Pre-Op and major anxiety hitting - Is it all really worth it?

[AngelJoyD 7]

Hi all,

I'm on day 3 of my pre-op liquid diet and I feel terrible. I'm nauseated, weak, exhausted, foggy-headed, and am having stomach issues. I'm also prone to anxiety, and it's hitting me hard right now. I'm wondering if this is all really worth it. It's such a permanent change in everything - will I be able to enjoy life fully after surgery? For those of you who are a few years out - do you think it was honestly worth it? I know everybody says that they are happy with their choice, but I'm second-guessing it all right now. Any honest feedback is welcome.

[SimplySharon 30]

I'm pre op as well but can relate in tons of ways. I started this journey officially in January 2014. I'm prone to anxiety and panic attacks, in fact I had a full blown panic attack during my first meeting with my surgeon which led to palpitations and having to see a cardio for clearance. All is well it was all anxiety related. I've had this forever. I jumped through all the loops and was scheduled for surgery Sept '14...long story short, 4 days into my pre open diet I let me thoughts and anxiety take over..I cancelled my surgery. I weighed 300 lbs at the time got down to 289, decided I was too scared for surgery. Well in March of this year I met back up with my surgeon to try again. And guess what I weigh now? The highest I've ever ever been, 323 lbs. In a matter of months.

Clearly I cannot do this on my own. I'm in terrible shape, can barely walk, back pain, can't move around, sex life sucks, I'm married with 4 kids and I'm only 30. I'm now scheduled for Aug 11. I still have anxiety and panic, I'm still terrified of surgery, all aspects of it, however I have to do this. I'm more afraid of a heart attack, diabetes, stroke and being bed ridden. Ill take this surgery and run with it. I've recognized my fear.

We got this. Stay strong.

[AvaFern 3,516]

I'm 21 months out from surgery and I am very happy with my decision. I was self-pay so the only pre-op diet I had was a liquid diet the week before surgery. The first few weeks after surgery are miserable. You feel like you ruined your life. Then things slowly start to get better. You lose weight, you can eat normal food, and you can live a normal life, except now you actually get to enjoy it. The misery is worth it in the end.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I think if you already have anxiety pre-op (even pre-pre-op) you'll surely have anxiety post-op. So the question is: Will you be MORE anxious post-op than you already are. And if so, what will your anxiety-provoking triggers be?

You're going to go through tons of change on this journey. The first month will be a bit challenging, although one's perception of the magnitude of challenge really varies person to person. Mine wasn't bad; others felt more challenged. And then you'll be challenged by stalls, temptations, even weight loss will be challenging. Then maintenance will be challenging. And then, of course, regular life is full of challenges.

Do you suffer from eating disorders like binge-eating? Do you have sufficient support in your life (a helpful spouse, supportive siblings, a good friend who cheers you on?) Are you already in therapy and being treated for an anxiety disorder and have support on that front?

I've found that the way to be most successful after WLS is to really pack on the resources -- a supportive husband, a good therapist, a smart surgeon with a great medical / nutritional / exercise advisory team, useful online WLS forums, etc.

The tools I've found very helpful include www.myfitnesspal.com, a Fitbit, analyzing all my stats re eating patterns, weight loss patterns. (I like to collect and play with data; not everyone loves it that much.)

So find those resources and tools that will support YOUR WLS success, and use the heck out of them.

And if considering all this just freaks you out -- it's OK to hit "pause" and wait until you feel more confident that WLS will be a good move for you.

Remember - no one is making you do this. And no one is going to make you successful. YOU have to want to do it. And you are the only one who can make yourself successful.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

I am two years out from surgery and this is the best decision I have made in my life. So good that the "all really worth it" question doesn't even make sense to me. All what? I don't feel like I've given up anything I miss other than drinking a large glass of champagne (more than a couple sips of carbonation makes me queasy) and bread (bread made with yeast leaves me over-full and kind of painful after just a few bites -- which is a good thing, since bread was a major binge food for me before surgery). I do remain vigilant about what I eat and how I exercise, but that's what most normal people should do anyway.

If you told me I had to have this surgery over again every six months for the rest of my life in order to have the life I have now -- a life of normalcy, fulfillment, ease, comfort in my body -- I wouldn't think twice. No surgery is fun, but my recovery was unremarkable. The way I live and eat now is fine and normal for me. No regrets ever, not even on waking up from surgery.

[lauraellen80 855]

It must be something about those first few days of the pre-op diet. I had a meltdown on Day 4 and had to lock myself in the bathroom at work to sob uncontrollably and hyperventilate. "What the hell am I doing?! Why am I doing this?!"

I'm having surgery on Monday, and I'm probably going to have an anxiety attack when they start to prep me that morning... but I've come this far, and I've got to go through with it!

But, I have to say... while the pre-op diet continues to suck, it does get easier. And it has helped me a lot to come on these boards and read posts by people who are 6 months, 1 year, several years, etc. out of surgery. When you're on the liquid diet, you do start to think, "Oh, my god. This is my life now. I'll never be able to eat real food again." But reading posts from people leading healthy, happy, normal lives, it does reassure you that this part of the journey isn't forever.

Good luck!

[LadyK44 263]

The hardest thing for me about preop was smelling what I consider normal food being cooked in my kitchen! In the beginning it felt like torture it was torture. It never felt normal but it did get better! This sleeve thing is a major commitment! Success is dependent on using your tool correctly. At 10 months sleeved I make sure that I have support and allow myself to live. I still think it was a great decision! I'm not the perfect sleeved person and I never will be! However this was the best road to improve my health. Good luck to you and remember to breath .

Edited June 13, 2015 by LadyK44

[incredibleshrinkingnurse 21]

My surgery is on Monday too. I'm lucky the only pre-op diet I'm required to do is 48 hours of Clear Liquids. Good thing it's so short since it's giving me a migraine!!! I'm feeling a little anxious about surgery but I'm confident in the long run it WILL all be worth it!!!

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I am 25 months out. It's totally worth it.

[livvsmum 2,369]

I am 20 months post op, lost 155 pounds, just had a Tummy Tuck (paid by insurance), and am a marathon runner now (which I never would have dreamed).

The pre-op & first couple weeks were hard for me emotionally, but I have never once regretted my decision. There 2 surgeries are the best things I've ever done for my self, health & well being.

I've written a ton about my journey - the good & the bad - in my blog (linked in my signature). I started it at my very first pre-op appointment & updated it as recently as yesterday. Check it out. It may help with a lot of your questions

Good luck on this amazing journey!!

[rowebaught 21]

How is the recovery from the Tummy Tuck? Super painful?

[livvsmum 2,369]

How is the recovery from the Tummy Tuck? Super painful?

I'm not going to lie, yes, the first couple of weeks were basically just getting by but it gets progressively better. This weeks I will be 6 weeks post op from the tummy tuck, and while I am still wearing compression garments to keep everything supported, I don't have any incision pain or anything. I had a lot of muscle repair, so my ab muscles are sore more than anything else. The results are outstanding though (pics in my blog). So totally worth it - both of the surgeries.

[Riz2006 242]

Yes it is! I asked myself the same thing day of surgery and probably for 3 weeks after surgery! I'm now 3 months out and other then my kids and husband it's best thing I've ever done (and I was self pay $$$). I am down 85lbs. Can I eat like I used to? No, and I'm glad! If I took a real look I was miserable fat! I was self conscious. I wasn't enjoying life. Now I'm walking around my house in sports bra and shorts (hubby loves that ) , coaching my daughters tball team, helping hubby with yard work, just daily life is so much better. So much happier.