Was anyone scared?

[sweetheart181 10]

I was terrified! although I was more afraid of failing after surgery. what helped me feel better about the surgery was to go to youtube and watch videos of the lapband surgery.

[Moxi 0]

I was terrified! although I was more afraid of failing after surgery. what helped me feel better about the surgery was to go to youtube and watch videos of the lapband surgery.

Maybe I will try that!

[LindaD 3]

No, I wasn't. Oh, I know that risk is always there. I did everything to mitigate it as best I could - chose my surgeon carefully, lost weight prior to surgery, got in as good physical shape I could, etc. And then I trusted.

I didn't even tell most people in my life until AFTER the procedure was done. My mom, my friends, they were all worried enough for me. LOL They all knew I was having it done, though. So rather than have them all worked up with anxiety, I just scheduled and did it and called/told them afterwards.

[Shmoopy 0]

My surgery is on Monday, the 22nd (only a few days away) and yes I'm extremely scared/nervous/etc. I think it's normal. I'm anxious to "get it all over with" and to start my new life. I'm come to the conclusion that things are going to suck for the next few weeks but I'm ready. Boy am I ready!!!

[Moxi 0]

Good luck Shmoopy! (love the name LOL)

[Shmoopy 0]

Thank you. and Thank you!!

Gosh I need all the luck I can get. I'm nervous. Tomorrow is the big day. I'm not even afraid of dying or anything. ha. I'm mostly afraid of a lot of pain. And/or throwing up. I'm not good with those two things. I'm kind of a baby. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes okay. I'm due to stay overnight becuse of my sleep apnea. Man, I cannot believe it's here. Granted I've thought about not doing it. But honestly, time goes by SO fast and before I know it, it'll be June 2010 and I would probably say to myself "Jen you should've done that surgery last year. you'd already have a year and X amount of pounds behind you." So that's my drive....think about what I might possibly weigh a year from now. Get healthy. But...again, still nervous. So I apologize if I'm babbling or not making much sense.

[LindaD 3]

Well, if it helps you at all (and I hope you get as lucky), I didn't even take any of the nausea meds they prescribed for me after surgery. I never once felt like I might throw up, not even a little bit.

And though I was sore, I slept in my bed from that first night and walked on the treadmill every day including the day I had the surgery.

It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. My surgery was Friday and I felt great by Monday. The whole thing was just almost a non-event from a pain standpoint. The only work I missed was the day of my surgery.

I hope yours is as easy!! Good luck!

[Shmoopy 0]

Wow Linda... thank you so much!! Hearing your story has made me feel so much better. I don't think I can fully express how grateful I am that you took the time to write that. I know that everyone is different and I was focusing on the negative post-op stories I've heard, and haven't focused enough on the ones like yours...where it wasn't horrible at all!

Once I'm out of the hospital and back home (Tuesday if all goes well and by the book) I'll give an update.

Wish me luck!!

[Shrinking Shadow 0]

I was TERRIFIED. I thought about dieing on the operating table. I thought about being under anesthesia and feeling everything and not being able to tell the Dr. I was in pain. I thought about having a cardiac arrest. I worried about the breathing tube they put down your throat. I thought about it all!! I know EXACTLY how you feel!! I cried so much that event he admitting lady came in and hugged me. The Dr's, the nurses, everyone felt bad for me. I had never been in the hospital before, or even had stitches. One minute the girl was asking me a question, and the next minute I was waking up in recovery. I was banded on 06/10/09 and I would do it again in a second. It wasn't bad at all. Hope this helps! :0)

[Shmoopy 0]

Yes! It helps! Thank you so much!! To hear you would do it again in a second really makes me feel at ease. Hearing these extremely positive stories is helping me relax and feel more excited about getting the surgery. I have a lot of faith in my surgeon and the staff at the hospital. So while I was fearing how I was going to feel when I woke up, I'm starting to worry way less about that. I hope I have a super successful time! I'll let you all know.

Thank you again Shrinking Shadow. I wish you all the best. and thanks for being an inspiration right now.

[Moxi 0]

Hope all is going well for you today Schmoopy and that you'll come back and update us once you feel up to it!

[Shmoopy 0]

Hi Everyone! Gosh, I cannot believe two days have gone by. Monday was my surgery. Everything went great. My mother went to the hospital with me. I told her that they scheduled the OR for two hours for me. (which is what hte nurse told me). Meanwhile, the operation only took 35 minutes and when the surgeon went in to see my mother, she thought the worst!! Ha! But seriously,, everything went fine.

I'm not going to lie and say I havent had pain. I've had pain in one spot, on my left side and that's because they cut through a muscle. The first time I got up to walk, I was dizzy and felt a little sick. But I never threw up.

The nurses and doctors were all about my peeing. It was kinda annoying. So everytime I had to pee (which wasn't much) it was a big deal. I stayed over night. And by yesterday morning I was able to walk around by myself (well with my IV bag)

I got home yesterday around noon and slept a lot. I tried keeping hydrated (this is going to be tough. since small sips and then feeling sick doesn't do much for feeling better!) but I'm trying. I just woke up a short time ago, and I **think** I feel a tad better, but I'm not going to push it.

The meds they gave me were Dilluadid. That's pretty much what is putting me to sleep.

Oh this annoyed me...so I'm supposed to get my code for the Realize Band website, and when I asked for it, everyone just kind of looked at me like "what are you talking about?" That made me mad. And sad. I mean, I just went through all of that and I just want my code!!!

If anyone has any specific questions, just ask. I'm sure I left out a ton. But I'm still trying to get back to feeling like myself. It surely was not as bad as I thought. But the pain kinda burns. :thumbup:

[clayverde 2]

Hi - just had to add a quick reply - I was terrified and the morning of the surgery I was so sick to my stomach. It was a relief when they finally knocked me out! Everyone had great advice for you, but here is my two cents:

Get prepared - fill out the living will info, create a will (doesn't have to be a lawyer visit - do some research on the net and you can create a valid one yourself), etc. That helped me because I felt I was actively DOING something to prepare for the worst case scenario.

Do lots of research - the more you know, the better you'll be. I looked at the risks of death associated with obesity and they are astronomical compared to death by the surgery. Know your doctor and hospital - they had the lowest numbers in the state, which also helped reassure me.

Finally, talk to and look up posts, profiles, etc. of people who have succeeded with the band. This really helps remind you that not only is the surgery worth it, but what you are really looking at to accomplish and how your life will be so different when you achieve that goal.

I look back now and laugh because this surgery and the aftermath were almost ridiculously easy. (I mean, it was painful, etc. BUT compared to how I was living every day before - overweight, tired, achey, lonely, excluded, etc etc. - the surgery was a breeze!) I let my fear of the surgery keep me from doing this earlier and now that is the ONLY thing I regret! I wish I had done this so much earlier. I love my band and, aside from my husband and my children, it is the best thing I have EVER done for myself. I have been happier now than I've been in years. My husband, family and friends constantly comment that it is like "getting the old Claire back".

Just keep thinking that what you are going through now IS the hard part - it gets easier after this!! Good luck!!!

[Moxi 0]

Thanks Claire. :thumbdown:

Good to see you Schmoopy! Gald everything went well for you. Hopefully you are feeling like yourself soon.

[ivesy2 0]

hi im being banded in 3 weeks time on the 11th, im also keep getting thoughts am doing right thing, and if i dont come around, if i keep thinking like that then no of us would do anything in life. lol. i got an 8 year old. so hes only thing im worried about, but i know doing right thing by having healthier life and be able to do more with my boy.