Can I really do this?

GonBhealthy · July 10, 2008

My surgery is scheduled for the 17th. I am on the pre op liquids (blah). I am tired, and I am starting to think...what if I wake up with this band in my body and start panicking and wanting it out. Of course I'm gonna be sore, not feeling well and blaming this contraption for my agony, BUT what if I really trip out?! Has anyone tripped out after surgery, even for a little while, when they realized they had this thing in their body? Be honest. That is what I'm most worried about. I already have panic attacks (for my whole life and am being treated for them) and when I'm malnourished and stressed, they slam me. I don't want to have surgery and then a breakdown. Help, stories.

tammy green · July 10, 2008

Hi

I'm new but i'm thinking the same thing, what if i don't like it being there,:ohmy: but i know it's time to do something.:redface: ive been going to utube and watching some videos about people who have it, also coming here,:smile2:.

two of my friends have had bypass and they don't regret it. but noone i know has had lapband.:thumbup: i don't want by pass it too scary:scared2:

Flowerpurr · July 10, 2008

I am right with all of you. I have the same feeling and same fears. But I know if I don't do this that death at an early age will become a reality. I rather live long and have this thing in my body then die at age 50. That could very well happen if I don't do this. I went to support group and the people that have the bad love it. No regrets from anyone. Just think how good you are going to look and feel once you have lost the weight.

Good Luck

HeatherO · July 10, 2008

I had the same fears, but now that I am banded I realized I had nothing to panic about. The biggest thing is that you don't even feel it, even directly after surgery you don't feel it because of the pain meds.

I only know it is there when I am not eating properly. Even then, it is just feeling overly full (like thanksgiving) or sometimes you have pb or sliming. It becomes such a part of yourself, it would be like saying I really want my lower right rib or a tooth filling out because it is bothering me so much. Also, you don't have to be tightly restricted to lose weight. Before my first fill, other than seeing a couple tiny pink scars in the mirror, I couldn't feel it at all even after eating.

Really it is not that big of a deal. I only wish i could have gone back and told myself that before surgery so I didn't feel so panicy about it.

However, I have to say there is one part of it that is really different where it is hard to adjust to the changes post banding. I keep looking at my legs and thinking, are those thinner more shapely legs really my legs???? I walk past a mirror and don't recognize myself. I shop and I can pull stuff off the rack and not only does it fit . . . it looks pretty darn good. This is a harder adjustment to me than the band ever was . . . but I am lovin every minute of it.

Edited July 10, 2008 by HeatherO
Added on . . .

TracyinKS · July 10, 2008

Boobs, Hips, Knee's, Pins, Stints, Plates........... all things that go into the body commonly. Think of your band along those lines... You don't see it but its there making your body work better.....

Its not nearly as freaky as one might think........ what you are feeling is normal pre-band jitters.

U_go_gurl68 · July 10, 2008

Hi all,

I, too, had all the same fears prior to surgery starting about a week or two before and up until they came to wheel me back to the OR. I had my band on June 30th and I don't regret it one minute. I even started crying before I went back because of all the fears I had built up during those two weeks pre-op.

When I woke up, I didn't remember a thing. I didn't experience any real pain until the second day, but not until the evening. It was mostly due to gas pain and only lasted a few days. The only discomfort I get is an occassional tugging feeling if I try to sit up too fast due to use of those abdominal muscles or if the seat belt in the car rubs against my incisions. For that, I have been using a small pillow to place under the belt for padding.

All the things you are feeling are normal, but they will pass. Good luck to all of you.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

JackieH · July 10, 2008

I am JackieH - and I am getting banded July 23rd. I do no have any pre-op liquid regimin except Clear Liquids the day prior to surgery. I don't understand why some doctors want you to do this and others not. Any ideas?

U_go_gurl68 · July 10, 2008

Jackie H,

I think it all depends on the patient. Some surgeons want you to do the liquid diet to shrink your liver to decrease the risk of injury during surgery. Your stomach sits below your liver and if it is enlarged it increases the risk for injury to surrounding tissues and makes placement of the band harder.

If on the day of your surgery, after your surgeon gets in, your liver is enlarged, most will reschedule and not perform the surgery.

This is what I have heard anyway. I didn't do a full two week liquid diet either because my surgery kept getting rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts so I only did it two days before and all went fine.

tammy green · July 10, 2008

At the seminar the doctor told us that they wanted us to go on a liquid diet a week before surgery, because of the fat in the liver, he

said the liver should be spongy like, but with a lot of fat when they move it out of the way it could crack and break open. :blink: he also said 10 -15 lbs would be a big difference.

linksmom · July 10, 2008

My dtr wants me to do a 2 week liquids only. Today, is day 1. Suprisingly, I've done pretty good. :blink: This weekend I am going to a hobby store and try and get some things to keep my hands and mind occupied so I won't want to snack. After my surgery, by day 3 I can have soft or pureed foods and then after the 2nd week anything I want. This is when I'll have to start paying attention to chewing alot and taking my time. Oh well, I know I can do this,,,I've waited most of my life for this day. :angry: Good Luck! Susan

shrinknme · July 11, 2008

wow thanks heather for your reply.. I am being banded on the 25th and its hard not to let your mind wander to all the fears of life being different. I told my husband tonight that I havent even really thought about losing the weight.. I have just thought about all the problems and senerios about how this foriegn thing is going to treat me.