doesn't work and I'm out $20,000? What if I can't follow the diet after the band and my life is a huge froth-fest from now on?

Is it normal to be this nervous? I'm just obsessing about all these things like a maniac! Did any of you go through this before the surgery?

:help:

[faithmd 14]

Hello Cyndi!

I guess you haven't been around here very long or you'd know that you are TOTALLY normal! (Please don't that that the wrong way, you are most welcome to post about this, we are all here to support one another.) Yep, I've read many, many, many posts like yours, I've not had surgery yet, but came within 8 days of it before having it rescheduled and I'll admit that I was starting to question a few things. It's completely normal to flip out a bit, after all not only are you having a surgical procedure done, you are essentially changing how you eat for the rest of your life. But it's a GOOD thing. It'll be VERY good.

And it really will be okay.

Good Luck!!

(Are you paying $20K out of pocket? WOW!)

[marjon9 6]

Hi everyone,

Okay, I just got my surgical time (6am tomorrow morning) and now I'm totally freaking out. It just got real to me, I guess. Now I have all these questions and I'm obsessing. Will the surgery go okay? Will I be in a lot of pain? Will I get any restriction before my fill? Will my first fill hurt? What if this stupid thing doesn't work and I'm out $20,000? What if I can't follow the diet after the band and my life is a huge froth-fest from now on?

Is it normal to be this nervous? I'm just obsessing about all these things like a maniac! Did any of you go through this before the surgery? :help:

Wow, your surgery is tomorrow and you are nervous? That is so weird. I don't think I've heard of that happening before.

NOT!!!!

Just kidding with you. I think everyone goes through exactly the same thing. If you have time, try running a couple searches on the forum with terms like "second thoughts." You'll see that you are not alone. Just try and remember that you thought about this decision for a long time and considered it very carefully at times when you were "cool, calm, and collected" as the saying goes. If it made sense to you during all those times, then it is probably the right thing to do.

There is no magic answer to get through this nervous time. Just try and remember that it will all be over very soon now, and you'll be starting your bandster journey.

As for the pain, some people have some pain for a few days, but they give you pain meds and it's not bad for most people. If you have not done so already, you might want to get some Gas-x strips, or something like that. Apparently some people have gas pains for a while (they fill you up with air during surgery, I hear).

Beyond that, walk a lot as soon as you can. And be sure to stick with the post op diet.

I'm sure you've heard all this before.

Good luck tomorrow.

[cyndilou29 0]

Yep, I'm paying $20K out of pocket, that's probably why I'm flipping out too! My stupid insurance has all WLS excluded from coverage so I'm on my own. I just didn't feel comfortable going to Mexico even though I know many of the folks here did great there. OMG if I had to fly to Mexico I'd be even worse right now!

Thanks for the post. I've been on here a little bit but I guess I gravitate toward posts about what goes on post-op. I need to start reading some pre-op ones I guess!

[cyndilou29 0]

Thanks Mark. Good idea about searching for 2nd thoughts. I'm going to do that now.

This board is so amazing. I'm so very thankful that I found it. Everyone here is wonderful

[LFERLAND 0]

You have nothing to worry about when it comes to the fills. They are not at all painful, only discomfort and a feeling of restriction. As for the band working... you have to work with the band in order for it to work. If you are not 100% ready to change your eating habits then this is not the time to get this done. If you are ready and willing to change then there should be no problem. The band does make it hard to NOT follow the new diet. If you overeat then you quickly learn (through throwing up) not to! Try to calm your nerves by reassuring yourself that you are doing something for your health. Remember, you are worth the 20k regardless if it works or not!!

[areellady 1]

You are SO VERY NORMAL hun. Really, you are!! Everyone of us who have had the surgery went through this....it is such a "hit you with a reality check" sensation!!! It is nerves and your adrenaline pumping through you with the "fight or flight". You know what you have to do and its all so scary, but it will be okay and tomorrow when you wake up from your surgery, you will say to yourself...ok, heres what I am going to do...WALK as soon as possible.....WALK WALK WALK...as much as you possibly can... You are worth it and you can do this!!! Its time to take charge of your life and your health!!! YOU GO GIRL!! DEanna

p.s. It wasn't but a little over a month ago that I was doing this EXACT same thing in my head!!!!!

[Luvbnanurse 1]

Cyndilou I did the same thing , but I didn't get real nervous till I was on the gurney right before going to surgery!! I started crying and told my husband " I want to go home, lets just forget it!!" Right about then I went out, the drugs hit and I sure am glad I did it now. Hun, your life is about to change and it isn't always going to be easy, but it is ohhhh so worth it!! Good luck !!

[travelgirl 3]

Wow, this is a pretty tall order to fill….your questions are pretty difficult to answer.

Will the surgery go ok? Most likely your surgery will go off without a hitch.

Will you be in a lot of pain? Depends, everyone is different. Take your pain meds, that's what they're for, and walk, walk, walk, and walk some more!

Will you get any restriction before your fill? I had some restriction before my first fill, but not everyone does. Remember, everyone is different, and the time before your first fill is a time for HEALING, not weight loss.

Will your first fill hurt? Didn't feel a thing at my first fill, but my port area felt bruised for a few days afterward.

What if it doesn't work? It's a tool that YOU have to work with.

What if I can't follow the diet? I'm not on a diet. I eat the same things as everyone else (except for soft bread and dry or tough meat), just a lot less of it than I would have eaten before.

What if your life is a huge froth fest from now on? I haven't experienced this yet….Banded almost 4 months now…

Is this normal? OF COURSE!!!!!!! It wouldn't be normal if you weren't nervous!!! I was an emotional wreck the day before surgery, but after you've been banded and have a couple of months under your belt, it won't seem like this huge deal anymore. You have to make some tough choices now and again, like forcing yourself to get off your behind and exercise even when you don't feel like it….or passing up those donuts someone brought in to work….but I truly believe that you'll be fine. Or even better than fine! You'll be great.

Good luck on your surgery tomorrow! Keep us posted on how you're doing!

[JeninCO 0]

I was completely freaked out. I was so scared the day of surgery I shook and had trouble talking, but it all went really well; the nurses were kind and very skilled and everyone was great.

Make sure you get up and walk around as soon as you're awake and able to. This will help with the gas pains.

I think everyone else has answered the rest of your questions, but check back -- everyone has been where you are!

You will be so happy with your band, it will be the best thing you've ever done for yourself!

[cyndilou29 0]

You guys are all so great, thank you. I feel so much better knowing I'm not mental for going through this. I think sometimes I'm being selfish, spending all this money and then putting myself at risk with surgery. I'm struggling with that I guess more than anything now.

But I'm excited. I'm less than 9 hours away from my new life. I can't wait!

[stephied 0]

I had my surgery on a Tuesday and went back to work on Monday. I felt great and actullay could have went back to work that Saturday.

[LovelyLaFleur 0]

I just found this site the other day infact it was right after my psych consult. I have been having some of the same thoughts. But, thanks to you all it helps me calm down and stay on track and realize I've made the right choice with this. My insurance won't help either $14,500 out of pocket. I keep dreaming about that check, but, I'm trying to look at this as being empowering, "I'm successful enough to pull it off". As a single mom it took me two years to get everything in order and have the ability to pay for it.

[LovelyLaFleur 0]

PS. Good Luck