Hi

August 26, 2003

Just found this forum and already finding it very useful. I have not had my surgery yet but I am scheduled for lap band surgery on Sept. 30th. I am getting really nervous. I have not met anyone that has ever had this surgery done but have met lots of people that have had gastric bypasses. I have never had any surgery and this is one reason I am scared. I also am scared that I might have it done and not lose the weight. I have 125 lbs. to lose. Does everyone go through a scared phase?

Alexandra · August 26, 2003

Hi Eddi,

To take your last question first, the answer is YES! Everyone goes through a scared phase, particularly those of us who are strangers to surgery. It is scary!

The good news is that this is really minor abdominal surgery (if there is such a thing). I keep comparing it to my friend's c-section, and realizing that she went through something WAY worse than I did. And people bounce back from that really quickly.

I'd also say that the flexibility and adjustability of the band should set your mind at ease about the possibility of not losing weight with it. If you're not losing, you can try an adjustment! You can take a break and let your body rest, and then get a fill and start working on your program again when you're re-energized. It will still be there! It won't lose its efficacy altogether just because you're scarfing down doughnuts for a while.

Think about something else for the next month, and then surgery wil be around the corner. Good luck!!

Brandi · August 26, 2003

Yes, everyone DEFINATELY does go through a "scared phase". I'm sure if you went through all these posts, you'll see a dozen people saying how scared they are.

I was banded one week ago today. I have never had surgery before either and was TERRIFIED about being put under general anesthetic. When I was in pre-op, I was crying because I was so scared, seriously thinking about changing my mind! But before I knew it, I was in recovery. I really don't remember much other than that. When you get into pre-op, just tell them that you're really nervous and they'll give you some "calming medicine". That helped me a lot. They will be really understanding and comforting.

Hope I've helped a little. You will be fine....and it will DEFINATELY be worth it!!!!

quakergirl · August 26, 2003

I had never had surgery before either, but it was not a very big deal. The discomfort of surgery is well worth it to get rid of the physical and emotional pain of being morbidly obese!

As for being afraid of failure, I think everyone goes through that because we're used to failing on diets. But remember, this is better than a diet because the band will be helping you along the way. When I was on the Atkins diet, I struggled every day with wanting to give up and eat carbs. With the band, I have already lost just as much as I did on Atkins and have NEVER wanted to give up so far!

One thing to remember is that not everyone loses all the excess weight, but just about everyone loses SOME weight. Every bit of weight loss is going to help you. So far I have lost 25 pounds, which may not seem like much, but just that little loss makes me feel a lot better about myself. My blood pressure used to be borderline high (and I'm only 20 years old!) but just that little loss has brought it back down to normal.

As for not meeting any other bandsters, if you're having the surgery done locally perhaps you can talk to your surgeon's office about starting a support group for his/her banding patients?

Good luck.