8 days till surgery starting to freak!!!!!

Hi everybody I just found this forum and hopefully I can find some comfort and advice to help me deal with the surgery and post-op. I've been wishing for this surgery for years and never thought or dreamed I would actually have the chance to have it done! As of today i'm 8 days till surgery and to be quite honest i'm gettting alittle scared and unsure of everything! I want this so badly but im afraid of the risk of death and how I will be able to cope with the loss of food afterwards. My hubby keeps telling me to be sure this is what I want because it's a huge ilifestyle change and my response to him is that I have to do this for me I have to. I have herniated disks and I worry about how to takes meds after surgery, the limited ability to exercise because of my back, what I can or can not eat, all the risk involved, etc. Other than my weight and back problems I'm basically healty no comorbites which eases my stress, but there's always that chance. I haven't gotten a angel on here yet but I was hoping that some of you might have some words of advice maybe some websites ,menus,etc to give me a headstart in my journey. I'm thankful for all of you who post and leave your stories,advice and prayers and hopefully i'll be one of the losers in just a few more days

I did a visualization, Kristy: I closed my eyes and pictured life one year after surgery, when most or all of my excess weight is gone: How I look, how I feel, how friends and coworkers react to my new body, my doctor's pleasure with my improved health, the ability to do things I couldn't do pre-op, the clothes I could buy, all of it. Made it as realistic as I could. Do that every day, several times a day. Then, I visualized one year later if I DIDN'T have the surgery. That lasted about 5 seconds and I practically SKIPPED into the OR. The other thing I did was go to the before and after pictures and looked at them. They are an inspiration and a strong motivator. BUT AND THIS IS IMPORTANT: At THIS stage, don't do not DO NOT DO NOT go through people's profiles!!! I can't emphasize this enough!! You could be reading along and suddenly hit a land mine of somebody's bad experience and blow all the confidence out of the water! JUST LOOK AT THE PICTURES! The possibility of dying from this surgery (or complications after) are so low that you shouldn't worry about them. Does it happen? Sure. So do plane crashes, but the benefits of flying outweigh the very small percentage. Not to mention that the long-range chances of dying from complications of being morbidly obese for a long period of time are FAR greater. Remember, too, that while this is your first experience with weight-loss surgery, it isn't your surgeon's first experience. Your surgical team know what they are doing. Put your body in their hands and your faith in God's and you will be on the losing side and loving it before you know it! Be realistic that will hurt at first and the early days of changing how and what you eat are annoying as hell, but the benefits (I'm six weeks out and have lost over 50 lbs!) far outweigh the inconveniences. One last thing about meds: Ask questions before you go in. Your surgeon (and your PCP) will answer anything you want or need to know about. You won't be bothering them--given what you are about to do, they will be delighted to answer and reassure you! Knowledge is power, girlfriend! Hope it helps. Good luck and let us know how you're doing when you get home! Greg

Hi Kristy, I am 9 days post op and what u r feeling is normal. I am telling from my point of view is that is is not going to be as bad as u r thinking. I was so scared it was going to be painful but they gave me good pain meds. I kept myself busy the days before i went in to surgery. If u r unsure about anything just ask ur surgeon, pcp or nurse. Also make sure u have someone to help u.....u will not be able to care for urself at first. Just think about the outcome not how u r going to get there. Take Care and God Bless....see u on the losing side. ~Dee

Kristy, It's normal to freak. I locked myself out of my apt. twice in the week before surgery. However, you made the most impt. point -- you're doing it b/c you need to -- for you. Best of luck, A

Good luck on your surgery, and a speedy recovery. Don't be nervous. I am a couple weeks out and don't regret mine a bit.

im right there with you girl. i have only 4 days til surgery and i am truly freaking out too. i have always been the one responsible for EVERYONE in my family, and taking the weight of the world onto my shoulders. i really dont have much fear about pain, or about life after the surgery, its mostly just undergoing an operation that scares me to death. i have only been knocked out once before, and had no complications, but the way my life works..i am always that 1 out of whatever when they say the odds of something happening. I will keep you in my prayers. GOOD LUCK...and try to get some rest. This is a WONDERFUL site with lots of friendly and helpful people.